The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-11-12
BIG HATS AND LONG HAIR.
The EVOLUTION of the Texan SombrerO,
and the Advantages OF Cowboys w ar
Ing Long Locks

Ing Long Locks.
Take" says a cowbov Of the plains,
for instance, the cowboys big rimme cd
hat The fact alone that it has been
worn without changing fashion for gen.
Grafton after generation is enough to in
diclte that use, not vanity, dictated its
origin.
Until recent years, when the impOr-
tance of these hats was recognized by
hat manufacturers, and wool, felt and fur
we're turned to account in making them,
we made our Own hats.
"A hole, as near the shape and size
of our heads as we could make it. was
dug in the ground. large circular
piece of raw hide. wet, soft and pliable
was spread over the hole. With q bunch
OF grass or buckskin the centre Of the
rawnide WAS pressed down INFO the hole
until it assumed its size and shape. The
surro unding circle IF hide, which was to
be the rim, was krpt fiat on the ground
by constant patung Of the hands ali
around it.
When the hat was moulded 1t was left
until it was well dried by { sun. TIL n
1t was taken TO a place where smoke and
heat scorched it so that 1t was perfectly
wa, er- proof. Then it wao trimmed with
rings and straps and WAS ready for
use and that use Is Of en- to throw
quickly spreading prairie fire back on the
burned ground before 1t mas a chance to
gain headway; often to turn wild cattle
and horses IN the direction we want
them to go.
When the sun Is corching hot and
there is blister in every pun of wind,
this great hat is much cooler than q
straw hat. When The wind Is blowing
the sand like hot shot in our faces we
would suffer greatly but for the protec-
tion afforded our eyes by the big-brimmed
hat. When the mud is flying from the
heels OF stampeding catil,-, or the t,-rri-
BILE hailstorms II the plains are Pelting
upon US, those hats are the best friends
we have.
We wear leather bands on all our
hats, because cotton, wooden, or silk
won't wear and won't keep the hats on.
e. Nowadays our hats are made In the
East, and made of the best fur OF the
b st wafer anima :.
I'VE can wash them or soak them IN
water for that mat, er, after they have
been exposed 20 all kinds OF weather,
and they hol their shape as il they were
just out OF the fact ny. They will do
service for many years.
The StetSon hat is the hat most COM
monl, used In the West. They cost
from ) to $50. II made to order they
cost Il great deal more. ! have seen
hats that cost $500.
.'Buftlo Bill has had many hats of
tina. kind pre- gented to him from people
that lie has guided safely across the
great plains in times Of danger from
hostile India and Mor..ons.
These fur hats have taken the place
ef the old homemade Tawniue hats, as
they answer every purpose.
''As TO or long hair, there are good
reasons why we wear 1t. Our business
is out doors, rain or shine, and In many
cha ges OF climate anu We have found
from experience that the greatest pro-
Ba 80 L. llpar hglF
''Old miners and prospect II know
ta.5 well. Hunters, scout, jTuIlers and
guides let TIE Z hair grow, as rule.
Tuosc who have been preiudiccd against
l. Ina esuIer-I The consequences OF sore
eyes, pa lis ia the head, and Isud ring
ing IN the eaI s.
"A peculiar result Of exposu e. W thoIt
the proJs tion OF long hair 10 o. OF
hearing in one ear. caused by OHv Or tho
other of the ears being e--pOssu more
wien the l,laistaman IS lying on tie
ground. Healthy hearing aud eyesiSht
are of the greatest Importance to a scout,
hunter OF hei dsIuaH.
'' w zen we sec an object at distance
We w.nt to know VII .h,r It - a CI,. I'd
Jurst coming uJon US. rslirie iIv an
envy in tn, LclghDOThoOd, or WhUG 1t
is. The longer We look at it th" more
distinct it bee. me-, il our eyes are
good
It won't do for them TO be weak and
watecy. ami, having found that the
growth en- wearing OF long hair not
only D. eocrycs bul sire CITIZENS Our sight
an makes Our Le..rutS more acute, "e
let natute lave her way in the matt>r,
and profit 10y It.
''Luerc are some VIII. o m whose in
terests call t-Iem TO Lv, a4.onE the In
Z ans, aid 1t is Il Il. hat by le- ing
tueil ha.r grow Jtuy -i.lu favor wilA the
people they live among, and get along
much Letter. n. \. sun