Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1911-09-15

following officers: President, Lester Wallack;
vice-president, A. M. Palmer; secretary, Daniel
Frohman; treasurer, Theodore Moss. The board
Of trustees Lester Wallack Edwin Booth.
Joseph Jefferson, NJ. H. Mallory. Lawrence Bar
rett, II. c. Miner, w. E. Sim, A. NJ. Palmer Ed
ward Harrigan, William Henderson, John F.
Poole, p. T. Barnum, w. ]. Florence. William
Birch, ]. X Emmett and j. II. Haverly The
counsel for the fund was A. j. Dittenhoefer.
The report of the secretary for the first year
OF the funds existence showed a disbursement of
s123f9.07. Relief had been given to over four
hundred actors in different parts of the Union.
and thirty-two had been buried in California,
Texas and other parts of the country. Thus the
fund had prevented the sick and needy from
seeking charity. and had given respectable inter
ment to those who would otherwise have been
buried in pauper's graves
One day In the spring of 1900 Louis Aldrich,
an actor, and Al. Hayman. a theatrical manager.
sat in the latter office in the Empire Theater.
Jew York:
The actors fund has at last passed resolu.
lions approving my plan to build home for old
actors" said Aldrich. You know that I have
been agitating this scheme for years. with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes IT feasible,
on account OF the expense. believe now as
always have, that can make success of it. II
can only get substantial to start my sub
scription You've made good deal of money
out OF the theatrical business Al; give me some
thing tangible for a starter"
! "Esw much will you require altogether" Hay
man asked
1T will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" was tho reply.
How much do you think ought to give?'
oh. about ten thousand dollars"
Well" replied Hayman. "Tll give you
thousand dollars. If the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid can't raise that much right
away Aldrich said; but / believe we could
raise nifty thousand now, and the balance later"
AN right" said Hayman. IN give you ten
thousand. II you'll raise fifty thousand"
That's bargain" exclaimed Aldrich. Give
your check, and n don't raise the fifty
thousand. I'll it,
The check for ten thousand dollars was given
10 !,idrich, and he took it to the editor of the
New YORK; Herald. who agreed to hold the money
and receive further donations. The next day
the Herald announced that 1t had ten thousand
dollars nucleus for fund build a home
for actors, and would receive subscriptions The
response magic Money poured in by mail
express telegraph and cable. In twenty days
lars, besides the original ten thousand and the
books were closed for the time being
The matter was allowed TO rest until the spring
Of 1901, when number OF benefit performances
were given in New York Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed
plete the work so auspiciousy begun
The committee ntrusted with the selection OF
site for the home purchased "Beechlawn" he
twenty-acre estate of Richard Penn Smith at
West Brighton. Staten Island. The building was
finished. and May s, 1902. the Actors Fund
Home opened and dedicated with imposing
ceremonies. The address OF the day was made
by Joseph Jefferson.
In reality, the dramatic profession owes to
Louis Aldrich than It does to any single
person for the possession OF this beautiful home
He talked of the scheme for years No one else