4777 Upper Valley Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45424
The Hart Parr-Oliver Collector’s Association held their
annual Winter Get-Together at the Elk’s Club, Jeffersonville,
Indiana, February 15, 1992. The date was timely set when the
National Farm Machinery Show was in progress at Louisville,
Kentucky. This was a double incentive for the people to break out
of their warm winter hibernation in front of the TV.
Ken Steinback of Cambridge, Ohio, using his own vast literature
collection plus contributions from Mike Hodupp and others, put up a
fine display at the Machinery Show. His six days at the show
resulted in many new members coming into the club. Others who
willingly gave their time at the display were Mike Hodupp of Van
Buren, Indiana, and Landis Zimmerman from Ephrata, Pennsylvania,
who has a crawler parts and welding business.
Next to the Oliver display Pat Ertl had his colorful stand where
he sold many new subscriptions to his Antique Power magazine.
Beyond Pat was the IHC display, highlighted by a beautifully
restored Farmall C. This created a lot of interest in the Red Power
Club and added many new members.
The activities started at noon Saturday at the Elk’s Club.
Mary Hodupp and Hope Daley greeted the arrivals and gave out name
tags. Fresh coffee and cookies were nearby, which put a smile on
everyone’s face.
It was easy to tell we were at the Oliver Convention by all the
banners, pictures, and signs displayed. One end of the large room
was devoted to displays of literature, parts and toys, not all of
which were for sale. Much in evidence was Jerry Erickson with his
vast array of literature. Jim and Betty Smith had a large number of
Oliver toys to sell. Mark Schuller had a display of not for sale
items, but as a convention committeeman he didn’t stay at his
table much. His father, Roger, and his mother also helped with the
affair.
The programs for the ladies started at 1 p.m. and soon
thereafter the large TV was used for VCR tapes from early Oliver
promotions. The men enjoyed these as they reflected on their early
experiences with 70-77-88 Olivers.
At 3 p.m. Mike Hoddup assisted by Blaine Bolte had a program on
the Oliver 70. Teams were selected to compete on a question and
answer game using literature. This was very enjoyable and proved
some collectors are very knowledgeable about this model. During
this session it was learned the cab, made by McLaughlin of
Illinois, was very rare. Interestingly enough George Carter
purchased such a cab in Illinois at an estate sale for $2.00 for
which I had bid $600 many years ago at another sale, and didn’t
get it. Bob Tallman, for years a dealer, helped to answer many
questions. Later Larry Widner helped Mike Schuller give a
discussion about side panels, steel and aluminum. Here we learned
Mike has two of those very rare Oliver 900 tractors, but he needs
32′ tires.
The banquet with roast beef, chicken and all the trimmings
momentarily slowed the tractor discussion. After the dessert, Mike
Hoddup as MC asked questions of the men and the women, and those
first with the correct response got a prize. This was followed by
inquiries as to whom had what and the most of it. One question was,
‘Who had the most Oliver 70 tractors? Bruce Yamnitz won with
seventeen. I won for having 26 made by different manufacturers.
The auction that followed was of items donated to the club to
raise money. These were actively bid on with the handmade Oliver
flag going for $50; this was donated by the Mitchells.
The next morning saw the collectors gathering in the motel
office to share complimentary coffee and donuts before saying
farewell and vowing to make the organization bigger and better.
On A Humorous. Historic Note:
The following is reprinted from ‘ ‘Dying For
Change.’
Some of us are never comfortable with change. But that has
always been the case, as this letter written in 1829 by Gov. Martin
Van Buren of New York to President Andrew Jackson indicates:
‘The canal system of this country is being threatened by the
spread of a new form of transportation known as
‘railroads.’ The Federal government must preserve the
canals for the following reasons:
‘One. If canal boats are supplanted by ‘railroads,’
serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers,
hostlers, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without means of
livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in
growing hay for the horses.
‘Two. Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip and
harness makers would be left destitute.
‘Three. Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense
of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with
England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could
ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.
‘As you may well know, Mr. President, ‘railroad’
carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by
‘engines’ which, in addition to endangering life and limb
of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside,
setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women
and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people
should travel at such breakneck speed.’
