Photo by Mervil Ashburn
Paublo Agricultural Museum held their second annual show at the
museum grounds, 2 miles northeast of Stonington, Illinois off state
route 48.
The three day show was held on July 25, 26, 27, 1980. Weather
was hot, but cooled off before the show was over.
Six steam engines and three model steam engines were here. Herb
Beckemeyer from Champaign, Illinois with his Baker, Don Werth of
Lincoln, Illinois, with his Baker, Wilbur Jolly of Tuscola,
Illinois, with his Minneapolis, Ray DeMent of Clinton, Illinois,
with his Case, Russell Helm of Newman, Illinois, with his Advance
Rumely, and one Keck Gonnerman. A 30-60 Aultman Taylor gas tractor
shown by Joe Rittenhouse of Bement, Illinois.
The Advance Rumely steam engine shown by Russell Helms was the
first year this engine had been shown. It was beautifully restored.
He also exhibited a model separator built by him, assisted by
Wilbur Jolly they put on several threshing demonstrations during
the show. It was pulled by his little model steam engine.
Loys Humsley of Edinburg, Illinois showed his model Nichols
& Shepard engine built by him, and Ralph Fisher of Assumption,
Illinois, his small Case engine.
The big engines were used to operate the saw mill, threshing
wheat, and test fans.
Joe Rittenhouse plowed with his big 30-60 Aultman Taylor gas
tractor. He also shelled corn with his 1917 Ottawa shelter.
There were 19 exhibitors of small engines, 46 water cooled and
21 air cooled. These engines were all good and put on a good
exhibit.
Jack Hogg of Palmer, Illinois, head sawer kept the big engines
busy sawing lumber. The grist mill was in operation grinding wheat
and corn. The whole wheat flour and meal was for sale.
Maig Bragg and Millard Dukeman were busy making shingles during
the show.
On Saturday we had a great antique tractor pull strictly stock
tractors with no weights. After a 40 HP gas tractor could not pull
any further, Ray DeMent with his 40 HP Case steam engine which has
more weight, pulled the sled back. Will try and have another great
antique tractor pull this year.
Sunday was the antique auto show. We had some nicely restored
cars. Some did not come as it looked like it could rain any
time.
Wayne Ekiss with his fine draft horses put on a great
demonstration of plowing and discing. Hope he will be back this
year.
We also had rug weaving, rope making, flea markets, horse drawn
equipment, etc. to look at in the museum.
Plan to attend our show in 1981. See the ad in this
magazine.
