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Henry Stetson : 50th anniversary : our members
G. HENRY STETSON, 1887 - 1983
Henry Stetson, son of John Stetson, was involved with the Death Valley '49ers for over 25 years. When in Death Valley, he always stayed at Stovepipe Wells Hotel. Peg Lewis, '49er Past President, Life Director, and owner of Stovepipe Wells Village, remembers how Henry would show up at every Encampment dressed in his beautiful, tailored western clothes, sporting two holstered engraved pistols. For many years, Henry Stetson stood tall and poised in the ring as Official Starter at the Burro Flapjack Contest, where he fired one of those fancy pistols to signal the start of another Burro Race. The winner received a special Stetson Hat presented by Henry. Henry not only gave the '49ers strong support in their formative years but he also made another contribution by commissioning the Boss of the Plains hat, an original design initiated by his father a 120 years ago. Today almost every Director and Advisor can be seen wearing this distinctive hat.
Traditionally the subject of the annual Cloisonné Pin is chosen by the reining Death Valley '49ers President. Since 2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the Death Valley '49ers Boss of the Plains hat, President Bill Pool chose the signature Stetson Hat for his cloisonné.
Past President's Message: "Henry Stetson, son of John B. Stetson supported and contributed in many ways to the Death Valley ‘49ers Organization in our early years. One of his contributions was commissioning the John B. Stetson Hat Company to revive for the ‘49ers, the famed ‘Boss of the Plains’ hat, an original design initiated by his father over a hundred and twenty years ago. The ‘Boss of the Plains’ design has not been available from the Stetson Hat Company for many years now, and the hats you see being worn by many ‘49ers today have been passed down by Directors who are no longer with us.
The 50th Anniversary Cloisonné Pin was designed by Death Valley ‘49er Director Jean Pickard. Jean has done a wonderful job and we hope you enjoy the 2006 ‘Boss of the Plains’ Hat, Cloisonné." Bill Pool
Not only do the Death Valley '49ers keep the history of the 1849ers trek through Death Valley alive, they also take great pride in keeping the history of the Original Cowboy Hat alive.
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