Nauvoo 100: It's Beautiful

As we have made our way around the farm lands of Illinois, we have seen lots and lots of tractors.  They range from the latest and greatest to the oldest and classiest.  In fact there are antique tractor parades running from town to town.   Sullivan in Hamilton is a large auction place that periodically holds big auctions, where you can bid on any type of farm equipment available to Midwest man. Below show some of the rows and rows on display, farmers or anyone can drive around to see whats available. Farm fairs are held such as the Western Illinois Threshers Fair.  Sitting in the bleachers tractors drive by showing off their updated exteriors as people whistle and holler their approval.   Tractor shows take the place of car shows, as you walk up and down looking at the thousands of makes, styles and varieties. Some of the tractors are identical to the ones we had as kids, such as the Farmall M and Farmall C.  It's a fun memory f...

We love Quincy because 180 years ago, the town of Quincy welcomed the beleaguered members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into their homes.   They had been expelled from Missouri by the citizens and governor.  Jealousy ruled in that state.  Something that no one thought could ever happen in this free country, did.  During the winter of 1838-39 their homes were ravaged, crops ruined, live stock taken and they were pushed out with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  Arriving on the banks of the Mississippi River in the dead of winter, the Quincippians opened their doors to 5,000 Saints.  The town had a population of about 1,500.  There is a monument by the banks of the River where the refugees ferried across.  An old city library turned museum is nearby with a room specifically telling the history of their rescue.  The residents gave the members of the Church the key to the city.  Through the winter they h...