1407 S. Courtland Ave. Kokomo, Indiana
The Elwood Historical Club held its fifth annual ‘Steam
Threshing and Saw Milling show’ on July 24, 25, 26; 1964. The
show took place on the Robert Meyer’ farm, 5 miles north of
Elwood, Indiana. The three-day event was the most successful yet.
An estimated 10,000 attended the week-end doings.
The show opened Friday morning July 24 at 10 A. M. with Richard
Baker of Windfall, Indiana singing the national anthem, while the
American flag was raised. A prayer was given to start the
ceremonies off.
At 10 A. M. the threshing and sawing began. There were several
large steam engines on display. They include :
A 1924 Keck Gonnerman, 22 horse power engine owned by Harold
Wil-burn, Elwood, Indiana. T 1915 Case 65 horse power engine owned
by Rudolph Shinholt, Jones-boro, Indiana.
A 1922 Baker 23 horse power engine owned by Basil Harvey,
Greentown, Indiana.
A Case 9 horse power owned by Dave Sullivan, Markleville,
Indiana. A 1923 Minneapolis 25 horse power owned by Berman Warner,
Anderson, Indiana.
A portable 6 horse power engine owned by Roland Maxwell. A 1914
Case 80 horse power engine owned by Joe Zehring, Bennett Switch,
Indiana.
A 1907 Case 65 horse power engine owned by Donald Beckom,
oakford, Indiana.
A ‘Kitten Engine’ owned by Lloyd Sanders, Kokomo,
Indiana.
An Advance Rumley 25 horsepower owned by Ellis Reeves, Kokomo,
Indiana.
At noon each day Robert Jackley, master of ceremonies, gave the
signal for the Old Tinplate Whistle to be blown, immediately
following all engines blew their whistles.
All of the engines were kept busy at all times to give the
spectators plenty of action. The 32 acre wooded area was filled
with many other displays. The sawmill was in operation all three
days nearly all the time.
For the younger set as well as the older. A miniature railroad,
owned by David Sullivan of Markleville, Indiana, is an authentic
reproduction of the large steam locomotives. It has four coaches
with a capacity of 32 persons. The track was set up to cover 1260
feet of the grounds.
Each year the Historical Society has developed new additions.
Some are a display building, restrooms, running water, drinking
fountains, and a public address system to give visitors
descriptions of the activities continually going on.
Meals were served by the Christian Church of Leisure, Indiana
and the Christian Church of Oakford, Indiana. The ladies served a
very good selection of food, and many people took advantage of the
delicious servings.
One of the most interesting displays was a 1892 horse drawn
Hearse.
Several people stayed Friday night to listen to the music played
by the Polka Dot Band and songs sung by the Dale Trio.
The Threshing began on Saturday morning at 10 A. M. The
threshing and sawmill demonstrations started the day off and
continued the entire day.
Robert Colson, Elwood, Indiana, had teams of matched ponies
which he displayed. The horses hitched to a small wagon which he
built himself. It was a beautiful site, and it was shown great
appreciation by all.
At 2 P. M. there was an added attraction Harry Martin and his
Old Fashioned Aires Q u a r te t from W.F.B.M. T.V. Indianapolis,
Indiana, entertained everyone with their fine singing.
During the day, W.B.M.P. radio station of Elwood broadcasted the
ceremonies to give the people of the surrounding area who
couldn’t come to join in with the events while they
happened.
Downtown Elwood held Old Fashioned Bargain Days Friday and
Saturday in accordance with the threshing show. The merchants gave
the citizens a chance to ‘save a few bucks’ on the outside
display bargains.
Saturday evening ended with square dancing.
Church services started the program off on Sunday morning. The
Reverend Chester Mitchell of Tipton conducted services starting at
9 A.M. The Mooreman family of West Liberty, Indiana furnished the
music.
Again at 10 A.M. the threshing and sawing began the days
activities. There were many miniature steam engines on display on
the grounds.
The highlight of the day and probably of the entire event was
the crowning of the queen. The queen is chosen by sales of penny a
vote. This year there was seven queen candidates. Each candidate is
backed by a sponsor.
The candidates were:
Wenda Mae Gross of Kokomo, Indiana.
Cathie Hancock of Elwood, Indiana Rose Marie Drake of Elwood,
Indiana Kathryn Louise Hannah of Elwood, Indiana.
Linda Everling of Elwood, Indiana. Donita Sue Shephard of
Elwood, Indiana.
At 4 P. M. Wenda Mae Gross of Komoko was crowned as the 1964
queen. Rose Marie Drake was second and Cathie Hancock was third.
Miss Gross was crowned by Miss Joan Hinds, of Leisure, Indiana, the
1963 queen.
Several displays not mentioned were:
Antique cars by the Model A Club of Anderson, Indiana.
Otto Van Doren display of antique house and farm tools.
Antique Airplanes by the Antique Airplane Club of Kokomo,
Indiana.
4 Teams of Belgium Horses from Indiana Horse Breeders
association.
New equipment by the Case and Ford Dealers.
A great deal of thanks to the Double E Saddle Club for handling
the parking, also to the Civil Defense of Kokomo, Indiana, for
taking care of the entrance and the selling of tickets. Both did
marvelous jobs.
New additions are being made; modern restrooms, stone drives and
a parade every day of the fore coming event.
As the show draws to a close, as for the most of us we are very
weary, but every minute was worth it.
A sincere thanks to all the fine people who attended our show
and helped make it possible to have such a successful show.
