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Auction helps save family farm
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| While auctioneers seek bids, potential buyers huddle around a small tractor at Sunday's auction at Jerry and Mary Ann Macken's Stateline Road farm. The Mackens raised enough during the two days to stave off bankruptcy. |
published April 14, 2003
By LEE JUILLERAT
TULELAKE - Some came seeking bargains. Others wanted to help a friend.
Friendly bargain hunters mostly left satisfied after a two-day auction at the home of Jerry and Mary Ann Macken, who sold off thousands of collectibles, small engines, farm equipment and tractors Saturday and Sunday in a successful effort to save their farm from bankruptcy.
"It worked out great. Just a little bit more than what we needed," Jerry Macken said today. "We're all plumb tickled."
The Mackens needed to clear more than $70,000 to prevent their hay farm, which has been in the family since 1919, from being lost to bankruptcy. They had until mid-July to raise the money.
Over the years, Jerry and Mary Ann stashed away a wide variety of collectibles, highlighted by Jerry's much-praised collection of antique tractors and farm machinery.
While the tractors provided the biggest share of the income, the best-selling single item was a 1930 Klamath County road grader that Macken family members hoped would sell for at least $500. Spirited bidding pushed the sale price up to $4,500 for Gary Peterson of Grants Pass.
"That was the star of the show," said auctioneer Steve Van Gordon.
Although plagued by cold, wet, windy weather, buyers came from all along the West Coast to bid.
"These people were here to buy," said Bob Porters, one of the Mackens' sons.
Among the buyers was Glen R. Carrigan of Goldendale, Wash., who bought a 1944 John Deere tractor for $1,700.
"I restore John Deere tractors," explained Carrigan. "I'll restore it and keep it in the collection, and maybe sell it in a couple of years. I have five acres I play with. I work at it with my antique tractors. And I kind of wanted to help Jerry out a little bit."
"I collect old tractors," said Don Lasley of Lakeview, who sells New Holland farm equipment in Lakeview and Christmas Valley and spent $2,200 on a McCormick Deering.
"I'd like to paint it up and restore it," said Lasley, who has no plans to operate his new-old tractor. "It'll just be sitting out so I can look at it."
Betty Manning of Klamath Falls, who bought a 1949 Farmall cub for $300, said she plans to, "Take it home and try to get it running. Use it to putz around."
Also planning to use his tractor was Don Leahy of Hillsboro, Ore., who bought a 1948 Farmall for $1,200.
"That there is kinda one of a kind," he said of his purchase, which he'll add to his collection of 100-plus antique tractors. "I'm going to use it on my 20 acres. Probably mow grass with it."
Many buyers, like Walt Nolan of Sebastopol, Calif., collect specific brands. Nolan, who specializes in 1930s and older John Deeres, bought a 1936 John Deere for a price just "a $100 less than my limit."
"I think it's going to be one of the last auctions of its type you'll see with these old ones," said Nolan, referring to the 60-plus antique tractors and even older varieties of farm equipment. "I'll fix it up and restore it. We used to be in the used tractor business and they get into your blood."
Saturday's sale of collectibles, primitives and small engines lasted from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while Sunday's sale of equipment and tractors went from noon to 4:30 p.m. Macken and his family helped load until sundown and were helping to load sales items on other purchasers' flat-bed trucks today.
"Once I made up my mind to sell it, it was fine," Jerry Macken said of selling the many items, including his tractors. "We tried to make an enjoyable, fun event out of it, and I think we succeeded."
Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at lee@heraldandnews.com.
By LEE JUILLERAT
TULELAKE - Some came seeking bargains. Others wanted to help a friend.
Friendly bargain hunters mostly left satisfied after a two-day auction at the home of Jerry and Mary Ann Macken, who sold off thousands of collectibles, small engines, farm equipment and tractors Saturday and Sunday in a successful effort to save their farm from bankruptcy.
"It worked out great. Just a little bit more than what we needed," Jerry Macken said today. "We're all plumb tickled."
The Mackens needed to clear more than $70,000 to prevent their hay farm, which has been in the family since 1919, from being lost to bankruptcy. They had until mid-July to raise the money.
Over the years, Jerry and Mary Ann stashed away a wide variety of collectibles, highlighted by Jerry's much-praised collection of antique tractors and farm machinery.
While the tractors provided the biggest share of the income, the best-selling single item was a 1930 Klamath County road grader that Macken family members hoped would sell for at least $500. Spirited bidding pushed the sale price up to $4,500 for Gary Peterson of Grants Pass.
"That was the star of the show," said auctioneer Steve Van Gordon.
Although plagued by cold, wet, windy weather, buyers came from all along the West Coast to bid.
"These people were here to buy," said Bob Porters, one of the Mackens' sons.
Among the buyers was Glen R. Carrigan of Goldendale, Wash., who bought a 1944 John Deere tractor for $1,700.
"I restore John Deere tractors," explained Carrigan. "I'll restore it and keep it in the collection, and maybe sell it in a couple of years. I have five acres I play with. I work at it with my antique tractors. And I kind of wanted to help Jerry out a little bit."
"I collect old tractors," said Don Lasley of Lakeview, who sells New Holland farm equipment in Lakeview and Christmas Valley and spent $2,200 on a McCormick Deering.
"I'd like to paint it up and restore it," said Lasley, who has no plans to operate his new-old tractor. "It'll just be sitting out so I can look at it."
Betty Manning of Klamath Falls, who bought a 1949 Farmall cub for $300, said she plans to, "Take it home and try to get it running. Use it to putz around."
Also planning to use his tractor was Don Leahy of Hillsboro, Ore., who bought a 1948 Farmall for $1,200.
"That there is kinda one of a kind," he said of his purchase, which he'll add to his collection of 100-plus antique tractors. "I'm going to use it on my 20 acres. Probably mow grass with it."
Many buyers, like Walt Nolan of Sebastopol, Calif., collect specific brands. Nolan, who specializes in 1930s and older John Deeres, bought a 1936 John Deere for a price just "a $100 less than my limit."
"I think it's going to be one of the last auctions of its type you'll see with these old ones," said Nolan, referring to the 60-plus antique tractors and even older varieties of farm equipment. "I'll fix it up and restore it. We used to be in the used tractor business and they get into your blood."
Saturday's sale of collectibles, primitives and small engines lasted from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while Sunday's sale of equipment and tractors went from noon to 4:30 p.m. Macken and his family helped load until sundown and were helping to load sales items on other purchasers' flat-bed trucks today.
"Once I made up my mind to sell it, it was fine," Jerry Macken said of selling the many items, including his tractors. "We tried to make an enjoyable, fun event out of it, and I think we succeeded."
Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at lee@heraldandnews.com.
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