Author: showmeihc

A Visit with James and Tana Mitschele Our Presidents Message Hello everyone, it has not been very long since our last newsletter so there is not much to write about. Several Chapter #1 members attended the RPRU in SD a couple weeks ago. There was a good attendance and a good number of exhibits considering everything that has went on this year. I would like to thank Penni and everyone that helped with the chapter table, since we were one of the few chapters that made it our merchandise sales were great! 2023 RPRU was voted on to go to Grand Island, NE. Our next membership meeting will be held in conjunction with our state show at the NEMO Old Threshers in Shelbina, MO September 17-20. We will have director’s…

In 1969, just a short 50 years ago a young man named Galen “Gabe” Gabriel became a 50/50 partner/owner with Ralph Sydenstricker in the International Harvester dealership in Macon, Missouri.  Ralph had purchased the IH dealership in 1965 from Kenneth DeSpain. Prior to Gabe becoming an owner he was working at the International Harvester Company Office in Kansas City for about three years and then became a Blockman which is a traveling salesman. Gabe was a Blockman for twelve years and took care of dealerships in both Kansas and Missouri.  At one-point fellow employees called him “Cyrus”. The Macon dealership was housed in an IH Prototype building on the south edge of Macon. The building today is occupied by Harland Rental. The pylon on the front of the building was…

Our President’s Message Doesn’t seem possible that winter is here already! I know I’m not ready especially after the winter we had last year. As most have probably heard Darrell Darst passed away suddenly September 21st. Darrell was a founding member of Chapter #1 and past national president he was also editor of Harvester Highlights. Darrell will be greatly missed, please let our thoughts and prayers be with Kevin and his family. We will be holding a Chapter meeting in late May at Darrell and Kevin’s Museum in Madison. Our last membership meeting was held October 5th in Eldon, MO at the Silver Dollar’s restaurant. We had a great meal followed by the meeting. At the meeting it was decided to award this coming years FFA grant to the Carrollton…

On July 13, Chapter #1 members and guests attended the 2nd Quarter Meeting and the Missouri State Show in Paris, Missouri. It was the 50th Anniversary for the Mark Twain Old Thresher’s reunion. Special thanks to Director Rob Goodding who was instrumental in bringing the show to Paris. There were several IH tractors and trucks on the grounds. It is always good to see ole friends and getting to visit with everyone at the shows. Meredith Witt of Palmyra, Missouri won “Best Restored Tractor” at the show. Meredith is a long-time member of Chapter 1. Congratulations Meredith.

30th Annual Red Power Round Up – Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania The 30th Annual Red Power Roundup was hosted by Central Pennsylvania, Chapter 17 at the Bloomsburg, PA fairgrounds on June 27-29, 2019. Featured at this show were the 40 and 60 series tractors and the IH Scout. Several Missouri Chapter 1 members made the long drive out and it was well worth the trip. There were numerous vendors inside and out, one large exhibit was the number of Cub Cadets and related implements. Also on display were a Red Baby salesman truck and a snowplow used by the Department of Sanitation in New York City with a good showing of scouts and trucks on display. One feature that Chapter 17 offered was bus tours over to Millville, Pa. where visitors to…

“We just had fun collecting”, that is what Leon Walker says when you listen to him talk about the variety of collections that Leon and Lou have collected over the years. Leon started out collecting A&W root beer paraphernalia from root beer mugs, signs, menu boards, and a bear driving an A&W race car. Some other collectibles are Jewell Tea Autumn Leaf pattern dishes, cookie jars, and Red Wing crockery. Leon started his Farmall and International Harvester collection with literature from flea markets. One piece of literature is on an F-20 tractor. In the piece of literature, it tells that you can farm 125 to 200 acres of ground and it will replace 8 to 12 horses. He also has one on an F-12 tractor and it says it will replace 3 to…