Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-09-16

following officers President. Lester wallack;
vice-presdent, A M Palmer; secretary. Daniel
Frohman; treasurer, Theodore Moss. The board
of trustees Lester walIack, Edwin Booth.
Joseph Jefferson. M H Mallory. Lawrence Bar
rett. H. C. Miner. w. E. Sinn A. M Palmer. Ed
ward Harrigan, William Henderson. John F.
Poole, P. T. Barnum w. J. Florence, William
Birch, ]. 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 a 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 Aldrch
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 resolu-
lions approving my plan to build home for old
actors said Aldrich. You know that 1 have
been ag1tating this scheme for years. with little
or no encouragement; nobody believes it feasible,
on account of the expense. 1 believe now as 1
always have, that can make success of it, if L
can only get 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 the reply.
How much do you think 1 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 said; but 1 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 it the editor of the
New York Herald who agreed hold the money
and receive further donations. The next day
the Herald announced that it had ten thousand
dollars nucleus for a fund to build 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 ffty-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 auspiciously begun.
The committee intrusted with the selection of
site for the home purchased 'Beechlawn" The
twenty-acre estate of Richard Penn Smith ct
West Brighton. Staten Island. The building was
finished, and 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 1t does to any single
person for the possession of this beautiful home
he talked of the scheme for years. No else