Rumely Collector’s News 12109 Mennonite Church Rd. Tremont,
Illinois 61568
In 1931 the Advance-Rumely Company effectively closed its doors.
Some 52 years later, the little town of Rushville, Indiana, saw
what might just be the biggest gathering of Advance-Rumely and
related machinery since then! The sheer size of Rumely Expo ’93
surprised everyone at the excellent Pioneer Engineers Club show at
Rushville, including the organizers!
The guests of honor included 45 major pieces of Rumely
equipment. Incredibly, 38 OilPull tractors, from the giant 30-60 E
through the lightweight models down to the nimble 12-20, stood in
four long rows beside the big Rumely Expo tent. ‘Boy, did ya
see them OilPulls!?’ was a comment heard numerous times
throughout the show! Many folks were astonished to see that many of
the rare old tractors in one place. One fella marveled, ‘I
didn’t think there’s that many left!’
A one-of-a-kind 14-24 Model L, experimental model, forerunner to
the 15-25 L OilPull, was on display. This tractor holds the honor
of being serial number 1! A Do-All, Rumely’s convertible
cultivator tractor, sat beside a row of five immaculate Rumely
‘6’ tractors.
A real showpiece was a five bottom Rumely plow which was found
in pieces buried in the ground with just enough sticking out to
trip you on a walk though the barnyard. It now looks like it has
just left the Rumely dealer’s showroom! Emerson Wertz, a former
Advance-Rumely employee, helped on the plow’s restoration. He
worked as an OilPull service man in the Aberdeen, South Dakota,
branch. He drove the Rumely Do-All in the parade on Saturday. We
were quite honored to have him there!
Numerous Rumely and Advance Rumely steam engines were on the
grounds for the show, along with a surprising number of Gaar, Scott
& Company and Advance Thresher Company steam engines. The
oldest Gaar, Scott engine known to exist, manufactured in 1865, was
there, along with an ancient A. Gaar and Company engine (Gaar,
Scott’s predecessor).
Aultman-Taylor steam and gas traction engines rounded out the
grand display of machines that were taken under the wing of the
Rumely Company. A special treat was a rare 15-30 GasPull tractor,
originally manufactured by Northwest Thresher Company and marketed
as the 20-40 Universal for a short time before it became a Rumely
product.
Rumely and Advance-Rumely steam engines both did duty on the
sturdy 32×52′ Advance-Rumely steel separator. This machine was
in top form and handled the bundles as well as it had in its heyday
on the old threshing run.
A Rumely ensilage cutter and OilPull power unit completed the
display around the tent, which was filled with an array of Rumely
memorabilia! A king’s ransom of rare watch fobs, models, pins,
catalogs and photographs brought back memories and tantalized
collectors.
That evening, 128 people packed the Miller’s Supper Club in
Rushville to enjoy a delicious buffet supper and hear a fascinating
trio of speakers. Jack Maple of Rushville shared memories of a
visit to a Rumely dealership. What we all wouldn’t give for the
chance to travel back in time, snatch up a bushel-basket of
literature and mementos, order a couple of tractors,, and head back
home!
Dennis Rupert of Hillsdale, Michigan, reflected on growing up in
a family surrounded by OilPulls. It’s obviously done Dennis a
lot of good! Too bad more of our kids aren’t exposed to the
values of our pioneer fathers instead of the lifestyles of the
current hot ballplayer or rock star.
Finally, Bill Rumely of New Palatine, Indiana, the
great-great-grandson of Meinrad Rumely, founder of the M. Rumely
Company, took a look at the Rumely family tree and told of recently
discovering a love of the tractors that hold so dear a place in his
roots. The high point of the evening came when the green and yellow
Rumely Expo ’93 banner was auctioned to the highest bidder.
After a heated contest, it sold for $260.00 and left for its new
home in, appropriately, LaPorte, Indiana.
All in all, everyone agreed it was a giant step towards bringing
this grand old company into the spotlight already shining on some
of its former competitors. Rumely Expo ’94 is already scheduled
for August 11-14 at the New York Steam Engine Show at Canandaigua,
New York. The Rumely Expo series is presently promoted by a
loose-knit steering committee, dedicated to preserving and
promoting Rumely history through these Expos. If you plan to attend
and bring a machine or exhibit, please contact Ron Miller, 12433
U.S. 6, Geneseo, Illinois 61254, phone 309-944-3156. More complete
coverage along with Expo videos and paraphernalia is available
through the host publication, Rumely Collector’s News
Magazine, % Scott Thompson, 12109 Mennonite Church Rd.,
Tremont, IL 61568, 309-925-3932.
