The Washington herald., 1913-11-30

/ the then famous Van Amburgh man
agement
At length the time came to him. as Il
has to so many other young American.
destined to greatness, when farm life
was TO be ended and new era begun.
During the next few years his course
reminds one OF the carrier pigeon. which
when released, first circles about to OBJ:
tain its bearing before setting out or
the straight course for the distant goal
MIR. Keith's circling brought him in con-
tact with many phases of life, but he
finally found himself insensfbly drawn to-
ward the entertainment business.
He was at first connected with Bun.
nelrs Museum. in New York, for two
seasons; next with Barnum, and later
with Doris & Forepaugh. During this
time in the winter season, Mr.. Keith
amused himself by taking small shows
on the road, coming home dead broke
on three consecutive occasions.
The Boston ReginninE.
In the latter part of 1s2 Mr.. Keith
went to Boston with no definite purpose,
though with a general idea of continu-
ing in some manner or other along the
lines which he had recently followed. All
through his life thus far he had held
well aloof from dissipation in any OF
its forms, and without being grasping or
penurious had practised a wise economy.
While walking along Washington street
one day, not long after his arrival, his
eye fell upon a vacant store, which has
since been removed to make room for
a portion of the present Adams House.
At that time one-half OF the lower part
OF the building was occupied as a con-
fectionery store, and it was the south
erly half which was open for rental
1t was in this contracted spot that Mr..
Keith's career as a Snowman began on
January s, 1885, in company with Col
William Austin, formerly of Austin &
Stone
The first attraction was a little child.
called Baby Alice, whose principal claim
tC distinction lay in the fact that at the
age of three months she weighed but one
and one half pounds. The admission fee
to gaze upon this tiny morsel of hu-
manity was 10 cents, and for two weeks
the little one held the boards alone. The
partnership above referred to was OF
but brief duration, lasting but two weeks.
The Original store.
A few weeks later Mr.. Keith secured
lease of the entire property except the
candy store, which, however, occupied
one-half of the front and all of the rear
nOOr, so that all the room available Tor
show purposes for some time was COM
priseG in the original store. His part
ner in this second venture was ore Gard
ner with whom business relations were
retained for thirteen months
For attractions he exhibited, in addi-
tional to Baby Alice, several curiosities
of the ordinary type. These objects of
interest were of necessity displayed upon
a small stage on one side Of the room.
while in one end, on a stage, resting
upon two dry goods boxes, the perform
ance proper was presented.
In May, 1885, an upstairs room, prev
iously occupied by a piano dealer. was
secured by Mr.. Keith and in II he To-
Gated 123 chairs and a stage two and a
half feet high.
He Engaged Stars.
1t is worthy of note that in the limited
space then at Mr.. -Keith's command he
succeeded in Producing to delight audi
ences, many of the foremost vaudeville
artists of the day. Mrs. General Tom
Thumb also held her daily levees in
these contracted quarters for a series OF
weeks.
In was in this hall that Mr.. Fred Kyle,
previously famous for his unique dog.
cat, baby and bird shows in Horticul
ture Hall duplicated his successes while
with Mr.. Keith for the period
Of about one year. adding to them the