New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-23
Stampede Official Explains
Flight from Sleeps
head Bay.
US. PROSECUTOR
STARTS INQUIRY
Treasurer Tells How Spec
tacle Failed to Fulfil
Expectations.

How the twitching trigger fingers Of
the cowboys at "The Stampede" pre-
cipitated the fight from Sheepshead
Bay of the shows treasurer and gave
rise to a report of a rifed cashbox
was explained yesterday when Albert
+. Thomson appeared before Edwin NJ.
Stanton, Assistant United States At
torney.
Guy Weadick, director of "The STAN
pede" exhibition, which was held at
the Sheepshead Bay Speedway August
5-12, had complained to the prosecutor
that the United States mails had been
used by the promoters to defraud the
performers. He had charged Everard
Thompson, president of THE STAN
pede" company; a. 7. Hurd, who helped
finance the show, and Mr.. Thomson,
the treasurer, with having failed to,
provide the $4,000 prize money, after
having circularized the West with the
statement that the money had been de-
posted WIN "a trust COlpduss
Mr.. Thomson, in statement to
Prosecutor Stanton, declared he had
served as treasurer of the Speedway
Western Exhibition Company. which
presented 1.-THE Stampede" He had
no knowledge of any cash deposited
anywhere to secure the prizes. He had
backed the exhibition. he said, and he
knew that after a weeks performances
it had lost more than $4,000. On Sat
urday, August II. the final day of the
exhibition, he went to the Speedway,
was surrounded by irritated gun-tot-
ing cowboys and fed.
81 was afraid they would shoot me"
he told the prosecutor.
Everard Thompson, in statement to
The Tribune. denied that he had au-
thorized the published statement that
$4,000 had been deposited
an January" Mr. Thompson said, 81
met Weadick. and he described his con
templated show 20 me. As general
manager of the Sheepshead Bay Speed
way | was interested when Weadick
proposed the exhibition as a Speedway
attraction.
"Weadick said the cost of the enter
prise would be Sl50,000, $4,000 OF
which was TO 20 for prizes. He spoke
Of the considerable amount obtainable
from concessions and declared this
money, together with the advance sales,
would be sufficient TO float tie enter
prise if $4,000 more were raised to
take care Of the preliminary expenses.
Weadick declared the concession money
would be more than enough to cover
the prize money"
The executive committee Of the
Speedway Corporation refused to APP
prove Weadick's proposition, according
TO Mr.. Thompson, on the ground that
the Wild West show was "played out
al believed the exhibition would be
profitable" said Thompson, "and when
the committee turned it down ! ap-
preached A. r. Hurd, chairman Of the
committee, who agreed TO go into the
deal with me. Hurd brought in Albert
Z. Thomson, and the Speedway Western
Exhibition Company was formed.
"Weadick agreed to assume manage
ment Of the project in consideration Of
a salary OF 5000 weekly. He declared
an initial outlay Of from $4,000 to
$4,000 would be required, and A. L. /
Thomson said he would be able to pro-
vide the entire amount if necessary.
"Mr Hurd, however, advanced $4,000. /
Subsequently Weadick asked mat $780, |
600 be deposited for the prizes. This u
was refused. One month before the /
opening retired from all financial CON |
nection with the enterprise.
"The concession money had failed 70 ]
materialize. Programme rights brought /
in $4,000. The total gate receipts were /
about $4,000 There was no other in
come"
Prosecutor Stanton said last night .
the investigation into the methods Of /
"The Stampede" promoters was being /
pursued, and that, while it was clear .
that the cowboys had been misled. it
was still question whether the Fed