George Guy Weadick

Founder and promoter of the Calgary Stampede

Guy Weadick

Born: 23 Feb 1885 at Rochester, New York
Married:  1906 to Florence LaDue (nee Grace Maud Bensel)
Died: 13 Dec 1953 (age 68) at Los Angeles, California
Buried: Highwood Cemetery, High River, Alberta, Range S Plot 48
Contributor: Jim Benedict

George Guy Weadick was an American-Canadian cowboy, performer and promoter. An American city kid turned ranching entrepreneur, he is best known as the founder of the Calgary Stampede. He was the first to be inducted in the Builder category in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

His Early Years

Guy Weadick was born in Rochester New York to an Irish family. His mother died when he was very young. Weadick went to live with his aunt and uncle in Ontario. Weadick became captivated by the cowboy lifestyle portrayed by pop culture growing up. He wanted to learn what being a cowboy was all about, so he headed west. Weadick was presented the opportunity to perform on the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch Wild West Show based out of Oklahoma. As an employee of the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch, Guy learned the ins and outs of showmanship and eventually became quite popular with the crowd because of the impressive displays he put on show as a trick roper.

1908 Dominion Exhibition

In 1908 Weadick visited Calgary for the first time as part of the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The group performed at the Dominion Exhibition, a travelling fair which was awarded to Calgary by the federal government.

1912 The First Stampede

It wasn’t until 1912 that Guy Weadick would return to Calgary. This time, instead of coming as a performer he was much more focused on an entrepreneurial endeavor; to find a home and financing for a cowboy championship event, along with a tribute that would celebrate the culture and history of the old west. E.L. Richardson, manager of the Dominion Exhibition, knew exactly who Guy could talk to. He introduced Weadick to Patrick Burns, A.E. Cross, George Lane and A.J. McLean, prominent businessmen and local boosters who would become known as the “The Big Four”. With their financial backing, the first Calgary Stampede was staged September 2–7, 1912, when ranchers and farmers had finished the harvesting and would be free to attend.

Weadick and Richardson, agreed to combine the rodeo events with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition and, in 1923, Weadick and Richardson co-founded the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede as an annual event.

Later Life

In 1932, Guy decided to give up his role running the event and move onto other things in life after somewhat of a falling out with the Stampede bosses. A long estrangement between the founder and head honchos ensued for 20 years, until in 1952 they finally invited Weadick back to attend the parade as an honoured guest. – Following on the success of the Calgary Stampede, Guy Weadick continued promoting his own personal Old West shows (outside Calgary). He continued running the Stampede for 20 years after its initial creation.

Life Events

Weadick travelled extensively. In 1906 in Chicago, Illinois, he first met famed cowgirl Florence (Flores) LaDue. At the time she was also a trick rider with a different wild west show. After 5 weeks of courtship, Weadick and La Due married in and began their lifelong partnership.

Death

In 1953, Guy died from a heart attack just two years after Flores LaDue, the love of his life, died of heart failure in 1951.