THIS ONE’S FOR YOU HENRY!
“SNAPPER”
JAN. 30TH, 2010 – ST. PETER, MN
Henry 1949 – 2010
The first thing that I bought from Henry was a pair of his infamous moose hide choppers. I was 16 years old and heading for Winnipeg to start my career as a professional snow sculptor. I needed serious equipment. As I dug out my cash, he dug through the pile to find me a “thick pair”. “These happen to be thicker than most”, he said. “They should last you forever.” My 16 year old punk attitude prompted me to write the date of purchase inside the cuff…just so I had some reference for whatever “forever” would turn out to be. In hindsight, I realize that Henry always gave his customers what they needed, whether they knew it or not. This time he saw a kid with a lot of work ahead of him. He knew what I needed. He cared about what I needed. Henry helped protect my hands from saw blades and 40 below zero.
I have purchase more choppers from Henry over the years. Also a belt or two. But never because they wore out. Buying new things from Henry was a great way to catch up and re-connect. That first pair of choppers are now 16 years old. The leather is still good, but they have returned to the shop many times for repairs to the “thumb crotch” seam. Every time I blow them out, Henry sews them back up for $1. “How do you make any money charging a dollar for repairs?” I asked him. “I just need to do that a million times and I’ll be a millionaire!” he replied.
Henry knew he would never be a millionaire. I don’t think Henry wanted to ever be a millionaire. He cared about people too much. He was happy making useful things for people and living in a beautiful part of the world. It’s hard to say if Henry would have been the same kind of character if he had set up shop in some other community. We all know that Ely has a way of shaping people. We also know that Henry shaped Ely. I will miss him greatly.
I’m retiring my 16 year old choppers today. Not because they look old, stink, and are stained with dirt, salt, sweat, soot, and blood, but because Henry is no longer here to sew them back up.
With much love and respect,
Jesse Ellerbroek
New Heads
How do these things happen overnight? Always something “popping up” at the Black Lantern.
