Rutherford Weekly

"RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S ONLY AUDITED NEWSPAPER" Anniversary Special $29.95 Our 20th Year • Issue No. 12 • March 22, 2012 • 828-248-1408 John T ner outside of his "museum". John Turner outside of his "museum". By: M.A. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com By: M.A. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com His father was Sam Turner and almost 50 years ago, his son, John William Turner got very interested with the "tools of the earth". When his dad passed, John i inherited his dad's His father was Sam Turner and almost 50 years ago, his son, John William Turner got very interested with the "tools of the earth". When his dad passed, John nherited his dad' plows and associated farm equipment. Initially he could not afford to buy others, but eventu- plows and associated farm equipment. Initially he could not afford to buy others, but eventu- ally he earned enough to go to sales and auctions and gather some of his beloved plows, a ally he earned enough to go to sales and auctions and gather some of his beloved plows, a few at a time. few at a time. Today, John Turner (his wife calls him Bill) can look back and proudly talk about and show you what might be the biggest and most versatile display of plows and other farm equipment have ever seen. The Smithsonian Institute in Washington would be lucky to have Turner's oday, John Turner (his wife calls him Bill) can look back and proudly talk about and show you what might be the biggest and most versatile display of plows and other farm equipment I I have ever seen. The Smithsonian Institute in Washington would be lucky to have Turner' unbelievable collection. miles of carefully traveling on a dirt road, you realize how lucky you are. John's been told that he has one of only two cotton planters in existence. His very favorite Also, he spoke to me quite a while about his "turning plow". To John they are masterpieces. Many of his collection involves pieces that were manufactured in Charlotte by the Cole The company was fi rst incorporated on October 12, 1900 in Char- Manufacturing Companyf unbelievable collection. John Turner is retired now and lives on his 52 acre home site on the edge of Cliffside. It nally get there, after almost two John Turner is retired now and lives on his 52 acre home site on the edge of Cliffside. It is quite a place out in the middle of nowhere and when you fi is quite a place out in the middle of nowhere and when you fi nally get there, after almost two miles of carefully traveling on a dirt road, you realize how lucky you are. John's been told that he has one of only two cotton planters in existence. His very favorite plow is the hill side plowl p ow is the hill side plow.. Also, he spoke to me quite a while about his "turning plow". T John they are masterpieces. Many of his collection involves pieces that were manufactured in Charlotte by the Cole Manu acturing Company.. The company was fi rst incorporated on October 12, 1900 in Char l lotte by four Cole brothers. The Cole brothers were born in Chatham County North Carolina. They later moved to a farm in Moore County near Carthage. It was there that the brothers began to make seed planters for their neighbors around 1885. On July 17, 1900 the brothers otte by four Cole brothers. The Cole brothers were born in Chatham County,, North Carolina. They later moved to a farm in Moore County near Carthage. It was there that the brothers began to make seed planters for their neighbors around 1885. On July 17, 1900 the brothers obtained a US patent for the "Coles' Combination Planter". After struggling for the fi rst few obtained a US patent for the "Coles' Combination Planter". After struggling for the fi rst few years, the brothers began to realize much success. A new plant was designed and completed years, the brothers began to realize much success. A new plant was designed and completed in 1911. Under the direction of Eugene Macon Cole, the business achieved many years of in 1911. Under the direction of Eugene Macon Cole, the business achieved many years of success. According to a government offi cial, E. M. Cole "did more in the improvement of machineri success. According to a government offi cial, E. M. Cole "did more in the improvement of mach nery or planting seed than had been done in all preceding centuries." By the 1940'sy for planting seed than had been done in all preceding centuries." By the 1940' f i it was estimated that three fourths of the cotton, corn, and peanut crops in the South weret was estimated that three fourths of the cotton, corn, and peanut crops in the South were planted with Cole planters. By 1961 over two million Cole seed planters, fertilizer spreaders planted with Cole planters. By 1961 over two million Cole seed planters, fertilizer spreaders and grain drills had been manufactured and delivered. Clean/Spruce Up Downtown Rutherfordton and grain drills had been manufactured and delivered. The important thing to remember, is that John Turner in Rutherford County has a great The important thing to remember, is that John Turner in Rutherford County has a great and extensive collection of Cole planters. It is truly amazing. He owns at least 39 plows, if not more. He loves his wheat cradles, cross cut saws, horse collars, double and single trees, in fact, ever fact, everything in his collection. His wife, Doris, of 51 years said: "I've enjoyed seeing him do what he loved so much." The working animal of choice at the time was the mule. One might easily say that John William Turner, born near Bostic, "got plowed under". His Saturday March 31 8am-12pm We're getting ready for Rutherfordton's Birthday Party - 225th Anniversary Kick Off on April 14, 1pm. Come to the parking lot next to Town Hall at 8am for assignments, safety vests, gloves, trash bags and rakes. Bring your own cleaning implements if you like. For More Info call 828-287-3520 or just show up on March 31. and extensive collection of Cole planters. It is truly amazing. He owns at least 39 plows, if not more. He loves his wheat cradles, cross cut saws, horse collars, double and single trees, in ything in his collection. His wife, Doris, of 51 years said: "I've enjoyed seeing him do what he loved so much." One must remember that most of the power for the plows came from mules and horses. One must remember that most of the power for the plows came from mules and horses. The working animal of choice at the time was the mule. One might easily say that John William Turner, born near Bostic, "got plowed under". His hobby provides a wonderful refl ection of what helped make North Carolina and our country a great state and a great nation. These "tools of the earth" will always be very special. Without a doubt, I would really love to see his collection on display at the Smithsonian Institute in W Institute in Washington, D. C. hobby provides a wonderful refl ection of what helped make North Carolina and our country a great state and a great nation. These "tools of the earth" will always be very special. Without a doubt, I would really love to see his collection on display at the Smithsonian ashington, D. C. He stands among horse collars and oth- er plows and feeders in his "museum". An amazing collection. Internet starting at Faster, more reliable Internet. 12 Mbps. 8x faster than DSL. (828) 245-1633 yournorthland.com When compared to 1.5 Mbps DSL service. Offer ends 3/31/12. Offer valid for new customers. Some restrictions may apply. May not be available in all areas. See www.yournorthland.com/offers for more details. Here he is with his favorite plow, the hillside plow. It's quite an engineering achievement. John points out to two of his Cole oats planters. The one on the left has never been used. If It's A PIf It's A Plow He's Got It! He's Got It! First 2 weeks & uniform Spring is Here! Collection Spring is Here! An Amazing An Amazing Collection # 1 ADVERTISING SOURCE! THE AREA'S RUTHERFORDWEEKLY.COM Bruce Cole 828-2At Mike Marlow Or 48-1408 16 & 17 To Advertise Contact Pages Adver t ising@ruther fordweekly .com ©Community First Media

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