The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
JULIUS HEINEMANN c1827 - 1910
Pic Credit:
State Library S.A.
A sketch done in 1856 of Mt Gambier businesses. Mr A Mitchell's pub, then the grocery store, and to the right of the tree is Mr Julius Heinemann's first saddlery shop.
Mr Julius Heinemann arrived in Mt Gambier from Portland Victoria in 1855. He promptly established a saddle and harness store, just down from A Mitchell’s pub and grocery store, then in later years relocated to Commercial Street, purchasing the land from the Savings Bank. He went on to erect two shops on the 44 foot frontage.
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Photo Credit:
State Library S.A.
The new saddlery shop situated in Commercial Street, Mt Gambier. Photo taken in 1869.
It is not known where Julius did his saddlery apprenticeship, but in his saddle and harness making business, Julius maintained professional saddle makers, and he also imported goods from England, as the below advertisement demonstrates in 1874. A Mr John Sinclair was employed as a saddler from approximately 1859 and remained with Heinemann until his retirement. Mr Sinclair then took over the saddlery business trade in Mt Gambier for a few years, before broadening his horizons into a partnership in the produce trade.
SPECIAL NOTICE. To the Public of Mount Gambier and District. – August 1874
JULIUS HEINEMANN,
Saddler and Harness Maker, BEGS to announce to his friends and customers in the Mount Gambier district and elsewhere, that owing to the large Stock-in-Trade now on hand, and to the expected arrival of Large Shipments of NEW GOODS now afloat from England direct, he has decided to Keep Open his Business as Saddler and Harness Maker, &c., for a longer period of time.
J. HEINEMANN wishes it to be understood that he is STILL OPEN to RECEIVE OFFERS for the Purchase of his Stock-in-Trade, Good-will, &c., &c.; and that he is now, as heretofore, prepared with an efficient staff of skilled workmen to carry out in the best and most workmanlike manner, any commissions that may be entrusted to his care.
The Stock-in-Trade and to arrive will still be offered to the trade at Wholesale Prices, and Retail Purchasers will find on inspection that J. HEINEMANN's prices are such as to defy competition. All kinds of Repairs still executed; with the greatest neatness and despatch, and at the Lowest Possible Charge. JULIUS HEINEMANN
These advertisements above clearly display that Mr Heinemann was putting large knee pads on his colonial saddles in the same style that had become favourable to the Australian man on the land in the 1850’s. The adverts were published in 1874.
Through his advertisements, it was obvious that Mr Heinemann was plagued with ill health, and in 1880 the Border Watch newspaper ran an article dated 14 January, 1880.
MR. JULIUS HEINEMANN saddler, who has been a resident of Mount Gambier for the last 24 years, has made arrangements for leaving with the view of settling in Germany. Failing health, we regret to say, is the cause of this. It will be noted by our advertising columns that Mr. Heinemann is now offering his stock of harness for sale at reduced rates, and that his valuable properties in Commercial Street will be offered by auction on an early date.
Then came the sad news to the locals in Mt Gambier, reported in the Border Watch 25 May 1910, of the demise of Mr Julius Heinemann.
OBITUARY.
Heinemann.-There died at Coblenz, in Germany, on the 19th April, 1910 of senile decay, in his 83rd year, Mr. Julius Heinemann, who was the first saddler in Mount Gambier. He arrived here from Portland (Vic) about 55 years ago, and successfully carried out his business here for many years in a building nearly opposite the Corporation weighbridge. He subsequently removed into more capacious premises in the main street (Commercial Street).
His business prospered, and he took a trip to Germany. He returned to the Mount, and selling off his property he went back to his native land and settled in the beautiful city of Coblenz, (situated on the Rhine) where he died as stated. Mr. Heinemann was unmarried.
He was a man of high integrity, and much respected. As illustrating the happy-go-lucky method of conducting business in the early days it is related that a stranger walked into the shop one day and selected a saddle. He shouldered the article, and walked away. When it came to booking it, the man's name was unknown, and a messenger had to be sent after him to ascertain it. The saddle was paid for subsequently. This story was related to the writer by an eye-witness.
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Photo Credit:
State Library of South Australia