4777 Upper Valley Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45424
I showed these Oliver tractors at the National Oliver Show in
July 1991 at Plain City. The first two are rare-a 900 Industrial
and an early 88 Industrial.
The Miami Valley Steam Threshers Association, under the
presidency of Fred McDaniel, had another outstanding show July
18-21,1991, at Plain City, Ohio. Oliver equipment was featured this
year with about 175 Oliver tractors plus other equipment being on
display. The fledgling Oliver club was determined this show would
fly high, and president Wayne Wiltse of Charles City, Iowa, with
his staff of officers were there to give it the boost.
Area Oliver collectors had worked on the show for several months
and this effort continued until all equipment was returned home.
The show could not have been so successful if it hadn’t been
for Jim Kline, Dennis Baker, Jerry Leib and Bill Gamble, whose
personal expenses amounted to hundreds of dollars. As an example,
Jim made 20 trips with his pickup and long gooseneck trailer, Bill
Gamble brought 10 tractors, Dennis Baker 15 tractors, Jerry rented
a semi for $1000. What did it cost William Bech told and his wife
to fly in from Lodi, California, and rent a car and motel? Mr. and
Mrs. Jack Mercer, previously an Oliver dealer in Plain City, were
invaluable, as was Don Norman from Hallsville, Ohio, who registered
everyone. Don Livingston proudly displayed four semi loads
including his beautiful crawler with cultivators and an OC-6. The
Oliver tractor featured was the old style 88 Standard and
surprisingly enough there were seven at the show, including my
Industrial Model. Of the five tractors I had on display, the one
that developed the most interest was my Oliver 900 Industrial, the
eighth one was made in 1946. One of the most beautiful was Ed
Ellis’s from Howell, Michigan, a 1937 Hart Parr-Oliver Orchard.
Two unusual tractors were Bill Gamble’s 880 Wheat-land and Jim
Kline’s 770 Orchard. Keith Woods of Indianapolis correctly
identified the 880. David Martin, after he tinkered with his early
88 Standard, tinkered with my Industrial. Mike Hodapp was proud of
his beautiful 66 and Oliver Hart Parr. There were three Oliver lawn
tractors, a 75,105,125. Bill Meeker, wife Kay and son Sam were kept
busy at the hospitality tent. The three large tents acted as a
gathering place and showroom where Jerry McMillian was set up with
Jerry Erickson and Lyle Dumont from Iowa selling decals, and Dave
Stiner and Richard Lynch selling new side curtains. There were so
many that made sizeable contributions to the show, like Bobby
Quigley, who brought eight tractors, that it is difficult to give
all the credit that is due.
In the evening people went to the school, just outside the gate,
where the banquet was held. It was very enjoyable eating with and
talking to the many people from seven states. Wayne Wiltse,
president, was master of ceremonies. He introduced Kurt Aumann from
Nakomis, Illinois, a collector, editor and publisher of the
Hart-Parr-Oliver News Magazine and auctioneer for the evening. The
many donated items to be sold brought $ 1100 to help out the club
treasury. The enthusiastic group vowed to meet at the National Show
next year in Freeport, Illinois.
The Miami Valley Steam Threshers Association is one of the
oldest continuous shows in the country. Through the years it has
lived up to its reputation of trying to have events of interest for
everyone. The big flea market and craft center is always busy. The
horse show has its followers; then there is thrashing, saw milling,
shingle making, plywood milling. The yearly auction finds new homes
for hundreds of items. The gas engines play a major role in the
attractions at Plain City.
It wouldn’t be complete without the restored old cars and
steam engines. It must be good, as John Wiggins brought his whole
family from Springfield, Tennessee and Kermit Kibler brought his
25-50 Avery and Allen Be all came from Indiana to kibitz.
