The record-union., 1896-10-21
THAT TRANSFORMING OUTFIT
How McKsany'S Project Fell to the
Ground.
Those Who Bought Positions in
His Company Relate Their
Sorrows.


Mckeany. charged with having OBJ
tanned 500 from A. Williams under false
pretenses. was commenced in the Police
Court yesterday morning.
Ine case has attracted considerable
attention owing to the fact that a num-
ber Of would-be theatrical artists were
said to have been swindled to the tune
OF 900 each as earnest money deposited
with McKeany, who claimed that he was
forming a company for barn-storm-
ing tour Of the interior.
j. G. Williams testified that he had
been retained by McKeany as business
manager of the proposed troupe, and
that his father, A. Williams, had ad-
vanced the necessary deposit. He had
eeen McKeany as late as Saturday even
ing, when the latter assured him that
the troupe would take the road, not
withStanding the leading lady had with
drawn
The next morning, October 18th. he
received a telegram from McKeany.
dated San Francisco, saying that the
start would be made the next morning,
and enioining him to keep Barrett So
ber." Barrett was to be the comedian
of the outfit. Later he got two letters
from the defendant stating that he
would reorganize the company in Sam
Francisco, and that he had secured an
other comedian and would have no fur
ther use for Barrett.
A Williams, father of the young man,
testified to having advanced 500 to Sc
cure the position for his son, who was to
receive S12 a week and expenses.
c. w. Warner had been employed as
advance agent by McKeany, but was in
the latter's debt for furniture purchased
from him.
A. w Edwards testified to having ad-
vanced $50 to McKeany to secure for his
father-in-lay, Mr.. Kincaid, the position
of ticket-seller for the company.
At the afternoon session Acting City
Attorney Miller stated that he had dis
covered that the case was one not sub
ject to a preliminary examination. The
amount alleged to have been obtained
under false pretenses was but $50, and
consequently the offense, IL 1t had been
committed, was a misden1eanor and not
a felony. A new complaint had been
filed and all former proceedings with
drawn. He was ready to proceed from
the start with the case unless the attor-
ney for the defendant, Harry G. Soule
was willing to waive his right to a jury
and allow the testimony taken in the
morning to stand.
Mr.. Soule expressed his willingness to
enter into such an arrangement, and the
matter having been thus patched up the
case proceeded-the services of the
shorthand reporter being dispensed
with
George J. Summers testified to having
moved the baggage of McKeany to the
railroad depot the morning he left the
city.
]. s. Klncaid corroborated the testi-
mOny OF Mr.. Edwards.
Edward Barrett, evidently the only le-
ultimate actor employed by McKeany
stated that he had worked with viii
en- the material given him wherewith tc
form a theatrical company. but as he
could not be both body and brains fol
the entire aggregation, the day before
McKeany left for San Francisco he
threw up the job in disgust. The people
were all unpardonably stupid. McKeany
had worked hard to form a company
here, but it was impossible for him to dt
so. as the material was Of the poorest
The witness had advised McKeany t
send to San Francisco for talent which
could not be obtained here, but had no
been notified that he was going to leave
before he did so.
Della McCann had been in the employ
of McKeany's family as nurse girl H
had asked her to go on the road witt
him. but she said she was afraid sh'
would be obliged to live on one meal {
day McKeany replied that there wa
no danger of that for he was too mucl
of a fakir to allow his people to go hun
erv. He had required her to put up
deposit.
This being the case for the prosecution
Attorney Soule moved to dismiss, con
tending that no case had been made b.
the prosecution. Pending argument o
the motion recess was taken until thi
morning.