Charles Weldon “Tooter” Cannon in his saddle shop.
Born in Dickens County in 1915 and raised on a working West Texas ranch, Charles Weldon Cannon would go on to make a name for himself not as Charles but as “Tooter”—the childhood nickname his father gave him, which followed him all of his days.
Ranching alongside his older brothers, Tooter was immersed in cowboying crafts and thereby learned how saddles were supposed to fit, as well as the modifications necessary to ensure a proper fit. These early experiences broadened his knowledge of saddle making and served as the firm foundation for his journey forward, becoming a well-renowned and detailed craftsman.
But, the ride started when Tooter heeded his adventurous spirit’s call to travel and see the country, working on numerous ranches in Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Oklahoma before getting contracted to the US Cavalry at Fort Reno in early World War II to break horses—for what would soon be one of the last of the horse-mounted units during his service for the army. When the cavalry was mechanized, the horses were sold at auction, and Tooter moved on to his new job in California, working for a Douglas Aircraft plant. While there, Tooter began making saddles in his spare time, learning the process from scratch under a local saddlemaker.
When Douglas Aircraft moved Tooter to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to work at a new plant, Tooter opened his first saddle shop before opening another. Tooter owned and operated the two shops with a partner and made saddles, boots, and tack for a variety of clients. But in 1949, Tooter moved to Spur, Texas, and started a shop where he made custom saddles and boots for the cowboys and ranchers of West Texas. In 1964, Tooter moved his shop to Dickens, Texas, and remained there until his death in 1997.
C.W. Cannon saddle made in Spur, Texas.
His attention to quality and craftsmanship ensured the longevity of his saddles. In fact, the saddles he made in the 1950s remain in use today. His hard work and detailed approach were sought after and put his products in high demand. Cowboys of West Texas and beyond swore by his saddles, as did many famous trick riders and other performers on the rodeo circuit. His customers were loyal and many of them would not order a saddle from anyone else. Today, it is rare to find anything made by Tooter Cannon for sale on the open market; most of his saddles or boots are passed down through families.
The NRHC received two C.W. Cannon saddles from Bennie and Pat Loe, which are in excellent condition. One of them is quite rare, made at the time Tooter’s shop was still in Spur, Texas.
From the hands of Tooter Cannon to the cowboys of the Loe family ranch and now to the NRHC, a legacy of ranching history and heritage will endure for years to come.
