R.R.1, Chilhowee, Missouri 64733
The Chilhowee Antique Farm Machinery Collectors Organization
held its first annual Fall Harvest Festival, September 23, 24, 25,
1983 on the Gordon Stegner farm, east of Chilhowee, Missouri. The
weather started off beautiful on Friday and Saturday, but then a
rain shower dampened things Saturday night. Sunday dawned cloudy,
cool and damp, but by the middle of the day it was partly cloudy
and much warmer.
CAFMCO hosted about 750 paid admittances and many children under
age 12 who got in free. We had guests from Arizona, Texas, Iowa,
Kansas and all over Missouri. Each helped to make this show a
success.
Gerald Wagoner and Bob Seeley of rural Warrensburg, Missouri,
each had a trailer load of old stationary gas engines. Several
others brought in engines to display as well.
Mr. Haston St. Clair, of Holden, Missouri, well known by many
steam enthusiasts throughout the country, displayed his 13 HP
Reeves steam engine. Thank you to Mr. St. Clair for his efforts and
to his engineer David Jowett. This engine delighted many and it is
beautifully restored.
Mr. Leonard Mothers Baugh of Windsor was present all three days
with his Belgian horses and several pieces of horse drawn
equipment. He pulled our bundle wagons, the corn and sorghum
cutter, the horse-powered feed grinder and did some plowing of
wheat stubble.
We threshed oats and baled some of the straw. We squeezed
sorghum cane and cooked down the molasses. We had a stationary feed
chopper set up and chopping corn. We also buzzed some wood for the
steam engine.
Saturday afternoon the thirty-four antique tractors pulled, for
everyone’s enjoyment. Both steel-wheeled and rubber-tired
tractors were allowed, as were several classic models. Following
the tractor pull, the kids had a pedal pull. This proved to be as
much of a delight to the parents and others as anything else.
Sunday morning was cool and damp, but a tent was available for
our church services. It was full for the worship service and
afterwards a local music group performed country gospel music for a
standing room only crowd.
Again on Sunday afternoon some of our members pulled their
antique tractors. We also had a fast-start competition and a slow
race. Awards were given to Mr. St. Clair for having the oldest
steam traction engine present, to Gordon Stegner for having the
oldest fuel tractor, a 1919 Rumely Oil-Pull 16-30 and to Mr. Nolan
Dyer for the best restored farm tractor, a 1926 (D’ John
Deere.
ALL TOGETHER was the key to the success of the show and we had
many pleasant comments on the way the group worked together. A
special thanks to all the wives and mothers, who played a big part
in helping us put on and enjoy the weekend show. Each evening after
things wound down a bonfire weiner roast with music was enjoyed by
all who wished to participate.
The dates for the 1984 show are set for September 21, 22, 23.
Work is already underway to expand our exhibits and improve our
facilities.
And from me a special thank you to all who helped in any way to
make the show a real success.
