| The
most famous Western poster of all time was produced by the John B. Stetson Co.
Shown is an old-time cowboy, probably 1870s, wearing boots, leather chaps, fringed
gauntlet-type gloves, bandana around his neck with a silver rosette and holding
his large Stetson hat upside down.
On the ground nearby lies his empty
canteen. Just behind the kneeling cowboy stands his mount, a paint horse complete
with bridle, saddle and gear, sipping the last drop of water from the upturned
sombrero. Titled, "The Last Drop From His Stetson" the poster illustrates the
concern and love of a cowboy for his horse.
In 1872, a Reno, Nev., tailor
wrote Levi Strauss that he had been adding copper rivets to standard issue Levis
to add strength to the most stressed seam corners. He offered to share the patent
with Strauss if he would apply for the patent. A patent was issued to Levi Strauss
& Co. on May, 20, 1873, thus increasing sales by making a good product better.
Unknowingly,
the addition of the copper rivets probably increased the sales of men's underwear
at the same time.
How? Well it seems that men did not always wear underwear
under their Levis when working. When they backed up to a campfire or wood stove
to warm, the visible copper rivets quickly conducted heat transferring it to the
inside where the other end of the rivet lay close to tender body parts.
Because
of this danger and that the rivets sometimes scarred furniture when sitting, the
rivets were eventually concealed under the fabric for protection.
Western
legend states that as a general rule, old-time cowboys had small feet. Not always
true but certainly small feet were more common than not. Thought to be because
riders spent most of their time riding instead of walking (like other working
men in other occupations) believing it was a mortal sin to walk when you could
ride.
To bear this fact out, in the 1920s, Justin Brothers Boot Co. boot
sizes only ranged from size 4 to size 9 in their catalogs. Size 81/2 was the average
size boot sold. Today, Justin boot sizes range from size 8 to 18. Quite a change
from the old days.
History believes the first cowboy boots were leftover
Army surplus from the Civil War. Often both left and right boots were made on
the same last and had to be soaked in water and worn until dry to set the shape
of the boot to the proper foot.
Later,
all cowboy boots sported tall tops for leg protection and had heavy pulls to assist
getting the boots on for wear. These tall somewhat soft tops tended to sag after
wear and settle down in wrinkles above the ankle.
The problem was solved
by stitching on the tops lending strength to prevent sagging. H.J. Justin is given
credit for designing the first ornate and colorful stitching so prevalent in today's
Western boots.
Also added for comfort and longer wear, inside linings
have been added with the stitching on top of the boot toe holding all in place.
© Delbert Trew
"It's All Trew" February
15, 2011 column
Delbert Trew is a freelance writer and retired rancher. He
can be reached at 806-779-3164, by mail at Box A, Alanreed, TX 79002, or by e-mail
at trewblue@centramedia.net. For books see DelbertTrew.com. His column appears
weekly.
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