Richardson combines cowboy and carpenter skills to re-create wagons

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Elmer Richardson (above) of Bryson offers everything it takes to outfit a chuckwagon at the Bryson Trading Post. Left, is a chuckwagon waiting to be restored. --Staff photos by Montgomery

July 24, 2003 -- Wagons, Ho!

These words have a special meaning to a North Texas man because they are words by which he makes a living.

Elmer Richardson, of Bryson, has been building wagons for "the last 15 to 20 years," and loves every minute of it.

Richardson, a carpenter by trade, grew up knowing and loving the cowboy way. His dad was a working cowboy in and around Seymour. Richardson also spent many days being a cowboy.

With the combination of carpenter and cowboy knowledge, Richardson started building wagons, and Bryson Trading Post came to be. Located 1 1/2 miles east of Bryson on Highway 380, the trading post offers, "everything it takes to put a chuckwagon on the road," the wagonmaker stated.

Stepping inside the trading post, an individual can see anything - from a Dutch oven to a wash tub, dishes to a cowboy bedroll - just about everything a person might need out on the trail.

But the main attraction for people who stop in are the wagons.

Utilizing some tools that are over 100-years-old, Richardson specializes in outfitting and refurbishing chuckwagons and all other horse-drawn equipment.

Richardson, along with son Jimmie and assistant James Meadows, can build a wagon from the ground up; but some parts (spokes and bows) are bought from the Amish in Ohio.

"We can buy things cheaper from the Amish than we can make them. When it comes to the wagons, Jimmie and James do most of the work. I do the ordering and scheduling," Richardson explained. "I can still make the wagon wheels."

Custom blacksmith work and forging parts to match originals is also done in house.

The wagonmaker takes pride in his chuckwagons. Not only does he make them, he also drives them. The second weekend in July, Richardson drove his 86-year-old dad, who was the Grand Marshall of the rodeo parade in Seymour. In the fall, he, along with wife Shirley, and many others will begin the trail drive from Jacksboro to Fort Worth for the annual Red Stegall Cowboy Gathering.

"The trail ride is organized around kids. We travel around 15 miles a day and try to camp around 3:30 to 4 (p.m.) so we have time to visit or make any repairs that need to be done," he explained.

The ride usually takes around four days. Once the wagon train makes it to Fort Worth, Richardson is in charge of setting up the event's chuckwagon cook-off.

"Half of winning a cook-off is set-up," he said.

The chuckwagon, described as a cowboy's portable kitchen wagon, was invented by Charles Goodnight in 1866. Today, chuckwagons are sold all over the country, with many used for chuckwagon cook-offs.

Richardson added people are always stopping by just to look and ask questions.

"People stop all the time. So, come on by. The coffee pot is always on."