New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-25
Lackaye, Hurt,
Says McCraw
Attacked Him
Actor Says Giant Leader
Floored Him With Punch
OH Jaw as He Offered His
Hand for Friendly Grasp
MI a m a g er Denies lit
Baseball Man Asserts That
Lackaye Came to His
Home Seeking Trouble

Another friend Of John j. McGraw,
manager of the Giants. went to the
hospital yesterday. This time it is
Wilton Lackaye, the actor. He is go
ing to have an X-ray examination of his
ankle to find out whether any bones
are broken. He suspects that there
are and declared yesterday that if
there were, John j. McGraw broke
them by hitting him in the jaw.
Mr.. Lackaye declared that McGraw
punched him when he thought that the
baseball man merely was getting ready
to shake hands. He went to McGraw's
home, 303 West 109th Street, Saturday
night, he said, just to show him that
no little affair such as the recent Sat
urday night fracas at The Lambs, at
the end of which John C. Slavin, a
friend of McGraw, was discovered out
side the McGraw home, his skull frac-
tured, should be allowed to come be-
tween such friends as Wilton Lackaye
and John J. McGraw.
McGraw Makes Denial
McGraw's version of the affection suf-
fered by Mr.. Lackaye was entirely diff
ferent. He gave it in statement
signed in the presence of Magistrate
Hrancis y. McQuade. The statement fol-
lows:
about midnight Saturday, September
10, Mr.. Lackayc Of lis own voltion,
called at my apartment. After some
little talk, Lackaye said he understood
was to make a statement against the
Lambs Club. | replied that if did it
was my own affair.
"In reply to this he became abusive,
using vile and indecent language. /
demonstrated with him, telling him
that Mrs. McGraw was within hearing,
and insisted on him leaving my house.
He refused. whereupon two of my
guests, Magistrate Francis x. McQuade
and B. j. Pratt, Of Chicago, escorted
him to the door.
After he got outside the door he
kicked one of my guests, Mr.. Pratt,
and in the scuf1e that followed slipped
to the floor. l did not see anything
that happened outside my premises
and did not strike Mr.. Lackaye at any
time"
Mr. Lackaye returned recently from
vacation in Canada. A friend told
him that McGraw felt very badly about
his fight with William Boyd at the
Lambs Club and regretted the loss Of
friends among the club members.
Actor Explains Attack
Through this friend sent McGraw
message of cheer" said Mr.. Lackaye.
q told him that twenty-five years ago
man had told me that friend who
stuck to his frineds when they were
worth while friend. / told him that /
was his friend and that l would like to
see him.
after McGraw received this mes
sage called him up on the phone and
he told me to come up to his house. He
said several friends were there and he
wanted me to meet them.
Acting only in the interests Of
friendship, / Went to see McGraw and
told him that the best thing he could
do was to forget the quarrel at the
cious and demanded to know who had
sent me there. l replied that no one
ever sent me anywhere and that
was acting on my own initiative.
also told him that if he held any
suspicious as to my motive | would
have to leave.
at was then that I extended my
hand to McGraw and he attacked me.
There was no warning, as McGraw had
put out his right hand as if to shake
mine. Instead, he drew back his left
and smashed me in the jaw.
~ crumpled up on sofa and my
| ankle twisted under me. got up and
aimed a few wallops at McGraw. The
fight was halted by persons in the
| room. got to the street without as
distance, called cab and went to a
drug store. The day after the quarrel
| consulted doctor and found that
= .i.Ia bod ham fracfured -