From the album of Leo & Mary Ellen Schinstock on the American Agriculture Movement First Tractorcade to Topeka, December 10, 1977 Bus in Topeka-Leo & Leslie putting on signs. Mary Ellen made the signs and was instrumental in organizing bus. Roadside supporters Jim Titus tractor- Mary Ellen made the signs. Tractors in Topeka In the parade
Tractorcade to Larned, Kansas Our first tractorcade that we drove our tractor in was to Larned, KS. After the rally at Larned, everyone that was there came back through Kinsley. There were approximately 60 to 80 tractors that paraded in Kinsley that day. Mary Ellen Schinstock Schinstock Tractor for Larned tractorcade. Carter has beans; Bergland has Carter, Farmers have bills, 100% Parity Tractors at Larned Armory Tractors lines up with Leo going into Larned After the Larned rally, tractors back in Kinsley
Rally in Washington, D.C. (March 15-17, 1978) In March 15-17, Leo and I went to Washington, D.C. to lobby for the Dole flexible Parity Bill. We were there when the bill passed out of the Ag. Committee. The hall in front of the committee room was packed. One of Dole s aides came out and asked us to be quiet so we were. Before that, though, Talmadge asked us to hold down the noise, and it was ignored. Mary Ellen Schinstock The A.A.M. gang coming up Pennsylvania Avenue Rally on Senate Building Steps Guards on the Senate Building steps Washington, D.C. Goat Capitol of the World March 15, 1979, Really was funny seeing those Capitol Police trying to round those goats up on motorcycles.
March 16, 1978 - Lafayette Park across the street from the White House. Our Friend, Bob Bergland The U.S. Cavalry watching us Militant farmers After the rally in Lafayette Park, we took a little stroll down Penn. Ave. We covered the entire 6 lanes and stretched several blocks back. It was cold and drizzly that morning, not much fun walking but sure made a pretty picture. Mary Ellen Schinstock Leo Schinstock is the tall man in white hat on right.
After we reached the Senate Building, someone up front hollered O.K. boys, shoulder to shoulder, just like the freedom marchers, we re going up those steps. When we got right to the bottom of the steps, they called up tricked your ass, didn t we! We then took a little longer stroll than what was planned and went to the U.S.D.A. Building. The orange blurs in the picture on this page is some more of the Capitol Hill Police. They sure did take good care of us up there! The next picture is the march to the U.S.D.A. Building. There is where, so far, during this Strike, we came closest to violence. A policeman broke the window of the building, but naturally, the farmers were blamed. it was said by the UPI that there were about 200 farmers when actually there were thousands. (check the picture does that look like 200 farmers?) Mary Ellen Schinstock These pictures were taken at the U.S.D.A. Building. On left, Leo is talking to a government journalist. Very much against the farmer. The kid in the cowboy hat is a peanut farmer from Georgia. In the picture below is a friend from Arkansas City, KS by the name of Don. He is standing with another journalist that was for the farmer.
In April, Leo went back to D.C. with Harold Schinstock and Lester Derley. They went back to lobby for the Dole Flexible parity Bill. They saw it pass the Senate but be defeated in the House. There was some mighty sad farmers on the hill that day. All through the winter of 78 the policemen and most of the D.C. citizens were extremely helpful and supportive of our cause. It was an education in government. The bill was defeated, but A.A.M. was not. We were wounded, but not slain we will rise to fight again. A lot has happened in this year. Our farmers were brutally bused at McAllen, Texas, but came out of the ordeal ahead and with more supporters than before. President Carter (God love his rotten heart) vetoed a much needed Beef Import Bill that would have helped A.A.M. His action only gave us more workers. We Will Win This Fight. The summer found us inactive, but ready to work in the fall. Mary Ellen Schinstock December 13, 1978 a total of 12 vehicles left Lewis to join the tractorcade to Topeka. This tractorcade was formed to show support for the grain market hearings starting Monday, December 18, 1978. Leo & Pops (Harold Sherrill of Jetmore) vehicles Jim Pratt s tractor above: Wheaton s tractor with sign I painted: Farmers aren t Dolly Parton They re flat-busted. All the tractors and support vehicles ready to go. (Leaving from Lewis)
Tractors at the race track in Topeka, KS December 13, 1978 Tractors coming into D.C., February 5, 1979 Father Andy Gottschalk Melvin Erb & Dwight (Melvin revealed FBI bug in transcript, p. 10) The Last Great Act of Defiance
Kansas Delegation going to the Senate Office Building with Nancy Kassebaum, February 5, 1979 Tractors on Mall, February 6, 1979
Rally on Capitol Step Lezlie & Tina Schinstock Virgil and Vida Warner from Elkhart, KS Lester Derley s fuel truck that Leo & Mary Ellen drove back to Kansas. Leo, Mary Ellen, Lezlie, Tina (in front) Schinstock in airport.