Rock River Thresheree - Library





Fifth Annual Thresheree Has Greatest Display Yet Edgerton Reporter, September 1961, page 1 and [last page] by Stanley Enstrom

Engineers view of a Nichols and Sheppard, double cylinder steam tractor of 30.98 h.p. built in 1910 and in practically new condition. Weight is 44,000 lbs. and owned by Harlan Wade, of Whitewater, Wisconsin. -- Photo by Stanley G. Enstrom

In spite of the heavy storm which was encountered in the Edgerton area during the night before the official opening of the 1961, and fifth annual Thresheree, all participants of the great event at the Thresheree Park went full steam ahead in good spirits to put across the finest display of antique farm equipment that has yet been seen by the public here since its first beginning in 1957, when John Horton sparked the first original Thresheree by pulling his old threshing machine out of the barn and deciding it was high time that the public get a fair idea of what the good 'ole days were like during harvest time on the farm. His ideas, together with a driving enthusiasm caught like wild fire among others in the area, and soon the interest grew to greater proportions every year, with numerous items added to the annual displays, and more people getting into the act all the time with farm equipment that had not yet been sold to the junk yards. These old machines and pieces of equipment were instead reconditioned and put into excellent working order compassionately, and with hard work, and with an old owner's pride.

The majestic steam giants that once furnished the power for farm equipment of yesteryear has indeed risen up again with the same spirit that it carried among the memories of those great harvest days which brought great numbers of people together in one common cause when the work was harder, the day of labor was longer, but the spirit of working together and succeeding together was probably at its peak in this era. When the problems of one farm family because the sincere concern of every other farm family. This seemed to be the feeling that prevailed in those days of steam tractors and threshing machines, and do you recall the outdoor feasts that were carefully planned by all the wives of those laboring in the fields? Then it is probably no wonder why the annual Thresherees are becoming so successful, because it is based on all of the memories connected with the days of steam tractors, threshing bees, hard work, good food, wonderful neighbors and friends that proved to be real friends.

This reporter talked at great length to several of the owners of various types of old farm equipment on display and it didn't take long to sense the pride that exists with these people to have the opportunity to be a part of the tremendous display that seemed to be present everywhere. Some of these steam tractors were tuned up so well that they were barely a whisper while they were going through their paces, each one seemingly to have a personality all of its own. Another tractor in an idling position shook, rattled, coughed and sputtered as though it has a sad heart condition, with a lot of rheumatism to make things worse but nevertheless it was running and seemed to be a determined member of the group -- and proud of it! Of thing can be said for this Thresheree, there was just about every kind of steam, kerosene and gasoline tractor made, plus the type of equipment they were designed to power on hand for the public to see. Lots of friends got together, the food was good, and no doubt that many relived the old days of steam powered threshing bees during the three-day event and will be back again in greater numbers
Pictured here are Kenneth Sayre and John Horton of Edgerton in front of their Case grain separator which they bought last year. The machine was built in 1888 and was powered at the thresheree by the Harrison Jumbo steam tractor. John Horton is responsible for what the thresheree is today, having started the interest five years ago with his own threshing machine and giving a public demonstration how threshing used to be during the era of steam tractors. Mr. Horton is vice president of the Rock River Steam Thresheree Association. -- Photo by Stanley G. Enstrom
Great names in equipment such as Nichols and Sheppard, J.I. Case, Rumely, Minneapolis, Titan, Reeves, Mogul, Port Huron, Harrison Jumbo and Keck Gonnerman are but a few of the entries which came from every corner of the state of Wisconsin. The 70 ton pile driver owned and operated by Pete Burno of DeForest, Wisconsin, showed off the power of his unit which consisted of a 150 horsepower boiler and two 180 horsepower steam engines. This gigantic machine was built in 1905 by the American Hoist and Derrick Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, and was last used on the construction of the St. Lawrence seaway four years ago. At another location, a portable saw mill was being powered by a Nichols and Sheppard steam tractor of 30.98 horsepower and fairly whispered at the task. This tractor was built in 1910 and according to the owner, Harlan Wade of Whitewater, Wis., was in practically new condition. An authentic model of the J.I. Case steam tractor was built to a scale of 2 inches to the foot by Ted McCann of LaCrosse, Wis., in working order and weight 165 lbs. and 1 1/10th horsepower. Another similar working model of the 1915 J.I. Case steam tractor was built by E. J. Earles of Milwaukee, Wis., to a scale of 1 inch to the foot and had a power of 1/16th horsepower steam engine and authentic grain separator of the same scale size actually threshing clover seed. A few steps over, another model taken from the Reeves 25 horsepower steam tractor was built by Clarence Mirk of Wauwatosa, Wis., to a scale of 1 1/2 inches to the foot and taking three years to complete. Pony rides, stage coach rides, hay rides, horsedrawn wagon rides and even helicopter rides for those wishing to have a bird's eye view of the countryside were available to all the visitors who came to this year's Thresheree.

The Thresheree certainly has gone through some changes since the original show was put on by John Horton in 1957 which was free to the public then, but a small admission charge promises better things to come. Last year all of the participants joined together in what is now known as the Rock River Steam Thresheree Assn., having acquired there own grounds on Highway 51 south of Edgerton. This association now consists of 21 board of directors: Pete Burno, DeForest, Wis., president; John Horton, Edgerton, vice president; B. M. Lux, Janesville, secretary; and Fred Thomson, Milton Jct., Treasurer. It is [rest of article missing]
Stage coach rides for young and old at the 5th Annual Rock River Steam Thresheree. -- Photo by Stanley G. Enstrom