Tuesday, December 29, 2009

RIP Boots Reitzel


I got word yesterday that a guy I consider a friend passed away unexpectedly. I have known Boots Reitzel aka TucsonBoots for ten years. I never met him in person, but emailed him regularly, and talked over the phone several times. I first heard of Boots early in my boot collecting "career" through the Internet. Boots, along with Jennifer June, was one of the pioneers of cowboy boot information on the Internet in the late 1990s. He had a website in where he discussed cowboy boots, and sold cowboy boots that he obtained through his travels. I agreed with most, if not all, of his "Boot Talk," especially when he discussed the poorer and poorer quality of factory boots, especially the "Big Three." He was one of the early proponents of buying good vintage (pre-Urban Cowboy) boots, or going the custom/handmade route. He was right on the money.

I bought several pair of boots from him, including two pairs of Paul Bond boots that I treasure. He always was a fair and square dealer, if you didn't like something, he did what was fair to make you happy. Most of the boots that he sold, I did not care for, mostly cause they were high heeled and underslung, extremely sharp toe, and not toe flowers/wrinkles.

I waited regularly for his updates, especially his "Boot Talk" updates. He had a lot of good things to say about the custom shops, nothing good to say about the sloppy work coming from the major factories.

He was a great American, and a conservative who believed in all the is good and unique about America, and not what is going on now.

I don't know what took Boots from us, other than it was natural causes. I knew that he had some recent health issues, but none that I knew of that were life threatening. He was found by a friend after Christmas. I just hope that he died in his sleep, dreaming about good cowboy boots, and the Western Lifestyle.
Good bye my friend. I'll miss you.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Family Trees of Bootmakers

As someone who enjoys the history of bootmakers, I am always fascinated by the family tree of H.J. “Daddy Joe” Justin. Not only did his daughter, Enid, start Nocona Boots, and his sons continue Justin Boots, but some of his unrelated employees continued his work as they started their own bootmaking careers. His connections to subsequent boot companies/shops are remarkable and are current even today.

C. G. “Gus” Blucher worked at Justin Boots for 27 years, first in Spanish Fort, and later in Nocona TX, under Daddy Joe. Along side Gus was Archer LaForce, related to Daddy Joe by marriage (HJ’s wife’s mother was a LaForce from near Lipan TX). In 1915, Gus and Archer decided to start out on their own and move to Cheyenne Wyoming to start Blucher Boots. After a few cold winters, Gus and Archer moved to Olathe Kansas, to continue the shop in a warmer climate with a larger available workforce. Archer later went to Tucson AZ, and formed Western Boot Company. Blucher died in 1932.

Jay Griffith worked at Western Boot Company before WWII. Paul Bond bought Western Boot Company several decades ago (1950s?). Jay wound up working for Blucher Boots in the early 1980s, hiring James “Smitty” Smith, who now owns Blucher Boots. Jay also hired Ray Dorwart and Lisa Sorrell, each having their present bootshops.

Enid Justin, who worked with her father “Daddy Joe” until she married Julius Stelzer in 1915, started Nocona Boots in 1925 when the Justin brothers decided to leave Nocona for a larger town. Enid and Julius, who also worked along side “Daddy Joe” ran Nocona Boots until their divorce in 1934.

Julius moved to nearby Henrietta TX, and along with a local bootmaker, Carl Olsen, and started Olsen-Stelzer Boot Company in 1934.

Enid remarried a Robert Whitman in 1940. Robert was not in the boot business, but Enid had him work around the Nocona Boots factory. They divorced in 1945, and with the little bootmaking that Robert picked up at Nocona, and along with businessmen, started the Whitbern Boot Company in Wichita Falls TX. That shop closed after a few years.


There is probably more to this convoluted story that I will find in the future.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Tex Robin, My Friend and Great Bootmaker



Tex Robin made these boots for me. He also entered them in the Boots and Saddlemaker's Round Up Boot Contest that is held every year in Wichita Falls, TX. They placed tied for Master's Class, which is very rare and most of the time is a popularity contest based on the amount of students one bootmaker may have. That's another issue.....

Back to Tex. He doesn't have a song about him, he doesn't have a video, and he doesn't have have a lot of famous people knocking on his door.

He doesn't need it.

He is just as good as any bootmaker alive or dead. There never has been anyone better.

Yes, I may be biased because we are friends, but look at these boots and name me a better bootmaker.

Thanks Tex.

More Proof That The World Is Going to Hell......


ROY ROGERS-DALE EVANS MUSEUM IS CLOSING, BUT THE LEGACY WILL CONTINUE Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum Closing Its Doors In December; Live Shows with Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders with Dustin Roy Rogers To Continue
BRANSON, MISSOURI. October 5, 2009 - After six seasons in Branson, the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum announced today that it will close its doors in December. The Rogers family wants to thank Roy and Dale's fans for the many wonderful years that the Museum has enjoyed since its opening in California in 1967. However, declining attendance and an uncertain economy have caused the family to make the extremely difficult decision to close the Museum doors. And as Roy Rogers himself told Roy Jr., "If the Museum starts costing you money, then liquidate everything and move on."
Says Roy Rogers Jr., "The artifacts in the Museum are from Roy and Dale's lifetime together, but even when these artifacts are gone, our memories of Roy and Dale will live on forever. Nothing can ever take those away. We encourage everyone to visit theMuseum during the next few months and re-live the great memories that Roy and Dale gave them and celebrate their lives." As for the live shows that currently are performed at the Museum, Roy Rogers Jr. also announced today that his company, Golden Stallion, which owns and produces the shows, will be looking for a new location in the Branson area. "Next season, we hope to see you at our new location, where Roy and Dale's legacy will continue through our live shows." Rogers continues, "We have developed a great love for Branson and the theatre community here, and look forward to many more years as a part of it."The legacy and spirit of Roy and Dale live on through Roy Rogers Jr. and the rest of the family, in whom they instilled their deep family values. Roy Rogers Jr. and his band will continue the legacy that Roy and Dale started as they continue to perform the cowboy music that they loved so well. Details about the new venue for Roy Rogers Jr. and his band, with Dustin Roy Rogers,will be released in the near future.

Monday, August 31, 2009

The Future of Custom Bootmaking

I have been worried over the future of custom bootmaking for the last few years. It seems that the tradition of custom bootmaking being passed down from father to son, or family to family is slowly ending. Now a days it seems that if someone is interested in being a bootmaker, he or she takes a 2-3 week course , opens up a shop, and puts out their sign and starts taking orders. "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" That sounds all fine and dandy, until their first few customers are just experiements. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the American Dream of being your own boss.

There is no apprenticeship program, or not much of one, in the USA.

I have sympathy for the people who graduate from these 2-3 week classes, or the Green County Bootmaking School in Okmulgee for not having someone who will "season" them to the trade of bootmaking. But right now, I don't know of any bootmakers who can afford a novice to come in for this seasoning. It costs to have a novice work for you in the industry, not just in pay or benefits, but materials and screw-ups.

What is the answer, well I don't have one. How about you?

Sunday, August 23, 2009


I learned the terrible, sad news last night that my favorite author - western novelist Elmer Kelton, passed away Saturday morning. I've read all of his books, some twice. I meet him several years ago when they put in the Texas Trail of Fame in the Fort Worth Stockyards. There will never be another one like him.


Thursday, July 9, 2009

Joe Bowman Passes Away




















While doing some Googling on bootmakers I came across the recent obituary for Joe Bowman.
I recalled several boots in the late Tyler Beard's second book, "The Art of the Boot" that were made by Bowman and DeGeorge. One pair of boots was on the cover. That was about all the info that I had for Mr. Bowman. This article indicates that he made boots while in high school in Houston TX at Roy Smith Boots, and Palace Boot Shop. He was drafted after graduation during WWII, came back and started the Bowman and DeGeorge Boot Shop in Houston. He also made saddles and carved holsters. He made boots for Roy Rogers, and probably other movie stars.
He quit the business, and developed another talent, western shooting. He was well known for that, got to meet several western stars like John Wayne, James Drury, and many more. He traveled many places performing shooting exhibititions.

A lover of all things western, a gifted bootmaker and leather craftsman, and a military hero, he leaves a great legacy.

Thanks Joe.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

How Many??????

"I am often asked, “How many pairs of boots do I have?” To be honest, I don’t know. I have two categories, and a few subcategories.

I have boots that I had made for me. Some of these have been made by who I consider fine bootmakers. Some were made in small shops, some in an “assembly line” of makers. Some of these boots are made to my measurements, some are stock sized boots.

Some boots that I have were bought on Ebay. Some of these boots I can wear, if I chose. I have boots made by Willie Lusk, Ray Jones, Shorty Golden, Olsen Stelzer and Stewart Romero that I have worn at one time but not any more. Once you tear a boot-pull from a Willie Lusk boot, or gouge the vamp of a Stewart Romero boot, you can’t get a new pair.

I also have boots that I bought on Ebay that I could not wear even if I wanted to. But I bought them because I wanted a pair from that particular bootmaker. These boots include boots made by Henry Leopold, L. White, and Charlie Garrison.

I tell people that I have 200 +/- pairs, that is close. Most are in my boot room, a couple dozen in my closet. I probably have bought 400 pairs in 15 or so years.

I’ll make a tally someday soon.

Thursday, May 14, 2009


James Leddy Boots in Abilene Texas made my first made-to-measure custom boots almost 10 years ago. They are gray calf vamp, Burgundy top, and variegated flame stitching. They had a two-inch heel, and a narrow round toe that I liked at that time. I did not see James Leddy during the initial measurement of my feet, he was away at a book signing, and I was measured by someone else in the shop. There was a problem with the fit when I received the boots, but after a discussion and some re-working by the shop, they fit just fine. I was pleased with those boots, and knew that I wanted more James Leddy boots.
During my second time at the shop, he was there for my next order. James remeasured my feet, and recommended that I go with a lower heel, around a 1 1/2. For some reason, I felt like I was in the presence of Elvis. All the books, magazines and praise for him, I was in awe. But he acted just like a normal person, kind to everyone. I should have asked him a bunch of questions about bootmakers and history, but I didn't. My regret. I got to meet him several times after that when I stopped in the shop. Always friendly, always welcoming.
James Leddy passed away in 2002, just right before the Bootmakers Round Up in Wichita Falls Texas. I attended his funeral, wearing my first pair of James Leddy boots. Then after that I drove to the Round Up in Wichita Falls. It was a sad weekend.
He was a great bootmaker, and one of the most friendliest people in the world. In his prime, his was one of the best ever.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

How did I go from Lucchese ropers to custom boots by some of the finest bootmakers? I guess it started with Tyler Beard and the Internet.

My first pair of Lucchese ropers cracked after the first month. Boot Town/Western Wearhouse refused do do anything, but I went to Cavender's Boot City in Plano, mentioned it to one of the salesman, he told me to bring them in and he'd get store credit for me on another pair of Luccheses. I did that, and became a customer for life at Cavender's. But I also decided to learn more about boots. After all, I had a pair of Lucchese ropers, supposedly one of the best boots that a person could buy. So how could I take care of boots so that I'd get my money's worth?

I decided to do a little research in boot care, I looked at anything available at western stores, and then look for books. I came across at a book store, "The Cowboy Boot Book" by Tyler Beard and Jim Arndt. There was a small section on boot care, but there was a lot more on vintage boots, factory boots, and custom made boots, with a lot of history mixed in it. Now I like history, so the stories of the Justins vs Enid Justin, the Leddy's, etc. I thought the boots pictures in the book were gorgeous, but some that I'd never wear. I also searched and found another book on cowboy boots, "The Texas Boots" book published in 1980. I remember seeing a great pair of gray, full quill ostrich boots, burgundy tops and variegated flame stitching, made by James Leddy. I thought that those were good looking boots.

The I decided to look up boots on the Internet, there was Jennifer June's great web-site, Tucson Boots, and a board that I can't remember the name of, but it is now long-gone. Tucson Boots was a site that discussed boots, but also sold boots. There was a pair of James Leddy boots for sale, I can't remember the price, but they looked to be my size. So, I took a chance and bought them. They were a light brown smooth quill ostrich with a 2 inch heel, and narrow round toe. When I received the boots they were a little tight for me, but I could see that the materials and the overall craftsmanship was better than Lucchese Boots.

So, I had a second hand boot from James Leddy that was a little tight on me, and I saw a picture of James Leddy boots that I liked. So, put one and one together, see if the folks at James Leddy's could stretch the boots so that I could wear them, and get measured for a pair of James Leddy Boots.

Monday, May 4, 2009

My First Pair

I guess I should start on how I became fascinated with cowboy boots. I wasn't born in Texas, nor on a ranch. I was just a kid that watched a lot of the westerns on TV in the late 1950s and 1960s. Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were my favorites, followed closely by Gunsmoke and Rifleman. But then things changed in the later 1960s, TV dropped most of the western programs. Our idols like Roy and Gene got older and there was no new blood to replace them. During my teenage years, I became more interested in science and sports, so all of my earlier favorites were set aside for a decade or two.

I came to Texas for the very first time in 1978, a naive Ohioan, with a degree in geology, trying to learn the oil business, without getting killed. I was a mud-logger, or as we told ladies at the bars that we tried to impress, "hydrocarbon well-logging engineer" which they would respond quickly, "oh, a mud-logger." For those that don't know, mud-loggers, along with a laboratory trailer, would be at a well, drilling for oil and gas, from a certain starting depth, to the last depth that was drilled. Mud-loggers looked for "shows" in the drilling fluid (mud) while drilling activities were going on, and record the information to determine if the well had a chance to produce. The mud-loggers could be at the well for two-weeks, two months, however long. But it was a 24/7 job. I did it for two years, traveled mostly in East Texas, in little-bitty towns near Marshall, Longview, Nacagdoches, and Henderson.....those were the big towns. We lived in flea-bag hotels that made a Motel 6 look luxurious.

One day in late 1978 when I had an afternoon off I drove to a retail plaza in Nacogdoches, there was a department store in this plaza, located on the north side of Nacogdoches off of Highway 59. I saw where they had some boots for sale in the store, and I remembered the neat ads in "Sports Illustrated" with O J Simpson or Joe Namath advertising for Dingo or Acme boots. So I thought, "here I am in Texas, I need to have a pair of boots." So I tried a few on.

It wasn't a pleasurable experience. They were UNCOMFORTABLE!

I didn't see what the big deal or mystique was. So I happily put on my Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars on, and forgot all about being a Texan or wearing cowboy boots.

Many years, a wonderful wife, two towns, two homes, and a couple jobs later, I started listening to country music again. I grew up in Southern West Virginia on "hillbilly music" so I was no stranger to Ernest, Hank, Kitty, and the rest. I had listen to rock 'n roll in college and for several years after graduation, but it became so terrible after disco, I did not listen as much. But now being in Dallas Texas, with all my co-workers talking about George Strait, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and of coarse Garth Brooks, I gave it another chance. I started listening to it on the radio, more and more. I decided to give cowboy boots another chance.

One day in 1994, I was at Boot Town/Western Warehouse on Beltline in Addison, Texas, looking at cowboy boots. I didn't know diddly about them, so of coarse you listen to the expert, a salesman making minimum wage and commission. I wanted more of a businessman's attire boot, I was dressing mostly in office attire, suits & ties, so he pointed me to ropers in my size. I put on a pair of antique brown Lucchese ropers, and my feet felt like they belonged in them. So that day was my start.

Next post, I will try to explain how I went from one pair of ropers, to a hundred or more pairs.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Welcome

I thought I'd restart the blog since I haven't posted in over a year. I'll discuss my favorite topic, cowboy boots. I hope you enjoy.