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Show TV GUIDE cene '7 MAY THURSDAY, RONALD REAGAN PAUL HARVEY 29, 1975 '.FEATURES CLASSIFIEDS along the bear river SJPPLEMENT - 'I iE!'' 0J Y TO THE NEWS EXAMINER, PRESTON CITIZEN, CITIZEN. GRACE CITIZEN AND THE LEADER GARLAND r n -- n o I vfeT ::s CACHE o TIMES - - - o o " RUBY AND MAY JORGENSEN, HOLDING THEIR ARROWHEAD COLLECTION, STAND IN FRONT OF THEIR OUTSTANDING BARBED WIRE COLLECTION Jorgensens Didn't Stop Short When They Started Wire Collection By GARY RAWLINGS There are collectors and then there are collectors. Rudy and May Jorgensen are collectors of barbed wire and Indian artifacts. They have pulled all stops in putting together one of the largest displays of barbed wire in the U.S. The Preston couple has spent literally thousands of hours amassing one of the most interesting collections anyone could ever want. SOME MIGHT turn their noses to the sound of a "barbed wire" collection but when you're talking about, wire you're talking about history. During the last 10 years, the couple has amassed some 600 different kinds of wire. Jorgensen has also collected Indian artifacts and has over 1,000 arrow heads he started collecting at the age of eight. Their display was open to the public at First Security Bank in Preston last Thurs day and Friday and will next be shown at the Shoshoni, Wyo., show June Utah State University has enlisted the help of the couple at this year's Festival of the American West to be held in Logan in July. The Jorgensens will show all their wire and Indian artifacts including pottery at that time. 13-1- THE WIRE display has taken top awards at shows from Shoshoni, Wyo., to Great Falls and Red Lodge, Mont., and Pocatello. Jorgensen won't put a price on his collection but pointed out that he has one piece of a type that sold for $500 last year. He said he has several barbed wire strands that will sell from $150 to $500. He takes the Gazette of barbed wire collectors which originates in Texas and trades with other readers for valuable pieces. He has also read several books telling of the patents of different strands and where they can be found. The Jorgensens have traveled to Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and throughout Idaho and Utah looking for wire. "SHE WATCHES out the window while I'm driving. When she spots an unusual strand we stop and ask to buy a piece. Usually the farmers and ranchers are coooperative," Jorgensen said. He said that of the 600 types they have, about can be found in Cache Valley. He said most come from the Midwest and originated through a need during the great homesteading era. Some of the most unusual types are English war wire, Vietnam war wire, German World War I wire and ornamental wires. Their rarest strand is a W. D. Funt patent dating to 1867. It was the first barbed wire. They also have a piece 30-3- 5 first wire patented in and' some of the first of the 1853 d wire that was patented. THE MOST vicious wire they have is the Vietnam U.S. wire which cannot be broken. It has wicked-lookin- g h barbs. The Viet Cong still penetrated it, however, Jorgensen pointed out, by forming a human bridge and going over each other. Those on the botton were sacrificed. two-inc- Some of the unique strands include corn wire, ribbon wire, square wire, wire with wooden or metal blocks, so that animals can see the top strand, and many others. Each has a story behind it that usually takes one back to the time when the midwest or west was developed. The Jorgensens have developed a great interest in an interesting hobby and are willing to share it with those who are anxious to learn more about it. |
