Popping Johnny





From around 1925 to 1960 all John Deere tractors were 2 cylinder. They ran at a relatively low RPM causing the engine sound to be sort of pop pop pop pop sound. The nickname for any of these John Deere tractors became Popping Johnny.
In 1955 my dad bought a model 50 as pictured here. Being 5 years old, I was quite excited about this purchase and what 5 year old would not be excited about a new green shiny tractor making a pop pop pop sound.
In 1955 most everyone in and around Paluxy received their mail at the Post Office http://pulltight.blogspot.com/2012/07/play-ball-revisited.html

One morning soon after the acquisition, I was with mom at the post office one morning to pick up the mail.  The operator manual for the new tractor happened to be in the car and was my prize possession on this occasion. Although I don’t remember the actual event, two of the local men, Floyd and Ramon saw me with my book and asked about it.  With the imagination and expertise only a five year old seems to possess, I showed them the pictures and elaborated to great extent for 15 minutes on John Deere tractors.  Floyd and Ramon were so impressed I became Popping Johnny instead of Terry for the next 25 years.

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