Ralston, Iowa 51459
Again it was our privilege to attend fine shows in a rather
rainy summer. The Miller show, west of Alden, opened with light
drizzle of rain which caused an element of uncertainty regarding
pulling certain exhibits out of sheds. But the rain of August 20th.
provided good traction and spirit of attendance was high. Grain
threshed, lumber cut and 32 HP Reeves and 75 HP Case drew 8 bottom
plows through hard dry soil which produced plenty of stack talk
that the old timers love to hear. Again H. G. Surls of Iowa
Falls played Home Sweet Home on the giant 8 inch whistle which used
to sound the fire alarm at Iowa Falls. This whistle has grown since
our report of 1964. We were present when this whistle was brought
to the ground. It looked like a big 6 inches. The yard stick read 8
inches in diameter and 19 inches in length.
August 21st. Ground fog and rain. Features of the show were
carried out and attendance above expectation.
On the 22nd, the weather was fine and we had a large attendance
and everyone had a fine time. This show is expanding – many new
exhibits and features indicate it will be well worth attending in
the future.
August 27th to 29th. We (which includes the rain) were at Justin
Hingtgen farm north of Maquoketa. Throughout the show most features
were on time. They were there -Harry Woodmanse with expert control
climbing high ramp, Melvin Lugten with the crowd drawing veneer
machine and after a lot of rocking, he balanced engine on teeter,
Ray Ernst with his nice 6 HP Nichols and Shepard, The Howard Mason
Orchestra and others with fine music and on Sunday afternoon, Radio
Station K M A Q of Maquoketa provided interesting live broadcast at
the show. There was plenty to eat, drink and a lot to see and hear
and with the fine hospitality shown by our host, Justin, what more
could one ask for? A show to linger in the memory and ahead to
1966.
Prior to September 3rd., we arrived at Antique Acres north of
Cedar Falls, to find a lot of activity to get the show on the road.
The most interesting sight was the unloading of the only engine of
its size and make, the 40-140 Cross Compound Reeves, off of a
lowboy. After a lot of hard work and breaking a lot of cables, that
32 ton of engine was moved to solid ground.
Light rain announced the opening of the show for September 3rd.,
but as the soil is somewhat sandy, the engines could roll.
September 4th. -the rain again took a hand in the show, but the
show went on. September 5th. was clear weatherwise so everything
got into full swing. Lumber and shingles were rolling off the
mills, Baker fans and prony brake were in action. The Cedar Valley
Region of the Antique Car Club of America had 30 cars to remind us
of bygone days. Included was a German car which resembles our cars
in a lot of respects but a lot of features in construction both
good and bad. This car, a Fendt German-Tractor and a Russian
Crawler, are owned by Verne Shields of Waverly, Iowa. When you see
a dragline or other machine with name Baotam on it, think of
Verne.
A lot of popping and barking announced that we were nearing the
gas engine display where there were about 60 engines and most of
them operating. An unusual one was a 6 cycle engine. It was
operated the same as a 4 cycle except that the extra cycle helped
keep the cylinder cool. Yes, we had good music by the Duane Berley
Combo which kept a lot of feet stamping. One of the announcers did
a good job of vocalizing. As it should be, the merry-go-round was
powered by steam. So there were no dull times for the kids. Some of
the members behind this show deserve special note. They have heavy
investment in machinery shown at this show but at great labor and
expense, secured items that are seen only at this kind of show.
Also a lot of labor required to get ready for the show is by these
men.
Labor Day, the 6th., the rain again moved in and really it did
not help the show. However, there was the parade and a Greyhound
engine got into a drag race with a Reeves double Simple Engine. On
the first trial the Reeves was ahead but Art Huyser claims he
didn’t remember working on the governor around behind the water
tank but on the next round he was way ahead of the Reeves. This was
somewhat on the order of a turtle race but was enjoyed by many.
The show at Antique Acres was a good show. Why not look ahead to
attending in 1966?
Minnesota can put on good shows. September 12th we were near
Oakland, which is north of Moscow and just a short way north of the
Iowa line. Here we found some old friends, Henry Christgur with his
nice one half scale Avery belted up to Gilbert Swartzrocks little
sawmill. They were making pickets and weaving and setting up fence
right on the spot. Hap Crowell found the cab rather small but he
kept the Avery hot. Lot of unusual tractors including a Townsend
that looks like a steam engine but is not. The gas engine sets on
what would be the boiler but is the radiator and the exhaust in the
stack is the radiator fan. We counted 33 gas engines of almost
every make. One was a nice Fairbanks-Morse in wonderful shape. This
engine idled to very slow speed and still ran steady. The
crankshaft would turn over ten times and then one boomp and it was
good for another ten rounds. The handfed separator was well
demonstrated. This was a really good show. Attend a show in
Minnesota in 1966. There was a drizzle of rain to remind one that
rain also exists in Minnesota but the engines were smoking and
rolling; all the features were in full swing, grain threshed,
lumber cut and last but not least, there was plenty sounds of
whistles with plenty of steam behind them. So, really, what more
can a steam buff ask for? Rain prevented our taking pictures at
Mississippi Valley Show when our time was available. Will try
again.
