The Red Cloud chief., 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 J. H. Haverly. Tho
counsel for the fund was A. J. Dittenhoefer.
The report Of the secretary for the first year
Of the funds existence showed q disbursement OF
312349.07. 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 Adrich.
an actor. and AL. Hayman. a theatrical manager.
sat in the latter office In the Empire Theater.
ISew York:
"The actors fund has at last passed resolu-
tions approving my plan to build q home for old
actors" said Aldrich ''You know that have
been ag1tating this scheme for years. with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes 1t feasible.
on account Of the expense. I believe now. az
always have. that can make . success Of II. II
can only get q substantial sum to start my sub
scription. You've made q good deal Of money
out Of the theatrical business. Al; give me some.
thing tangible for a starter"
man asked.
TT will take about one hundred thousand dol.
lars" was the reply.
"How much do you think ought to give?"
"Oh. about ten thousand dollars"
"well." replied Hayman. "Tll give you ten
thousand dollars II 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 "Tll give you ten
thousand, II you'll raise fifty thousand"
That's bargain" exclaimed Aldrich. "Give
me your check and II don't raise the nifty
~ thousand, I'll return It."
The check for ten thousand dollars was given
to Adrich. 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 It had ten thousand
dollars a. . nucleus for q fund to build a home
for 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.nve 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 benefit performances
were given in New York. Philadelphia and Chi
cago to raise additional money needed to CON-
plete the work so auspiciously begun.
The committee intrusted with the selection OF
q site for the home purchased "Beechlawn," .he
twenty-acre estate of Richard Penn Smith ct
West Brighton, Staten Island. The building was
finished. and on May 8, 1902 the Actors Fund
Home was opened and dedicated with imposing
ceremonies The address of the day was made
by Joseph Jefferson.
In reality the dramatic profession owes "a
Louis Aldrich more than It does to any single
person for the possession Of this beautiful home
He talked Of the scheme fos years. No one else