Sometimes folks look at me a little funny when I say
I’m a historian studying early wagons. I
can see the disconnect and, in a way, completely understand it. I mean, it’s not every day the world runs
into a guy that gets excited about a century-plus-old chamfer on a rotting
wagon axle. But, when a person
understands that this manufacturing history is directly connected to almost
every part of our nation’s founding and early growth, the lights start to come
on. Fact is, these vehicles didn’t just
exist during some of the most dramatic moments in America’s past, they made it
possible for that history to happen!
From cattle drives and emigrant travel to building the transcontinental
railroad and protecting the nation’s borders and interior, these wheels (and
the associated brands) are the forgotten heroes and wheeled sentinels of our
past. So, whether you’re an “American
Picker” looking to cash in on undiscovered wooden gold, a community looking to
memorialize a part of its past, an enthusiast wanting closer ties to a
different time, a prop coordinator on a movie set, or museum hunting that ideal
vehicle straight out of the Old West, certain pieces are naturally more
attractive.
Not long ago, I had an opportunity to view a number
of wagons that appeared to have lost their identities. With careful review, I was able to
authoritatively label a good number of them.
Brands like Studebaker, Newton, Weber, Deere, and Pekin had previously
gone unrecognized in this assemblage.
The Studebaker would have dated close to 1900 while most of the others
were from well within the 20th century. One of my purposes at this gathering was to
look for legendary wagon makers seldom seen today. Likewise, I wanted to identify – if possible
– a wagon that had been built before the end of the 1800’s.
One piece, in particular, stood out. It wasn’t flashy. It had minimal paint remaining and a number
of the original parts were missing. Still,
it was different. My regular study of so
much original literature and period photographs made it clear that this set of
wheels was old; likely the better part of a century and a half old. Complementing its age, the hand forged metal
was rusted and pitted. Wooden parts were
rotted, broken, and replaced with non-original elements. Soundness was definitely not its strong suit
but heritage very well could have been.
Taller wheels and an early banded reach combined with at least a dozen
more nineteenth century clues to make it clear this piece hailed from a day
when horseflesh ruled the road. Many of
the contours on the axles and bolsters included specially shaped woodwork, full
of style and manufacturing pride. It was
the kind of evidence that has a way of opening doors to future finds.
With the location of these vehicles being close to
St. Louis, I had hoped I might be lucky enough to discover a wagon built by
Joseph Murphy. Since no Murphy vehicles
have been conclusively identified to date, I knew that finding one capable of
being authenticated would be a stretch.
However, I was motivated by the fact that we’ve been able to uncover
several other equally “impossible” finds over the last two decades. While Murphy didn’t show up this time, I did
find a contemporary of that legendary brand; a vehicle easily from the 1880’s
and perhaps earlier. It was a piece with
a lot to say, even though I couldn’t quite put together all of the clues
regarding the maker. Nonetheless,
recognizing special wagons with deep western roots is what the Wheels That WonThe West® Archives are about.
Clearly, with every early vehicle found and
cataloged, we’re that much closer to creating a more comprehensive picture of
America’s largest transportation industry.
If you have a piece you believe may hold a special history from the 19th
century, feel free to send us some photos.
We’d be glad to take a look, comparing it to so many others we have on
file.
History, after all, isn’t just what’s behind
us. It’s alongside and in front of us;
often disguised by the unknown, it’s a puzzle with promise and a rolling record
full of potential rewards.
