The Washington times., 1914-03-27
KE|TH'S BRIDE TO
TAKE BODY HOME
Theatrical Magnate Drops
Dead of Heart Disease at
Palm Beach, Fla.

The body OF B. F. Keith, theatrical
magnate, who died suddenly of heart
disease at Palm Beach. Fla. last mid
night, will be taken to Boston for bur-
ial, accompanied by Mrs. Keith, who
was Miss Ethel Chase daughter of P.
Il. Chase, the Washington theatrical
manager, and Mr.. Keith's son, Paul,
who were with him at Palm Beach.
News of Mr.. Keith's sudden death did
not surprise his large circle OF Wash
tngton friends, as it was known rnat
his health had not been good.
The death of Mr.. Keith occurred on
the tn enty-fifth anniversary of the
opening Of his Boston house, and while
the event was being celebrated at Palm
Beach.
Mr.. Keith was sixty-eight years old.
On October % last he was married in
this city to Miss Chase. the ceremony
taking place a few hours after Mr..
chase's son. Harold, was married to
Miss Ruth Cohen Mr.. and Mrs Keith
Immediately departed for the South on
Mr.. keith's yacht.
Father of Vaudeville.
Mr.. Keith was known as the man
who established vaudeville in this coun-
try. He was the originator Of the "con-
tinuous performance" plan, now SO
popular.
Born on a farm near Hillsboro Bridge,
n. H., on January 26. 1916, Mr.. Keith's
education advantages were limited to a
few years at the district school He
saw his first show when eighteen
years old. 1t was one of the ftnerant
companies visiting small towns: Young
Keith was deeply impressed and. as he
was leaving the hall m which the per-
formance was given, announced his m
tention Of becoming a show man.
The dream of the average American
boy to join circus and live in the
show was probably never more vividly
realised than in the case OF Benjamin
Franklin Keith. After attaching him
self to various travelling shows. he
circus. which travelled through the rural
districts Of New England with varying
success.
Baby His First Show.
II. Keith took his first important
step toward fame and fortune when he
quit the circus business, went to Boston
and exhibited Baby Alice" an infant
which at it's birth, weighed but twenty
four ounces. The show opened on
january 8, 1883, in a small building in
the box office. Within four months,
the exhibition had proved such a profit
able one that the enterprising manager
fitted small room on the second
floor with miniature stage and seats
for 12S people.
In this improvised theater. he gave
vaudeville shows. The coarse and vul-
gar acts Of the old variety halls were
rot permitted. The performances be-
came popular with women and children
of performance.
Business prospered so steadily that
Mt. Keith soon found his quarters too
small. He fitted up a large place on
the ground floor of the building, where
on July 6, 1885, he introduced the con-
tinuous performance. The plan was a
success from the beginning, and Mr..
Keith leased the Bijou Theater. next
door, and introduced continuous vaude-
vile as the regular feature. Sam Ber-
nard. Weber and Fields, Jerry Cohan,
the Rogers Brothers, and many other
players who later became world famous
appeared at this house.
Business Was Expanded.
Mr.. Keith's first venture out Of Bos-
ton was the opening Of the Gaiety Mu-
scum. at Providence, r. !. Later he
opened Keith's Opera House In Provi-
dence
On November 4, 1859, Mr.. Keith opened
q big vaudeville house in Philadelpnra,
and on September is. 1893, gave the first
performance at Keith's Theater, New
York. Tho sphere Of his activities con-
stantly increased. and he opened houses
in Cleveland. Columbus, Manchester N
H., Portland, Ne, and other cities, and
later built a new theater in Philadel- |
phia at q cost of $500 900.
In 1906, Mr.. Keith, together with F. F.
Proctor. formed the Keith & Proctor |
Amusement Company, which controls |
more than fifty vaudeville houses
throughout the country, including seven
theaters in New York and Jersey City. |
The Keith & Proctor circuit supplies |
vaudeville attractions to more than lb0