Guy Weadick & the Calgary Stampede: Fact or Fiction or a Little of Both

I have tried to make the complicated Guy Weadick story into a short blog, but that hasn’t worked for me. When people tell their own stories or we tell the life stories of those we want as heroes, sometimes the complications and most interesting developments are omitted or remain untold. So, here is my uncensored, unauthorized version of events.

After extensive research, I determined that others were equally or more important in the development of the Calgary Stampede than was Guy Weadick. For instance, in 1912, the Miller Brothers 101 Wild West Show, which employed Weadick, seemingly primarily because he was announcer and agent for the famous steer wrestler Bill Picket, had recently returned from a tour of  Europe but with less money in pockets than expected. At the time, performers and competitors such as Hoot Gibson, Tom Mix, Flore la Due (Weadick’s wife), Bertha Blanchette, Goldie St, Clair, and Helen Gibson and other famous faces were with the show, and everyone needed money. If venues added cowboy competitions to the performances, the Wild West Shows entrants could keep their winnings as long as they paid their own fees. If the Miller Brothers paid the entrance fees, the show took 50% of the winnings. So, adding cowboy competitions to any performance or performing at an event with previously planned competitions was an enormous plus for everyone.

Generally, from May to November, the Miller brothers arranged tours throughout North America. For July of 1912, they scheduled performances in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert. Also, the Wild West Show was part of Winnipeg’s phenomenal 1912 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Selkirk settlers. For such events, the 101 provided the First Nation’s village and countless parade participants, performers and competitors. Because the entire show–including over 1000 people and about 600 head of livestock–travelled by train, a performance in Calgary made sense.

Unfortunately, E.L. Richardson, long-time manager for the Calgary Exhibition, had already booked the exhibition grounds with the Western Canadian Fair and Racing Circuit. However, a later date was feasible and supported by Richardson. So, Weadick, who already knew some of the organizers from the 1908 event and from a previous visit to the province, became agent or front man to raise money for the Calgary stop.

H.C. Mullens, general livestock manager for the Canadian Pacific Railway, had much to gain by having the show visit Calgary. Texas-born, university-educated, Alberta rancher Addison Day of Medicine Hat–who would later be nominated to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame–had organized many competitions for rodeos or “stampedes.” In fact, the word stampede, itself, was an Americanized Spanish word in common use and with a history of its own stretching back to the  early 1800s.  Certainly, Day not only wanted a Calgary stampede, he was willing to put up $10,000 to make it happen. So, Day and Mullens introduced Weadick to men with money. And the Big Four: George Lane, Archie McLean, Pat Burns and A.E. Cross were happy to help preserve and support cowboys and the ranching way of life. They put up the huge purses so competitions could be held during the event. The Big Four had only one condition: the competitions must be open to everyone–that is to the world. So the competitions became World Championships.

Not surprisingly, competitors travelling with the 101 Wild West Show claimed most of the prize money. And fast-talking Weadick proved to be a great announcer and promoter. Later, in the 1920s when he and La Due bought a ranch near High River, Weadick was hired by the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede to announce, promote and help organize events.

In the following years, he did encourage fellow performers from 101 days to compete and perform at Calgary, but crediting the visionary Miller brothers and their show, E.L. Richardson or Addison Day never seemed to make it into his memoirs.

Yes, he loved to tell stories–especially about himself–and he could talk the ear off an elephant. As well, he could down more booze that most men. And in the 1930s, a disillusioned  and inebriated Weadick stepped into the Calgary Stampede arena. He denounced the event and those who actually did the work to keep make the stampede the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” That day, he lost his job.

Having long claimed that the Calgary Stampede was all “his” doing, he filed a wrongful dismissal suit. He did convince a judge that drinking was an required part of his job, and given the partying associated our contemporary festivities, perhaps he was right. Also, he sued  the Calgary Stampede, maintaining that the Calgary could not keep the name since it he owned the copyright. The judge ruled that the word stampede had long been in popular use throughout western Canada, and Weadick lost the suit.

Once Weadick’s  truly talented and ever-patient wife, Flore La Due s died, he moved back to the U.S.A. rather than stay as a Calgary Stampede booster.

So, personally, I’d rather celebrate Calgary’s own phenomenal organizer and visionary Ernie Richardson and Medicine Hat’s Addison Day. Also, I’ll take our historical links to the world famous Miller Brothers 101 Wild West Show over the Guy myth.  In the countless books written regarding that world famous travelling show with its champion competitors, showmanship events and ranch (which became a National Historic Site in the USA), Weadick was hardly worth a footnote. But I suppose the photos of Weadick in his cowboy hat have served publicists and promoters very well. And given the work of others, today, the Calgary Stampede truly is world famous.

When writing and retelling life stories, sometimes, we prefer to see heroes rather than do all the required research to tell the stories more accurately.  Often, research uncovers human failings, but they, too, are part of our history and reflect broader truths. So, if anyone wants to continue to research Weadick or search for the what you believe to be be fact, fiction or truth in the life stories,  I encourage you.  Remember, sometimes biographies and autobiographies seem to include a little of both. Most of us as writers, including myself, attempt to be accurate but there are no guarantees.

Best Laid Plans

With summer travel, perhaps we should expect that sometimes plans need to change. If you are waiting for the continuation of the Guy Weadick story, it will be up Monday, July 30. I am trying to get back to my Monday schedule, and by the 30th, I think I will be up to speed.

The article is entitled: Weadick & the Calgary Stampede: Fact or Fiction or a Little of Both, and remember in this one as I promised “the plot thickens.”

The following Monday, I have scheduled a young guest blogger, Arden Seely, who will give us her insights regarding the tourist and heritage site, Saskatchwan’s Moose Jaw Tunnels.

But remember, August 10, 11 and 12, Calgary play host to When Words Collide, a fine writers’ conference that welcomes writers and writing enthusiasts from all genres to share experiences and information. So, check out the website www.whenwordscollide.org. I think there is still time to register!

Backstory & Lifestory: Good Old Guy Weadick

Certainly, far more than 100 memorable moments will go down in Stampede history concerning the 1912 centennial. With Claresholm cowboy Chad Besplug winning the title of World Champion Bull Rider, we have much to celebrate. Also, we have many to thank including other fabulous competitors and stock suppliers, volunteers and paid organizers, entertainers and exhibitors (whether agricultural or artistic), which made the centennial a fabulous success.

However, when I consider good old Guy Weadick and the attention he received, I have some qualms, and so as not to put a damper on festivities, I’m glad to writing about him after the last of the fireworks have filled the night sky. Time and again, Weadick recounted how he started the Calgary Stampede, but what did he omit from his story?

That he would omit relevant information is not unusual. When people tell their live stories, they focus on some memories, ignore others and perhaps even invent scenarios. Seldom, if ever, do we as readers or listeners discover the whole truth as perceived by impartial observers.

Research involving many sources is far more likely to reveal the true or real story. Of course, I admit to having my own limitations and biases, but as someone who loves research, I feel that I treated that history in a reasonable manner in my book Awed, Amused and Alarmed: Fairs, Rodeos and Regattas in Western Canada. I admit that, knowing Weadick was a hero to many Albertans, I treated him with kid gloves. Instead of saying, “Here is the lowdown on Guy Weadick” and offering one tell-all expose, I offered glimpses of his life story in various relevant chapters.

Born in Rochester New York in 1886, as an older teenager, Guy claims to have visited and worked in Montana and Southern Alberta, and those adventures included a witnessing huge powwow in Lethbridge. Also, he developed an acceptable vaudeville roping act and perform as Cheyenne Bill. While on the vaudeville circuit, he met Bill Picket, the world famous bulldogger or steer wrestler who hired Weadick as agent and announcer. Finally, Weadick’s career options had improved. Touring with Crestwell and Osborne, they performed at the Calgary Exhibition in 1905.

By then, the Buffalo Bill Wild West show was in decline, and the Miller Brothers 101 Wild West Show had garnered the spotlight. From Oklahoma, the outstanding 101 Wild West Show wanted Picket, and Weadick was part of the deal. Over the years, the show would tour throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Canada, and the two men were with part of the entertainment. In 1908, travelling in 45 railcars, the Wild West Show was scheduled for both Winnipeg and Calgary. That year, Calgary staged the Dominion Exhibition under the capable and watchful eye of organizer and administrator E.L. Richardson. Along with First Nations and NWMP, the 101 Show (including Picket, Weadick and its other stars) marched and rode in the impressive parade Not surprisingly, festival visitors from all over Canada enjoyed performances and competitions.

By the time the 1908 Dominion Exhibition was staged, the story of agricultural fairs and contests was already an old one in Western Canada. The first Calgary Exhibition was in 1886. Cowboy competitions have an equally long or longer history, and gymkhanas and rodeos were an early hit with many local audiences. Alberta’s formal rodeo history has roots in the 1891 at Fort Macleod rodeo when events were held in conjunction with the fall fair. As early as 1893, for the summer agricultural fair in Calgary, a steer roping event was organized by George Lane of the Bar U Ranch. Forward thinking Ad Day, with roots in Texas and Oklahoma, had been instrumental in organizing the 1908 Dominion Exhibition in Calgary, following up with great, successful competitions and events in Medicine Hat, and in the meantime E. L. Richardson, what we could call a “suit” today, kept the fun and competition going year after year in Calgary.

So, what happened in 1912 to make this a centennial year? In fact, all of those early organizers played essential roles for the “first” Calgary Stampede? And what exactly was Weadick’s contribution to the event and to later-day stampede history? According to him, the Stampede was his vision. But, according to my research, Weadick had a knack for exaggeration.

In fact, I had wanted capture the tale in a few hundred words, but life stories are often complicated. Sometimes the most interesting aspects of the stories are left out, which seemed to the case when it came to Guy’s boasts regarding The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

So, if you are interested, join me next week when the plot thickens.

Calgary Stampede 2012

Countless visitors have been enjoying endless special events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city’s stampede. With something for everyone, tourists and hometown revelers enjoy free breakfasts; snack on hi-cal, decadent delights; and gaze into the night sky to marvel at spectacular fireworks.

Personally, I enjoy wandering the midway even though I am not as adventurous as the thousands of young people who climb on seemingly death-defying rides.
Born and raised in Alberta, I sincerely respect the athletes who impress crowds with their saddle and bareback riding, barrel racing, steer-wrestling and calf roping. For many, the thrill of seeing the chucks reaffirms the talents of outstanding wagon drivers such as King Kelly Sutherland. And this year in Calgary, we have marveled at how early photographers captioned the action-filled events throughout the century.

For me, however, I am reminded of our limited understanding of “stampede” history. A few years ago, I wrote a book called Awed, Amused and Alarmed: Fairs, Rodeos and Regattas in Western Canada. I love historical research, and not surprisingly, the Calgary Stampede’s history was high on my list of research topics. Now, every time I see the photos of Guy Weadick, I try not to think about the ways that history has been adapted to suit the myths we want to believe.

Like others, I think Weadick is a handsome portrayal of cowboys and ranching sports, and I am always drawn to the photo of him is his “ten-gallon” cowboy hat. But to give him so much credit for the first Calgary Stampede is to revise some of its fine and fascinating history.
In fact, I am torn. Do I simply let everyone enjoy the photos of him and the myths we have built around him? Or do I suggest the even more fascinating history that connects us to one of the greatest wild west shows in North American history?

Yes, I have read Weadick’s essay, “How I Started the Calgary Stampede.” However, in the process of writing my books, I have interviewed countless individuals concerning their life stories. What people recount concerning their lives is generally how they want others to remember events. Not surprisingly, that can be biased. And often, their recollections are not the same as the way the broader public of the time perceived events.

Outstanding academic historians spend their lives engaged in far more in-depth research than I have managed for my public history books, but I have researched in enough depth to realize that Weadick’s essay omits some of the most fascinating aspects of that first stampede.

In my next blog, I’ll talk more about the recounting of life stories and history as related to Weadick and the Calgary Stampede. I did decide that the upcoming blog is better timing for my comments. That way, we can thoroughly enjoy a wonderful weekend focused on celebrating the festivities and glimpses of history as presented this centennial year.

However, if you are interested in life story or additional background to the Calgary Stampede, as well as in our ties to Vancouver’s summer exhibitions and the Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition (July 19-22, 2012), check next week’s blog.