Love- The Odessa Record; "By Your Relative"

Hi, here I am again.

This week we continue on and learn about the grain elevators. The picture aside was taken in 2009.

There is no mystery about these structures. The crib one was built during Reuben Fink's time (1950) and the capacity was about 14,000/15,000 bushels. The metal tank next to the crib elevator was constructed during Alvin Fink's time.

I asked Alvin "why did your father build the elevator? Was it so he could store grain and not have to pay W.C. Raugust/OTC or others a fee to do it? Answer "No, not really. It was to be able to take the best grain from our harvest, store it at the farm, treat it when time was available (Reuben had a "fanning" mill/machine for treating the seed). and have it available for sure when seeding. It was also cheaper doing everything at the farm than having others (grain dealers) do it."

A.J. Weber was the contractor. Rudolph "Rudy" Raugust employed by A.J. was a helper on the project. The wood boards/material for the wall cribbing was trucked in by A.J., hoisted in place using a pole structure device consisting of ropes and pulleys. Metal was used for roof covering. The Fink sons helped dig/excavate for the footings. Weber did everything else.

You would say the structure was hand built. Today the construction method and materials would be totally different.

Alvin also told me, "the Fincks down the road west of them had a similar elevator built for them at the same time for the same reason."

After years of usage, the elevator became obsolete when the governmental regulations changed relating to seed treatment. Also, a chemistry scare occurred. You couldn't have any pink in the wheat or you would lose it all. There were no mice allowed, etc.

About the same time the above was going on, a grain man told Alvin "you know I don't know if we are going to have enough space to put the grain crop this year." After hearing that, soon thereafter, a peddler came along, made a "hot offer to Alvin for a tank that Alvin couldn't refuse. The price was so good, that Alvin purchased a tank that had more capacity than needed at the time. Alvin never had to worry about grain storage thereafter. Also, the tank was free of bugs, mice, etc.

Until next time,

Your Relative,

Spokane