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Were these days golden, or just smelly and dirty?

Golden Days: Who made this forgotten tool?

Tom J. Bechman, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

February 29, 2024

2 Min Read
A vintage manure spreader in a museum
WHO MADE ME? No tricks here. If you know who made this manure spreader, send in your entry and perhaps you will win a gift card. Tom J. Bechman

Does this manure spreader look familiar? Did you fork manure into it or ride on the seat? Maybe you watched your dad or granddad drive a team of horses pulling a spreader like this one. Perhaps one of these is tucked away in your barn. If any of these experiences fit you, we would love to hear about your memories.

Meanwhile, if you at least know which company made it, you could qualify for the random drawing for a $25 gift card. Email your answer to [email protected] or mail it to: 599 N., 100 W., Franklin, IN 46131.

The threshing machine featured in the February issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer and online fooled everyone, though that wasn’t the goal. It was a Minneapolis 24x36 Thresher, made by the Minneapolis Moline Threshing Co. of Minneapolis, Minn. Historians believe it was likely produced between 1913 and 1920.

The most common incorrect guess was McCormick, forerunner of International Harvester. Perhaps the reddish tint to the wood threw everyone off. The colors of this month’s machine should be recognized easily.

The winner is …

Folks were more successful guessing the location of the Cooper Tires warehouse in February’s Spotted … in Indiana column (online here). This one is located on Whiteland Road just west of Interstate 65 in Johnson County, Ind.

Congratulations to Jenn Stewart-Burton of Needham, Ind. Her name was drawn to receive the gift certificate. For the record, it was a setting sun, captured around 8:30 p.m.

Thanks to everyone who has participated in various columns, including Forgotten Tool, Spotted … in Indiana, Tractor Treasures and Truck Treasures. Look for these types of features going forward in Golden Age. We will vary the column month to month.

You can still participate. If you have a vintage tractor or truck you would like to see here, or a tool you can’t identify, or if you spy something uniquely Hoosier along Indiana roadways, let us know. We will be waiting to hear from you.

About the Author(s)

Tom J. Bechman

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Tom J. Bechman is editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer. He joined Farm Progress in 1981 as a field editor, first writing stories to help farmers adjust to a difficult harvest after a tough weather year. His goal today is the same — writing stories that help farmers adjust to a changing environment in a profitable manner.

Bechman knows about Indiana agriculture because he grew up on a small dairy farm and worked with young farmers as a vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor before joining Farm Progress. He works closely with Purdue University specialists, Indiana Farm Bureau and commodity groups to cover cutting-edge issues affecting farmers. He specializes in writing crop stories with a focus on obtaining the highest and most economical yields possible.

Tom and his wife, Carla, have four children: Allison, Ashley, Daniel and Kayla, plus eight grandchildren. They raise produce for the food pantry and house 4-H animals for the grandkids on their small acreage near Franklin, Ind.

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