Tractor traditions: Collectors show off their prizes at Caney Fork Antique Tractor Ride

Traveling about 10 mph is far from action packed. But the annual Caney Fork Antique Tractor Ride draws a bigger crowd of participants and spectators each time. The opportunity to pass down tangible legacies, visit with folks and in some ways honor the machine that supplies power on a farm draws people to the event.

"My son Gregory Ellis, and son-in-law, Ronald Walther and grandsons Bobby Ellis and Jason Walther are all farmers or part-time farmers," said Jerry Ellis of Sedgewickville, Mo. "For me the ride is relaxing. I get to travel roads I don't travel much anymore."

Ellis, 70, farms six days a week and is involved in other clubs and rides -- including the River Hills Tractor Club ride and the Bollinger County Antique Tractor Club.

"Rides get more important as I get older," said Ellis, who wants to pass down the tradition. "At rides there's nobody in competition. We have fun, eat and tell big stories. Last year I had my gall bladder out and couldn't do the Caney Fork ride, but I went out and ate fish anyway. It's a good deal."

Ellis said he farms with six or seven tractors and has 22 or 23 more antique tractors in outbuildings under roofs.

"Most of them run. Some run on batteries and others are hand-cranked. I've been collecting since 1982," he said.

The brand makes no difference to him. "I like the rainbow -- all of them -- and was raised with Ford and Allis-Chalmers tractors. John Deere's are probably the leading tractor. Most like the sound. I think we've got five," Ellis said.

A charter member of the Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club, Curtis Maevers of Jackson took his first antique tractor ride with the Caney Fork group in August.

"We do pulls and have an annual Egyptfest with a dance and games in August," Maevers said. "Our club also displays at the SEMO District Fair. We had 140 tractors there this year."

Maevers, not a farmer, got interested in tractors around 1981 when his cousin, the late Chuck Maevers, started collecting antique tractors.

"Then I did," he said.

Running around on the back roads looking for seemingly discarded tractors was like a treasure hunt for Maevers.

"We'd drive around and talk to people ... dicker with them on price. Now it's so popular it's hard to find them," he said.

The Caney Fork ride went beyond Maever's expectations. Meeting people with the same interest in antique tractors was something he expected but the spectators really had an effect on him.

"In Daisy people were sitting in their yards watching and giving a thumbs up to tractors they liked," he said.

Maevers favors John Deere tractors and owns two -- a 1936 B John Deere and a 1951 G John Deere. His son, Kyle, 26, has a 1935 A John Deere that Curtis keeps on his property.

The Caney Fork group is not an organized club and will remain a ride according to the Seabaughs.

The ride started in 2005 when friends and neighbors of Bonnie and Roger Seabaugh decided it would be fun to take their antique tractors out for a drive on a Sunday afternoon and then fry up some fish and potatoes for the drivers and their families afterward.

The Seabaughs never imagined the ride would grow to this size. In 2005 there were 36 tractors. Ninety-four tractors were at this year's ride held in August.

"The number of spectators along the route gets bigger," Bonnie Seabaugh said. "People gather in Daisy and Oak Ridge to watch the tractors and many along the route sit out in their front yards to wave."

Riders begin and end at the Seabaugh farm, four miles north of Millersville, Mo., and this year took the southern route through Daisy, Oak Ridge and near Millersville. They alternate between northern and southern routes, each about 26 miles. At the Seabaugh farm drivers and their families conclude the ride with a big meal.

"We fed just over 200 people," Bonnie said. The meal has graduated to fried fish and potatoes, catered barbecue pork, baked beans, salads and a variety of side dishes fixed by the drivers' wives. Meal expenses are covered through donations. The ride is free.

Seabaugh, 51, said he thought of organizing the ride for pleasure.

"When you're out farming you're on a time schedule," he said. "When you're out driving at eight or nine miles an hour you see a lot more."

"I was raised on these tractors. I bought my first Farmall when I was 16," he said. "I sold some. Bought the new ones. Now I'm into the old ones and restoring them."

Ride participant Jerry Davis, owner of Davis Farm Supply and member of the River Hills Antique Tractor Club, said Plow Day might also appeal to historic tractor owners. With a wide range of appeal from children to the elderly, Plow Day prepares soil like they did in the olden days, with a mule-drawn plow. Davis said a date has not yet been set because it is contingent upon the weather but Plow Day usually occurs in November.

"I've never seen grown men act more like kids," said Davis. Call him at 573-547-4556 for information as the time draws near.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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