ca. 1850
The dump wagon was constructed to automatically “dump” its load without the use of hand labor. The bottom dump variety had a door or doors swinging downward so that when the driver released the mechanism from his seat the load would empty. Many of them could also be open or closed from the seat by the use of chains which were drawn up by such devices as ratchets or gears. A special type of bottom dump wagon called a spreader wagon was constructed so that the driver could accurately control the flow of material from the body for such purposes as granted on dump wagons beginning about 1850.
The dump wagon is an extremely varied type of work wagon. The bottom dumps are also known as spreader wagons. Some models were even made to tip the carrying area to more completely empty the load. Other wagons had mechanisms for raising the entire body before dumping, to facilitate dumping the load down a chute. There were also some cart varieties of the dump wagon though they were not as large or heavy.
This wagon was found in an ad in The Cattleman’s Magazine and was bought from Archie D. Miller of Sublett, Kansas in 1980. It has been dated at 1910 for its original build. Typical of good Southern manners and trustworthiness, when Mr. Sterquell made the purchase he set out to Mr. Miller’s place only to fins no one there at the appointed time. After waiting for a while, Mr. Sterquell decided to drop a check for the agreed price in Mr. Miller’s mailbox and left with the wagon. Mr. Sterquell later called to confirm that Mr. Miller had received the check. The wagon was already completely restored at the time of purchase, but over the years the wheels have deteriorated to such an extent that the museum does not move this piece.