OCR Text |
Show o Seutfi CetiM Ulelt Supplement To: Gunnison Valley News - The Salina Sun Garfield County News - The Richfield Reaper VOLUME NUMBER 2 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, ' ' h' ' '''' , 23 1981 Leather Craftsman Rare Breed in Today's World 'r.nm 4, By Nancy Bales Spotlight Writer HATCH What traveler could resist stopping at a shop with the intriguing name of Grandma Grunts? Located in the tiny community of Hatch (population just over 100 people) on U.S. 89 in Garfield County, the clever shop with the rustic western flavor features some of the most skillful and intricate leather work in the western United States. sformed their service station into the unique shop with the western motif, focusing on their work with leather and selling gasoline as a side line instead. They were surprised to discover that shop became an almost instant success with travelers from all over the world attracted by its clever design and equally attracting handmade merchandise. their The touch, feel, smell and sound of leather all contribute to its appeal for leatherworker Harry York who pointed out that the use of four of the five human senses enters into the work he does with d leather work. custom-designe- York who has been d working with leather for more than 25 clothing years specializes in and finds a ready market with local cowboys. The local market, however, is not Yorks only outlet for his workmanship since he receives orders for his custom work from all over the world and ships his designs on a regular basis to former satisfied customers who first sampled his wares on a trip through southern Utah. f Self-traine- er York and his wife Ethel moved to Hatch from California seven years ago sphere they opened a service station and York began a side line of repairing saddles for local ranchers. Word of his skill spread quickly in this area where the nearest leather repair shops were close to 100 miles away for many ranchers in the county. As the demand rose for Yorks special skills, the couple decided to take a chance and tran- - : York works to repair saddle of local wrangler and is noted for his excellent service and prompt repair. He much prefers being able to design and produce custom leather clothing. youthful juvenile offenders between the ages of 14 through 18 were discovering America under the direction of Vision JOSEPH-W- hen you flunk of wagon Quegt organization is trains, the mind generally conjures up devoted to helping youthful delinquents to find their way back to normal living. Its ?Veatu base is in Afrida, Ariz., some 120 miles about early Mormon pioneere who t f 3 Vision Quest has a came more than half way across Birls freedom. America to find instutiyons one ar Monday, in Joseph, a wagon train of in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Arizona and 2 All of the youngsters, 20 percent of them girls, are referred to us by the juvenile authorities, stated Tony Zasa, assistant wagon boss from Tucson. Tony with his brother, Rick, the head wagonmaster Jeral When asked about their offenses in todays society, young Tony stated You name it, theyve done it. The boys and girls in the contingent have been charged with hard core drug abuse, assault, robbery, grand theft auto, burglaries, some just runaways. Being in a camp with 28 youngsters, horses and mules, an assortment of antique wagons, cooks wagon, a vehicle housing all personal items, changes of clothing to meet the demands of year around weather, vehicles loaded with hay and feed for the livestock are all the necessary tools for this camping trip. It is a camp designed to meet the needs of youngsters who have strayed, at the same time a site of learning. It takes them on the road to learning about life in the U.S., giving them an insight into the communities which they pass 56 through communities Currently York is the only leather-worke- r in southern Utah working with unborn calf or slunk calf hide. He Always artistic, York had spent much of his life delving into other art also dyes and hand burnishes leather forms and was skilled with oils, water himself to achieve special antique colors and charcoal drawing. A fishing finishes. Much of his leathe supplies trip to Canada many years ago in- must be shipped in from troduced him to leather work. He was sources, however, since they are not amazed at the number of leather shops available in Utah. and the intricacy of fine leather work, never realizing before the variety, skill For unusual decorative effect, York and imagination required for the craft. will use sliced and polished deer hooves for clasps, fashion old Indian nickels He began experimenting on his own, into snaps for his clothing, and often itilize leather rosettes (such as seen on gradually developing his talents, when he met the Drake family in Montebello, saddles) for decorating his vests and California, owners of Drake Leather. jackets. They were instrumental in encouraging It was Ethel who suggested the Yorks natural talent, providing books, funny name for Grandma Grunts a ideas, and teaching him the proper use of leather tools and unusual techniques. midwest term familiar to both Ethel He credits them with much of his later and her husband who spent their childhood in Iowa. Grandma Grunt was success with the art form. a term commonly used to denote Initially he began working with belts, anyone who was too slow and easyholsters and rifle slings and other items going to move very fast. The two associated with his favorite sports of transplanted Californians they lived hunting and fishing giving most of his in California for most of their adult pace early works to friends as gifts. As his lives weary of the work became more in demand, he theyd been used to for so long, decided decided that he might be able to work at to give their business a name they his hobby and make it profitable at the hoped would signify a new way of living same time. The work that he does in for them. leather not only makes him happy and satisfied with life but he finds that it York is not the only talent at Grandmakes others happy too. Taking great ma Grunts. Ethel, to, has many skills pride in his workmanship, he says he and for the past seven years in Hatch has a particular vision for each she has been sharpening them. Her individualized product as he works on hand crocheted and hand-knitems vie it. with her sewing for attention from shop visitors who keep her fingers busy year His work includes the practical side round. of leather craft repairing saddles, and Ethel and Harry met as kinchaps and other well-use- d necessary items for local wranglers. It dergarteners in Des Moines, la., but also has its creative side when he gets Ethel moved to California with her the opportunity to special order a family when she was 11 years old. They complete leather outfit fra a customer. kept in touch by mail for all the years He makes chaps, vests, jackets, they were growing up and when Harry, sheepskin coats and many other as a young man, joined the Marine clothing items. He special orders Corps, they were married. leather wall hangings and portraits. They reared three daughters in York often works with hides which he California before trying for their new purchases locally (cow, deer, elk, calf) Utah lifestyle. which he ships to Fox Valley Tannery Both are happy in their southern in North Salt Lake. The tannery which has been working with York for many Utah fishing and hunting haven and years and is accustomed to his orders they are pleased that their hobbies are helping to make that life even better tans the hides to his specifications. for them and for everyone who visits His order for garment leather, suede, Grandma Grunts. te fast-movi- it Wagon Train Therapy for Delinquents By Mary Ann Peterson Spotlight Staff Writer latigo or some other special tanning process comes back quickly and just right for Yorks skillfully handled leather tools. He sews on two old heavy-dut- y Singer machines, vintage 1929 and 1932, which he treats like old friends and repairs himself when needed. He also has newer industrial machines which he uses in his work. -- where the families are deeply rooted in traditions, into cities where there is a mixture of good and bad and where small towns melt into metropolitan areas. Taking a broad view of the young girls and boys, it becomes hard to believe . that these youngsters have faced the seamy side of life during their 14 to 18 years of living. Tony stated These are children that adding, and they know it. They have been the route of parents who dont care about them, no real home life, foster families that gave up rather than trying to cope with their individual problems and where learning the art of the fast buck, tricks of their youthful under-worl- d became the only life they knew. no one wants, Tony spoke of the youths with not only great sympathy but understanding for his charges. The youths are ruled with an iron hand but with a velvet understanding. i?T '31 Jm Taking care in handling the reins are from left, Marshall Moody. Globe, Ariz., Bernie Cleveland, Chicago, III., im assistant wagonmaster for Vision Quest and Roger Westfall, Beaver County, Pa. Tony Zaza, t '&&' . Our motto is honor and accountability with pledging your word as the chief basis of integrity, Tony proudly commented. Tony explained that today there are more than 100,000 youths housed in various institutions in attempting to (Continued on Page 8) " , ' Following a custom fitting and shaping of every pattern to personally enhance the attributes of the & &&& Ks- . wearer. York works to fit the pattern on each hide. He is expert in leather work. |