Walter Lee Newell Saddle Maker Walter Lee Newell was born Nov. 8, 1904 in Bollinger County Missouri which is located in the Southeast part of the state and died July 2, 1993 in Los Angles CA. He was born in a community know as Sank Missouri which had a general store and a post office in the store. Walter was the first of seven children of Doc and Nora Wycoff-Newell. The Sank store was the typical store that catered to the community’s everyday needs. Next door to the store on the south side was a blacksmith shop operated by Francis Newell. John Newell operated a gristmill just north of the store and Doc owned and operated a saw mill near the store. Francis and John were both uncles of Walter. The Sank store was built in 1909 by Jasper Cooper who was married to Sarah Newell-Cooper sister of Francis, John and Doc. However time and conditions caused all of the Newell operations to close by 1930. Doc and Nora then purchased a general store in the community of Schlatitz Missouri after the Owner of the store passed away and the store was put up for sale. Schlatitz was also a small farming community located about two miles east of the Sank store. With the closing of the Newell operations Walter moved to the St. Louis Missouri and opened a Music store and Photography Studios at 1627 South Broadway and a Cowboy store at 1629 South Broadway. Walter was also an experienced musician and did a weekly music show on KXOX radio in St. Louis. In the Cowboy store Walter carried a full line of western boots made by Justin and Nocona, Dobbs “Ten Gallon” western hats and cowboy Levi’s. In addition to human wear he carried a full line of horse furnishings. In the early 1930’s he expanded his operation into making and repairing western saddles and opened a factory at 1906 South 7th Street in St. Louis. In a 1942 ad he claimed to be “The only exclusive cowboy store in St. Louis” In Walter’s 1944/45 catalog he states he made saddles for such well known people such as Roy Rogers and Gabby Hays. Col Jim Eskew world famous Rodeo producer of Royer Rogers Rodeo says “It is my business to know saddles as well as horseflesh. I am a Newell saddle booster because Newell saddles can really “take” it”. When the United States entered WWII Walter’s shop flourished making many different item for support of our military. Leather was more widely used in that time where plastic is now used. The saddle factory was set up well to produce such things helmet liners, belts, straps and other military needs. After the war ended the call for working saddles fell way off and he turned to making trail ride saddle, parade and show saddles. In his 1948/49 catalog he still was making and keeping in stock working saddles but he had turn his attention to high end parade saddle and show saddles such as his Silver Dollar Saddle with one hundred real silver dollars decorating the saddle. This saddle was hand tooled in western floral design with Sterling silver Conchos. This saddle was custom made to order and started at $795.00 complete with Bridle, Martingale and a fancy Corona Blanket. However you could still purchase the all plain Roper saddle with top grade leather, full border embossed for $125.00. After the war Walter made an aluminum tree saddle with a one hundred year guarantee. Due to the changing trends in America Walter closed the saddle shop in late 1950 and moved to Manitou Springs CO. where he opened a western store selling western wear, new and used guns, and items for the tourist business. Because of the construction of the Newell saddle many are still in use today as working saddles and trail ride saddles. Several of his custom ordered saddles and parade saddle are being restored to their former beauty and are prized by their owners. “We employ well trained skilled workman that have had years of experience in the saddle making business, and do our best at all times to put the best workmanship possible in all saddles. We use only the best grade of saddle skirting leather throughout. Our trees are all hand made by skilled workman. Our men are paid by the hour. We have no piece work in our shop assuring you better quality of workman.” Walter L. Newell