Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-09-21

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. M Palmer, Ed
ward Harrigan, William Henderson, John F.
Poole, P. T. Barnum, w. j. Florence, William
Birch, j. K. Emmett and ]. H. Haverly. The
counsel for the fund was A. ]. Dittenhoefer.
The report of the secretary for the first year
of the funds existence showed disbursement of
$12,349.07. 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.
3 One day in the spring of 1900 Louis Aldrich
an actor, and Al. Hayman, theatrical manager,
sat In the latter Office in the Empire Theater
new York;
THE actors fund has at last passed resou-
lions approving my plan to build home for old
actors" said Aldrich you know that have
BEEN ag1tating this scheme for years, with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes It feasible
on account of the expense. l believe now as l
always have, that can make success of it. If I
can only get a substantial to start my sub
scription. You've made a good deal of money
out of the theatrical business, AL give me some
thing tangible for starter"
How much will you require, altogether" Hay
man asked.
1T will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" was the reply.
How much do you think l ought to give?"
"Oh, about ten thousand dollars"
WELL" replied Hayman '1'll give you ten
thousand dollars, If the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid we can't raise that much right
n. N11,,f 7 hali
raise fifty thousand now, and the balance later"
All right" said Hayman, It'll give you ten
thousand, If you'll raise fifty thousand"
That's bargain" exclaimed Aldrich. "Give
me your check, and IL don't raise the fifty
thousand I'll return It."
The check for ten thousand dollars was given
to Aldrich, and he took 1t 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 to build a home
for actors, and would receive subscriptions The
response magic Money poured in by mall
express telegraph and cable. In twenty days
the subscription reached 6ftyfive 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 number Of benefit performances
were given in New York, Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed to COM
plete the work SO auspiciously begun
The committee intrusted with the selection Of
a site for the home purchased 'Beechlawn" she
twenty-acre estate of Richard Penn Smith at
West Brighton, Staten Island. The building was
finished, and on 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 more than It does to any single
person for the possession Of this beautiful home
he talked Of the scheme for years. No one else