A Surviving Saddle Maker Tells His Story
St. Louis Glove-Democrat Sunday Magazine, June 28, 1931
Page 3
"Dad was the fastest saddler that ever came over the pike. And it wasn't long before he had a place and the family had come up here. He could make eighteen saddles a week at $4.50 each. The average workman's turnout was about eight a week."
"In 1865, the Hotze, Meyer & Company came into existence at 141 North Third street. We moved down and lived over the store. There were about fifteen saddle companies then in existence in St. Louis. And the city was well known for its horse gear of all kinds."
Hotze found it pleasant to recall these other days. They were even before his early days, or at least before he could well remember. But he had often heard his father reminisce.
"One tale father used to tell," continued the elderly saddle maker, "was about his pioneer selling. He made one trip of 3000 miles on which he said he wore out three horses. Railroads weren't even contemplated for this Western section then, and all traveling had to be done by horse. He sold his saddles by picture. With his book of designs strapped in his saddle bag, he would pace from one farm to another and from one village to the next."
"Also, because of the prevalence of bandits, money would not be sent through the mails very much. After selling a saddle or bit of harness, dad would often have to ride back and collect for his sale. The farmers wanted to pay and had the money, but they were afraid to send it along.
Salesmen Not Bothered By Road Agents
"Road agents, however never bothered traveling salesmen. Dad often met some of them on the road and even though he carried as much as $300 in his money belt, he was never stopped. The robbers would ask who he was, pass the time of day and gallop on. They wanted salesmen in the territory. It helped people thrive. And if honest men don't thrive, the dishonest lose their prey."
The Hotze family, operating with different partners and under successive incorporations, has been engaged in the same business for sixty-five years. Three generations. John Hotze has a son who also is in the business now.
As a youth President Hotze learned the saddlery trade. It was not a business of multitudinous machines in those days. Everything was done by hand. He can still make a first-rate saddle by hand. Of course, he doesn't any more. But the mere knowledge that he could and has, makes the business particularly his own.