Early Days in the Forest Service Volume 4

THE DECKER SADDLE
FEBRUARY 4, 1943
By Clyde P. Fickes

This type of packsaddle originated in Central Idaho in the country around Buffalo Hump and during the mining boom that occurred in that country from 1898 to 1900. Old man McDaniels, an old-time aparajo packer from Oregon and California, was the originator of the idea for the tree and half-breed (as it is called) aparajo cover, which greatly resembles the aparajo. Several brothers named Decker saw the practicality of the idea and adopted it, making some improvements. They applied for a patent on the tree and rigging but I believe the patent was never allowed. Anyway this is where the saddle gets its name. Old man McDaniels was quite an eccentric character, about one of the best packers that ever coiled a sling rope. The way he moved tonnage on his half-breed rigging was an eye opener to the natives in the Salmon River country and old "Mac" soon became a well-known character among packers and miners. He could do more with a green mule in less time than anyone else around the country.

Forest officer soon saw the utility of this rigging and took it over bodily. The latest refinements in the tree and rigging are largely due to improvements made by Forest Officers and packers working with them. The tree as now made is the product of O. P. Robineet, a blacksmith long employed on the Selway Forest. The present Decker saddle is considered by all old-timers who have used it as being far superior to either the cross tree or sawbuck or the old Army aparajo in usableness, especially for one-man packing in the mountains. These saddles have stood the gaff of packing every conceivable thing that could be used in either a mining camp or a logging camp, and that with the least amount of damage to the mule.

Loads for the Decker saddle are cargoed in canvas mantee the same as they are prepared for the aparajo. They are fastened to the saddle with the regular swing or sling rope. The diamond hitch is not used nor is it needed. In fact, there are many first-class packers now working for the Forest Service who could not throw a diamond hitch on a bet. The advantage of this is that the lead on each side of the animal has some "give" to it if the mule accidentally encounters a tree or rock. If the load is displaced in this way it immediately shifts back into place as soon as the obstruction is passed. With the use of the diamond hitch on the aparajo or cross tree the lead was solid on the animal and the mule went with the load.

The boards of the Decker tree are cut and fitted from green cottonwood, the sideboards being fastened together with a 3/4-inch iron loop or fork as it is called. The half-breed pad consists of two pieces of heavy canvas sewed together around the edges and stuffed with hay, excelsior, or curled hair. The most satisfactory material for this stuffing is bear grass which, when cut green, has been tied in a square knot and allowed to dry that way. After it is thoroughly dry, the knot is untied and the dry grass then has a springy quality, which cannot be equaled for purpose. The pad is fitted to the tree by having two slits cut in it, which fit over the iron forks allowing half of the pad to hang down on each side. Constant use tends to wear holes in the canvas half-breed, which is comparatively inexpensive to replace. The half-breed is protected with a piece of heavy canvas called a mantel fitted over it. The mantel can be replaced at small cost as they become worn, thus prolonging the life of the half-breed pad.

Some packers use a heavy, oblong saddle pad and single wool blanket next to the mule under the tree. The Forest Service has designed a heavy saddle pad stuffed with deer hair, which has proved to be very satisfactory. The side next to the mule is covered with a heavy ticking, which can be cleaned easily and also sheds the perspiration in place of absorbing it.

DECKER PACKSADDLE (click on image for a PDF version)