Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-04
JEAN JACQUES
Well Known Citizen and Theatrical Manager
 Dies Suddenly.

Eugene L. Jacques, one of the best known theatrical men in New Eng land. died this morning at Smiths hotel Milford Point. where he went last Saturday for short rest. While his death comes as surprise to the public his family and others who were in close touch with him, were prepared for the shock, for his health has been very poor for some time past. He was troubled with a complication of diseases and was far from being q well man for year and over. But there was nothing alarming when he left here and no serious symptoms were noticed until this morning when he took bad spell and never rallied.
 Eugene Leslie Jacques was born in Plymouth of this state, April 30, 1855. He was educated at the Waterbury High school and also at the private school of H. F. Bassett. His father, Dr John J. Jacques, was one of the best known of the local physicians and where the present Park restaurant is iOCdltu sOppOsllt UIit STteH-
 From boyhood Jean Jacques was a lover of athletic sports and theatrieals and he counted among his best friends some of the leading actors and actres- ses of the country. Back in the old days before Waterbury had theater was where Jean Jacques got his first insight into the management line. On January 8, 1874. the Theodore Thomas orchestra was booked to appear iI; this city in the City hall There had been some hitch in the sale of the tickets and young Jacques, then only nineteen years of age, was called in to take charge of the same His eff forts resulted in big success for twelve hundred tickets were sold for the concert This feat attracted the attention of Aleck Calhoun of Hart ford, who was at that time the circuit manager for Connecticut, and he ap- pointed young Jacques as his local re- presentative. Then followed for sev- eral years some of the best entertain ments that have appeared in this city.
 Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett. Fanny Davenport. Mary Anderson. and all the best stars in the country were brought here. The advent of the Edwin Booth company must recall one of the strangest things that ever happened to that great actor probably in his entire career. The costumes for the company did not arrive The hall was sold out and every seat was filled when it came time for the cur tain to rise. Mir Jacques stepped be- fore the curtain and explained the sit uation and introduced Mir Booth, who told the audience that the company would play in civilian dress if it was so desired. That performance was given and those who were present say that Mir Booth never did better work as Hamlet than he did on thar nighr.
 In the summer of 1886 Jean Jacques and his father built the present Jacques theater the first play house of modern ideas that the city ever had It was thrown open to the pub lie on November 1, 1886. The initial entertainment was given under tue auspices of the late Professor ]. F. Bartlett, and at this concert Marshall F. Wilder and Miss Lizzie Gaffney appeared. The theater was used for dramatic entertainments up to the time of the building of the present Poli. theater when it was converted into a vaudeville theater, which it is at present
 Besides being Interested in theatri- calls, Mir Jacques has also been a lover of athletic sports. It was he and Ar thur Fenn. now one of the champion golfers of the country. who introduced polo into this city back in the life of the old rink. He was at that time probably one of the most popular men in the city. Mr Jacques was also a large real estate dealer and one of his ventures in that line is now occupied as the home of the Eagles. The Audi torium was q, success from It's begin ming and many fairs and dances found there an excellent home for their or ganiZations. Another one of Mir Jacques ventures which has proven so successful is his Diamond. Bottling works. This has become a most grow ing and thriving business.
 He was also well known fraternal man and was connected with the Elks. Odd Fellows. Knignts of Pythlas. Red Men. a thirtyesecond degree Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine.
 MT Jacques was married on June !. 1889. to Miss Annie Louise Ames. an actress of Boston. and she survives him with one child. Marie Mercedes.
 Mir Jacques went to Smiths hotel in Milford Saturday to try and recover some of his fast failing strength. This morning he lay down to have a sleep and he was found dead a short time afterward
 The arrangements for the bringing of the body to this city and the time of the funeral have not yet been an- nounced.