Reprinted with permission of the author, Marvin Baker, 712 La
Vista, McAllen, Texas 78501, this article first appeared in the Rio
Grande Valley Old Time Equipment Club’s Newsletter. It was sent
to us by J. D. Wilbanks, Box 532, Spearman, Texas 79081.
During one of our shows last March, we were discussing plans to
attend various upcoming antique machinery shows. Several agreed
that in September it would be nice to take in the Golden Spread
Antique Machinery Association Show held on the Donald Sell farm at
Perryton, Texas on September 19-20. By September 15th, all had
changed their plans but me (Marvin Baker) and Mr. C. K. Koelle of
Mission, Texas.
On the 16th, C. K. called and asked if I still wanted to go.
When I answered in the affirmative, he said, ‘Be ready tomorrow
morning about 7.’
Slept good that night, but awakened at 4 a.m. and promptly
decided it was too early to get up. Went back to sleep and was
awakened at 7 a.m. by C. K. and the doorbell. It took almost 10
minutes to dress, grab my bag and get into the Koelle’s new
Buick Skylark.
After an uneventful trip, we arrived at the Donald Sell farm
about 11 a.m. Friday, September 18th. About 40 Golden Spread
Antique Machinery Association members were busy throughout the
grounds. We carried about 30 pounds of papayas from McAllen to the
Sells (who were not familiar with the fruit). It was graciously
accepted by Mrs. Sell, who invited C. K. and me to join the work
crew in a noontime barbecue.
Lloyd Dugan, our member from Fritch, Texas, was involved in
tending some of the classic (pre 20s) old tractors. Other members
of our association at the show were Rosie and Richard Kepler of San
Antonio, who were enroute to ‘Oscar’s Dreamland’ in
Billings, Montana.
We stayed in a motel on the southeast fringe of Perryton. C. K.
especially liked the accommodations because a K-Bob restaurant is
next door. Subsequently, we were in Booker, and noted a large motel
there. Didn’t check the rates, but next time will try it. It,
too, has a neat little cafe located nearby. Hookups are available
for campers at the show grounds on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Only electricity is available though.
Saturday morning, C. K. and I arrived at the show grounds about
9:15. To the right we witnessed a large blue and white striped tent
crowded with people. C. K. commented, ‘Let’s go to church
tomorrow,’ as we hurried to the flea market section. Within 10
minutes I had managed to lose C. K., and vacillated toward the big
tent. Lo and behold, no ministerial services. Carroll Gravert,
Central City, Nebraska, was conducting a superb three hour seminar
on the restoration of an antique tractor. He does this free, as a
courtesy of Goodyear and Successful Farming magazine.
Located nearby was Cliff Rogers, a master with the acetylene
cutting torch and old plow discs. His works are one of a kind and
most artistic. A completed sculpture ranges from $250 up.
The noon meal was a catered affair. Approximately a pound of
barbecue beef and all the trimmings for $4.50. Really
delicious.
During my attendance at Carroll Gravert’s seminar, I just
happened to sit next to Dan Sell, Donald’s brother. I mentioned
that of all the classic antique tractors, we’d yet to find a
Waterloo Boy. Dan invited C. K. and me to visit his farm later in
the evening if we really wanted to see John Deere’s
predecessor.
At the Golden Spread Antique Machinery Association’s Show
antique tractors, steam engines, farm implements, cars and a museum
are available for the scrutiny of the inquisitive visitor.
Remarkably, all are functional. Everything works!
This was exemplified at the parade, which began promptly at 1
p.m. The header, pulled by a matched set of six Belgian horses,
manned by three men and the header barge with a matched team of
black mules was a magnificent sight. Then there were the pioneer
self-propelled combines, a multitude of cars, coaches, tractors,
steam engines and trucks.
At 2 o’clock a pickup truck with a cattle trailer drove onto
the parade grounds. Charley Custer, of Logan, Oklahoma, a member of
this association, dismounted from the truck and bade his two border
collies do the same. Charley placed a gunny sack at his feet. An
assistant released two white ducks about 150 feet away. Charley
sent the two dogs for the ducks. Apparently, the ducks had been
herded before, and really didn’t care for such antics, as they
quickly sought refuge under the cattle trailer.
The dogs were undaunted as they bellied down under the trailer,
and using their noses pushed the ducks out, and herded them
promptly to Charley and his sack. In the meantime, a small cattle
panel corral had been put in place about 50 yards from the cattle
trailer. The trailer gate was opened and out rushed six 500 pound
calves. Upon Charley’s command, the dogs drove the cattle into
the corral. After resting the bovines briefly, the corral gate was
opened, and Charley directed the dogs to put the cattle back into
the trailer. The collies skillfully manipulated their charges to
the point of origin, except one!! While Charley stood by the closed
trailer gate, the dogs chased the recalcitrant dogie around the
arena. After a little bit of this, Charley opened the trailer gate.
(Ye, Gads, the poor old boy is going to lost the entire caboodle!)
All the cattle came out of the trailer. The dogs drove the dogie
into the herd, and then put the entire group back into the
trailer.
After the parade, we next watched the kiddie tractor pull. One
demure young lady was heard to exclaim, ‘Ain’t no boy going
to beat me.” And they didn’t! She tied for first with
a boy in the top class tractor pull.
A calliope of recent vintage furnished music throughout the day.
Automatic or manual, it has a delightful sound to enjoy. The
calliopist is one of the best. A visitor asked to substitute, and
was allowed to take over the keyboard. It didn’t take long for
the audience to realize the owner of the calliope was the true
master.
Spent a fast two hours in the museum and realized that it was
time to head for Dan’s place north of Booker. Dan’s
grandson, daughter and son-in-law graciously gave us the royal
tour. The first thing we saw was the Waterloo Boy, then a gaggle of
classic antique tractors and cars. Dan’s museum was extremely
interesting.
By now it was almost 8, and C. K. was antsy to get back to the
show grounds to watch the square dancing. With an excellent caller
from Stratford, Texas, square dance clubs from Texas, Oklahoma,
Kansas and New Mexico put on a three hour dance program. This is an
annual affair with the association. It will long be remembered.
In the late hours of the night, we thanked Donald and Dan and
everyone for their hospitality. We then proceeded to the motel for
a good night’s rest, and then the long trek home.
The Sunday show agenda is the same, except for
non-denominational church services at 10 a.m.
Mr. Wilbanks notes that the Golden Spread Antique Machinery
Association wishes to thank Mr. Baker for letting them use his
report of their show.
