Submitted By Terry Lesher

Terry Lesher of rural Westboro, Missouri, has recently had his first book published. The book, “Fire Truck #1274 Finds Her Way Home,” is classified as an elementary reader, second grade level. It is based on a true story, which traces the journey of a 1940 American LaFrance fire truck from Salem, New Jersey, where it was first put into service, its new homes along the way, and the truck’s return to a fire museum in the New Jersey town where it first called home.
Terry and his wife, Cathy, once owned fire truck serial number 1274, hence the name, and displayed it on the u-pick pumpkin patch the Leshers ran for a number of years. Hundreds of families within a fifty mile range of the Lesher farm may remember their 1940 fire truck and the distinctive scream of its siren.
Fire truck number 1274 is currently having an extensive, off frame restoration being done. The final plans for the truck is for it to be used in the funeral processions of fireman and policeman in the Salem area. Restoration progress can be viewed on Facebook under “The Washington 40’ ALFrance.”
Terry’s book is available for purchase at the Flower Mill in Tarkio. It is also available on Amazon and Kindle.