One of the side benefits of having my Between Two Freedoms book launch parties all around the country is reconnecting with lifelong friends. To me it is important to hold book events in my hometown communities because it was those roots that allowed me to launch my life in the style in which I was able. I graduated from Hardin High School, class of 1972. We were around 120 strong; members of our class are all over the place: state/nation/world. In addition to classmates were folks in the community that added to the texture of rural Montana. One of those is John Koltiska.

John was older than I, and dealt with my dad and brothers. He ran the Allis Chalmers dealership in town, KW Tractor. Much of my youth I spent with my dad, driving as his chauffeur, sitting in his friends’ businesses, listing to the men tell stories. It was in that capacity that I met and knew many of my dad’s cronies. John ran KW Tractor from 1970-1976. Most of those years I was away to college, so I didn’t know him well, but his name was familiar as one of the business owners in the community.

John was significantly younger than my dad at the time. He would have been in his 20s, my dad in his late 50s. But my brother Tom would have been John’s contemporary. I had three brothers, Tom/Tommy was the oldest. He was ten years my senior, and often played the role of mentor to me. Tommy was, as were all my brothers, an outstanding athlete. He placed at the Montana state wrestling championships, and was a running back on the Hardin Bulldogs football team. When Tommy played football, the backfield was dubbed “The All American Backfield”. We had Tommy, Japanese American, halfback; Sargie Old Horn, Crow Native, backfield; Mickey Beary, white, fullback; and Bobby Tate, African American, halfback. They were a powerful group to be reckoned with. At one point Tommy broke his wrist, but that didn’t stop him–with his cast on, he still played and carried the ball.

So when John Koltiska came to my book event in Hardin, Montana, I was thrilled. I treasure people from my past, and especially people who knew and dealt with my dad and brothers, two of whom have passed away. John drove up with his wife from Sheridan, Wyoming, about 75 miles south of Hardin and joined us at the Big Horn County Library which hosted. my book event. I read a passage from Between Two Freedoms and then answered questions. At the end I signed books. John made a point to visit with me, and at the time I was a bit frazzled from signing and chatting with guests who came. John handed me some of his writing in a plastic sleeve and asked me to read it. I said I would. and I am embarrassed to say it took me a couple months to get to it.

But am I glad I did! One piece was a poem that I am sure was published, and the other was a story about going to an equipment auction with my brother Tom. The story is heartwarming and true to how I remember my brother who died in 1990 in a machinery accident at 46.

Here’s the story that John Koltiska write about my brother Tommy.

Auction Sales with Tommy Koyama, Hardin, Montana

Going to Auctions

Going to auction sales can be rewarding or dangerous. When I had the store, KW Tractor in Hardin, I tried to make every auction there was. And I liked to take a local farmer with me. I would have the farmer bid on equipment to keep prices up. Especially if I had a like unit on the lot. Or the other thing I would do is have the farmer buy it for me and then I could resell it. One particular sale I attended, I had Tommy Koyama go with me. This sale was at the edge of town by Forsyth. The weather was a little chilly and the wind was blowing. The retired farmer bought beer and whiskey for everyone who was bidding. Actually it wasn’t too bad of an idea.

The only thing I bought was a three point adapter hitch for a D-17. It was a $100 purchase but I had a tractor that needed a 3 point. I went to the sales truck and paid for the unit and then went to pick it up.

And it was gone. I went to the auctioneer and he said he could do nothing but the farmer probably could. The farmer said he’d keep his eye out, I knew what that meant. Tommy suggested we drive past the local bar. Sure enough, right in front of of the bar was a pickup with my attachment.

Tommy said let’s go find out who owned the pickup. I followed Tom in. I was right behind him. Tommy yelled out, “Who owns the Chevy pickup with the 3-point attachment in it?” There were about 20 big farmers in the bar and quite a few stood up, and about then I was getting ready to run. Finally a big fella stepped forward and claimed the truck. Tommy told him he knew the 3-point was not his. Then Tommy folded his arms and spread his feet and told the guy to go take the 3-point out of his pickup and put it in ours. Somewhere in the background I heard someone say, “That’s the Koyama kid from Hardin, I don’t think I’d mess with him.” I was shaking my head yes. Then Tom said, “That is unless of course you wanted to buy it.” Tommy told him he could buy it for $200. The guy said, “But you only paid $100 for it.” This was the moment of truth. Everyone in the bar heard that. The guy walked outside and put the the 3-point in our pickup. By then he was pretty sheepish.

My legs were still rubbery and shaking and I was more than happy to be gone. Tommy was willing to fight for $100 for me while I would have just told the Sheriff. After that I invited Tommy to every sale that I went to.

This is the story John Koltiska wrote about my brother Tom, and I shall treasure it forever. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!