He Collects Fence Posts

He Collects Fence Posts AG WORLD Ag World 18-2-19 You've probably heard of people who collect different types of barbed wire, but have you ever heard of anyone who collects steel fence posts? Myron Beesley, Delphi, Ind., has a collection of more than 90 fence posts -all steel except for one made from plastic. "Most people have never seen a fence post collection," says Beesley, a retired store owner. "I started my collection about 15 years ago when my father-in-law gave me an unusual round, hollow steel post. He had obtained the post in 1909 when he purchased some land. I started looking at other posts and it became a challenge to find ones with different styles and features. During a local `old settlers' celebration a few years ago, I placed my collection of 17 in a store window. The following week two farmers each brought in a fence post and said, `Here's one you don't have.' "Except for three or four newer posts, all my posts are considered antiques and are no longer manufactured. All are patented." The collection is based on five major categories depending on the post's shape when viewed from the top. The shapes include a "T", "U", "L", "Y", and "0". Fortyfive posts in Beesley's collection are "T"-shaped. Next most numerous are the "U" shaped models. The posts have various types of anchor plates. Some plates are riveted on, while others are practically wrapped around the post. The "0" and "Y"-shaped posts have no anchor plates. Some posts are smooth while others have knobs on one side or both sides. Some have holes the length of the post for placing wire through. Others have hooks that are hammered down to hold the fence wire onto the post. "One outstanding post given to me by a friend in Iowa is triangular-shaped with a crossbar-type anchor plate held in place by a horse shoe nail," says Beesley. "It was patented in 1882 in Kansas. I found another one in an advertisement in a 1927 copy of Farm Journal magazine. It was made by American Steel & Wire Co. I sent a copy of the picture in the ad to the Patent Office and they sent me a copy of the patent. Another unusual post in my collection is `T'-shaped with a 3 to 4-in. long wave molded onto both sides of the post along its entire length. The wave isn't thick enough to add strength so it must have been more of an identification marking. I found it in a fenced enclosure behind a friend's barn. One post given to me by Chicago Hts. Steel Co. was made from recycled railroad, rails." Although most of his 90 posts have come from local areas, Beesley has three that he picked up while vacationing in Alaska in 1987. As he cruises the countryside, he keeps new posts in his car to trade for old posts. "I carry a hacksaw in my car so that in case I find a post I want, I can cut it apart and haul it in the trunk, then weld it back together when I get home," says Beesley. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Myron Beesley, 318 W. Summit, Box 204, Delphi, Ind. 46923 (ph 317 564-2416).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.