FOUND TWICE

llen Becker of Boerne, Texas, is a skilled machinist and mechanic — all self-taught. If it’s broken, he can probably fix it. Among other things, Allen collects old tractors and engines. For years Allen stayed in contact with a friend named Wimberley, who coincidentally lived in Wimberley, Texas. Mr. Wimberley regularly attended auctions and garage sales and was always on the lookout for items which he could buy and then resell to people who he knew would be interested — at a profit, naturally. In the mid-1970s Wimberley contacted Allen Becker about old engines in a combination feed store and blacksmith shop in the small town of Hunter, Texas, 8 miles north of New Braunfels. Allen and a friend, Richard Wendorf, drove to Hunter and purchased two engines. Richard purchased an Economy engine originally acquired from Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Allen bought the Kansas City Hay Press Co. Junior, which was belted to a line shaft in the blacksmith shop. Richard paid $35 for the Economy and Allen paid