The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-08-08
THE USE OF OLD HATS,
Ono Of the Most important pa<ta
Of Name Costume


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There are millions Of hats manufac-
tured and thousands imported to this
country. The tact thst the styles
change twice Z year tends 10 increase
the consumption Of this wearing sp-
parel to . considerable extent,
as there are many people who
change their Aeadgear with the
season, whether the old srticle is
worn out or not. The hat is one Of tho
most important parts of well-t1ressed
mans toilet, and becomes of more i'm
portance yet when considered In con-
nection with . poor mans getrup.
Many defects in the toilet of the latter
may be overlooked IL the wearer but
wears, next to good pair of shoes, q
good hat.
Formerly the United States imported
the major part Of the hats used within
It's borders from Europe, especially
from England. Germany and France,
the latter and Vienna furnishing the
best quality of silk hats. To-day the
assumed such enormous proportions
that it not only supplies the home de-
mand, but many Thousands of American
hats find their way across the ocean to
foreign customers. There are factories
in this country. like the Stetson COM
pany in Philadelphia. that produce in
the neighborhood Of 81, 900 dozen q year,
while the American styles are freely nc
knowledged TO be superior to those of
Europe. The quality of hats manufac-
tured in this country Is also superior to
that manufactured abroad, with the ex-
ception of the silk hat, the consumption
Of which has Of late decreased consider
ably. The fact seems to be that foreign
hats are imported solely for a certain
class OF American consumers who pre-
fer anything foreign to q domestic arti-
Gle. For what with the quality. style
and quantity of hats produced in the
United States, there seems to be no
necessity for importation.
The material from which the better
class Of hats is made In imported largely
from several European countries and
from South America, the latter furnish
ing the exceedingly fine quality of
nutria fur. Russian and German Aares,
white and yellow carrot, and beaver In
raw and carrot state also enter largely
in the manufacture.
Considering the good material hats
are made of, it will be interesting to
note what becomes OF the millions of
hats that areannually, or even monthly,
discarded by their owners in q condition
which should allow their continued
wearing for q consa irable time to
come.
The discarded hats Of the rich man
rarely fall into other hands than those
of his valet, who either uses them him
self or disposes of them, together with
other pieces of his masters discarded
wardrobe. to friends or dealers in Sec
ond-hand clothing. As these hats are
generally in very good condition, they
find ready sale without the process of
renovation which other hats coming
from less distinguished sources have to
undergo, and they share their fate only
at second change Of owners.
The average professional and busi-
ness man docs not trouble himself
about the disposal Of discarded hats.
They remain generally in some closet in
the Office at home until an applicant for
the same appears. But there are many
men OF this class with an economical
turn Of mind. who do not 6sdain to
enter into negotiations with the hat
doctor. Thisindividual makes q canvass
in the downtown Office buildings,
where he contracts for the rejuvenation
OF worn headpieces, guaranteeing to re-
turn them, for q certain consideration,
"as good a. new" He does not buy
hats; he is only a sort of broker, az the
actual work CT rejuvenatng q hat In
done by some dyeing and repairing es-
which makes . specially
of this business.
These establishments form the mael-
strom toward which are drawn the dis
carded hats from all sources. Here the
hat Of the plutocrat mixes with that Of
the lawyer, the merchant and the dry
goods clerk, undergoing the same proc
ess Of cleaning or dyeing. All distinc-
tions Of rank disappear in the dyeing
vat, where nutria, hare and shoddy are
on an equal footing, all soaking in the
new color, which, together with fresh
assures them new lease of
life.
The career Of q hat 10 . short one, its
average of life after leaving the factory
and up to the time it gets into the hands
Of the hat doctor being not more than
six months. The silk hat lasts somewhat
longer, and its experience IL generallya
little more varied than that of the derby
or soft hat. When q silk hat reaches
the rejuvenating stage it il moro plia-
bic subject than any Of ito comrades.
Chicago Tribune.
" -
TREAOMlLl PUNISHMENT.
It Il Aboat - Be Abellshsd in Esq
lena.
At last, we are told, the crank and
the treadmill and oakum-pick;ng are to
be abolished. These punishments are
20 idiotic that all who thought upon
the subject without special knowledge.
IA Al 4 H. Il