Neat Experience

I tried to post this once, but it never appeared so I am trying again. Anyway, I just bought a 1960, 871 with a loader on it. I was doing some dirt work with it in my back yard, and decided (as I often do) to take a leisurely drive on the tractor through the neighborhood. When I returned to my house, I noticed that a mini-van had stopped on the street, and I was approached by an elderly man. He had followed me home. He introduced himself, and after some small talk he told me that his father had owned the Ford tractor dealership in my town years ago. He and his brother had worked there as young men. He began to tell me with great detail, anything I ever wanted to know about the tractor. He asked how I liked the SOS transmission, and told me that if I ever had any problems with it, his brother, (who lives 2 blocks from me), could rebuild it in the dark. Anyway, it was just a neat experience, and was somewhat touching to watch his facial expressions, and his silent pauses as every piece on that tractor reminded him of 50 some years ago. I offered to let him drive it, but he took a raincheck. I told him he was welcome to stop by anytime he wanted, and he said he would, and I hope he does. I bought this tractor to use, but I have an almost overwhelming desire to restore it.

Good for you. Hope he comes back.

That's great, that he had a chance to link up to the past again, and you were a good audience.

I had a real estate closing once where a 90+ year old man was selling his house to a couple of kids. He'd lived in it since the 1930's, had raised his family there, etc. He bought before the advent of "title insurance", and instead had an "abstract of title". For those not familiar, it is a sheaf of copies of all the title documents back to the federal Patent. The first document was the deed from the United States to the founder of the town, after whom the city park is named, etc.

The old gent was very proud of this item, but I could tell the kids were pretty shallow, and didn't give a whit about it. I was just hoping they would humor him, and not say something to hurt his feelings. Thankfully, they didn't, and acted like it was a big deal. The old fellow went away happy, feeling that his house was in good hands.

I wasn't so sure. I'm sure there have been other owners since, and I wonder if the abstract is still around, or in a landfill somewhere.

About 10 years ago there was a truck farm that had sold out to a larger farmer, and he was selling off his machinery. There were about 6 tractors, including Cubs, 140, Super A, etc, most were high vegetable tractors with axle extensions. I stopped to look them over and an elderly Japanese gentleman came over to show me around. He was the farmer that was selling out. I told him I grew up on a farm in North Dakota, and we talked for almost an hour about farming. I learned a lot about truck farming, and he even took me to his "other" tractor shed where he kept his pride and joy, an Allis G, that was not for sale. I had to cut the visit short since I was on my lunch break and was already a half-hour late getting back, but it was a very memorable experience. Neat old guy.

In Iowa, the Abstract is golden. Mine is in the safe deposit box at the Bank; if I still had a mortgage on it, the Bank would have ownership of the abstract. I was told that title insurance doesn't exist in Iowa, as the abstract is by law the title. Very costly to replace because, as you said, it goes back to the 'beginning' of your territory and all subsequent owners, including divorces, mineral rights, etc. If I sell my place, it will have my name added to the list of previous owners.

I always say that tractors collect this greatest people!

Great experience for you ---- there is a new country western song out "All my Friends have Tractors" Can't remember who sings it and have only heard it once.

but it is a good song

Mike, your abstract story reminded me of a notation in the abstract for our farm, which was purchased in 1955 by my wife's father. Many years ago, this farm was under lein "for the services of the neighboring farmer's wife". Kinda shocking to read that on a legal document, but it turns out that this farm owner had lost his wife, had small children, and the neighbor's wife helped care for them. Lot's of interesting info on the old abstracts.

Paul

That is a neat story. But.....Are you sure the Guy wasnt bullschitting you? Some of those old timers may be senile and dont remember who the president is......It sickens me to think about who the president is.

In the mid 90's an old guy, in his late 80's was walking down the street, (at my old house) and he went into great detail of how to the north of my home was a gravel pit and so on. He may have been telling the truth but......I will never know. It was nice talking to the old guy.

Rodney Atkins - Friends with tractors
youtube video with the song

SENILE !!! Who you calling senile ?? every one knows Jimmy Carter is President !!!!!!

Jimmy Carter???

That's out of the frying pan and into the fire, as far as I'm concerned. . .

LOL--- Just showin my dumb end.

While have'n a "Billy Beer"

I have an abstract on our place. Wife and I found it in her mother"s papers after she passed on. Date on it starts in 1840"s up to time wife"s family bought the land in 1942. After they purchased the place, Ms issued them a title to the land. Neat reading. Family belonged to Botters family and their old cementary is still in use.

Billy Beer, That is funny.

The former prez has a brother that is a drunk...With a beer named after him.
Hmmm...Carter was a totally unqualified dork, kinda like what we got now.