Page 49 - 2003 DT 12 Issues

What’s Inside!

Featured Articles
Cowboy Boots......................................1
Special
Boot Tracks..........................................3
Quiz......................................................6
2004 Budget........................................7
Departments
July 2003 News & Notes......................................2
Programs & Hikes...............................4
Desk Schedule.....................................6
Bulletin Board.....................................8

COWBOY BOOTS ○ ○ ○ is a matter of some dispute. It is likely ○ to provide protection from saddle bruis-
surrounds the lower leg) is high enough
Who designed the first cowboy boot
○
. . . walking cool. ○ ○ that no one person is entitled to claim ○ ing, brambles, snakes, snow, gravel, etc.
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that honor, but we do know some names ○ They were wide enough to tuck trousers
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○
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by Chuck Kleber ○ that qualify as among the very first. H.J. ○ inside, if desired. Of course, they were
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○ Justin, C. H. Hyer, and Henry Leopold ○ also designed for spurs.
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“Empty guns, covered with rust ○ are three of the most famous, and Justin ○ ○ As the cattle drives began in earnest,
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where do you talk tonight? ○ ○ is still a big name in the field. They were ○ ○ there were about 100 boot makers in
Empty boots, covered with dust, ○ ○ ○ Texas and another 100 or so in Kansas.
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where do you walk tonight?” ○ ○ That made sense, for the drives started
○ in Texas, wound along the Chisholm
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○
○
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hose boots from the classic West- ○ ○ ○ Trail, and ended in Abilene. Although
○
○ his boots were purpose-made, the cowboy
ern song, Empty Saddles in the ○ ○
○ began to take an interest in decoration.
○
TOld Corral, were Western boots ○ ○
○ ○ By 1880, decorative stitching began to
. . . and today they walk everywhere. ○
○ appear. Then the great cattle drives be-
○
Their popularity has been unique. Real ○ ○
○ gan to fade away, but not the cowboy
○
cowboys wear them, and men and ○ ○
○ and his horse. There were still the big
○
women who have never been on a horse ○ ○ ranches and the West was still just as
○
wear them. Incredible, because the en- ○ ○ ○ immense. Justin and Hyer got the idea
○
tire concept and style of the boot is ○ ○ ○ to sell cowboy boots through the mail;
designed for riding horses. Never mind, ○ ○ and they did well. Prices ranged from
○
cowboy boots are cool. ○ ○ ○ $3 to $25, depending on the hide, stitch-
How did it all start? The cowboy ○ ○ ○ ○ ing, and other characteristics.
boot, as we know it, did not appear until ○ ○ ○ ○ The great popularity of the cowboy
after the Civil War when the era of the ○ ○ ○ boot today belongs to a kick-start from
○
great cattle drives began and many ○ Texas boot makers who, in the 1870’s, ○ Hollywood that began in the 1920’s and
○
○
former Union and Confederate soldiers ○ responded to the reality of cowboy ○ lasted into the 1960’s. Hard-riding he-
○ needs. There were, and still are, ○
headed West. At that time, riding boots ○ ○ roes like Ken Maynard, Buck Jones, Tim
○ variations in boot design, but some char- ○
were a case of “make-do”—whatever ○ ○ McCoy and, especially, Tom Mix
○
○ acteristics are common to all true ○ brought new attention to the cowboy
was available and whatever pleased your ○ cowboy boots. Heels may vary in height, ○
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taste. They might be cavalry boots, those ○ but they all slant rather sharply toward ○ boot. When Mix was killed in a high-
○
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worn by gentlemen, farmer’s shoes, ○ the front to provide a good grip in the ○ way car accident, he was wearing boots
○
○ with a floral pattern, stitched in various
Wellington’s, or even moccasins. None ○ stirrups. The toe is more pointed than ○
○
○ colors of silk thread. By the time Gene
of these were satisfactory for the cow- ○ normal to allow an easy slip into the ○ ○ Autry and Roy Rogers came on the scene,
boy who spent much of his life in the ○ ○ stirrups, but the really pointed toe is a ○
saddle and needed boots made for his modern innovation that is more driven ○ ○
particular needs. by style. The uppers (the leather part that ○ ○ Boots, continued on p. 6