Can you give us an overview of the
primary work you do at Texas Cowboy Outfitters?
“I’m involved a wide range of work
including the complete restoration of horse drawn equipment. I also repair a fair number of wagon wheels and
build new wheels. The most common vehicles I work on are chuck wagons. It’s not
unusual for a wagon to be missing some hardware like brake handles and other
metal work. My experience as a
blacksmith allows me to reproduce parts in a manner consistent with the
original design.”
You’ve been doing this for some time now. How did you get started?
“Fresh out of college I had a job as
a cattle inspector. I saw a lot of wagons going to ruin so I started collecting
them. This was about 1971. I tinkered with them for years and then made it a
full time business about 1995.”
During all that time you’ve been involved with a number of vehicle projects. Which ones do you consider to be the most significant?
“I guess the most significant
accomplishments I’ve had the privilege of being a part of are the restorations for
different museums. Last year, I restored a Newton brand wagon into an 1880’s
trail wagon with all the items needed to go up the trail. This was for the Chisholm
Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero Texas. I did a chuck wagon and a Chihuahua two-wheeled
freight cart for the Museum of the Big Bend, Alpine Texas. Another interesting
project was a Prairie schooner scene for the Harrison County Museum in Marshall,
Texas.”
What's the most memorable vehicle that you've been
involved with?
“Most projects are memorable at the
time. The Chihuahua cart was a challenge. I actually felled the cottonwood
trees and hand-hewed the parts to fit. Another interesting set of wheels was a chuck wagon
that went to Australia. It had roller bearings in wooden hubs. All of the wood had to be new for it to clear
customs in Australia.”
What are some of the things you’re working on
now?
“I'm restoring a Springfield wagon
right now. I also have an assortment of
wheels I’m repairing and other blacksmithing jobs, including one where I’m
making the chain for an old drag shoe. When I’m finished with the Springfield,
it will have new rear wheels as well as a new bed, seat, chuck box, and oven boot.
Next in line is a Weber brand wagon that will also be made into a chuck wagon.”
Of all the old makers, is there one brand that
you tend to gravitate toward?
“My favorite wagon is an Owensboro
since I've had one for 42 years. It was
originally a Texas Edition Cotton wagon. I’m also partial to Peter Schuttler wagons.”
Just one more question and we’ll let you get
back to work… What is it that you enjoy
most about the work you do?
“You meet a lot of nice people in
this business. It’s rewarding seeing something you built being preserved in a
museum. I enjoy working with wood and metal.
Working on wagons allows me to do both. The November 2013 issue of Western Horseman magazine
has an article about my work as well.”
Thanks to Glenn and Patty Moreland
for their time and assistance with this interview. You can learn more about their work by
visiting their website at www.texcowboy.com Next week, we’ll take a brief break from the
interviews and share a few details related to a rare set of wheels in the Wheels That Won The West® vehicle collection.
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