Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-09-15


vice-presdent, A. M. Palmer secretary Daniel
frohman; treasurer Theodore Moss The board
OF trustees was: Lester Wallack Edwin Booth,
Joseph Jefferson, NJ. H. Mallory Lawrence Bar
rett, II. G. Miner, w. E. Snn A. NJ. Palmer Ed
ward Harrgan, William Henderson, John F.
Poole, P. T. Barnum, w. ]. Florence William
Birch, J. K Emmett and J. H. Havery. 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 thlrty-two had been buried i'll 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 Aldrch,
an actor, and AL Hayman, theatrical manager,
sat in the latter office in the Empire Theater,
Isew York:
The actors fund has at last passed resolu-
lions approving my plan to build home for old
actors" said Aldrich. you know that | have
been agftating this scheme for years, with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes it feasible,
on account OF the expense. l believe now, [
always have, that can make a success of it. if I
can only get substantial to start my sub
scrIpt1on. You've made a good deal of money
out of the theatrical business, AL give me some
thing tangible for a starter"
man asked. ~
1T will take about one hundred thousand dol
lars" was the reply
How nuch do you think ought to give?"
oh, about ten thousand dollars
Well replied Hayman I'll give you ten
thousand dollars, if the dramatic profession will
raise ninety thousand
I'm afraid can't raise that much right
away, Aldrich sad but | 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 a bargain" exclaimed Aldrich "Give
me your check, and if 1 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 it had ten thousand
dollars a nucleus for 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 f1fty-fve thousand dol
lars, besides the original ten thousand and the
books were closed for the time being
The matter 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 COM
plete the work auspciously begun.
The committee Entrusted with the selection of
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 s, 1902. the Actors Fund
Home opened and dedicated with imposing
ceremonies The address of the day made
by Joseph Jefferson.
In reality the dramatic profession owes to
Louis Aldrich more than 1t does to any single
person for the possession of this beautiful home.
He talked OF the scheme for years No else