Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-14
with that event ended the career of the
building as a theater.
Mr.. kinsley,x RecolIecffanx

Mr. htnsiey's RecOlIectiOns.
Mr.. Samuel G. Kinsley was associated
with Mr.. Ford in his theatrical ventures
for long time, having been his treasurer
for seven years in Baltimore and four years
In this city. He was greatly shocked to
near Of his friends death, and feelingly
euiogized the high qualities he possessed.
MT Ford first entered the theatrical
business away back in the forties" said
Mr. kinsley. 'as agent of George Kunkels
NlShunSales. minstrel company that
gamer great reputation. Later on he
associated himself in business in the same
line with kunkel and Tom Moxley, who
was popular female impersonator
Early In the fifties Mr.. Ford became man.
ager OF the Holiday Street Theater in Bal
timore and held ii for a good many wears
until he built Fords Opera House on Fav-
ette street. His connection with Washing
ton play houses bearing his name is too
wen @ known Tor me to speak about it,
MI. FORD devoted most of his time
continued Mr.. kinsley, Ito sending dra-
matte companies through the south one
OF his ventures in this line was Neil Warn
er, who played Richard III on ho-sahacl,
ana made great sensation. The Chairman
sisters were also managed by Mr. Ford and
one of them, Miss Blanche married bis
brother Mr.; II. Clay Ford of this city. Mr..
Ford was the very first MANAGER -rbo o..
did anything for Mary Anderson. He halned
her along because he saw she possessed
taient, but she never showed her appra.ia-
ton Oh ms eHorts to build up her career
When she became successful
He also took Edwin Booth Laura Kae,a
Alice oates and others through the south
and that section of the country owes p
great ceal to Mr. Ford's efforts to give il
amusement of the higher class which
also proved wonderfully advantageous i'm
an educational sense.
Kindly, Helpful Nature.
Personally Mr.. Ford was one of Gods
noblemen, said MIR. Kinsley, with deep
feeling. He was charitable to a fault
and never wearied of doing kindnesses for
others. He offered more advantages TO
aspiring young actors than any manager of
the present day, and no aspirant for thes-
plan honors ever failed to secure his helm
II ne had one spark of genius or ability
Many a time when / was treasurer of his
company he would tell me when. mem
Der or the company was sick to take the
salary to such a person myself and to
discover If there was anything that could
be done to relieve the sufferer or brighten
the surroundings.
He was foremost in advancing all the
interests of Baltimore, too" Mr.. Ktnsley
went on. He was the prime mover in ex-
tending the city streets through the north
west section and cutting I'D the farms
which then composed il into city lots. He
contributed the ground upon which The
Chatsworth Church now stands. as well
as great deal of money toward its cree
ton.
he nau tlfne 10 accept political fa"orS
from his neighbors, also, and was for sew
eral terms president of the first branch of
the city council and frequently the actin z
mayor of the city.
Recently he has been engaged in bring
ing to successful termination the proposed
Shakspearean birthday revival In 1894
thirty years ago, he conceived similar en-
terprise, and John Sleeper Clarke was the
GENITAL figure of the revival. This time that
famous comedians son, Creston Clarke was
to be the central actor and was TO have
been supported by Mr.. Ford's daughter
Margaret.
In his death the theatrical world not
only loses one of its most illustrious figures,
but Baltimore will miss the best man with
in her boundaries when it comes to the
broadness of his citizenship and the infiu-
ence he exerted in behalf of it's best inter-
ests."