306 W. Anthony, Corydon, Iowa 50060
Around 12 years ago, I went to an antique show at Unionville,
Mo. At this show I met a couple from Lemons, Mo., Dana and Alice
Davis, who had a booth at the show. I learned they were just
getting started in the antique game. I saw them a few years later
at the antique show and they had a much bigger booth. I, also,
learned Dana was a farmer and a carpenter.
After this I didn’t see them for several years, until Dana
came into the store where I work and wanted to know if I knew of
any gas engines for sale. It seems he had started a personal
collection of antique mechanical banks, then found out what he had
given over $200.00 for was being duplicated and could be bought for
around $27.50. Dana said that was when he decided to collect
something that couldn’t be duplicated so he started to collect
gas engines. Dana now has around 30-40 gas engines and a few old
tractors. The antique business has become a fulltime
occupation.
Although Lemons, Mo. is not far from here, I only get down there
about once every 2-3 years. One Sunday afternoon, I armed myself
with my Instamatic and went down to see what Dana had. When I got
there Dana was busy loading a large van from California with
furniture and other antiques. He said he loads these boys about 4
times a year. What amused me, was these boys tearing apart a
windmill wheel so they could load it into the van. I guess they had
all the windmill except the tower. While this loading was going on,
I took a few pictures around the shop. Taking a picture from one
angle I caught an old Aultman Taylor steam engine boiler that was
once used to heat road oil for blacktop roads, also, an old
Compresser that was once used in an ice plant in Kirksville, Mo.
This compressor was powered by a 50 HP FM single cylinder engine.
This engine is now owned by Evert Anderson of Humeston, Ia., who is
still trying to figure out how to get it out of the building.
In front of the shop was a FM model Z 15 HP engine and hid in
behind it was a Foos engine Dana had picked up in Mississippi.
Nearby was a Rock Island plow Co. 2 HP engine also a small Bosworth
ore crusher to crush ore for separating the gold from the ore. Some
of Dana’s pride and joys are a small homemade steam engine and
a Kincade garden tractor. He said a man in Centerville, Ia. told
him he gave $585.00 for this garden tractor, complete with mower,
plow, cultivator, etc. Out near an old time gas pump was a Rock
Island 5 HP engine.
Danas is outstanding in barb wire collecting and has taken
prizes at Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis, Mo. and a few other places.
His barb wire collection is between 570-580 pieces and he also has
a large collection of old time fence tools.
All engine men like Dana’s shop as he always has lots of old
tools, etc. The day I was there he had 3 old rusty pistols that had
been buried in the ground for years. Besides, there were many other
interesting rusty old relics for sale.
Dana has a buddy, Kenny Lipton, who lives north of Unionville,
Mo. who helps Dana with his loading, gas engines, etc. I have never
been to Kenny’s home yet but I understand he also has a herd of
engines. So, if any of you readers ever happen to be down near
Unionville or Lemons, Mo., look these guys up.
