Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-17
How Barnum Purchased the sIuscum.

In an essay which P T. Barnum contributed &c
Freedlys Treatise on Business he thus alIudes tc
the purchase of the Museum
In 1s4l purchased the American Musem in New
York without dollar, for | was not worth dollar in
the world. But Was nev.r diskeartened !; | always
fell that | could make money fast enough, if only
set my mind TO 1t. | remember meeting friend in
Broadway few weeks before came in possession OF
the Museum, WE'LL said !, Mr. A g, am going to
buy the American Museum. Buy it p said he, for
he knew had no property; what do You intend buy
ing with }. Brass, replied. 'fo: silver and gold
have none.'
1t was even so. Everybody who had any connec,
ton with theatrical, circus exhibition business, from
Edmund Simpson. manager OF the old Park Theatre.
or VIM Nlb'o, down 10 the most humble pupret-
Snowman OF the day, knew me perfectly well. MIR.
Francis Olmstead, the owner of the Museum building,
(now deceasad) noble, whole soued man as one Of
len meets with, having consulted my references who
all concurred in telling him that was good slow
man, and would do as | agreed, accepted my propo-
son 10 give security for in the purchase of the
Museum collection, he appointing a money taker "a
the door, and credng me. toward the purchase, all
the money received after paying expenses, allowing
me fifty dollars per month, on which to support my
family, consisting OF wife and three children This
was my own proposition as / determined so 10
live that six hundred dollars per annum should defray
all the expenses of my family until had paid for the
Museum; and my treasure Of wife (and such wife
is treasureD gladly assented 10 the arrangement,
anu eXpTeSSeI neT Willingness I'D cut eA penSeS
down 10 S400 per annum, if necessary.
One day, some six months after had purchased the
Museum, my friend, Mr. OImslead, happened in at my
ticket Office al about II O'Clock, and found me Alone
eating my dinner, which consisted of few slices of
corned beef and bread that had brought from home
in the morning is this The way you eat your din
ner" be inqured.-'l have not eaten warm dinner
since bought the Museum, except OF the Sabbath,
| replied, 'and intended never TO eat another a
week day till get out of debt 'Ah you are safe,
and will pay for the Museum before the year is out,
he replied, sapping famiIiary on the shoulder
and be right, for in less than year from that Pc
Rod, was in full possession OF the Museum my
own property every cent paid out of the profits of
the establishment. Had been less economical. and
less determined, my expenses would have kept pace
with my income; should have lost much valuable
time in going home every day 10 my dinner, and my
present situation would probably have been very diff
fereni from what il is.'
Co. Mary, where's the frying pan !' ':Jemmy's
got it, carting mud and clam shells up the alley,
with the cat for horse' The dear little fellow
what genius he will make; but go getit, we're gos
ing to have company, and must fry some fish for din
ner."
95-A Mrs. Done!ly. who kicked man in New
York. named Clark. for grossly insulting her, and there