14
Horse Drawn Winter Hearse1900
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
15
I heard a rumour that the old Russell winter hearse was out at William Dunn's farm so I went to see him and he donated it to me, along with a bit of history. It was used by G.D. Sparrow of Russell from 1918 - 1929, then a man by the name of Buer had it for about three years. Then Braendle and Hope took over the business and used it until 1936. William Dunn drove it the last few years of Braendle and Hope. He said the last trip was a bad one from Russell to Solsgirth on a very bad day. They had to change teams on the way to the cemetery and again on the way home. I had it restored and Mr. Dunn was down to see it. It sat outside at Dunn's from 1936 until I got it in 1982.The hearse was used for Mrs. Pratt's funeral at Griswold. She was a native schoolteacher who made it to 104 years of age and wanted to go to the cemetery with horses. Mr. Gompf took his team and drove our hearse.
16
High Cutter used from 1900 to 19201910
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
17
In 1977 I bought my first high cutter from Lloyd Hazelwood of Hamiota. It was originally owned by his dad, Sam Hazelwood of Chumah District. This cutter was in sad shape; one runner and two of the crosspieces underneath were broken and the back of the seat had snapped off. I restored the wood parts back to original then repainted and stripped it. The seats and wee armrests were sent to the then Manitoba Institute of Technology (M.I.T) to be upholstered. The students there did a lovely job in red velvet. It also had fancy chrome on the dashboard. This cutter would have cost $35.75 in its day all upholstered and ready to go.18
High Cutter used from 1900 to 19201900
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
19
One day, I went to Lenore as someone told me Arnold Hill had a cutter in his barn. I saw the cutter and bought it from Arnold. It was damaged when a horse ran away from Arnold in town. Arnold said, "I got hell when I got home!" One runner was folded up under it and the crosspieces were broken, as were the bent knees. The body of this cutter was by "Fisher" so the doors were framed and upholstered like the first touring cars. I painted this cutter black and had it upholstered in crushed velvet. When I got it, there was a buffalo robe in it, so I got to have it too, but it wasn't in very good shape.20
Side Spring Cutter used approximately 1920.1920
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
21
The side spring cutter is an extremely unique part of our collection. Since the rare design can only be found on this particular cutter, I find that reason enough for it to be among one of my favorite pieces in the museum. I really enjoyed working on this cutter because I knew how amazing it would look once the work was completed. Don Kitz did a wonderful job on the upholstery, red velvet was what we decided on. Buster Nickel donated this cutter which he had near the stone house on their farm.22
High Cutter used from 1900 to 1920.1900
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
23
Next came the high cutter donated by Stan and Vel Doupe of Crandall, Manitoba. This cutter was originally owned by Stan's father and was stored in the Herb Johnson barn. It was in bad shape by the time I got to it. First I painted the cutter black and striped it. I asked Bea Thomas if she could do some upholstery work on it. She did a good job of the green velvet that was added.24
High Cutter used from 1900 to 1920.1900
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
25
Then there was a cutter donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hunter of Decker, Manitoba. It had been stored in the loft of their barn, but the barn caught on fire. The cutter was rescued but had been left outside for years before I got it. I replaced the runners, as they were rotted away, and then I replaced the bent knees, etc. The body was next to be repaired and then the seats. Springs for the seats are hard to come by but I got it finished and then Bea Thomas did the upholstery in wine velvet. I painted the running gear red and the body black.26
High cutter with two eagle heads on the arms of the dashboard.1900
Clegg's Carriage Museum, Arrow River, Manitoba
27
When I bought the buggy from Mrs. Andrew of Hamiota, Manitoba, I also got a high cutter made of tin. But it had been put on a jumper gear, so I replaced the gear with one I had purchased from Mr. Geo Sproat of Virden. The item was in good shape as he had put a box on it and exercised his racehorses with it in the winter on the Virden racetrack. I cleaned up the cutter, repaired and painted it. Don Kitz of Green Acres Upholstery in Brandon did a nice job in crushed green velvet, similar to what it had been done in originally. One unique feature is that it has two eagle heads on the arms of the dashboard, which are very striking. |
 |
 |
 |