1511 Iglehart St. Paul, Minn. 55104.
On September 25th and 26th, 1.971, the Zumbro Valley
Thresher’s Association staged their seventeenth annual event.
It was held as usual at the Buden-ski Bros, farm, eight miles south
of Wanamingo, Minnesota, on Hiway 57. The two day show was
successful although there was some threat of rain on Sunday
forenoon. However, the clouds broke away about noon and the
afternoon was filled with activity.
At noon the whistles from five steam traction engines screamed
through the valley as well as the ears of the spectators. During
the afternoon, oat bundles were hauled in, being loaded on flat
rack farm wagons.
Threshing was done with Budenski’s 36 inch cylinder Red
River Special separator. Steam engines and big tractors furnished
the power.
Axley Bros. Lumber saw was in operation as it has been other
years at the show. It gave the big steamers something to puff about
as the saw walked through big logs.
Steam and gas tractors took turns on a prairie, 8 bottomed plow
in an adjoining stubble field.
Single cylinder gasoline engines were as usual commanding the
attention of inquisitive spectators.
Leon Vandervort of Tomah, Wisconsin showed a one-fourth scale
model of an 80 H.P. Case steam engine. It develops three and
one-half H.P. on the belt. It operated a miniature model lumber saw
and a model Case separator, which threshed grain. Richard Cole was
his assistant and engineer.
Another small model steam engine attracted attention, but I
didn’t get to see the owner.
It always takes horses to add novelty to a show of this kind.
Ray Diesler hitched a fine team to a wagon and gave rides to the
plowing demonstration on Saturday.
On Sunday, Bob Buker was using the team for the same purpose,
besides giving a plowing demonstration.
Ponies always receive their share of attention, and as at former
shows, Mrs. Zelenki, a neighbor of Budenskis, and family were
present with the children riding and driving fine ponies.
Aside from an exception or two, the exhibit of steam engines,
gas and oil tractors, antique trucks, a Model T Ford, chore size
tractors, and gasoline stationary engines, ran about the same as
last year.
The ‘thump-thump’ of the 15-30 Rumely Oil Pull co-owned
and operated by Lavern Lentz of Pine Island kept the surrounding
hills vibrating. Built in 1916, it still gives a good account of
itself. Other Rumely Oil Pulls were a 15-25 H.P. owned by Harris
and Sons, and a 25-40. I don’t know the owner of that one.
The Avery tractors were a 12-25, 25-50 and a 45-65. The first
two named have stack radiators.
A 35-70 Minneapolis tractor owned by I. Harris and Sons of
Minneapolis and a 22-44 Minneapolis, restored after being purchased
from a used iron dealer were two popular items.
Three International Tractors, a 10-20 Titan, a 15-30 owned by I.
0. Harris and Son, and a 10-20 McCormiek Deering owned by Kent
Bergum of Wanamingo, all commended the International line of
machinery.
Several John Deere tractors were on display. Modern tractors
were displayed thus bringing out contrast with the old time
machines.
A 20-40 Case tractor with stack radiator was another item of
interest. I believe Tom Cropper is the owner.
Pete Pedarsen and I showed a miniature toy thresher, so I
didn’t get around to see many of the fellows.
Adolph Vangsness and Ed Satern were with us. Adolph is an old
time steam engineer and he is a former resident of the
Hader-Zumbrota area.
We appreciated the help of Gary Hanson who has stayed with the
machine for a spell both last year and this, enabling me to get
away for a while. Gary is a grand nephew of the Budenski brothers.
We thank Mr. Will Geise, a helper at the show, for his help in
getting us located.
Steam engineers I renewed acquaintance with were Walter Gosch of
Colby, Wisconsin, engineer on the 20 H.P. Minneapolis, Ingval
Flatlerud of Zumbrota, Minnesota who ran this same engine at the
1970 show, Joe Selly, of St. Peter, Minnesota with his 22 H.P.
Advance straw burner, and Ray Magnuson of Emerson, Nebraska.
Ray’s assistant was Louie Rohan of New Castle, Nebraska.
Ray’s brother, Harold, hauled water.
A satisfied crowd of people stayed late on Sunday afternoon as
the show drew to a close.
