Macomb, Illinois 61455
On September 2, 3, 4, 1978, the Argyle Antique Gas Engine
Association held their second annual show. This was held at Argyle
State Park, 2 miles north of Colchester, approximately 60 miles
from Quincy and 60 miles from Burlington, Iowa.
My eldest son, Duane, and I took a 1929 GP John Deere tractor
and several gas engines. He also had a collection of antique hay
forks, carriers and hay making tools. We took our things over to
the show Friday evening to set up. There were already several
people there with exhibits set up for the 3-day show.
We gave plaques to the people who showed crafts, tractors, gas
engines and to those who brought horses and mules. Our plaque had a
25-50 Keck Gonnerman tractor on it. Our buttons displayed a Lawton
Lauson Wisconsin side shaft engine. Both of these were on display
at the show.
On Monday we had a horse and mule plowing contest. During all
three days there was threshing, sawmill running, primitive crafts,
blacksmithing, horseshoeing, gas tractors and antique gas
engines.
In the plowing contests, there were mules from Illinois and
Missouri which had showed against each other at several state
fairs.
There was a flea market connected with the show with 50 to 60
exhibitors. I expect there were 30 tractors and other antique
machinery. We had approximately 350 gas engines and several antique
cars. There were two exhibitors of toy tractors.
There are approximately 90 members in the Association and they
look forward to the next annual show on Labor Day weekend.
