Interviewer
David Germain
Files
Description
Herbert Knuth describes his childhood in the Malta and Saco areas of Montana where his family homesteaded during the early 20th century. Knuth recalls daily chores such as milking and herding cows and bringing in the horses. He discusses his grandfather Charlie Hess who owned a blacksmith shop in Saco and homesteaded near the town. Knuth reminiscences about his grandfather’s mechanical abilities, which included a custom water pipe in the house. He mentions learning these skills from his grandfather and making the first motorized buckrake out of a Model A. Knuth recalls serving in the U.S. military during World War Two, where he worked as a barber. He talks about opening his own barbershop after being discharged, which he did in addition to breaking horses, sharpening shaving equipment, and shoeing horses. Knuth describes catching and breaking wild horses before he entered the military and talks at length about the techniques he used to capture and train the horses. He mentions his hunting and trapping experiences, including the time he trapped enough skunks to earn enough money to buy a bicycle.
Loading...
Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Hess, Charlie; Hess family, Eastern Montana; Knuth, Herbert; Homesteading, Montana; Wild horses, Montana; Breaking horses; Blacksmithing, Montana; Saco, Montana; Malta, Montana; Barbers; World War, 1939-1945; Farriers; Horse shoeing; Farming, Montana; Buckrakes; Farming equipment; Harvesting equipment
Original Date
11-13-1994
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Montana Settlers, Homesteaders, Ranchers, and Farmers Oral History Collection Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 327-001, 002
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
2 sound cassettes (02:00:00 min.): analog + 1 transcript (25 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:20:16 minutes
Local Filename
OH_327_001_002.mp3; OH_327_001_002.pdf
Citation
Knuth, Herbert, "Herbert "Herb" Knuth Interview, November 13, 1994" (1994). Montana Settlers, Homesteaders, Ranchers and Farmers Oral History Collection. 15.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/mtsettlersandhomsteaders_oralhistory/15