By Karin Milliman
Auction Exchange Correspondent

MENDON, Mich. — A 1953 Case S. C. tractor with a narrow front and hydraulics was the highlight of an auction conducted by Fred Schwartz for Marvin and Betty Yoder. It had a three-point hitch and a 29-horsepower engine.

This tractor was actually purchased new by Marvin Yoder, and had only been used on his 40-acre farm. The rear tires were still original and had about 40 percent of their tread left. The bidding on this piece started at $1,000, but it took more than that to drive it off. With working horn and lights, the tractor brought some fierce competition from the bidders. The final bid came from the Yoder’s neighbor, who drove it next door to its new home for the final price of $2,600. A tractor seat sold for $37.

A pair of wooden-soled shoes did not attract the high price achieved by the tractor, but they still had the crowd talking. The shoes were made as a prototype during World War II, but had never been made commercially. This pair was marked size eight and brought a bid of $30. The new owner just grinned and said, “They are sure different and that’s why I bought them.”

Anyone interested in beekeeping could have set up shop by purchasing items from this auction. Nine hive boxes sold for $40 each, while the remainder sold for $10 each. A honey extractor reached $75, while a beekeeper’s suit, complete with hat, gloves, and coveralls, was sold for $35. A bee smoker brought a final bid of $30.

A Trail Blazer sickle bar mower with a five horsepower Briggs Stratton engine reached $275. A Huskee 22-two ton log splitter on wheels with a five horsepower Briggs Stratton engine, also drummed up some interest. The bids on this one just kept rising and the final bid was $1,050.

A pair of double metal washtubs in excellent shape sold for $30. Metal milk cans generated some interest also. These two-handled metal units were used to carry the milk to the house and were also used to store it in the milk house until it was needed. They were usually 5 or 10 gallon containers. The milk cans sold for $45 for first choice, then $10 each for the rest.

Practicality was predominant at this auction. A large wooden chicken crate still had lots of years of use left in it and brought a final bid of $75. An outside wooden swing was sold for $70. A wooden birdhouse, sold without its pole, brought a final bid of $30.

A John Deere metal hand corn sheller still had its original John Deere International sticker clearly visible on the side. It started with a $50 opening bid and sold for the final gavel price of $350. 
A Ford eight-foot, three-point disk with quick adjust gangs, opened with a $200 bid. But it reached the final sale price of $575, before it was pronounced sold. A set of egg scales sold for $45.

A small tractor pedal car, with missing parts, sold for $210, while a small brown rocking horse brought a final bid of $15.

Kenny Borkholder, ringman for Schwartz, found a way to keep the crowd interested. He picked up a piece to show the bidders and a mouse ran out from under it. The bidders got a great laugh as Borkholder did a fantastic dance trying to get away from the mouse without stepping on any merchandise.

For further details, call Schwartz Auctioneers at 269-503-1235 or go online to www.schwartzauctioneers.com