Chris and Valerie Combs
Fine Art

Original 2 page 8 1/2 by 11 inch hand-written letter from reknowned Indian Wars U.S. Cavalry and Custer historian and author James S. Hutchins to Lou Cherbeneau in regards to the former's knowledge of early Western saddles. In Particular, Hutchins mentions "patent # 261.374 taken out by Theodore E. Menea, North Denver Colo., July 18, 1882, for a new and useful improvement in saddle trees." Hutchins goes on to describe this T.E. Menea improvement and discusses the "short frieska tree" of a Denver Dry Goods saddle that Cherbeneau has in his collection circa 1880. Signed in Pen Jim Hutchins at Bottom of page 2. Hutchins worked closely with the National Park Service as an advisor on the early history of U.S. military outposts and forts. He was also Historian Emeritus at the National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution. Hutchins also has written many books and contributed many articles on the U.S. Cavalry, Indian Wars and Custer. Letter includes original envelope and is dated December 28, 1960 and is postmarked from Columbus Ohio. Ex-collection Lou Cherbeneau, Estes Park saddlemaker and amateur Western historian.