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Still forging out a place in history

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  • Originally published May 23, 2008 at 8:17 a.m., updated May 23, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.

The trade of blacksmithing, written about in both Greek and Roman mythology, is thousands of years old. James H. Young, 82, of Goliad has been a blacksmith in the town for the last 48 years. Although a volcano is not his forge and his tools are more modern, his place in history in the town of Goliad is cast in iron. From cattle branding irons to repairing farming and ranching equipment Young says at 82 he’s not sure when he’ll be ready to retire. The brands stamped all over the wood of his shop, from the floor to ceiling, are unique testament to Texas cattle history.

Q: How did you get your start in metal working?

A:I’ve always liked it. It is something pretty hard to do, but I still like it. In high school, we had the equipment up there, you know. I guess that’s really where it started ’cause I have a lot of friends and things like that. I’m sure that’s where it comes from. After I got back out of the Army I bought this old place down here. It’s been 48 years. I have a lot of good friends and they always come by and drink coffee if they see me sitting down here at the shop.

Q: You were in the Army?

A: Me and four of my brothers were in the Army infantry. We trained in Oklahoma and then went off to Normandy and Germany. When the war ended, we went to Austria.

Q: : What kinds of things do you make here at your shop?

A:Branding irons, and repairs on stuff that got bent or broke, anything like that. Lots of farming and ranching equipment.

Q: Making brands for cattle seems like it would be difficult. With such intricate designs, were they hard to create?

A:There’s just many a one of them and I made them all. It was kind of a pleasure, but its getting now that it ‘ain’t as much a pleasure as it used to be. I still have to make ‘em every once in a while. There’s lots of them that were pretty hard to do, but I was able to do it.

Q: Do you like living and working in Goliad?

A:It’s the only place in Texas as far as I’m concerned. Of course, Victoria, I like that, too, cause that’s where we go over to get a lot of stuff.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?

A:An anvil, oh, that’s a lot of steel, I tell you. I use it pretty often.

Q: You’ve got a lot of metal in this shop. What does it all relate to?

A:Farming and ranching. The old German man that I bought this place from, he kept it a lot nicer than what I have. Isn’t it awful?

Christina Burke is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6516 or cburke@vicad.com or to comment on this story go to www.VictoriaAdvocate.com



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