The contestants at the 1936 Boston Garden Rodeo were upset about the low pay for their performances. They banded together by signing this petition. It was delivered to the producer of the rodeo by Richard (Dick) Truitt, Hugh Bennett, Herman Linder, and Richard (Dick) Griffith.

Everett Bowman competed in rodeo as a tie-down roper, steer wrestler, and steer roper. He was elected to be the first Speaker of the Cowboys' Turtle Association. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979 as an all-around cowboy.

Portrait of a man wearing a black cowboy hat, white shirt, dark jacket, and striped tie.

Photograph, Everett Bowman

ProRodeo Hall of Fame

Everett Bowman

Hugh Bennett competed as a steer wrestler. He was chosen by his fellow cowboys to present the petition to Colonel Johnson. He was then chosen as the first Secretary/Treasurer of the Cowboys' Turtle Association. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979 as a steer wrestler.

Portrait of a man wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a dark shirt.

Photograph, Hugh Bennett

Hugh Bennett

Dick Truitt competed mostly as a tie-down roper and a steer wrestler. He was chosen to take the petition to Colonel Johnson on behalf of his fellow cowboys.

Portrait of a man wearing a light-colored hat, white shirt, and dark jacket.

Photograph, Dick Truitt

Dick Truitt

Everett Shaw competed as a steer roper for more than 15 years. He was the fist signer of the petition that created the Cowboys' Turtle Association. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979 as a steer roper.

Portrait of a man wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a white shirt, and dark tie.

Photograph, Everett Shaw

Everett Shaw

Dick Griffith competed in rodeo as both a bull rider and a trick rider. He was chosen by fellow contestants to be part of the committee to present this petition to Colonel W.T. Johnson. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1989 as a bull rider.

Portrait of Dick Griffith. He is wearing a light-colored hat and a satin shirt.

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Standards for Petition from Cowboys to Colonel William T. Johnson

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework