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Slice of history

By Scott Fitzgerald, The Southern

Saturday, August 16, 2008 10:18 PM CDT

PINCKNEYVILLE - Al Kues remembers as a young boy watching a neighbor tend to a garden with David Bradley garden implements.

It made a lasting impression on him as Kues made it a goal 20 years ago to begin collecting those implements that are not manufactured today.

"It's hard to tell you the exact year certain items were manufactured. The tractors were made in a series," Kues said about the complexities of collecting.

Kues has nine tractors and 16 attachments to show at this year's 49th annual Horse Power, Steam, Gas and Threshing Show hosted by the American Thresherman Association at the Perry County Fairgrounds.

The New Baden resident has shown his collection at previous shows, but this year he has added a historical trailer with newspaper clippings, pictures, and other items of interest that tell some of the story about the David Bradley Manufacturing Co. that was founded in Chicago in 1884 and later relocated to an area outside of Kankakee that became known as Bradley, 11 years later.

"These clippings will tell you a lot of the history," Kues said as he pointed to the glass encased framed clippings of major news events in the manufacturing history of David Bradley.

What fascinates Kues today as he makes inquiries everywhere to collect more garden implements are the prices.

The Tric-Trac three-wheeler implements manufactured from 1953-1957 sold at that time for close to $500 that was considered expensive. Today if those same items came off the assembly line, they would likely sell for several thousands of dollars, Kues said.

The retired tire shop owner invites visitors to this year's show to come see his display and walk through the museum. The display is located near the show's entrance.

The Sunday schedule for this year's show includes an antique car parade beginning at 3 p.m. on the fairground track. There will also be an awarding of trophies following the car parade, which will be followed by the traditional "Parade of Power."

Grounds admission if $5 each. Children under 12 are admitted free.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

351-5076