Richard Shank
Columnist
As the sun rose over Goessel on Friday, August 1, it was time to launch the 53rd annual Threshing Days Celebration.
Trucks hauling antique tractors were arriving in the Marion County town early in the morning in advance of the 9 a.m. opening.
I remember playing basketball for Solomon High School in the 1960s, and we made an annual visit to Goessel to play the Bluebirds in what was always a tough game.
Goessel, founded in 1874, has a proud Mennonite heritage. As the story is told, there was a large migration of German Mennonites from Russia who settled in central Kansas during that time and established several small villages, including Goessel.
Today, Goessel sits along Highway 15 approximately 10 miles north of Newton. The Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church opened its doors in 1886 and sits one mile north of Goessel. The tall and imposing wood structure painted white is located on grounds that are nothing less than pristine.
Arriving shortly after the event’s opening, the grounds looked much like a sea of aging beauties otherwise known as antique tractors. As an Oliver tractor owner, it was special to view three Model 60s parked side by side, owned by Jim Blough from nearby Hesston. Jim is the area’s foremost expert on everything Oliver and has made multiple trips to the Shank farm to do his magic while repairing some of the Shank’s golden oldies. I always pay him and buy lunch too in hopes he will be willing to return.
Oliver was not the only brand exhibited. I grew up atop a Farmall H, so it was good to see one totally restored at the Goessel show. Donavan A. Schmidt from Newton, made this tractor, manufactured in 1947, look, perhaps, better than it did on a showroom floor 78 years ago.
No antique tractor display would be complete without some John Deeres. The company that saw its origin nearly 200 years ago in 1837 in Illinois, has produced its share of classic tractors. The row of John Deeres included a Model 70 and Model R.
No show would be complete without a few corn binders that converted fields of Capricorn and Atlas into shocks. Next, farmers and their crews stood the shocks grouped together into what resembled a Tipi. The Shank’s old International Harvester binder remains on the farm, backed into a barn lean-to, and looks like it could still produce a shock or two but know it will never be called on for further duty.
The one-way plow was invented in a barn near Plains, Kansas, and reputedly revolutionized the farm during the 1930s, so it was good to see one on display.
To study the past 100 years as it pertains to harvesting wheat, visitors saw everything from a threshing machine, pull combine and a Massey Harris Model 26 self-propelled combine with a 12-foot platform.
Inside a shed on the grounds were two trailer loads of wheat stocks awaiting a threshing demonstration scheduled for the event’s second day.
For lunch on this Friday at noon, visitors were invited to dine at the Goessel Grocery and Deli and from all indications no one left hungry.
Tractors were not the only display item. A row of antique pickups and trucks was attracting a lot of attention as well as a white Chevy Impala car. I was unable to determine if it was a 1962,63 or 64 but it was well preserved like new.
And, no antique show would be complete without a sulky rake with a seat in the middle. Not so fondly, I remember sitting on the seat when my dad was picking up loose hay while receiving orders on raising and lowering the levers.
And, believe it or not, there is a market for old calendars which highlights antique tractors as there were several dozen for sale.
Thirty-two sponsors signed up to support the event including Midway Motors, Mid-Kanas Coop and AG 360. Saturday events included a 9:30 a.m. parade through the downtown of Goessel, a corn binding demonstration and a Pedal Tractor Pull.
Driving out of Goessel, I could not help but think about the significance of events like Threshing Days to life in rural America. Summer events and celebrations define the character of towns like Goessel. For 53 years, hundreds of volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this event happen.
Speaking for the thousands of people who drive to Goessel from other Kansas towns and states to attend, please know your efforts are appreciated.
Kudos to Goessel for what you have accomplished and may you have many more Threshing Day Celebrations.
