Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 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, M FL. 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 J. H. Haverly The
counsel for the fund A. J. 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
One day in the spring of 1900 Louis Aldrich,
actor, and Al. Hayman, theatrical manager,
sat in the latter Office in the Empire Theater,
~lleW York:
THE actors fund has at last passed resolu-
'tions approving my plan to build home for old
actors" said Aldrich 'You know that have
been agitating this scheme for years, with little
or encouragement; nobody believes 1t feasible,
account of the expense. I believe now, as i
always have, that can make success of it, If /
only get substantial sum to start my sub
:scription. You've made 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.
sIt will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars the reply.
How much do you think I ought to give?"
'Oh about ten thousand dollars"
Well" replied Hayman, 'T'll give you ten
thousand dollars, if the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand"
I'm afraid we can't raise that much right
away" Aldrich said; 'but I believe we could
raise fifty thousand now, and the balance later
~All right" said Hayman, I'll give you ten
thousand. If you'll raise fifty thousand"
That's bargain" exclaimed Aldrich. Give
me your check and If l don't raise the fifty
Thousand I'll return it,
The check for ten thousand dollars 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 it had ten thousand
dollars nucleus for fund to build home
Eor actors, and would receive subscriptions. The
response magic. Money poured in by mall
express, telegraph and cable In twenty days
the subscription reached fifty-fve 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
given in New York, Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed to COM
plete the work so auspiciously begun
The committee iutrusted with the selection Of
site for the home purchased "Beechlawn," -hs
9twenty-acre estate Of Richard Penn Smith ct
West Brighton, Staten Island The building was
finished and on May g. 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