The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-10-17

Following officers: President Lester Wallack;
vice president, A. Nj. Palmer; secretary Daniel
Frohman; treasurer. Theodore Moss The board
OF trustees was: Lester Wallack, Edwin Booth
Joseph Jefferson. M. H. Mallory, Lawrence Bar
rett, H. C. Miner, W. E. Sim, A. NJ Palmer. Ed
ward Harrigan, William Henderson, John f.
Poole, p. T. Barnum, W. j. Florence William
Birch, j. X. Emmett and ]. H. Haverly. The
counsel for the fund A. ]. Dittenhoefer
The report of the secretary for the first year
OF the funds existence showed a disbursement OF
Sl2'549Of Relief had been given to over four
hundred actors in different parts of the Union,
ana thrV-two had been buried in California.
Iexas and other parts of the country. Thus the
fund had prevented the sick and needy from
seeking charity. and had given respectable inter.
ment 10 those who would otherwise have been
buried in pauper's graves
One day in the spring of 1900 Louis Aldrch
an actor. and AL. Hayman theatrical manager
sat in the latter Office in the Empire Theater
lew York
The actors fund has at last passed resolu-
tons approving my plan to build a home for old
actors" said Aldrich you know that have
been agitating this scheme for years with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes il feasible
on account OF the expense. believe now as I
always have. that can make a success of it, if T
can only get a 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"
How much will you require. altogether" Hay
asked
1T will take about one hundred Thousand dol.
lars" was the reply.
How much do you think I ought to give?"
"Oh, about ten thousand dollars"
We'll" replied Hayman. I'll give You ten
thousand dollars. II the dramatic profession Will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid can't raise that much right
away" Aldrich said; but I believe we could
raise fifty thousand now. and the balance later
An right" said Hayman, I'll give you ten
thousand, IL you'll raise fifty thousand"
THAT'S bargain" exclaimed Aldrich Give
me your check. and II I don't raise the fifty
thousand. III return H."
The check for ten thousand dollars was given
TO Adrich and he took II 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 II had ten thousand
dollars as a nucleus for a fund to build home
TOT actors. and would receive subscriptions The
response was magic. Money poured in by mail
express. telegraph and cable In twenty DAYS
the subscription reached hfty-hve thousand dol.
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 a number Of beneht performances
were given IN New York Philadelphia and Cbt
cago to raise additional money needed 20 com.
plete the work auspicously begun
The committee intrusted with the selection ~
a site for the home purchased "BeechIawu." he
twentyacre estate Of Richard Penn smith rt
West Brighton, Staten Island. The building WIS
finished. and on May s. 1902 the Actors Fund
ceremonies The address Of the day was made
BY Joseph Jefferson
In reality the dramatic profession owes IN
louis Aldrich more than q does TO- any single
person for the possession Of this beautiful home.
lie talked Of the scheme for years. 40 one else