The sun., 1898-05-29

coihihsHe, Dut tile IacC is tnaC IL IS tn
only sort of hat suitable for cowboys t,
wear, as it protects them from the SUI
and from the rain.
The very fact that it has been in use
generation after generation, withou
changing fashion is enough to indicate
that necessity and not vanity dictated
its origin. The raw-hide hats are of the
cheaper grade and are made by the COW
boys themselves. In former times every
cowboy was obliged to manufacture his
own hat, as manufacturers had not dis
covered that there was money in making
hats Tor the punchers. Whea cowboy
wanted to make a hat for himself, he
went out and dug in the ground hole
as near the size and shape of his head as
he could make it. Then large circular
piece of rawhide, soft, wet and pIiable.
was spread over the hole. Next with a
bunch OF grass or buckskin the centre of
the rawhide was pressed down until it
assumed Its size and shape. The sur
rounding circle of hide, which was to be
the brim, was kept flat on the ground by
constant patting and pressing with the
hands. When the hat was moulded it
was left till it was well dried by the SUM-
Then it was taken to place where
smoke and heat scorched it till it was
perfectly waterproof. When it was
trimmed with strings and straps, it was
ready for use.
The bright colored handkerchiefs used
by the cowboy are also of some value.
When the cowboy is riding at full speed
his eyes are filled with mud or sand, and
then the handkerchief is ready for in
stant use. The man can pull up corner
and wipe his eyes without pulling in his
horse. In sand storms the handkerchief
is sometimes called into use as vail.
Having it tied about his neck, the owner
OF the handkerchief knows it is secure.
If he had to take it out and restore it to
his pocket every time he used it, he
would lose it frequently. Sometimes he
uses the handkerchief when his horse is
racing along, and the animal stumbeS
The handkerchief must be dropped in
stantly. He could not fail to lose it if were
it not securely tied around his neck.
Then the leather leggings are used to
protect their clothes from the wear and
tear of the saddles, from being torn by
thorns, mesquite and cactus, and some
times to protect them from the bites of
the deadly rattlesnake. Then the high
heeled boots which some suppose are
worn to make the foot look smaller,
cost from SIS to $40 per pair, and are
made to order. The heels are long and
sloping toward the sole of the foot in
order to keep the feet from slipping out
of the stirrups in time of danger, when
the cowboys horse may be tearing along
at breakneck speed. These boots are
made to ride in, not to walk in.
Then there are the spurs, those huge
implements of torture. Singular as it may
seem, the smaller spurs used IN the East
are much more cruel than the large ones
in vogue in the West The small spurs
cut the horse, these big spurs do not.
They are made big and strong that they
may not wear out. Sometimes the only
way cowboy can save his horse from
being run down by mad steer is by u.s.
ing the spurs sharply.At such time it is
far better for horse to be prodded with
a steel spur than to have pair of horns
run into him, which might result in
throwing off the rider to be trampled to
death, and the loss of several hundred
cattle
The fringe on the leggings and coat is
not for the purpose OF attracting atten-
ton, but it is very useful in the making
of cowboys suit. The fringe comes
a ong the outside seam of the trousers
and sleeves. There is no sewing there,
but the buckskin is slashed in narrow
strips and knotted together. That is the !
purpose the fringe plays. The ends are
left to hide the knots and any holes that
might be seen gaping between them.
The lariat is another necessity of the
cowboys equipments and it takes con-
siderable amount ofpractice and patience
on the part of the novice to become ex-
pert in manipulating the rope. The
Mexican is considered the best "roper'
in the country, but the cowboy has
proven himself equal if not superior to
The Mexican. The favorite method of
the Mexican in manipulating the rope is
TO set the moose whirling in the air above
his head and with it still whirling, pass
it down to his feet and then step out of
it without letting it touch his person or
jhe ground and lift it whirling into the
air again.
Then he reverses the trick, whirling
jhe moose about foot above the ground,
step into it and whirl it up over his head
nto the air. Then he sends 1t spinning
ar upward till the rope looks like
gigantic corkscrew top, with the little
md touching his hand, and then, as it
alls, he will jump through the moose
md snap it into the air again.
This skillful manipulation of the ariat
vas witnessed by those who attended
Buffalo Bil's congress Of rough riders
when they were in this city some time
ince.
The cowboy is not SO skillful in per-
orming these tricks, but he can unseat a
ider or trip horse anywhere within
he reach of his rope.
The lasso is thrown by whirling the !
loose above the head till it is stiffened.
hen the moose is released and the rope
uns through the left hand. The rope is
very formidable weapon in the hands
t an accomplished "roper."
\ troop of cowboys fully equipped for I
attic would be more dangerous enemy :
} meet than regiment of soldiers five ;;
mes their number, us the cowboys un- ,,
ersanI the manner OF fighting in dense :,
tickets. and could manage to eXtricate ,
from an ambush with greater =
,lerity than the trained soldier. '
HTHE LAST CHARGE" .