Former Platte City mayor Frank Offutt and his sisters wanted to make a contribution to the recent Platte County Steam and Gas Engine Show and gifted them with a 1944 John Deere ‘Long Hood’ Model B tractor for the show’s fund raiser in memory of their father, George Dennis Offutt.
The Offutts acquired the tractor in 1989, and it was one of four John Deere tractors that the family owned. It was used as a general purpose row crop tractor for planting and harvesting grain and hay.
“My grandfather, George Offutt, was at one time a John Deere Tractor dealer in Hampton, Mo. ( now known as KCI Airport),” Frank said. “My dad was the organizer of the first Platte County Steam Engine Show, held at the Platte County Fairgrounds, July, 1962. Many of our family stories and the dozens of relationships made with wonderful people over the last 60 years are a result of the Steam Engine Show.”
Frank is not aware of any other farm tractor being donated to the Platte County Steam and Gas Engine Association as a fund raiser prior to the Offutt tractor.
The tractor was sold new to the Charles Reineke family in 1944. The Reineke family farm was in Northern Platte County.
“It’s noteworthy as farm tractors were rationed by the government during World War II, so the Reineke family had to prove a serious need to get on the list for a new tractor,” Frank said.
In the late 1950’s the tractor was purchased by Glenn Rule, who farmed East of Hoover, Mo. The tractor got caught in the Great Flood of 1965 and sat under water for 10 days. It was left abandoned in a fence row after the flood, slowly rusting away. Ralph Kindred, a neighbor of the Offutt family acquired the tractor in a 1980 trade, but never restored it.
The tractor joined the Offutt collection in 1989. It went through a year-long restoration in the Offutt shop and returned to running condition, serving as a ‘parade tractor’ for 34 years.
The tractor was raffled at the Steam and Gas Engine event. The Offutts had contacted them about the tractor, and arrangements were made in 2022 for the donation of the tractor.
“Volunteers did an excellent job of enhancing the appearance of the tractor and are commended for their time and effort, getting the tractor ready for this year’s raffle in memory of our father,” Frank said.
Darrell Aldrich, Excelsior Springs, won the raffle, and Frank said Aldrich was very surprised when he was contacted Aug. 12.
“I feel very honored that I won the tractor,” Aldrich said. “It was just amazing to win it. I feel very privileged.”
Frank believes the Platte County Steam Engine Show remains a popular event in the area and it’s a great way for kids to learn about the history of Platte County and the great contributions of the local agriculatual community.
“My father said it best, ‘it’s a great place to share an experience with the whole family.’ It’s an experience where kids can learn about machinery and responsibility of operating machinery, as well as the history of Platte County’s agricultural background.”
Frank is proud to have served as mayor of Platte City for many years.
“This pride is not so much of my accomplishments, but the collective effort of many families, business owners and civic leaders coming together to support and complete the dozens of projects undertaken during my service in office,” Frank said.
His favorite accomplishments include several projects.
“Upon reflection, the major street improvements, building Kentucky Drive, creating an effective working park system, retiring the municipal city court, improving the city’s credit rating, creating Platte County’s first curbside recycling program, rebuilding the city water and wastewater system, opening up development East of I-29, creating working relationships with local and county agencies, enhancing the public safety department, and hopefully leaving behind a better city than I acquired, allowing future city leaders to improve on the challenges they will face as elected officials.”