Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-03-18
Continued from page !

dismissal. Since that time have returned
/ 20 Belgium but once, when accompanied
nv wife home during the war. L am still
a citizen Of Belgium. a subject of King
| Leopold and have been the consul at
Atlanta for many years.
| THEATRE OWNER BY ACCIDENT
The foregoing is the substance of what
Mr.. Deceive said. He told it in far
different fashion. however-in quaint
old world style impossible to initiate.
{ Proceeding with the narrative he spoke
of the dark days of the war, of the loss
NJ confidence I'm the south, the depreci-
alton of funds and other matters. Ihen
he told OF the manner in which he secured
the property on which the Bijou theatre
nov stands. He loaned some money to
q xeu-known Albanian and took mort
2 gage on the Marietta street SITE he
foreclosed on this mortgage when pay
rnent was refused.
| After the war, in the late sixties OF
sarIv seventies he sold the land TO the
Nssonic fraternity. who planned to erect
/ \ largo hall. When the work had pro-
crossed as far as the second story a panic
set in and work was stopped. The work
men were unpaid and, according to the
law at that time. payment devolVed upon
] The real owner of the property on which
THE structure rested. Mr.. Deceive bid In
1.-THE haIf-fnished building, paid on the
labor and found himself with big shell
of structure with which he had little
/ idea u-hst TO. do. A friend suggested that
he complete the building and make
theatre of IT, At first he demurred. At
lIanta was small and he had no idea il
would pay Finally, however, he decided
TO take his friends advice and thus DE
Gives opera house" the first theatre in
Atlanta. sprang into existence. Since
that day it has gone through many
changes II has successfully been
strictly legitimate house, a popular price
house and is now the home of Decent
vaudeville.
| Atlanta grew rapidly. The Marietta
street house. after serving the public
faithfully for fully 20 years. became
too small. The Grand opera house, the
4 largest in the south. was the result. Peo-
pie thought Mr.. Deceive was making a
mistake when he erected this splendid
structure so far from the business sec
ton. Time has proved the soundness of
his judgment and foresight. Business now
surrounds the Grand where once private
residences stood.
OPENING OF PLAYHOUSE.
/ The opening of ''DeGive's" theatre in
the early seventies was a memorable
event. Forrest, the famous tragedian,
held the boards. The elite Of the city and
persons from nearby towns, even, were
there. The first night was a social and
a financial success, which indicated
the prosperity which the house was des-
tined to enjoy. Forrest played a weeks
engagement to packed houses. From time
! to time he was followed by many of the
Ical nf
SaIvinI, Bernhardt, Booth, Barrett. Sol
Smith Russell, Rhea, Fanny Davenport.
James O'Neil, Fox, the famous "Humpty
Dumpty" are but few of the names that
made the old playhouse famous Its his
toric walls are reeking with memories.
| Right here II may be said that while
Mr.. Deceive built the theatre he was not
its first manager. He had no intention of
ever being so. The house was originally
leased to the father OF Fay TempIeton.
He was lax In his business methods and
finally Mr.. Deceive decided to assume
management himself. He knew nothing
OF theatricals, but soon learned the game.
and up to few years ago was actively
at the head of his theatre interests His
sons and his sonin-law now have the
I active management in charge
| PERSONAL SIDE OF THE MAN.
One might write columns descriptive of
l.. Deceive. as he was wont to style him
self, and then not convey an adequate idea
OF his real character.
With finger ever on the pulse OF pub
Tic affairs. with eyes ever alert to see a
business opportunity. Mr.. Deceive always
remained more or less behind the scenes
The spotlight OF publicity never appealed
to him. Quiet, unobtrusive, devoted to his
family. and enjoying the quiet of his
home circle more than anything else i'm
the world. he fashioned his life to his Iik-
ling Social display and public gatherings
never appealed to him. and he consistent
ly avoided them. His pleasures and recre-
iations were found along sane and sim
iple lines. If others cared for the rush and
hurry and mad scramble after the mate
rial things OF life he had no quarrel to
find with them. That was their affair
He did not criticise. All he asked was
that ne be allowed his own viewpoint of
life and his own mode of living.
Thus il is that few people knew the
dean of the theatre owners of the south.
But, right here be IL said that Mr.. De-
Gives attitude Of reserve and his dislike
lof publicity was not that he was lacking
in the social or gregarious instinct He
was one Of those men who prefer a few
intimate friends TO many acquaintance:
who cared more for the substantial veri-
ties OF life than tho evancscent frivoli-
ties.
4 CHARITABLE MAN
Mr.. Deceive was one Of the most charit-
g bic men i'm the city Of Atlanta. but his
charity was Of the unobtrusive sort. Man,
stories could be told OF his generosity To
stranded actors and managers But YOU
could never get Mr.. Deceive to discuss
these stories.
lie was just as modest about other mat
tiers as this. He received four decorations
from King Leopold for faithful service as
consul but n he ever wore one of them
no ore knows anything about e. They
repose in the big iron safe ia his Office
IN the Grand building and he only showed
them as a special favor to a limited few
when he did he was half apologize in his
manner.
\ MAN OF GREAT WEALTH
Mr.. Deceive was man OF great wealth.
.Conserv atively estimated he must have
-