PRAIRIE VILLAGE THRESHING SHOW
By Gary Klinkner
Artesian, S. D. 57314
Courtesy of Gary Klinkner, Artesian, South Dakota 57314 Miss Prairie Village standing beside a colt, born at the Village during the threshing show. Truly our first newest arrival.
Courtesy of Gary Klinkner, Artesian, South Dakota 57314 Miss Prairie Village visiting in the sod house with Miss Bena Jacobs. The sod house was built under the supervision of Miss Jacobs. (Sorry fellows - she's a pretty gal - but that's the only name they sent us! - Anna Mae)
The seventh annual Steam Threshing jamboree was held August 22,23, and 24 at Prairie Village two miles west of Madison near Lake Herman in South Dakota.
There were seven steam traction engines: Nichols and Shephard 16-60, Russell 30-90, Advance 20-60, Aultman and Taylor 20-60, Case 40-60, and a Reeves 32-120.
The Gas Engines surpassed the steamers ten to one. The big gas tractors were Minneapolis 35-70, Aultman Taylor 30-60, Large Big 4, also a small Big 4, Twin City 20-40, and one Rock Island Tractor. There were a great number of Tractors from two bottom to four bottom plow size.
Our newest and different steam engine is a German Steam Locomotive. It was used in the German shipyards and is a 1927 vintage; a real jewel. This locomotive is used to give rides, pulling two open type passenger cars. We have a small right of way now, but are planning on enlarging it. This quaint little engine weighs nine ton and is narrow gauge.
All three days the steam and gas tractors threshed grain using seven threshers. Case, Aultman Taylor, Advance, and John Deere makes of threshers were used.
Wally Nelson and his gas Aultman Taylor stole the show on threshing. Wally's engine is a new comer to our show and we oldsters and younguns wanted to see the fine job done by Wally on this tractor.
The Advance and Russell did the honors on the saw mill. The Russell has been reworked and painted like new. A find job done by Milton and Roger Ayes (a father and son team) along with Jack Kadinger.
The saw mill, also Ayers, has been completely rebuilt from the base up, including a concrete base. The saw mill will now last for many more generations.
Courtesy of Gary Klinkner, Artesian, South Dakota 57314 Narrow gauge nine ton German shipyard locomotive operated by Joe Heberger (in cab). Miss Prairie Village standing beside locomotive.
Courtesy of Gary Klinkner, Artesian, South Dakota 57314 .32-120 Cross-compound Reeves, number 4722 pulling eight-14 inch bottom John Deere plow. Operated by John Palmquist.
During the show, three men became Steam engineers. Many of the older visiting steam engineers commented on our young steam engineers and how careful and conscientiously they handled the steamers. The three men are Roger Ayes, John Palmquist and Harvey Kuhls. Harvey, being the youngest at 16.
After the show on Saturday evening, films were shown and a sing out was held. This helped people get acquainted and to view the Village at night. It does look different at night.
Our Sunday show started with Church service held in our Prairie Village Church, Catholic at Seven and nondenominational at eight. Coming out of the Church after services and looking a little way south west seeing Lake Herman on the Beautiful sunny morning; well the day just had to go right! Everything did too. The steamers and gas engines preformed very good, small and large alike went about their tasks and were viewed by 25,000 people.
As we progress at the Village we oldsters hope to have more time to visit the Olsons from Galva, Illinois and the Machans from Salt Lake City, Utah and all of the rest of the steam enthusiasts from all over.
At one time a group from Scotland, South Dakota rethreshed a scene where Dad (Fred Klinkner) threshed 320 acres of grain on one straw pile using 20 racks with horses. This was a mountain straw pile. The people standing around listening to the story were just as enthused as I was. Our next show date is August 28, 29, and 30, 1970. See You There!