Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
TOTAL ATTENDANCE compared favorable with other years at Midwest
Old Settlers & Threshers Association Reunion held September
5-6-7 and 8, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and that on Saturday drew the
largest crowd ever to attend during its seven years.
New features were, a shingle mill in operation, grinding wheat
in a flour mill, and cutting block wood with a drag saw, all under
steam operation in addition to the regular ones of Prony brake
test, Baker fan, threshing grain, sawmill operation both large,
miniature and buzz.
Fifty engines took part in the Cavalcade of Power which included
over 30 steam engines besides miniatures and gas traction engines
of odd design and operation. Thirty antique cars joined in parading
before the packed grandstand and the crowded infield where
spectators lined the track four-deep. On two occasions the
procession was led by Mt. Pleasant High School’s famous
60-piece marching band, with members dressed in engineer’s caps
lettered ‘Old Threshers’, red bandana neckerchiefs, and
blue jeans.
Balancing an engine on a teeter-totter and threshing with a
hand-cranked 1831 model groundhog thresher were features before the
grandstand audience.
As in other years visitors came from near and far and some had
not missed a reunion. First-time visitors were amazed at what they
saw and expressed their intentions of returning next year for the
full four days. This is already set for September 4-5-6-7. 1957.
Canada and Mexico were represented and other distant places which
include as far away as Washington state, Montana, Idaho and
Pennsylvania. Approximately 2800 visitors joined the association
during the reunion, paying $1.00 and helping promote the event
which is non-profit and run with out charge to visitors. It is
possible to attend without cost except for food. And there was
plenty of it available ‘Old Threshers’ meals were served by
five local church groups in large tents practically beside the
engines.
There was always something doing from early morning until late
in the evening parades on two nights and pictures shown in one of
the tents, and a square dance at the nearby armory on the other two
nights. The site is the county fair grounds at the edge of town. It
has considerable natural shade. Here park and plank benches were
arranged so that there was plenty of room to rest and still see
some of the activity.
In two rooms of a large shelter house were antique exhibits of
pioneer farm and home furnishings, dishes, glassware, Indian
relics, pistols, rifles and fowling pieces of early days, with
identification and interested people to show and explain them to
visitors. Part of the time organ music was played which included
popular and request numbers. A demonstration of carding and
spinning wool using an old time spinning wheel was again a featured
attraction. An exhibit of various native rocks and gem stones
attracted many.
