Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-25

pest punCherS or the west learned
that they could get far more money
in motion pictures for their skill.
they found their places as essentials
of this great business. Today. the
cowboys who work with me in my
western pictures are the equal of
any in the west.
Has SIS Hat.
For instance, we wear a big Stet-
son hat for protection against the
weather-it shades my eyes from
the sun and it keeps the rain from
beating on my face. Speaking of
mems millinery, this beaver cost me
SIS, and they run higher in price. l
have velours in my wardrobe that
cost $50, and felts that cost SIS.
How much do your silks, soft cloths
and imported hats cost? Our hat
bands are either hair or beaded. and,
of course, they are ornamental.
"This big bandana silk necker-
chief which is sometimes called a
muffler cost S.. And, it is not nee
essary for decoration, either, since
it is pulled up over the mouth and
nose for protection against the
dust"
Bill Hart wears silk shirts, too,
but he prefers fannels because they
are warmer and more durable. West
ern shirts cost anywhere from SIS to
$50
Leather cuffs and dust rags are
absolute necessities. The Feathers"
must be worn especially when rop-
ing steers else the rope would burn
to the bone of the arm. Dust rags,
which are really leather strings, are
tied just above the elbows to pre-
vent the dust from sitting in all over
the body.
Has so Pairs of Shoes.
High-heeled boots are one of the
most important essentials of cow
puncher's outfit. In honor of his
big rodeo, Bill was wearing his new
est boots that day. They are not
exactly his best, because his extern
sive wardrobe contains about 50
pairs of boots.
Spurs are also just as necessary
as decorative. If, when cutting
OUT cattle in a roundup, a steer
makes a break for you and the
usually willy pony fails to see him
you can warn him in time. The
more ornate spurs are hand forged
silver, inlaid with hand carved leath-
er spur straps. Broncho busters use
spurs for scratching" which makes
the bronze show his best, or worst,
rather.
Every cowboy carries one single
action, frontier model Colt six-gun
in holster worn just below the
right hip, with the big cartridge
belt swung rankishly across the
middle of the body. This style is
TO prevent the wearer from being
tired by the weight of the gun and
belt.
The wooden sash which is worn
around the waist may look like
trimmings, but we use il instead of
a leather belt. 1t is much more
comfortable. Many cowpunchers
hog-tie young calves with their
sash instead of carrying all extra
rope for that purpose.
Has Beautiful Saddle.
Like every good cowpuncher,
Bill Hart takes great pride in his
saddle. He has many beauties,
whereas the ordinary puncher can
only afford one. Naturally, both
get the best that money can buy.
The highest priced saddles are
made of hand carved leather, en-
HANGED by sterling silver mountings.
Of course, the decorative silver is
confined to the ornaments, although
some prize saddles boast sterling
silver horns.
"Ordinary saddles cost anywhere
from SIS up said Bill. Prize sad
dies range in price from $500 to
$1,000, and there are pet saddles be-
longing to certain famous western
characters that are worth fabulous
sums of money. In fact, my friend
Joe Miller, the famous Oklahoma
Snowman, has a diamond-studded
saddle that he values at $1,000"
Behind the saddle the cowboy car
ries his blanket roll. consisting of
two blankets-rubber and woolen-
and the indispensable saddle slick
er. Unlike the ordinary slicker for
street wear, the cowboys slcker is
made with a big bulge in the back
which allows it to fit over the cam
tie of the saddle. This prevents the
rain from soaking through to the
seat of the saddle,
If the puncher needs must travel
with a pack horse or mule, he ties
the saddle pack, containing the few
necessities of life in the great out
doors. with diamond hitch--and,
then he is all set.