By ANN ALLEN Indiana Correspondent ROCHESTER, Ind. — By the time the Fulton County Power Show drew to a close, Chuck Smith was a happy man.
As a director of the Indiana Co-Op Jamboree, he had joined fellow members in issuing a challenge for at least 30 Cockshutt and Co-Op E-3 tractors to be displayed at the June 18-20 show.
“We got 34,” he said as he walked between tractors bearing Cockshutt, Co-Op and even Gamble store decals. Most were built by Cockshutt, a Brantford, Ontario, company that over the years partnered with Avery, Allis-Chalmers, Black Hawk and Oliver. After spending the past 10 years researching the tractor he fell in love with when his father, Ben, purchased a Cockshutt, Smith was able to point out distinctive characteristics, such as an Oliver front end.
The tractors never developed a standard color – a trait that stood out in a long line of Cockshutts.
The featured business, North Central Co-Op, brought a fleet of its present trucks, along with a vintage gas truck.
Not even a violent thunderstorm that interrupted one night’s program quelled enthusiasm for displays of other tractors, antique farm equipment, a working sawmill, vendors, food and drink. |