1982-1984: The Desperados Are Born
After a 1981 major falling-out among the members of Atkinson Wagon 18, the Wilson family riders decided to create their own wagon. All the essential pieces were put into place in time for the 1982 rides.
It was about that time that the Texas City Wagon Boss died. The Wilson group, led by Beverly Bennett, approached his widow to lease the wagon and team for $500 per year. The widow remained the wagon boss, per the SGTR rules, ‘Pa’ Bennett (Beverly’s father-in-law) became the mule skinner, and Jack Wilson was put in charge of food for the newly-assembled Wagon 17.
The naming process took a while with a wide variety of candidate discussed—such as the “Armadildos.” Finally, on a weekend ride sponsored by KIKK, Dennis suggested “Desperados” and it was adopted unanimously the same day.
Beverly came up with the idea of wearing matching denim jackets. Pam Wilson Francis designed the now-famous “Desperados Wanted” logo to embroider on the back. In the first year or so, it was somewhat difficult to get people to wear their Desperado jackets. In time, the idea of matching shirts was introduced and there was even more resistance. But gradually, the new Desperados warmed to the idea and their coordinating jackets and shirts quickly became the group’s signature. Today, every major wagon is similarly adorned.
One year later in 1983, Jack Wilson and Joe Bennett wrote the words to the now famous and often-sung Desperado Song. Opening to rave reviews, the catchy lyrics have stood the test of time. Unlike our much-imitated uniform dress, the song remains unique, and has never been successfully duplicated.
In 1984, the widow agreed to sell the Texas City wagon to Beverly. It was then that ‘Pa’ Bennett became wagon boss and Dennis Frost became assistant wagon boss. In 1985 and ‘86, Joe Bennett was assistant to ‘Pa.’ In 1987, ‘Pa’ stepped down and Beverly Bennett assumed the responsibilities of wagon boss with Joe Bennett continuing as assistant wagon boss. Both continue to hold this positions.