BOSS OF THE PLAINS

In 1865, with $100, John B. Stetson rented a small room, bought the tools he needed, bought $10 worth of fur and the John B. Stetson Hat Company was born. To this day, the Stetson remains one of the most respected names in western hats. His first hats were named "Boss of the Plains".

Having lived in Arizona most of my life, needless to say, I like the western tradition. That includes wearing western style hats even though I’m certainly not a cowboy. The following poem was the result of a comment . . ..   “Why the hat, you ain’t no cowboy!”

They called him Tex, but he wasn’t from that state

Maybe he got the name from his awkward gait

Or, maybe, the cowboy hats he always would wear

To shade his eyes and cover his slightly graying hair

Tex had a number of different hats that he wore

A variety that made him part of the local folklore

Rawhide, felt or straw; all were worn in style

His “Howdy!” was with a tip of the hat and a smile

Sometimes “the hat” would take Tex into town

And the man beneath the hat would mosey around

Maybe play some cards or other games of chance

He might even end up at a local square dance

One thing the locals knew from the start 

Tex was not a cowboy except in his heart 

He was proof that, when all is said and done, 

You don’t have to be a cowboy . . . 

                               . . . . . to wear a STETSON!

STUFF:

Two non-cowboys of recent years that also loved their hats were.......

              

                            George Bush and Ronald Reagan