New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-05
TROOPERS LEFT HIGH AND DRY
ROUGH RIDERS SUFFER FROM THEIR
TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE.
MRS. BAILEY Is NOT TO BE FOUND AND
THEIR BOARD HAS NOT BEEN PAID
LIVELY EPISODE AT THE
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL.

FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL
The forty-odd Rough Riders who for the last
three weeks have been waiting in this city 10
take part in the tournament which was to open
last night at the American Horse Exchange, and
was to last through Saturday, October :. are in
a much disguised frame Of mind This is be
cause the tournament has fallen through com
pletely. and through no fault Of the Rough
Riders What is more. the forty or so troopers
who expected to take part are left here in New
York. thousands Of miles from their Western
homes, with scarcely dollar among them Ac-
ccrding to the arrangements for the tourna-
ment, the men were to receive their board and
lodging while in New York and their transporta-
tion home after the tournament Most Of them
lived accordingly, and as result. now that the
tournament has fallen through and no trans
portation is forthcoming. they are left almost
penniless. They spend most Of their time az the
Hoffman House at present. and have vague
hopes Of getting out West before Christmas
Colonel Roosevelt has said. however. that he Will
see that every one Of his Rough Riders gets
home.
The proceeds Of the tournament were 70 have
gone to the National Relief League. which has
offices at No. 1133 Broadway. and is for the
purpose Of helping the countrys soldiers ana
sailors. The blame for the unfortunate falling
through Of the tournament is placed by the
Rough Riders entirely on Mrs Geraldine Bailey.
who lives in this city. and who said she repre-
sented the National Relief League. At present
she cannot he found anywhere
Mrs Bailey was the promoter Of the tourna-
ment and has carried on the dealings with
the Rough Riders They agreed to take part
in the tournament for the sole sake Of the Ma
tional Relief League. and they say that Mrs
Bailey has not met her obligations and has left
the Rough Riders in their present predicament
Mrs Bailey started the scheme after the Rough
Riders were mustered out and while they were
in New-York by enlisting the sympathies Of
several Of them at meeting which she held in
Parlor n Of the Hoffman House. She made
the arrangements, and agreed with Mr.. Stefen
the proprietor of the Hotel Richeleu. the ad-
dress Of which Is No - West Twenty fourth
St. 10 have the stay there at the rate Of
Ss a week each The tournament was then ex-
tensively advertised. and tickets were put on
sale all over the city. Success seemed assured,
and things ran as smoothly as a horseless car
riage until few DAYS ago.
CALLED FOR THEIR MONEY
Mr. Steffen. the proprietor Of the Richelieu
started the trouble on Sunday by presenting A
bill Of $500 and suggesting payment The man
ager Of the American Horse Exchange sent word
about the same time that he must have $50 be
fore rehearsals could continue the tourna-
ment begin The troopers who went TO the ex-
change on SUNDAY night for a rehearsal were
turned away because the money had not been
paid They Immediately sought Mrs. Bailey.
She could not be found They continued the
fin al n
meeting with her about p. m. az the Hoffman
House in Room No p. which she had been oc-
cupying Meanwhile the disposition of the
troopers had not been sweetened by Mr.. Stef-
fens announcement after luncheon that if his
bill was not paid they would have TO go at once.
At that ,uncture a delegation from them had
called upon Colonel Roosevelt told him the state
Of affairs and expressed doubts the realiza-
ton Of the tournament. His reply was We'll.
bows after what you tell me. I'm glad that it's
been called off But don't worry about getting
home I'll see you through n that"
The Rough Riders still placed good deal OF
faith in Mrs. Bailey however The meeting at
the Hoffman House was interesting Mrs Bailey
was successfully questioned by several different
troopers and Mr. Steffen. who hoped for frac-
tion Of the $500 The result of the meeting
some money and explain. She was to come to
the Hoffman House again next day She had
made several statements concerning her diff
ferent lawyers and attorneys. her extensive re-
sources. and her prospective business manager
who should take hold of the affair and run II
on strictly business basis The troopers were
persuaded by these to allow more time
The climax came yesterday. Mrs. Bailey had
h. at
House at 4:3O p m They were in the appointed
room to the minute and TO a man Mrs Bailey
did not appear Word came over the telephone
that she would be there AT , o'clock A. she
was still absent Then a message came that
she would meet II Pollock. Of Troop b, VINO
had conducted the negotiations thus far. at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel in about ten minutes
Trooper Pollock was deputy revenue collector
in Arizona before he enlisted. has seen good
deal Of rough work and has dealt with rough
characters He thinks he can give good ac-
count Of himself with most men bur since yes
terday afternoon he has held different opinion
about his success with women. In company
with a man named Fox. who had gotten mlHeu
up in the affair in the course OF .me uay on ME- rS
representation of being an attorney OF Mrs.
Baiev's Pollock started for the Firth Avenue
Hotel Mrs Bailey met the two men IN one oI
the small parlors. and then the actioh IN eY ene
planatory remarks from Mrs. Bailey Pollock
asked here point blank. Have you any money
with which 10 pay those debts al once
NO" was the reply -
well. I believe that both Of you TWO are
crooked. and I'm going TO arrest you right mere
ard now"
ELUDED THE TROOPER.
The Rough Rider rang for bellpcy lie eV-
IDENTIFY struck an ordinary bellboy. for the man
he wanted did not appear. Several moments
passed and the Rough Rider, in his impa-
tience. stepped out Of the door TO look FOR some
one In a twinklng Fox slipped out and was
halfway downstairs before Pollock saw MIN.
The latter at once gave cnase' put tne s nc,
oained the street and was lost in the crowd
Then Pollock remembered the woman. anu
rushed back only TO find the room empty oo'h
had gone, and have not been seen since,
the Interview in the Fifth Avenue Hotel Inc
whole affair will be dropped so far as the propo-