604 N. Lincoln, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
A bunch of Texans recently had a get-together on a hot summer day in July. They had all the fun and trouble that can be caused by misfiring engines, stopped-up fuel lines, dead magnetos and other things that cause engines to be ornery and contrary at the same time (a hex was suspected). They also had the enjoyment of watching well-restored gas engines and tractors perform as they did fifty years ago.
The occasion for this was the seventh annual Texas Antique and Early Day Farm Machinery Show. This show was held on the farm of Duncan Seawright at Meridian, Texas, on July 9th and 10th, 1977.
Attendance at the show was about 2,600 persons, including members, spectators and children who came to see many well-restored tractors and engines. There were about 60 gas engines, 41 tractors, a scale model of a 65 horsepower 1915 Case steam traction engine with a vertical boiler, threshing machine, and 2 stone burr grist mills in operation.
The weather was hot and dry. Although we had a thunder shower Saturday night, it did not interfere with the show except to cause the oats to be tough to thresh on Sunday. The engines pumped water, ground corn, generated electricity, puffed and chuffed and showed us that after 50 years they could still do their work.
Tractors threshed, plowed, pulled the fan to test their performance, and were driven by their owners and friends in a parade each day.
We have an ideal place to hold a tractor show. There are fields to grow oats to thresh and to plow with exhibitors’ tractors. There is a cool well-shaded pecan grove used as an exhibit and concession area with the parade route around the edge. The pecan grove has electricity as well as a place for exhibitors to park campers.
Club members’ wives also worked hard manning the concession stand that sold hot dogs and soft drinks. Many people are thankful for the help these ladies gave us. Two of these ladies were Gladys Miller, Georgetown, Texas, and Mrs. David Smith, Meridian.
Three ladies ran souvenir stands that sold engine buttons, tractor prints by Bruce Lynn, Austin, ceramics, bonnets, quilts and lye soap which sold for ‘2-Bits a bar.’
Mr. Schwark of San Antonio furnished a public address system that was a big help in announcing events and narrating the parade.
There are many young fellows very active in the club that are doing a fine job restoring tractors and engines. They are Lou Buice, Waco, Danny Rymer, Whitney, Texas; Thomas Schwark, San Antonio; Don Brahme, Houston; Mark Miller, Georgetown; Bradley and Reagan Ware, Killeen, Texas; John Gary and Brent Gunter, Muleshoe, Texas; and Randy McSpadden, Leander, Texas
A business meeting was conducted by President Louis Miller, and Secretary-Treasurer Dale Monday. The new officers for 1978 are Bill Rymer, Grandbury, Texas, president; Bill Dittemore, Fredericksburg, Texas, vice-president; Ray Miller, Georgetown, secretary-treasurer; and last, but not least, Marc Johnson, Cranfills Gap, Texas,
There was a lot of visiting, renewing friendships, lots of advice and help given and taken, ideas were swapped and everyone left tired and happy.
We all look forward to the eighth annual show on the second weekend of July, 1978. You all come!
