The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-08

the profession.
Since his acquitsal In Angus 1893 in
San Francisco Of the charge of killing
Policeman Grant, OF the latter city. he
has not appeared before the public until
last season. The killing of Grant
caused widespread sensation.
Mr.. Curtis was born IN Detroit, Mich.
forty-two years ago. His start in his
professional career was made as bell
boy in Chicsgo theatre.
Mr.. Curtis went to California in 1876
and there play ed light comedy parts in
the old California Theatre Stock Com -
pany.
He achieved his arst SUCCESS there as
the darby with W. j. Floiences
mighty Dollar" after limited csreer
OF success when $50 week was big
| money for him.he came east and drifted
about taking comedy parts with various
theatrical companies.
In lucky hour Mr.. Curtis gained
possession of the play. "Saml Of
Posen." This was about twelve years
ago.
Mr.. Curtis hswked his new play about
far and wide. Not q theatrical manager
would touch It.
Finally. in the spring OF 1888, "SsmI
Posen" was sprung on an audience in
Athens, Ca 1t achieved o marked sue
cess. Mr.. Curtis then played 1t in oil
the principal cities of the United States
to large and profitable audiences. He
fairly coined money. In less than four
years he had cleared over 1915, 900. He
became known himself as "SamY of
Posen."
About this time Mr.. Curtis returned
to Osliafornis q rich man. His success
there was rs marked as it had been here
In ho
mbsrk In all sorts of business ventures.
He became president of million dol
lar bank in Berkeley, Cal president of
the Berkeley Electric Light Company;
independent of the First National
Bank of Berkeley; president of the
Nevada Narrow Guage Railroad Conn
pany and president of the Poralla Park
and Hotel Company. He also built o
railroad station and founded q town
known "a Posenville. In the latter
place hourished the Posen Baseball and
Football Clubs, the Posen Fire Engine
Company and the Posen Bass Band. A
1.500 acre orange and lemon orchard
| completed the list of Mr.. Curtis' CALI
| fornia enterprises.
He was In the hey-day OF his pros
perity when, in Sepsem bar, 1891, he was
| charged with the killing OF Policeman
Grant. Our read re- are already familiar
with the details of the affair. On the
flrst trial, in February, 1892, the jury
disagreed, and also on the second trial.
On the third trial in August. 1893, he
was acquitted.
The last business venture OF Mr..
Curtis was the purchase of the Driskell
Hotel, the largesS hotel In Austin, Tex :,
which Is now being run in his name.
Mr.. Curtis Is very popular among the
memb rs of bfs profession. He is genial
in disposition and is credited with being
yerv kind-hearted and generous.
He was one of the first promoters of
the ACTORS Fund Of America" Mr..
Curtis gave his check for $500 toward
lighting up the Bsrtholdi's statute for
the first month, and the same amou Mt
the second month. when Congress
finally, after its long delay, appropriated
the necessary funds
His venture into New York last spring
amounted to an ovation. the Standard
theatre being packed for eight success
give wesks. The play has been fresh
ened somewhat and brought "up-so-
date"
Mr.. Curtis has lost none of his old
time drollery or his wonderfully clever
rOWor of oh aotfnn