Connolly Story_FINAL

THE STORY OF
C O N N O LLY SA DDL ERY

1912 2012

HISTORY OF A 100 YEAR LEGACY OF WESTERN LIFESTYLE

THE HISTORY OF CONNOLLY SADDLERY, WESTERN WEAR & TACK est. 1912

Adventures are bold, often risky, evidenced in wars from 4000 BC “their ability to move into new

with the outcome uncertain. But to the Afghanistan War today. areas without abandoning core

Connolly Saddlery established in Horsepower, originally defined tenets is the foundation of long

1912 and thriving in 2012, to compare the output of steam term success.”

proves the worth of the risk. engines with the power of draft

horses, is still a universal unit of This ability resonates throughout

Research regarding the measure. Yet this graceful, the history of Connolly Saddlery.

establishment and sustaining of powerful, majestic animal can No matter the decade, Connolly’s

this century-old business nuzzle his way into one’s heart to remained focused on quality

revealed two constants: one be cherished as man’s best friend. products and personal service,.

constant kept the business stable, While author Collins states that

the other kept it relevant. The other constant--the “innovation is a prerequisite to

Together, these qualities allowed component that kept the business survive,” he stresses that “what

the business to survive the relevant--was personal matters is that customers’ needs

changing times of 10 decades. relationship with customers. are answered.” Connolly

Knowing people and what they Saddlery exists today permeated

The stable constant--the steady wanted allowed the business to by this philosophy and attitude.

component--over those 100 meet the diverse needs of the

years, was the horse. Yes, an agriculture community over the

inscription at Kentucky Horse ages.

Park is highly accurate: “History

was written on the back of the The book “Built to Last” written

horse.” by Jim Collins studied corporate

success and longevity. The

Horses have played a role within author concludes that

human cultures for millennia. “companies that survive 100

Unique to any other animal, years or longer are a special and

horses charge head-on into battle, rarefied group,” adding that

1866-1912

The adventure began with the harness makers, John learned art of making stock saddles, and

desire of one man, John Brandley both trades from his father and this stirred a desire that would

Connolly, wanting to own his associated kin in County Down. not let them remain satisfied with

own business. Like many Almost immediately after arrival the farm trade of Minnesota. In

in the Land of Opportunity, John search of wider experiences, the

went to work at his trade in sons drifted west and worked in

Newark, New Jersey. A year the better saddle shops of

later he moved to Baltimore. He Wyoming, Oregon, Montana and

then moved west to Chicago western Canada.

where opportunity offered bigger

rewards and invested his savings Mary Curtis Connolly, the wife

in a harness shop at 867 So. of John’s son Jack, recalled that

Halsted Street. The seductive her father-in-law spoke very little

call of “Go farther West” of his own accomplishments.

provoked another move--this one Only through one of the sons did

John B.Connolly to Minneapolis in 1885. Mary learn that her father-in-law

European migrants John came to Miss Catherine Scheevers was the World Champion collar
America, probably around 1866, became John’s wife in 1868, and maker at the World’s Fair in
to realize that dream. Documents to this union was born three sons Chicago in 1893.
from the State of Illinois show and three daughters. The
October 25, 1876, as the day he couple’s three boys--John In 1907 the brothers decided
became a naturalized citizen of Thomas (Jack), Andrew Jackson their knowledge and finances
the United States of America. warranted a business of their
(Andy) and Patrick Henry (Pat)-- own. They opened Connolly

worked as apprentices under their Bros. Harness Shop in the mining
John’s granddaughter Beverly father’s tutelage. This not only town of Butte, Montana. Their
Dougherty fondly wrote down helped the business meet demand skills in collar-and harness-
memories regaled by her mother of the extensive farm country of making for the mines
about her father’s experiences: Minnesota but it was an
were in
He was a lad of 16 during the bad opportunity for the three sons to great
times in Ireland and was placed learn the different branches of demand,
aboard a German sailing vessel the business.
by his mother to escape from the and the

next five
brutal times. On parting, (and All three boys had heard tales of years
this must have been tearful), she cattle country and the specialized proved
admonished him to keep the
profitable.
Sacraments, and said, “Johnny,
Their hearts,
we will never meet in this world,
however,
so promise me,” and he did.
still yearned for good

Born in 1841 and a descendant of range country where they might
a long line of Irish saddle and further their trade skills and the
future of Connolly saddles.

Pat Andy John Jack

1912-1929

With Andy in charge of
the Butte shop, Jack and
Pat moved to Billings,
Montana in 1912 where
they established
Connolly Bros. Saddlery
in a small shop on North
29th St. and
manufactured harnesses,
horse collars and saddles.
Jack was the saddle
maker and Pat made the
harnesses.

Jack and Pat capitalized

on their diverse

experience and wide

knowledge to build stock

saddles of unequaled

quality and workmanship.

From 1912 to 1928, the

growing popularity of their

product led to the

appearance of Connolly

Bros. saddles in roundup

camps from Wind River to

Saskatchewan. Their work

was of such quality that the

book, “They Saddled the

West” which outlines the

history and development of

the Western saddle includes

a chapter on “The

Saddlemaking Connollys.” the Yellowstone in 1880. Their

Before the Connolly boys arrived saddles were predominantly of The other influence was Oregon
the old South Plains style saddles that were single-rigged
on the saddlemaking scene, and had round skirts and long
Montana saddles had had two weighed 40 to 50 pounds and tapaderos. These saddles used
influences. One influence was featured low forks and outsize shorter seats and taller horns, as
wooden horns, long seats and befitted dally men–a custom that
the Texas cattle drives that would later predominate in
bulky roll cantles, large square Montana and Wyoming.
brought herds to the rich
grasslands of Montana reaching skirts and double-rigging.

1912-1929 continued

It was a meeting of opposites; Nearly everyone wanted a little Glorified in the paintings of

neither approved of the other’s more security than the old slick- Charles Russell, the Montana

outfits. Scorn lurked in the forks provided. cowboy was always depicted

buckaroos’ eyes at first sight of riding a single-rigged saddle and

the heavy Plains saddles. The Bronc riders--competing at the swinging a dally rope.

Southerner had an even greater big rodeos at Cheyenne, According to a feature article in

dislike for the skimpy-looking Pendleton and Prescott--in Western Horseman, March, 1960,

Oregon rigs with only a single particular seized on the new titled “Montana and The

cinch. forks as this style gave them a Connolly Saddles,” the saddles

generous advantage in shown in Russell’s paintings

Montana saddle makers settled competition. Jack Connolly were typical of the early saddles

the difference and developed the designed a saddle for bronc made by the Connolly Bros. of

Montana three-quarter rig and a riders Jack Tegland and Jesse Billings, Montana.

higher dally horn better suited for Coats which came quite close to

working cattle on the colder the present day Association In 1919 the brothers purchased a

ranges of the North. Saddle. lot at 2911 Montana Avenue.

Newspaper coverage reported

The Connolly saddles rated high “the new building will cover a

in popularity among cowboys. space 25 by 100 feet, with a full

A Connolly Saddlery catalog concrete basement. The structure

could be found in most every will be of brick. The Connolly

bunkhouse. According to author building will cost about

Lee Rice, Connolly saddles $16,000.”

became legendary and were as

famous as the Walker, Porter, While the two Connolly brothers

Hamley and Garcia of the Pacific continued to make saddles and

Slope and the Cheyenne, Pueblo tack and did repair work, the

and Myres of the Great Plains. business began to stock Western

clothing. This addition to the

business was put in place

While most of these early because, according to Pat’s

developments were already daughter Allie Connolly, “the

settled accomplishments by the advent of tractors ruined the

time the Connolly boys landed in harness business” and those who

Montana, the Connolly brothers entered the store for saddles and

opened their shop in Billings and tack need clothes.

answered a need for swell-fork

saddles, a new style welcomed

by Western cowboy outfits.

This style of saddle’s growing

popularity was almost universal

throughout the range country.

1929-1950

Changing conditions dictate the Plains cowboys, who swore

adjusting business Jack invented and patented the by the Cheyenne style.

decisions, “free-wheeler”, a free-swinging

and by 1929 stirrup leather. While most The war years of 1942-45 were

Jack stirrup leathers go over the bar challenging for the Pat Connolly

contended of the tree, the free-wheeler Sadddlery. Pat’s son John joined

that two hung in the rigging giving the millions of young Americans at

stores would rider more freedom. Prominent the time and enlisted in the

be more customers and riders of the Armed Forces, leaving his 20-

advantageous famous Connolly saddle of this year-old sister Allie to run the

than one. period included Jim and Walt family business. During the

Jack and Pat Hill who built the Great turbulent war years, Allie credits

dissolved their partnership and Northern Railway, famous bronc the hard work of a saddle maker

Jack moved to Livingston, rider Al Grasfield, and baseball named Mr. Nelson for saving

Montana, where he set up the great Mickey Cochrane. their saddle business.

Jack Connolly Saddlery. Pat

stayed in Billings under the Pat Perhaps the most noted cowboy An old order blank dated Dec. 6,

Connolly stamp. Handwritten to ride and promote the Connolly 1941, and discovered by Glenn

letters found among family Saddle was famed Western artist Crawford of Red Lodge,

heirlooms portrayed the difficult and author Will James who indicated the saddle price of $68.

decisions required …should we bought his first Connolly saddle Pearl Harbor was bombed the

stay or go. In retrospect, similar second-hand as a young man next day.

conversations occurred in while still in

2000 when the decision was Alberta, In 1946 Chuck Harris, Pat’s son-

made to move the location of Canada. Upon in-law who was married to

the store from 2911 Montana moving to the Catherine joined the team as

Avenue to 485 So. 24th St. Yellowstone saddle maker. Chuck had learned

West. Valley region, his craft and perfected it via

James became many hours of instruction from

Jack made saddles from fast friends the master saddler Jack Connolly

1930-1937. When his brother with both Jack who had returned to Billings in

Pat’s health declined, Jack and Pat and 1946 to retire.

pitched in and made saddles rode Connolly saddles until

under the Pat Connolly stamp his untimely death in 1942. With the sad passing of Patrick

from 1937-1939. He returned to James always preferred a square- Henry Connolly in 1950, his

his own shop in 1940, leaving the skirted, double-rigged outfit with surviving children--John, Allie

Billings shop and store in the low fork and cantle, of the old and Catherine--along with

trusted hands of Pat’s son John Plains type. The Connolly Catherine’s husband Chuck

and his younger sister Allie. Brothers produced a first-class Harris purchased the store and

From 1940-1946, Jack operated line of these rigs during their incorporated under the name

his saddlemaking business out of early years, out of deference to Connolly Saddlery Co. The year

Livingston. was 1951.

1950-1978

Under Chuck’s reign as head Dave Wagner, Billings Montana, from a ranching family that had
saddler in the 1950’s, only two has fond memories at a young traded at Connolly’s for decades.
other saddle makers made age of climbing onto a stool by An apprenticeship ensued, and
“Connolly” saddles. The first of Chuck’s workbench to watch and the young eager worker
these was an incredibly likable listen, nostalgically adding progressed quickly under the
man from Wyoming by the name “many of us grew up in persistent teachings of the head
of Ed Stoke. He came to Connolly’s.” saddler, Mr. Harris.

Today Chas Weldon is well
known as a custom-saddle maker.
Someone aptly said, “when you
run your hands across a Chas
Weldon saddle, you’re handling a
practical, functional work of art.”
Today as Executive Director of
the Yellowstone County
Museum, Chas has assembled a
rare collection that contains a
saddle crafted by every saddle-
making member of the Connolly
Family.

Connolly’s already an Millie Parker was part of the Chuck Harris retired from
accomplished saddler, having Connolly atmosphere at this Connolly Saddlery in January
worked the great shops of time, staying with the company 1978. His retirement signaled
Sheridan, Wyoming. Ed is 33 years, until her retirement in the end of a custom saddle shop.
credited with saddle making 2000. Barb Wagner, Billings, History will record that, for 66
innovations such as the seamless Montana, remembers Millie continual years, Connolly
horn cover and the no-end horn calling to tell her in 1978 that a Saddles of Billings, Montana,
wrap, just to name a few. He is used kids saddle had just come were at the top of the list for
also credited with inventing the in. Barb bought the saddle sight custom saddles produced in the
saddle buck made from the unseen on Millie's word. world.
hydraulic lift of the common
barber chair. In January 1976 Chuck hired a
very young cowboy with no
The 1960s and 70s saw its share leather working experience
of leather workers come and go named Chas Weldon who came
through the Connolly shop.

1978-1995

Chuck’s retirement triggered a “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Pat was to include rodeo competitors,
series of changes. Allie retired in comfortable with this era and horse show enthusiasts and
1980. People chuckled, sharing vigorously built a healthy dude recreational riders. With long-

that this was her fifth retirement, ranch business where ranchers time employee Millie Parker
yet she was still often seen in the brought their guests in to be announcing local team ropings,
store on a Saturday morning. outfitted for a week of ranch the business attracted a following
work. Businessmen frequented from this group as well.
Chas Weldon continued to be an the store to buy Western suits.
integral part of Connolly’s. Pam Pat and Pam were valuable Pat’s untimely stroke in 1990
Connolly, Billings, Montana, members of the community. placed the burden of daily
recalled Chas coming back for responsibilities on the shoulders
the cattle drive in 1989 and Montana's Bicentennial in 1989 of Pam. Lisha Koch, Millie
setting up his shop in front of the resurged the Old West look of Parker, Deb Markegard and other
window on the saddle side. Pam oilskin dusters and Gus hats, devoted employees helped Pam
said, “I remember, after it was characterized in the popular maintain the store. A difficult
over, he decided to stay and we movie “Lonesome Dove” that decision was reached five years
had a moving party of all his depicted an epic trail drive to later when Pat and Pam Connolly
equipment one night after we Montana territory. With decided to sell the store.
closed.” everyone, deep down, wanting to
be a cowboy and experience the
In 1982 Patrick Russel, John’s brave, independent spirit of
son and third-generation rugged individualism clothed in
Connolly, took the helm along grit and integrity, these were
with his wife Pam. good times for the Western wear
business.
Ranching and the horse
continued to be the mainstay, but The 1990's saw the clothing side
fashion began to out-distanced of Connolly’s Western Wear &
function during this era of the Tack increase. Saddle and tack
urban cowboy, epitomized in sales expanded beyond
Glen Campbell’s popular song, traditional ranchers and cowboys

1995 - Present

1995 was took the invoice to the store to comes in many shapes and forms.

the settle his grandmother’s account. Dave is relied on for his hat

perfect Although the Connolly’s staff shaping ability--an art in itself.

year to assured the grandson that he did Many cowboys make special

blend not have to pay the bill, he trips to Connolly’s just to have

heritage insisted and paid it to the penny. Dave shape their hat. One

with The bill itself was interesting. cowboy makes a trip every year

vision. The majority of it was for a horse from Saskatchewan, Canada, to

Dave & collar, but part of it was to settle purchase his new hat so Dave can

Barb up for a series of small shape it. Dave knows and

Wagner transactions over an extended respects that a cowboy’s hat is an

of Billings, Montana, were period of time, which read loan expression of his personality, and

seeking a business opportunity to bill…$5/loan to bill…$20. he meets the need of each

and brought the right formula for The 78-year-old invoice was individual cowboy.

success to keep this 83-year-old paid, a grandson had honored his

business going. The transition grandmother’s memory. The Over the decades, for many rural

took place August 15, opening trust extended from a families, Connolly’s was not only

day of the Billings Fair and one businessman to a member of the the one stop location for all their

of the busiest times of the year community had been validated.” tack, saddle and clothing needs,

for Connolly’s. but a place to meet with

More than once in the ensuing neighbors and conduct the social

The passage from one family to years people have been helped life of “bein’ in town.”

another was flawless, a process out of tight spots. One evening

linked by mutual respect for each right before closing a customer The meeting-place tradition

other and the heritage being from Big Timber called and continued, even after the store

passed from one to another. sheepishly said, “I just pulled moved its 88-year location from

into Billings and I forgot my downtown on Montana Avenue

Linda Grosskopf, Agri-News billfold at home.” After a pause, in the year 2000 to 485 So. 24th

editor, recalls one of the final he added, “You couldn’t by St West, the busiest street in

pieces of business transacted chance lend me some cash and Montana. The coffee pot is

before Wagner’s took over. “It I’ll pay you back next time I’m always on in their “Cowboy

seemed ordinary enough – the in town?” Dave was able to help Corner,” with organizations

paying of a bill. What made the him out of a tight spot. Later gathering and friends visiting

transaction newsworthy was the Lyn was back in with the over a Connolly cup of coffee.

fact that the invoice was dated repayment and stood at the The RCA 50” flat screen TV that

1917. The bill was paid by a counter comfortably thumbing sits on top of an RCA Victor TV/

grandson for his grandmother, through the Schaefer catalog, just radio antique, resting on top of

long since gone to her reward. as he had so many other times in the company’s original safe

The grandson had discovered the the past. engraved with the words “Butte

invoice in its original envelope Harness Shop”, offers a stark

addressed simply to Mrs. Cashen, Customer service carries a broad contrast of change over the

Pryor, Montana, and promptly definition at Connolly’s and decades.

1995 - Present Continued

2007 was another milestone of As in decades past, meeting the blend expertise, experience,
change in Connolly Western needs of customers is the focus knowledge and love of the
Wear & Tack meeting customer of Connolly Saddlery, Western Western life into a winning
needs. With the Rocky Mountain Wear & Tack. Kiel Randle, a recipe to bring a business into its
College equestrian program and rancher from Winifred, Montana, 100th year of business.
several indoor barns around the called one afternoon in 2012 to
region including English riding inquire about picking up his new In 2012, to commemorate their
to their Western riding programs, Connolly saddle. Kiel said he 100-year anniversary, the
the need arose for english riding was in his shop working on a Wagner’s reintroduced Connolly
items. When asked to meet this tractor that had to get fixed so he Saddles after a 34-year absence.
need, Connolly’s stepped up to couldn’t make it clear down to Touting a custom hand-crafted,
the challenge and added an Billings and wondered if Dave built-to-use cowboy’s saddle, the
English section to the store. would meet him half
way. The two met response has been incredible.
At the same time, more and more at Roundup, MT. Mark Petersen, a cattle buyer
young kids were frequenting the Kiel, not concerned from the Sand Hills of Nebraska
store looking for rodeo that he was covered ordered his as soon as he heard
equipment. It didn’t take much in grease, Connolly Saddles were back in
for the business to add a rodeo immediately sat in production. His first ride on it
section as Dave Wagner is a five- his new saddle and was direct to the branding pen.
time Montana Pro Rodeo Bull oil stains marked the He called a few days later
Riding champion. Dave has a leather when he lavishing praise about his new
big smile on his face as he helps stepped off. Kiel saddle saying, “I’ve never had a
many young cowboys get started. just shrugged saddle sit so close to my horse or
He knows what they need for saying, “It doesn’t matter. I got feel so good.”
gear, often setting their first pair it to use and it feels great.”
of spurs with tie down straps and
correct rowel. He’s rewarded Being a good neighbor is
when these valuable in the Western
customers who world. Connolly’s
have become feels a responsibility to
friends stop back meet the needs of
in with a video to today’s cowboy in the
discuss their ride. same tradition that
Shane Proctor, Connolly Saddlery was
2011 PRCA Bull founded 100 years ago.
Riding Champion, Heritage and vision are
still stops in to say important to Dave and
“Hello,” just as he Barb Wagner, both
did when he attended Powell
Community College. ranch-raised cowboys,
professional rodeo contestants
and accomplished horsemen who

1995 - Present Continued

Dave Wagner says, “We were looking for a saddle designs and construct the entire saddle to fit today’s
of such quality that it was worthy to carry the horse, each saddle is one of a kind.”
Connolly Brand and we found a saddler that scives
‘the best ground seat’ of anything we have ridden. The future of Connolly’s remains remarkably
Riggings are constructed so riders have closer similar to its past. In the words of Dave Wagner,
contact to their horse. After all, being able to feel “Times will change and we will change with them.
one with your horse is important to 21st century Ultimately it’s about longevity, not just the sale
riders who are not only working cowboys but today. We want people to be satisfied. It’s all
competitors in a variety of horse related activities. about what customer’s want, need and will use--and
Coupled with artists who hand carve the tooling providing that with quality items at affordable
prices and gratitude for their business.”

“We were looking for a saddle of such quality that it
was worthy to carry the Connolly Brand...”

Dave Wagner, Owner of Connolly Saddlery

C O N N O LLY SA DDL ERY

4B8IL5LISNOG. S2, 4MTOHNSTTARNEAET5W91E0S2T
406-252-3312

W W W. C O N N O L LY S A D D L E RY. C O M