It's a horse of course

Editor’s Note: “History Lesson” is a weekly series inspired by the Jasper County Historical Museum’s 40-year anniversary. Newton Daily News will publish a story every Friday (until the museum is closed) featuring the people who work to preserve and promote the region’s past endeavors, while also showcasing the historical and educational significance of artifacts and exhibits on display in the museum.

Not only has Herman Deaton contributed to what goes in the Jasper County Historical Museum, he also played a part in its creation 40 years ago.

Before the Newton artist created period piece dioramas, “The Landmark” mural and the recently installed, life-size duplicate of a horse sculpture he originally created in 1998, Deaton had worked alongside a surveyor to prepare the museum site. Humble as ever, Deaton downplayed his early contributions.

“I was just the guy that held the rod!” he said with a laugh. “But I was interested in history. We had no museum here whatsoever. There’s all kinds of history here. So I just kind of got involved.”

The enlarged horse sculpture colloquially named “Clyde” (short for the horse breed Clydesdale) was previously stored in the Centre for Arts and Artists and molded by Deaton, daughter Nancy Deaton Dunsbergen and fellow sculptor Rick Stewart almost a year ago. The process of enlarging the smaller figure to a life-size horse took almost two years. This spring, the piece was gifted to the Jasper County Historical Museum for display.

Luckily, the horse isn’t hard to miss. Apart from its massive size, ol’ Clyde is missing a few things: his stomach and portions of his back and neck. Clyde is also presented in two pieces. The horse’s reigns are dragging along the ground, and poor Clyde looks like he could run over them with his hooves any second. Deaton calls his artwork “Old Paint in Paradise.”

“He doesn’t dare step on those reigns because he’s in paradise,” Deaton said, a wide grin forming across his cheeks. “If he steps on his reigns it’s going to stop him, jerk his head down and stop him on his way to heaven, you know.”

Clyde’s smaller self is made from fiberglass epoxy and remains in Deaton’s studio. The bigger model needed a simple skeleton made of iron and a bit of chicken wire to hold together the different kinds of epoxy and spray foam insulation, Deaton Dunsbergen said. Photographs of the original piece accompany the larger display in the museum.

Before he was an accomplished area sculptor, Deaton was a farm boy. His knack for artistry was evident at an early age. He recalled how he and his brother, Neal, used to make clay chicken figurines and encase them in a clay eggshell. They’d leave their works of art out to dry in the hot sun. When they had hardened, the two brothers would crack open their eggs.

Like a lot of folks in town at the time, Deaton eventually landed a job working for the nearby Maytag Corporation for five years. After acquiring his five-year bonus, Deaton decided he didn’t want to work at the company any more and transitioned to road work for another 10 years or so. Meanwhile his brother had become an employee at the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum.

Eventually the two would operate a museum exhibit contracting business of their own. Deaton would have his own studio for about 20 years and created trophies for the National Wildlife Federation, some of which were given to the likes of former First Lady of the United States Lady Bird Johnson and actor Robert Redford.

Deaton is not one to brag about his own accomplishments, but his daughter sure was happy to highlight his work.

“I think it’s pretty dang exciting is what I think,” Deaton said.

In addition to showcasing Jasper County’s origins with detailed dioramas and an expansive mural, Deaton has also become a part of the region’s history through his artwork.

“I’m glad to have it here,” he said, pausing for a few seconds. “…It doesn’t fit in our house!”

Clyde seems to be in good hands at the Jasper County Historical Museum. Apart from the horse’s missing stomach he’s not looking worse for wear. When folks visit the museum to look at ol’ Clyde, who is walking his way to heaven’s doors, Deaton hopes people look closely at the horse and the reigns trailing next to his hooves.

“Don’t step on your reigns,” he said. “Keep moving ’til you get there. You’re not in heaven until you get there.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com