Let's face it, life can be tough and, sometimes, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect. Society and social media can easily push the same kinds of rigid standards. So, when I hear someone make a comment that takes some hardnosed pressure off the rest of us, I tend to pay a little more attention. Don't get me wrong, it's important to strive for excellence and I’m a bit of a perfectionist myself. But sometimes those tendencies can work against us – especially when we don't hit the mark we’re aiming for. The times when we swing and miss are learning opportunities, not a reason to feel overwhelmed.
This past summer, I was in the crowd at Silver Dollar City when Justin Jackson, now President of the American Chuck Wagon Association, was sharing his secrets for making Dutch oven biscuits. He made a tongue-in-cheek comment that in all his years of cooking he had never burned any of his biscuits... “Buuuuuutttt,” he says, “There were some batches that came out pretty well done.” Ha! I love the way he put the crowd at ease, encouraging them to jump in and keep trying. What a great way to help grow participation in chuck wagon outings, competitions, and Dutch oven cooking.
Justin Jackson sharing some finer points about Dutch oven cooking.
Over the last few decades, I’ve seen a lot of missteps related to early wagons. I’ve seen tongues put on upside down, boxes placed backwards on the running gear, front axles turned upside-down, a front end gate with rein tie switched to the back of the box, horse collars put on upside-down, a rocking bolster missing from an otherwise complete wagon, and all kinds of well-intentioned but misspoken wagon terminology. These are things that can take minute to visually, verbally, and mentally unravel. It also reminds us that there are plenty of opportunities to help others.
Ultimately, we all make mistakes. They're a part of life but, hopefully, we're learning from past experiences. All of this helped me realize that some might benefit from a few of my own missteps along with others that I've been witness to. So, below are a few dos and don'ts that you’re welcome to take or leave. Above all, whether you're a collector, competitor, historian, reenactor, craftsman, or an enthusiast enjoying all things western, I'd encourage you to continually grow your repertoire of stories to share. Those experiences not only provide color to our western passions but the know-how we possess is likely something that someone else is waiting to learn. With that said, here are some incidents that definitely should be avoided!
- Once (and once was all it took), I accidentally discovered one of the fastest ways to fade great-looking paint on a spring seat. How’d I do it? Well, the first step is to start with a generous amount of eager impatience. Then, just lather that old painted wood with plenty of Dawn liquid detergent (PLEASE DON’T DO THIS). Dawn is a great kitchen degreaser. It’s formulated to disperse oils. Unfortunately, it doesn’t distinguish between wanted and unwanted pigment saturations. It can easily do irreparable harm to old wagon paint. Your vintage set of wheels should be treated carefully. The soap I’ve long-since-used is one that Doug Hansen also recommends – A 50/50 solution of clean water and Murphy’s Oil Soap will treat your antique wooden vehicle with a good deal of respect.
- Antique vehicles can sometimes be a magnet for stinging and biting insects. It's always a good idea to 'carefully' inspect a wagon before getting too close (see the photo below).
Almost hidden, this wasp was in perfect position to pounce when I happened to notice it and backed away. It had found a home inside the hardware of a Troy brand wagon.
- From time to time, we all find ourselves having to move our wheeled babies. In case you were wondering, I’ve found that one of the easiest ways to break a few wagon bows is to leave them on while you push the wagon in/out of the garage. This is another mistake that only takes one instance to make a lasting impression.
- Got nuts and bolts rusted together? Proceed slowly. Rusted nuts and bolts can quickly break under pressure. AeroKroil (The Oil That Creeps) along with a generous dose of time and patience can often help with tough jobs. Of course, applying heat can also be helpful.
- The surest way to slow your highway speed? Have two blowouts on your trailer - at the same time!
- Tight quarters with a wagon? If the ground is solid, level, and free of obstructions, you can use car jack/dollies to easily move it around. Not only can it save you from back injuries but it can prevent the temptation to allow unhealthy side pressure on the wagon wheels.
- The quickest route to humility? Start using all-inclusive terms like 'Always' and 'Never' in every conversation about wagons.
- My favorite response to a state trooper asking where I was going in such a hurry... I said, "You'll never believe this but, I'm headed to pick up a stagecoach tongue." The look he gave was priceless. I guarantee you he'd never heard that one before! I think the creative - and true - answer helped me get off with just a warning.
- My most harrowing moment on the road and the last time I'll ever put off getting gas while traveling? See the blog on our website from 1-27-25 entitled, "Travel & Towing Tips."
- A sign I'm glad I ignored? The first farm wagon I purchased, decades ago, was a Springfield brand that was built in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This was long before the internet and my decades of study on these old wheels. I knew so little about wooden wagons back then that I wasn’t even sure it was a true Springfield since the painted logo indicated it was from Fayetteville. I was such a blank slate in those days. Nonetheless, the paint was amazing. This rolling history book had barely been used. There was a big sign in front of the wagon that said, “For Display Only. Not For Sale.” I walked up and down the aisles of the store, but my mind kept going back to the wagon. What did I have to lose by asking if ‘maybe’ it might be available after all? Turns out, there were multiple owners of the store and one (the wagon owner) didn’t want to pay a commission to his partner by selling it in the store. We figured out a compromise and I scored a nice, later model wagon in superior original condition. Moral of the story? It never hurts to ask respectful questions and the time to buy what you like is when you see it, not later, after someone else beats you to it. Since those early days, I’ve also been able to put together a fair amount of that wagon’s personal history.
- Speaking of history, it’s possible to miss something right in front of us if we’re not paying close attention. As attentive as I think I am, I almost walked by some early St. Louis wagon history in Doug Hansen’s shop about a decade ago. As I passed the old and unkept vehicle, I happened to see some metalwork that looked familiar. It turned my head and, as I started going over the wagon, I mentally pieced all the parts together, realizing this was an incredible survivor. While there was no paint or painted markings, all of the unique construction features pointed to one brand – Weber & Damme. It easily dated to the 1870s and quite possibly the 1860s. Vehicles dating to the Civil War era (or close) are extremely rare. As a result, I spent a good deal of time soaking up this all-but-lost part of our past.
- Unforgettable Regrets – Many years ago, I was doing research on a vehicle and had waited over a month to call someone familiar with the wagon (because we can always do it next week, right?). When I finally took time to call, I discovered that the gentleman had passed away a few hours before my call. It was an emotional conversation on both ends. It recalls the adage about not putting off until tomorrow what you can do today. That experience still haunts me. As historians and keepers of this part of American history, oftentimes, there are only a few that can help us put the pieces of these puzzles back together. My advice, based on personal experience… if you have questions or needs with a vehicle, don’t wait. The clock is always ticking.
- What do they say about 'best laid plans?'... I once told myself I was going to an auction just to see what they had. I further boasted to my wife that the proof in my intentions was that I was NOT going to take a trailer. The logic being that, if I had no trailer, I wouldn't buy anything. Boy, did I learn something about myself on that trip. Basically, it was stuff that my wife already knew but I was figuring out the hard way. Sooooo, if anyone ever tells you that a high wheel running gear won't fit in the back of a Chevy Tahoe... They're only partially right. Ha! A quick trip to the store to purchase a compact cargo carrier basket to slide into the receiver hitch and, trust me, there is a work-around!
- When trailering your old wagon, make it a practice to regularly check the load. Tie-downs have a way of stretching, breaking, and loosening. Other parts can shift, settle, and creep into precarious positions. I’ve heard some crazy stories about folks catching a load just before it came loose from a trailer. I’ve even come upon a wagon that had fallen out of a trailer. There were broken parts scattered all over the road and the owner was visibly shaken. Even enclosed trailers can harbor a false sense of security. Ropes don’t always stay where you left them, wheels can turn, tires and other metal edges can cut the restraints, and the whole machine can get out of sorts. I’ve seen folks sick because a wheel got up against another part, allowing wood and logos to be irreparably marred by continuous rubbing.
- If you buy something at an auction, keep a close eye on it or immediately put it away in a secure location. The majority of folks are good, honest people. Unfortunately, all it takes is one that wants a piece of hardware from your wagon or some other easy-to-grab item that’s handy when no one is looking. I talked to a guy once who was understandably upset because someone took the latch from the folding end gate on a wagon he had just bought. Stay alert with your treasures.
- Leaving a wagon in a remote location with no security is a recipe for trouble. From theft to vandalism, I’ve heard (and seen) too many stories of problems in isolated areas.
- Please DO NOT take an antique wagon to a high-pressure car wash. I know that sounds obvious, but these horror stories continue to come out in conversations.
- Many wagon wheels have suffered felloe damage by the wheels being allowed to sit on bare earth. Keeping each wheel on boards or blocks will help prevent felloe rot and insect damage. Still, burrowing animals like armadillos can throw massive piles of dirt onto wheels, even if they’re on blocks. So, it’s important to keep a close watch on vehicles subject to animal activity. Out of sight should not mean out of mind. Ultimately, the best places to store antique wagons are inside a controlled environment with a concrete or similarly stable floor.
- When tightening or loosening the nut on a wheel, make sure the wheel wrench you’re using is an exact fit for the skein nut. Oversized wrenches can slip off, causing damage to the nut, yourself, or both. Prior to placing the wrench on the nut, make sure any old and hardened grease isn’t remaining on the nut. Sometimes, a buildup of old dirt and grease can make it hard for the wrench to fit securely, potentially causing issues with slippage.
- I once received a call from a gentleman looking for a single skein nut. I told him they come in different sizes and different thread directions. He wasn’t sure about the size but told me he had learned (the hard way) that it was a left-handed thread. He apparently had put so much pressure on the left side nut that it finally broke! He had been tightening instead of loosening it. For those who may be wondering, axle nuts are typically equipped with left-handed threads on the left side and right-handed ones on the right side of the wagon. Why? Because the general direction these old wheels are moving is forward and the threads are designed to help keep the nuts in a position to tighten themselves while the vehicle is moving forward. In these instances, “righty-tighty and lefty-loosey” only works on the right side! It’s the opposite rule on the left side of the wagon.
- Don’t ever push, pull, or lift a wagon by the spokes of the wheel. It may seem strong enough but the pressure can weaken this vital part of the wagon’s foundation.
- Do take every opportunity to network with others of similar interest. It will help increase your knowledge, experience, and appreciation for every old set of wooden wheels... as well as introduce you to some great people!
Hopefully, you found something in the list above that will help you in the pursuit of your own western vehicle interests. While I’ve gleaned a lot of information on America’s first transportation industry from old catalogs, photos, trade publications, business correspondence and the like, just as other readers here, I’ve also gained a fair education through the school of hard knocks and listening to the experiences of others. Only by sharing our wealth of experiences – including mistakes – can we help the next generation to be even better stewards of the history we keep.
All the best!
David
Psalm 20:7
