Henry Hotze & Sons 1862 - 1962

by Bent Hotze

Page 5

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Working hours were 7:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. with 1 hour off for lunch. At lunch time the porter went out with a long pole to the corner saloon, and came back with a dozen small pails of beer on the pole. The workers were usually a bit soggy in the afternoon. On Saturday they would draw against the job of jobs of saddles they were working on. Final pay when the jobs were completed. Hence the expression "working on a dead horse", as there usually wasn't too much left, buying leather was also called a "skin" game.

Although Hotze saddles were superbly made, the selling end was difficult. Henry rode a horse, accompanied by his dog, and a saddlebag full of "daggerre type" photographs, sepia ink finish, showing his saddles plus the saddle he rode. Banditry was not uncommon in south Missouri, the boot heel, and Arkansas.... Salesmen were not robbed - they were the source of incoming goods. He sold general stores who carried everything planters needed. Cotton was the cash crop. The saddles were made in the winter, sold in the spring, collections and sales in the fall if the cotton crop was good. Planters favored an easy riding saddle with no horn, big seat, a rolled cantle (which was called a Mosby Tree or a Kinsella, which was made by a large company in Greensville, Mississippi). General Mosby, the "Grey Ghost", favored a saddle for a steed with a narrow neck. Jay Kay, the "genius" of the second generation, named the saddles after his best customer - not a bad idea - all saddle makers stamped their brand name on the saddle - note the Hotze sunburst.

Tow of his brothers, Harry, and Charlie, were the salesmen on the road, although Jay Kay initiated the sales through his contacts. Harry love to travel, and his first trip came back with a detailed account of his adventures. Henry Sr. was disgusted. Quote - "Der Ganze Geschickte" (the whole story).

Charlie covered southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. He must have had a cast iron stomach - The standard hotel menu was always corn dodgers and pork. Charlie was very likeable - Did some prestidigitory tricks, and a bit of ventriloquism. He had very good co-ordination; was an accomplished dancer. He was medium height, well built, and always wore a neatly trimmed moustache.

When home, Harry (second generation) kept the books, handled some correspondence; Charlie helped in the packing room. Jay Kay was busy in the factory in designing, cutting, and making patterns, and planning the catalog features, etc..