117 N. Josephine, Madison, South Dakota 57042.
August 27, 28 and 29, 1971 were the Show dates for the Prairie
Village Annual Threshing Show at Madison, South Dakota. The weather
for the show was the usual warm and sunny August weather for this
part of the country.
The village section of Prairie Village was the main attraction
for the women. Here you could visit the Opera House, Barber Shop,
Bank Depot, Livery Barn, Smith House, Log Cabin, Blacksmith Shop,
Electric Museum, Print Shop, Sod House, School, Church, Cook Car
and the Carpenter Shop.
The kids could get a ride on the steam train or carousel.
This year the Threshing Committee did an excellent job in lining
up the show, putting the show on and putting the machinery away.
They set up a schedule for threshing, sawing, corn shelling,
plowing and the other activities. This time table made for a
smoother running show as everyone knew what to do and when to do
it.
Every day at 2 p.m. sharp the parade of old cars and tractors
would begin. Thirty vintage cars would start the parade, followed
by bands and the Honor Guard, then the Giants of the earth that
tilled the soil over half a century before–followed. The parade of
120 tractors would shake the earth.
The steam power this year was provided by ten steamers, a 32 HP
CC Reeves, 60 Case, 16-60 Nichols & Shepard, 20 HP.
undermounted Avery, 25-85 Nichols & Shepard, 10 HP Eclipse, 20
HP Advance, 30 HP Russell, 24 HP. Kitten and a 16 HP Aultman &
Taylor.
The gas power far outnumbered the steam power with 110 gas
tractors present. Some of the gas outfits are 30-60 A & T,
25-50 Avery, 35-70 Minnie, Big Four ’30’, Big Four
’20’, Nelson 4WD, The Ford Tractor, two GO tractors, 15-30
Rumely, 15-30 Town-send, 60 Cat, 40-65 Twin City, 20-40 Rumely, two
20-40 Cases, Titans, Moguls, a long line of Hart-Parrs, John Deeres
and I.H.C. tractors, with many, many more.
30-60 Aultman & Taylor owned by W. E. Nelson, Valley
Springs, South Dakota. Miss Prairie Village–(I suppose he means
that is who the lovely lady is-Anna Mae.)
25-50 Avery owned by Don Prestlo, Baltic, South Dakota.
Next year will add a 30-60 E. Rumely, 30-60 A & T, 35-70
Minnie, 40-72 cross motor Case, 75 Case steamer, 12-20 Wallis, T-20
I.H.C, 27-42 Minnie, and maybe a Holt 45.
Gas Engine Alley had a fine selection of engines including a
Reed, Stickney, Eclipse, Alamo, Pierce, Kiwanis, Mogul, Nova and
many other types of engines. To the boys of Gas Engine
Alley–congratulations on a job well done.
Snow has now covered the 120 acres of Prairie Village. The
engines are still and cold and seemingly asleep in their covered
beds for the winter, but come spring and the fun starts all over
again.
Hope to see you next year at Prairie Village on August 26, 27
and 28.
