Jump to Navigation

Harvest Tales - Rawlins County

Harvest stories submitted by Kansans for the online exhibit, Wheat People.
Submit your own at kshs.kansasmuseum@ks.gov.

Wayne Harper

My Grandson Used to Help Neighbors

My grandson, Erik Vrbas, used to help out neighbors at harvest time when he wasn't at school. The Leebricks farmed 13 miles southwest of Atwood. Erik, 19 years old at the time, usually ran the combine. That year he was responsible for shuffling the loaded grain trucks back and forth from the field to the grain elevator in Colby.

It was the end of a long, hot day when Erik came back from dumping a load. The other men had already left the field. There was just one more truck parked there with the tarp pulled down and ready to go. Erik arrived at the elevator and pulled his load onto the scales. The elevator manager opened the grain gate, while Erik started the hoist. Nothing came out. "Erik, you've got an empty truck here," the man finally said.

Erik just put the truck in gear and drove off with a red face. His family has had so much fun with the story of him hauling empty trucks that Erik will never live that one down.

"Harvest Tales" is part of the online exhibit, Wheat People:  Celebrating Kansas Harvest.