Liechty, Berne, Indiana 46711
By far the most successful antique engine, tractor show in its
nine-year history was held at the Jay County Fairgrounds at
Portland, Indiana on August 23,24,25. This was based on both the
number of entries and the attendance.
According to officials of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor
Association, Inc., there were a total of 1,125 gas engines, 173
tractors and five steam engines on display and working to whet the
interest of the estimated 20,000 – 25,000 persons attending the
three-day event. This is in contrast to the first such show where
records reveal only 35 gas engines, two steam engines and five
tractors were entered. The first show attracted 500 persons.
In all, officers said, ‘There were over two million dollars
worth of antique equipment for the public to view in our 1975
show.’
Attracting, in addition to the quaint machinery were Ted
Yoder’s cider and apple butter activities, Charles
Burkhart’s old time saw mill, along with other fascinating
operations by others including broom making, caning, candle-making
and weaving.
The large display of arts and crafts in the museum located on
the fair grounds was a busy place attracting hundreds of
admirers.
Antique machinery buffs attended from Michigan, Indiana and
Ohio. All were intrigued by the huffing and puffing of antique
steam engines, gas engines, threshing, log sawing and the wide
variety of exhibits crowding the grounds. A miniature fair ground
complete with ferris wheel, merry-go-round and all driven by a
mini-steam engine, was displayed by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hall and
got its full share of attention.
‘The show far exceeded my expectations,’ said president
Woody Turner of Portland with full-hearted agreement by fellow
officers.
Activities opened Friday noon and concluded in the evening when
a capacity crowd attended a banjo contest emceed by Sam Deven-cent,
WOWO radio station, Fort Wayne.
On Saturday, the show opened in the morning and was featured by
an exciting antique show sale with at least 100 dealers from three
states participating. Deven-cent served as emcee of the old
fiddler’s contest. Trophies were awarded to Shelby Eicher,
Waseon, O., first; Francis Geels, Decatur, Ind., second, and
Dillard Armstrong, Bryant, third.
Approximately 1,000 persons attended the worship service Sunday
morning with the Rev. L. J. Mote, Troy, O., delivering the
message.
Food stands were plentiful to cater to the hungry throngs. They
were in charge of the Rosary Society of the Catholic church,
Portland.
The weather was ideal although a bit on the warn side. Those in
charge of parking, particularly on Sunday, were hard pressed for
enough space to park all the cars. However, they did an excellent
job both at the entrance gate in charge of Fred Mayhew and by the
men assigned to the exits.
The Jay County Sheriff’s department and the Portland City
Police department reported only a few minor incidents and the First
Aid crew with an ambulance readied for emergencies, in charge of
Don Donahue, had very little business, it was said.
Our president of the Club, Woody Turner
Seated 1 to r. Fred Mayhew, Morris Titus,
Secretary-Treasurer. Standing 1. to r. O.H. Schwanderman, Neal
Barry, Woody Turner, president and Luther Breymeir
Shows the Mini-Fairground and the picture
The sawmill operation which attracts large crowds.
Apple Butter King – Ted Yoder of Linn Grove, Indiana.
Because of the unprecedented crowds the Fair Board officers
decided to move the stage housed in the H-H building to the race
track to accommodate the Friday and Saturday entertainment crowds.
They nearly wished they had not thought of it. Jim Kelley was
enlisted to pull the stage out with his Case tractor. Barely out of
the building and kerbang, the whole thing went down. However, with
might and main, they finally succeeded in dragging it to the race
track only to learn that it was not in the right place – so it was
moved again – this time without incident, making true:
‘All’s well that ends well.’
A sign ‘Smile Awhile’ at one of the displays evoked some
chuckles. In bold lettering it said – ‘It’s too bad that
the people who really know how to run the country, are too busy
running gas engines, steam engines, sawmills and cooking apple
butter.’
‘Our 1975 antique engine and tractor show was a financial
success too,’ according to prexy Wood Turner. He continued,
‘Our show started in a small way as indicated in an earlier
paragraph, but each year sees more pieces of machinery, more
activities and more people, noting that in 1968 there were 400
tractors and engines while in 1974 there were over 800 on display.
This year we had a total of 1,303, and our plans for 1976 are even
bigger and better,’ he concluded.
Some shots from the Auction at Ritzman’s; Anna Mae
Branyan [of the magazines] with the sign she purchased for editor,
Gerald Lestz, under his authority – this was one of the paintings
of John Kauffman -he had done this for Elmer many years ago when
the home office was in Port Royal and it has that address painted
on it. This is the sign that Elmer carried all over the country and
used when he set up his stand at the Reunions.
Pictures by Kelt Branyan, 124 Altoona Ave., Enola, Pa. AND
Michael Gaffney, 438 2nd Street, West Fairview, Pa.
