Arizona republican., 1907-06-06
LIFE WORK OF THE
LATE f. ". WI6GINS
A Brief Biography Of a Well Known
and Popular Man in the Theatrical
World.

account of the career of the late Enoch
w. Virgins. who for ten years past has
made Phoenix his winter home, and
who died a few days ago in New York.
Mr.. Virgins was largely Interested i'm
! Investments Eere and only a few DAYS
before his death sold the Doris opera
house to the Phoenix lodge Of Elks.
The following is taken from the News:
With the death in New York of Mr.
Virgins passes one OF the old school
of showmen, n link between the palmy
days and the present order of things
| theatrical. His connection with the
amusement world covered n period of
nearly 40 years. and included practi-
cally every branch and phase of the
business
Essentially a self-made man, ne had
worked his way steadily and By his
own efforts and judgment to a posi- :
ton of commanding importance in his
chosen field. and he was known To the
principal theatrical people of two con-
tinents. Many of the leading actors
and producers of the English-speak-
ing stage retained their personal
friendship and liking for him and lost
no opportunity of renewing the ties
! whenever possible.
Personally. the dead Snowman was
a most companionable man. Blunt,
outspoken and caring little for the
I wiles Of diplomacy. he was intensely
loyal to his friends. come what might.
and his broad experience and seem
| ingly inexhaustible fund of humOr
made him a most interesting and COM
panionable associate. Prefacing his
theatrical career with a season of
work as a news agent on the rail-
road. during which time he worked
with Thomas A. Edison. the inventor.
Mr.. Virgins broke into the stage
world at the bottom.
He was an usher, sold fans in the
local theaters and worked upon the
stage in the old days. He tackled the
circus field. ran a sideshow and gained
all tie varied experience that was to
be CLEANED in travelling in various
capacities with the canvas-top en-
terprises. Here he made the acquaint-
ance of host of men who were them
selves laying the foundation for what
later became great careers in the cir
Gus business. and to the end of his
life he took pleasure in discussing the
old days of the overland shows and
the early experiences of the men who
were booked to become circus kings.
Coming back to Detroit with a few
dollars saved up and an invaluable
fund Of good ideas. Mr.. Virgins
opened the museum which later be-
came the old Wonderland. Those were
the early and popular days of the old
fashioned "dime museum and that
institution filled an important niche
in the amusement world. His Detroit
venture was a success and he branch
ed out enough TO put similar houses
into several other cities.
Eventually the idea OF combining
variety performance upon a small
scale with the museum appealed to
him, and he tried that with marked
success. His good luck attended him
through various experiments. and even
when in his later life. he opened legiti-
mate theaters and engaged in other
branches of the business his star of
fortune remained in the ascendant. and
his success has been marked.
The Temole theater. established in
connection with Wonderland, when he
began to work out the vaudeville idea
as applied to museums. has become
one of the leading vaudeville houses of
the country. and has been reinforced
by houses in Rochester. ". Y. and in
Phoenix. AriZ. For the past 10 years
Mr.. Virgins has spent his winters in
Arizona for the benefit of his health.
and he had but recently returned to
the east from that country.
In his personal associations Mr..
Virgins was one Of the components
Of an interesting group of "old-timers"
in Detroit whose relations had been
very close socially for many years.
Chiefest among these in his nearness
to the old Snowman was probably
tom" Swan. the restaurateur. and the
pair We're great cronies. In the fara
way DAYS when Swans old "Cobwa0
hail. was the gathering place for n
choice band of kindred spirits in the
theatrical. political and literary world.
l.. w. Virgins was one of the number;
and although most of the old crowd
had been called by death from the
scene. and changing fortupes wSth
shifting business environments had
driven the portly host from one loca-
ton to another. the old Snowman had
NV StNtitu Tvs NiletN NM "
his friend
Swan is one of the most sincere
mourners at the news of Virgins
death, although the state Of the lat
ter's health for some time has been |
such as to make the finale constant |
ly impending event. and a tinge OF
gloom hangs over the new "bodega" on !
Lafayette boulevard.
Ever touched quickly by the appeal |
of distress. Mr.. Virgins was one OF |
the most liberal givers to charitable |
purposes Detroit has recently known. |
He was Not inclined to depend upon !
any charitable organizations, but /
worked mainly through the medium |
of his own employees. who were author
lied to draw needed sums at any time |
to alleviate distress whenever the |
cases came under his notice. A very |
generous amount was expended every |
year in this manner without public /,
of the facts.
A sick man when he came from the \
west a few weeks ago. the Detroit
friends of the Snowman entertained a
fear which they hesitated to give voice.
After he reached New York he was
taken worse and from the Hotel Bres
lin. where he lived in the metropolis, a
was sent to Mrs. Virgins and /
other members of the. family. At the