Old-timer recalls early wheat harvests
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
When talking about growing up on the farm in the 1920s, Edmund Steiner of rural Lincolnville said harvest was the hardest work.
"Wheat harvest today is nothing like it used to be," the 89-year-old man recalled.
Cutting wheat was done with a binder which formed bundles about a foot in diameter.
Thrown out the side of the binder, they were shocked, i.e., placed upright in a stack to keep the heads of grain from absorbing moisture.
Then the shocks of wheat were loaded into horse-drawn wagons for transport to a stationary threshing machine, into which they were pitched.
The threshing machine separated the grain from the chaff. The grain was hauled to a bin or elevator. The huge pile of chaff often was used to provide shelter for cattle in winter.
Working often in 100-degree heat, there was no escaping the dust, and wheat beards found their way under the men's sweat-soaked shirts.
"The only thing to keep you going was the huge meals served at dinner time," Edmund said. "Otherwise, it was nothing but plain old hard work."
Edmund was born March 17, 1916, to Joseph and Lucy Steiner. He attended Lincolnville High School and rode a horse named Duke to and from school.
"If I never see another horse, it won't be soon enough for me," was his attitude at the time.
One morning he rode to school in minus 20-degree weather. When he got to school, his face was frozen, but quick action by someone who applied towels dipped in cold water prevented un-repairable damage.
Steiner loved the sport of basketball. As a senior in 1934, his team won the Northern Marion County League championship for the first and last time.
Academics came easy for him and he later wished he would have gone on and furthered his education.
"Hunting and trapping are my pride and joy," Edmund said.
He began trapping at an early age and continued it for many years. At first, it was very profitable.
"One skunk pelt paid for a cheap rifle," he said.
He also enjoys hunting. As a boy, his hunting skill often put meat on the table. He isn't able to walk long distances anymore but has a special permit which allows him to hunt from a vehicle.
Edmund married Mildred Vinduska in October 1939.
"We had a rough start," he said.
The couple lived on a Scully lease northwest of Lincolnville for six years. They harvested a little wheat the first spring, but the following year Hessian flies took the whole wheat crop and a tornado destroyed the corn crop.
"We lived on milk and eggs for a while," Edmund said.
In 1945, they purchased a 160-acre farmstead one-half mile south of the home place. The farmhouse is just off the Lincolnville-Durham road (290th) on Sunflower, and Edmund still lives there.
He became proficient in trap shooting, a sport in which targets are blasted into the air.
In 1951, Edmund received a large trophy and $200 after winning the state championship.
The following year, when Mildred expressed a desire for new kitchen cabinets, Edmund entered the Great Western Trap Shoot along with 262 other competitors.
When he returned home his wife asked, "How did you do?"
He presented her with a check big enough to furnish the whole kitchen with new cabinets.
Another of the joys of Edmund's life was playing the saxophone. He played with several bands popular in those days.
The Blue Aces was a group of young men from the Pilsen area who traveled all over the state playing for dances.
He recalled one time when the Blue Aces and the Lawrence Welk Band were playing in the same town. He said the Blue Aces attracted a much larger crowd than did the Welk band.
He also played with the Harmony Kings and the Ernie Palecki Orchestra, which had engagements in neighboring states as well as Kansas.
Edmund was a community activist for many years. Back when telephone lines were operated by a local company, he was secretary for 15 years.
He coached girls' and boys' sports teams, including CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) teams.
He also served 25 years as a county committeeman for the Agricultural, Stabilization, and Conservation Service (now Farm Service Agency).
Edmund served on a committee to establish St. Luke Hospital in Marion.
He was active in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen and served as Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He also served as toastmaster for events put on by the late Msgr. Arthur Tonne.
He also served as treasurer on the Lincolnville High School board of education.
In 1976, he was named to "Who's Who in Kansas" and received a plaque.
Edmund is fluent in Czech, the language of his ancestors, and often is called upon to translate Czech letters from abroad.
Edmund and Mildred raised four children. She died in 1996.
The most traumatic event of their married life was the brutal murder in 1978 of their 23-year-old daughter Shirley. Thoughts of it continues to bring tears to Edmund's eyes.
Shirley had graduated from college and was working in Topeka at the time. Although a possible suspect was identified, he never was prosecuted for her murder.
A geranium from Shirley's funeral remains on a windowsill in Edmund's home in memory of her short life.
Their oldest child, Marlene, is married to Jim Gutsch. They live in Emporia. Son Dennis and wife Mary and son Terry and wife Deanna live on nearby farms.
Dennis and Terry often spend time with their father while their wives are at work.
Edmund has a variety of health problems and is content to be at home, work puzzles of various kinds, and watch TV.
His days are brightened by a special relationship he has with Vicki Smolik of Marion. The two still talk Czech when they are together.
Edmund's children are planning a reception for him March 19 at Pilsen Community Center to celebrate his 90th birthday.
His family has grown to include six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
