The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11
Manager of the Bijou---What
He Has Done.
GROWTH OF ENTERPRISE

From that point where a silver dollar
looks hs big as race track where a
ham sandwich IS a thing to be talked OF
Vaguely and in whispers. and where ap-
petite IL the most pressing creditor, 10
that point where one becomes the 3D.
Eolute director of company with
siake Of some $4,000, with the privilege
Of saying yes or no. looks like long
trip. In one case at least this metaHor-
posts has come to pass In this city the
rlaosed time having been ABOUT 1our
Jears. Jake Wells did it
Through what may Justly BIO termed
LIE accident Jake Wells has become the
Oscar EamrneTstein OF the South. ae
went into store TO buy trunk strap
Ind 10 and behold he has become the
theatrical power Of the South; ne STOOD
m n street corner and wondered vastly
IN the nutab;iity Of human a1a!rs and
Ihen took an axe To them. Now ne pans
/ now theatre nearly every morning pc
lore breakfast and Furthermore he builds
Them. Now his La power Which ea-
lends over the entire Southeast IN Ger
ain attractions. now capital runs him
Town and insists on giving him q new
lob every few days; now he Is consid-
srab,y better off than well-to-do ell
S,rcuEt his own efforts.
GREEN IN BUSINESS
Figurativeiy OF course. the above may
}S SGlI 10 DC u IO1iSSL Cyl AODStS "a $500
Eelia, his plans, his achievements and
himself. When he began a theatrical
,arees he knew where tho box-office was.
That was about all. Now he Is recog-
aized authority on tho class of attrac-
lions which the Bi1ou gives to Richmond
md thence to the South generally. When
Vaudeville WIS first brought to this city
bc limit OF salaries for week was 500;
10Y there ts no limit Mr.. Wells has
brown the roof away. He has played
lttfactions at the Bijou ct popular prices
rhich have played for $3.50 IN some OF the
principal houses Of the country. lie mas
Int in single acts which have cost as
,igh as ST loo week; he nas put in bills
Is whole which ran to $500 week,
Ind a s7OO bill would look like It needed
amendment
And Jake Wells is a growing infant.
aleatrically. He spreads. he reaches
mt. He has not his finger IN two or
Ihree theatrical pies; he has his whole
list IN q dozen. Lynchburg, Petersburg,
Roanoke. Charlotte. Atlanta, Ocean View,
Sorolk. Richmond are all held in the
hollow Of his hand in his particular field.
There is no telling where 1t will all end;
lis ambition Is Just being whetted well
IND, controlling as he does the keynote
f the theatric field in popular prices in
E,e eouth he will In t:rie extend as far
touth as the Gulf of Mexico will let him.
atlanta is the stepping stone in this d.
lection which may ultimately mean sa-
hannah, Charleston, Birmingham and
,ven jump into Tennessee. And Its All
,acause he happened to want trunk
trap.
Opportunities make men. so 1t is SAID.
ralIe Wells makes opportunities and nav
~ some inside knowledge Of these op-
f9rtunlties he Is making he is right there
70 grab them. Having grabbed an OPP
tortunity Mr.. Wells forgets how to lie.
Z, until he builds q theatre on it. Then
r., wont let CO. OF all these theatres
tna Richmond house which will cost some
tslpyo or Go,oeo. Will be tho handsomest.
p orl1 on that will begin with the next
NV weeks. and the Bijou will become
tbi,r Of the past The birthplace of
he B,tou Comedy Company. the best
Ia most successful organization OF us
mad In the country. will be torn away
md from the ashes. PoeniS-Ike. w" ~
srTse a monument to its success ana TO
lhe success Of Jake Wells.