569 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Ferndale, Washington 98248.
It was a cool, brisk August 26th when the Puget Sound Antique
Tractor & Machinery Assoc. set out to put on their first
Threshing Bee. This was all going to take place in the little town
of Lynden, Washington which is located ten miles from the Northwest
corner of the U. S.
Preparation for the big show started early that morning with
Bill Molden-hauer and Howard Blankenforth stoking up their Steam
Engines. Most of the machinery was brought the night before the
show but some of the tractors were brought in early that morning
and lined neatly along the fence.
The gates opened at 8:00 A. M. and the people streamed in. Both
young and old were interested in the new event as there were people
of all ages present. It was fun to see the older men get together
and talk about old times. Their eyes sparkled as they each told
their story.
The day started with Bill Molden-hauer lining his 1908 Aultman
& Taylor Steamer up with the 30′ Wood Bros. Threshing
Machine owned by Doug Van Lant. After a lot of backing up and going
ahead they finally felt they had it lined up, even though some of
the retired farmers were willing to argue that point. Howard
Blankenforth then set up his 1916 Avery Yellow Kid Threshing
Machine and several different tractor owners lined their entry up
to it and tried to run it.
Bundle wagon after bundle wagon was pulled up to each Separator
with different people taking their turn at pitching. We had no
trouble keeping someone on the wagon at all times. Adding greatly
to the show were the two teams of horses pulling bundle wagons up
to the Threshing Machines. The teams were owned by Cornie Verduin
and John Korthuis.
The John Deere Stationary Baler owned by Dwayne Dunlap seemed to
keep a crowd around it all day long. Many tractors tested their
power by running the old Baler for awhile. A few more nice displays
were those of Maurice Beld and the Postma Bros, with each
displaying 3 tractors and a few pieces of machinery.
We were told it was noon by the blowing of the whistles, and
everything was shut down for lunch. Two different groups took
charge of feeding the people by opening stands on the grounds, and
they did a fine job.
At 1:00 sharp a parade was formed which ran around the grounds.
There were about 30 entries in all with several tractors pulling
different pieces of machinery. The announcer, Dick Vellema,
described each entry giving the year and model of each. He also did
a fine job the rest of the day giving hints to the younger
participants and describing how some of the machinery was run.
The oat box and the straw pile seemed to be the biggest
attraction to the kids, and did they ever have fun in them.
Pictured is a Bullock creeping grip tractor 12-20. It will be
running real soon. I have been working on it for several years.
This tractor was owned by my father, Aaron W. Good, and the
engine was built during the winter of 1916 and was delivered in the
spring of 1917 and was my father’s first gasoline tractor.
Previous to this, he was plowing with a 20 HP cross compound Reeves
steam engine and a Reeves steam lift plow.
The Bullock tractor pulled three plows. It had no gear shift and
it traveled 2? miles per hour in each direction. This tractor did
the plowing on 330 acres and at times it was operated in two shifts
day and night, so the crops could be gotten in on time.
We would be interested in hearing from anyone that ever owned a
Bullock tractor.
Walter Male, Urexei, Missouri and his gas engines and
grindstone. Ross ivlaler, Platte City, Missouri sharpening his
knife on the grindstone. The two men at rear are my brothers Chas.
and Verl Moss. They are talking to my wife, Sara.
At the end of the day the attendance was totaled at about 1200
people. To sum it all up I’d say it was a day of memories for
the old and a day to remember for the younger. The club was real
pleased with how it went and are looking forward to the 1973 show.
We hope to give our next show the first part of August because of
weather conditions in the Northwest area. All proceeds from the
show will go toward putting on a bigger and better show next year.
A two day show is planned.
ABOUT THE CLUB: The club was formed in March of 1972 and has
been growing ever since. We have about 40 members now and welcome
new members. We meet the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:00 P. M. Our
officers include: (Pres.) Alvin Postma, 507 8th Street, Lynden, Wa.
98248, (Vice Pres.) Bill Moldenhauer, (Sec.) Dick Vellema, &
(Treas.) Charles Postma.
This 30-60 Rumely, light weight, will be on display at the 1973
Pioneer Acres Plowman & Thresher’s Reunion, near Calgary,
Alberta.
