Will Rogers
Will Rogers (1879–1935) earned the title “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” for his unmatched ability to connect with Americans through humor, humility, and common sense. Born in Indian Territory, he rose to fame as a vaudeville performer known for his rope tricks and quick wit. He became a beloved writer, newspaper columnist, radio personality, and film star, appearing in over 70 movies. Rogers had a unique talent for blending sharp political commentary with a folksy, approachable style that resonated with people from all walks of life. He famously said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” His signature look—cowboy hat, lasso, and chaps—paid tribute to his Cherokee roots and cowboy background, setting him apart in Hollywood and symbolizing his authenticity. More than an entertainer, Rogers was a national voice of reason and humor during times of uncertainty, and his legacy continues to embody the spirit and values of Oklahoma.
Martin 2-27 Acoustic Guitar, circa 1855-1866 belonging to Will Rogers
The 19th century Martin guitar pictured above once belonged to “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” Will Rogers (1879-1935), a prolific writer and live, film, and TV performer. Will enjoyed singing and attempting to play several musical instruments. His fond affection for fine musical instruments led to meeting his future wife, Betty Blake, in the fall of 1900 at the Oologah (Indian Territory) train station when Will went to claim a banjo he had checked in for travel. Too shy to even speak to Betty that day, the two spent an enjoyable evening of music together a few days later at the home of Betty’s sister with some “fancy plinking and plunking.” They married eight years later. While Will would only chord on the guitar, Betty was quite accomplished as a musician and often would accompany the three Rogers children and others who played other instruments or sang during family or social gatherings in the home. Will Rogers, along with Wiley Post, would tragically die in a plane crash in 1935. James Blake (Jim) Rogers, son of Will and Betty, gained possession of the guitar following his mother’s death in 1944. Jim could not recall a time within his lifetime that the guitar was not present in the household. Jim later gave the guitar to his son, James Kemmler (Kem) Rogers, who entrusted the instrument to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where it was displayed in the “family gallery” of the museum’s North Gallery from 1997 until 2023. B.B. Hudspeth acquired the guitar from Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry and James Rogers, the great-grandchildren of Will Rogers.
Will Rogers' Personal Woolie Chaps and Lariat
The brown angora chaps and lariat were personally owned by Will Rogers. The chaps and lariat were eventually gifted from Rogers to his personal friend, Joe DeYong (1894-1975), an American sculptor, etcher, and historical consultant for Western movies. At 10, DeYong met Rogers at his grandmother’s house in St. Louis when Rogers was in town for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Rogers would teach DeYong fancy roping, and the two would become lifelong friends. In 1936, DeYong wrote “Friend Will,” a tribute to Rogers following Rogers’ death from a plane crash on August 15, 1935. DeYong would later ‘pay it forward’ and gift the chaps and lariat to his friend and sculptor, Daro Flood (1954-2018). Ironically, the contributions of all three men are recognized in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK. The chaps are marked “J.F. Reisacher / Condon, Ore.” with tooled belt and deep brown hair.
Silver Mounted Saddle Gifted by Will Rogers to Buck Bucko
This silver-mounted saddle, crafted by Bools & Butler in Reno, Nevada, was a personal gift from Will Rogers to his friend Rudolph “Buck” Bucko. The saddle features ornate prison-style engraving, floral dot embellishments, and engraved silver mounts on the gullet, horn cap, and cantle binding. A nameplate on the saddle reads: “Buck Bucko from Will Rogers, September 15th, 1915, Reno, Nevada,” with matching “B B” initials on each side. Buck Bucko (1891–1962), born Rudolph Bouckou, was a working cowboy from Yakima, Washington, who, alongside his brother Roy, became a prolific stuntman and character actor in early Hollywood Westerns. Appearing in over 200 sound-era Westerns and serials—often in uncredited roles as a rustler, posse rider, or ranch hand—Bucko’s contributions are chronicled in Diana Serra Cary’s Hollywood Posse: The Story of the Gallant Band of Men Who Made Movies.
