jlee562
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,103
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
I can neither confirm nor deny ever visiting the CIA museum, but if I had, I did not see that hat!
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HATS WITH HISTORY
- Thread starter Lefty
- Start date
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
Yeah, but a good hat for under a quarter million is so hard to find.
- Messages
- 18,221
I've been to the museum & I'm positive it or anything else like that hat was not on display. Not spy vs spy enough to be out.
- Messages
- 10,585
- Location
- Boston area
As stated, the hat is (was?) temporarily on loan to the museum. Might be worth a return trip!
Rmccamey
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,871
- Location
- Central Texas
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SteveFord
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 481
I try to be a good man and every so often fortune smiles upon me.
I recently purchased two hats for the price of not much from a gentleman who had some sort of connection to Seagram's Whiskey.
This Stetson Whippet belonged to the late Indiana Congressman, lawyer, member of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission and man about town Leo Stemle who somehow got mixed up with Seagrams and the mob. HA!
I tried to find a picture of him wearing this hat but struck out. From the looks of it he bought this hat to be grilled by some sort of committee as it's just about brand new. He may have sweated in it for a few days, ha, ha.
There's another hat those goes with this one and they both showed up in the same box, thick as thieves. I wonder why that might be?
I recently purchased two hats for the price of not much from a gentleman who had some sort of connection to Seagram's Whiskey.
This Stetson Whippet belonged to the late Indiana Congressman, lawyer, member of the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission and man about town Leo Stemle who somehow got mixed up with Seagrams and the mob. HA!
I tried to find a picture of him wearing this hat but struck out. From the looks of it he bought this hat to be grilled by some sort of committee as it's just about brand new. He may have sweated in it for a few days, ha, ha.
There's another hat those goes with this one and they both showed up in the same box, thick as thieves. I wonder why that might be?
Last edited:
SteveFord
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 481
While I didn't dig up any info on Congressman Stemle being grilled by a committee it appears that he wasn't above hanging out with drunken teen-agers.
Is this a great country or what?
Is this a great country or what?
Rmccamey
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,871
- Location
- Central Texas
SteveFord
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 481
I think you're being a little generous with that assessment regarding the politicians.
I'll see what info I can dig up on the one that came with it. The seller was using a cell phone and he kept losing reception so I only got a little bit of history on them. He said there was quite a story behind them but I only got little snippets of it: Leo Stelme country lawyer to ABC to Congressman to mob infiltration hearings with Seagrams, enjoy the hats!
I'll see what info I can dig up on the one that came with it. The seller was using a cell phone and he kept losing reception so I only got a little bit of history on them. He said there was quite a story behind them but I only got little snippets of it: Leo Stelme country lawyer to ABC to Congressman to mob infiltration hearings with Seagrams, enjoy the hats!
SteveFord
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 481
Nothing on the mob turned up but it looks like I'm wearing an ex- Seagram's Big Wig's hat on my head today.
An excerpt from this history of Seagram Distillers:
https://thebhc.org/sites/default/files/taylor_0.pdf
Sam came to rely increasingly on long-time associates from the early days of the company or even back to the Prohibition era, with whom he would spend hours drinking and reminiscing, particularly Victor Fischel, who was to be the bane of Edgar’s early years as head of Seagram in the United States. Fischel had joined DCSL in 1928 as a sales representative, then moved to the United States and increasingly influenced Sam on sales matters as General Schwengel aged. In 1956, Sam reorganized the U.S. companies, centralizing sales for all the companies in the House of Seagram, which he placed under Fischel. Like Sam on advertising, Fischel disdained what they both characterized as the “slide rule” approach to marketing and sales, preferring “personal contact” with distributors; Fischel maintained a “Friendship Room” in his office where business negotiations could be helped along with samples of Seagram products.
It's a nice enough hat but it looks like the guy wore some sort of Hair Goop as the liner is all stained on the top. Hat is from Neiman Marcus, by the way. Moths muched on it a little bit, they must have been attracted by the smell of Brylcream.
An excerpt from this history of Seagram Distillers:
https://thebhc.org/sites/default/files/taylor_0.pdf
Sam came to rely increasingly on long-time associates from the early days of the company or even back to the Prohibition era, with whom he would spend hours drinking and reminiscing, particularly Victor Fischel, who was to be the bane of Edgar’s early years as head of Seagram in the United States. Fischel had joined DCSL in 1928 as a sales representative, then moved to the United States and increasingly influenced Sam on sales matters as General Schwengel aged. In 1956, Sam reorganized the U.S. companies, centralizing sales for all the companies in the House of Seagram, which he placed under Fischel. Like Sam on advertising, Fischel disdained what they both characterized as the “slide rule” approach to marketing and sales, preferring “personal contact” with distributors; Fischel maintained a “Friendship Room” in his office where business negotiations could be helped along with samples of Seagram products.
It's a nice enough hat but it looks like the guy wore some sort of Hair Goop as the liner is all stained on the top. Hat is from Neiman Marcus, by the way. Moths muched on it a little bit, they must have been attracted by the smell of Brylcream.
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
This hat was made for the Midwest Governors Conference held in Wichita in 1969. This hat was made for West Virginia Governor Arch A. Moore, JR.
The man spent some time in prison for extortion and corruption...maybe why he didn’t get to wear this Stevens
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_A._Moore_Jr.
The man spent some time in prison for extortion and corruption...maybe why he didn’t get to wear this Stevens
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_A._Moore_Jr.
drmaxtejeda
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,363
- Location
- Mexico City
Extortion and corruption, huh? He would've fit right in in Mexican politics
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
M Hatman
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,545
HEY...I though Illinois was the only state to put our Governors in Prison after their terms.......This hat was made for the Midwest Governors Conference held in Wichita in 1969. This hat was made for West Virginia Governor Arch A. Moore, JR.
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The man spent some time in prison for extortion and corruption...maybe why he didn’t get to wear this Stevens
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_A._Moore_Jr.
AWESOME Find Brent!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND a size that fits you too!!!!!!!
moehawk
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,841
- Location
- Northern California
Good spot to put this...
It's always a nice bonus to get a little history with a hat!
It's always a nice bonus to get a little history with a hat!
- Messages
- 14,829
Butch Dorer (New Mexico) made hat, ordered and sold through M.L. Leddy's of Ft. Worth, Texas to "Buster Welch". No provenance (Dorer's has not responded and Mr. Welch died earlier this year), but I can still imagine it to have belonged to the famous hall-of-fame cowboy and trainer out of Abilene. Who in Texas would go by that name other than "Buster" himself? I did find a few others listed in Texas, but the cities they lived in over time seemed to cross-reference to the one guy. It's not like I'm selling it -- it fits my wife and she likes it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Welch
1987:
Mr. Welch (center) in a brief appearance in season four of the "Yellowstone" TV series.
Within a month of his birth, his mother died. The children were dispersed among relatives and Buster was raised by his grandparents, Bud and Sarah Welch, until his father remarried. From his earliest days, he drew inspiration from horsemen and ranchers. At the age of 13, he ran away from home and began his long and influential life among cowboys, ranchers and horsemen. Before he turned 18, he worked for the Proctor brothers in Midland, the Long X Ranch in Jeff Davis County, and the famed Four Sixes in Guthrie.
His intense passion was for the work that called on a good horse. Though ranching was his life’s goal and life’s work, it could not contain him. By the time he was 26, he became a world champion cutting horse trainer, riding Marion’s Girl to the title. By the age of 32, he helped create the National Cutting Horse Association’s pre-eminent event, the Futurity. Before his career finished, he would win the event a record five times.
Buster developed styles of saddles and tack that changed horse training and showing and remain in use by most of today’s competitors. More than that, he developed a reputation as one focused on the greater good of the sport. Buster was generous in advice and assistance to the very people striving against him in the arena. He brought a level of class and dignity to cutting that remains a hallmark of the sport today.
In 1974 he signed on with the fabled King Ranch. Riding Mr San Peppy under their banner, he won the NCHA World Championship two more times. A son of Mr San Peppy, Peppy San Badger, more commonly known as “Little Peppy,” became Buster’s magnum opus. Together they won the 1977 Futurity. Little Peppy went on to become one of the breed’s most influential sires.
Though possessing only an eighth-grade education, Buster was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. His unadulterated passion for his lifestyle, incredible grasp of the history of his people and his land and his authenticity and ability in every setting attracted people of all stripes to his sphere. World business leaders, heads of states, prize winning authors and the jet set of Hollywood were drawn to his easy charm and prepossessing charisma. Working cowboys and horse trainers would flock to his ranch to hang on his every word for insights into his otherworldly abilities with horses and cattle. Vast and varied are the people whom he called friends.
His accomplishments, connections and personality contributed to his status as one of the pre-eminent figures in Western American culture. He was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame, won the Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman’s Award, the Golden Spur Award, the Western Horseman Award, the Charles Goodnight Award and a host of other awards and honors too numerous to list here.
Buster, furthermore, was dedicated to his family. He hosted Welch family reunions at his ranch and in his later years cherished visits from a vast collection of relatives. In his 94 years he suffered much tragedy, yet he never withdrew in sadness. He continued to engage with his family and friends and manage his business ventures until his death. He stayed horseback until the end.
He is predeceased by his wife, Sheila Morris, his grandson Sterling Wilson, his granddaughter Whitney Welch, and his son Greg Welch, and his ex-wife, Ginger. Buster is survived by his sisters Beth Joy (Bob) and Nann McCoy, son, Ken Welch (Dixie), daughters Ruth Ann Welch Williams (Ronnie) and Georgia Welch, son, Dolin Morris (Becky), daughter, Nina Finley (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amy Welch King (Joshua), Katy Welch, Kelly Welch, Lance Welch (Jacque), Jenny LaSeur (Matt), Abby Howard (Tanner), Dawson Burns (Rebecca), Kirby Meadows (Ward), Brooke Morris (Cole), Charlsi Bethea (Tyler). He is also survived by 16 great grandchildren.
Though his interests were wide-ranging, he saw everything through the lens of horses and ranching. One of his favorite quotes came from Martha Washington, who once said, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.” Buster strove for a curious, hardworking and cheerful disposition.
He leaves a legacy of family who loved him, transcendent horsemanship and the determination to excel in any endeavor to which he put his active mind and ample enthusiasm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Welch
1987:
Mr. Welch (center) in a brief appearance in season four of the "Yellowstone" TV series.
Buster Welch 1928 - 2022
Fay Owen “Buster” Welch passed away peacefully at home in Abilene, Texas, on Sunday, June 12. He was born 94 years prior in Sterling County, Texas, the last of eight children born to Charles Owen Welch and Fay Lucas Welch.Within a month of his birth, his mother died. The children were dispersed among relatives and Buster was raised by his grandparents, Bud and Sarah Welch, until his father remarried. From his earliest days, he drew inspiration from horsemen and ranchers. At the age of 13, he ran away from home and began his long and influential life among cowboys, ranchers and horsemen. Before he turned 18, he worked for the Proctor brothers in Midland, the Long X Ranch in Jeff Davis County, and the famed Four Sixes in Guthrie.
His intense passion was for the work that called on a good horse. Though ranching was his life’s goal and life’s work, it could not contain him. By the time he was 26, he became a world champion cutting horse trainer, riding Marion’s Girl to the title. By the age of 32, he helped create the National Cutting Horse Association’s pre-eminent event, the Futurity. Before his career finished, he would win the event a record five times.
Buster developed styles of saddles and tack that changed horse training and showing and remain in use by most of today’s competitors. More than that, he developed a reputation as one focused on the greater good of the sport. Buster was generous in advice and assistance to the very people striving against him in the arena. He brought a level of class and dignity to cutting that remains a hallmark of the sport today.
In 1974 he signed on with the fabled King Ranch. Riding Mr San Peppy under their banner, he won the NCHA World Championship two more times. A son of Mr San Peppy, Peppy San Badger, more commonly known as “Little Peppy,” became Buster’s magnum opus. Together they won the 1977 Futurity. Little Peppy went on to become one of the breed’s most influential sires.
Though possessing only an eighth-grade education, Buster was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. His unadulterated passion for his lifestyle, incredible grasp of the history of his people and his land and his authenticity and ability in every setting attracted people of all stripes to his sphere. World business leaders, heads of states, prize winning authors and the jet set of Hollywood were drawn to his easy charm and prepossessing charisma. Working cowboys and horse trainers would flock to his ranch to hang on his every word for insights into his otherworldly abilities with horses and cattle. Vast and varied are the people whom he called friends.
His accomplishments, connections and personality contributed to his status as one of the pre-eminent figures in Western American culture. He was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame, won the Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman’s Award, the Golden Spur Award, the Western Horseman Award, the Charles Goodnight Award and a host of other awards and honors too numerous to list here.
Buster, furthermore, was dedicated to his family. He hosted Welch family reunions at his ranch and in his later years cherished visits from a vast collection of relatives. In his 94 years he suffered much tragedy, yet he never withdrew in sadness. He continued to engage with his family and friends and manage his business ventures until his death. He stayed horseback until the end.
He is predeceased by his wife, Sheila Morris, his grandson Sterling Wilson, his granddaughter Whitney Welch, and his son Greg Welch, and his ex-wife, Ginger. Buster is survived by his sisters Beth Joy (Bob) and Nann McCoy, son, Ken Welch (Dixie), daughters Ruth Ann Welch Williams (Ronnie) and Georgia Welch, son, Dolin Morris (Becky), daughter, Nina Finley (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amy Welch King (Joshua), Katy Welch, Kelly Welch, Lance Welch (Jacque), Jenny LaSeur (Matt), Abby Howard (Tanner), Dawson Burns (Rebecca), Kirby Meadows (Ward), Brooke Morris (Cole), Charlsi Bethea (Tyler). He is also survived by 16 great grandchildren.
Though his interests were wide-ranging, he saw everything through the lens of horses and ranching. One of his favorite quotes came from Martha Washington, who once said, “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.” Buster strove for a curious, hardworking and cheerful disposition.
He leaves a legacy of family who loved him, transcendent horsemanship and the determination to excel in any endeavor to which he put his active mind and ample enthusiasm.
- Messages
- 18,221
- Messages
- 19,426
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
Looking at the stock report, it appears buggy whips are down...
moehawk
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,841
- Location
- Northern California
But hemp futures look promising...
- Messages
- 10,585
- Location
- Boston area
This is pretty special. Wearing it could cause Napoleon Complex, though.
Are you the winner who has
yet to disclose your identity, @drmaxtejeda ?
Are you the winner who has
yet to disclose your identity, @drmaxtejeda ?
