Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-09-24
Blitz and the Fire Annihilator.

L.
The recent successful experiment with
the fire annihilators has reminded us of
some circumstances connected with the
first exhibition of them in New York, and
which caused a feud between Barnum
and Blitz, renowned for his skill in training
birds, and his extraordinary feats in natu-
raj magic. Barnum had invited the Sig
nor to be present lin New York; at an ex-
perlmental exhibition, in which he was
interested, of the machines that put out a
great fire with great smoke. The great
deceiver was on hand-a little man. dress
ed In black, with iron grey hair, and rest
less, observant eye-and he mingled in the
crowd unrecognised.
The temporary structure in which the fire
was to be kindIed and then annlhilated
was about fifteen feet square, and one story
and half high. There was an upper
hoor but no stairs, as none were needed.
The carpenter who had nailed il down,
had merely left hole by which he descend
ed after performing his Job.
A large concourse OF people assembled
to witness the experiment, which was to
come of little after dark. The spec
tators examined AT their leisure the build
ing and the queer looking cans that CON
tanned Barnum's gas, ready to be let forth
TO arrest the progress of the :. devouring
element" which, to use the stereo,vped
language of the insurance companies, "of-
ten sweeps away in few hours the hard
earnings of many years"
Professor Cotton at last mounted stand.
and explained to the assen. bly, the princi-
piles OF the annihilator, and set forth the
immense benefits that would accrue from
1t to all combustible communities.
Barnum was around, and, although he
had been searching for his friend Blitz,
that willy professor Of deviltry lodged the
great Snowman and remained invisible
Atlength verything was ready. A head
of highly combustibe matter had been
prepared on the middle Of the floor, and an
assistant was proceeding to set fire to it,
when all in the vicinity were startled by a
cry from the upper room of the building
Don't! don't. Let me out Don't
burn me upr
Stop! shouted police officer there's
q man in the lol1.'
The master of ceremonies stepped into
the building, and ordered the intruder to
jump down.
i can't (hic) get down. said the voice.
Some drunken fool has got up there
with his bottle, said Barnum, in tone
of vexalion. %, for liquor law in these
diggngs ! Somebody must go up and
haul the fellow down
A stick of timber was procured and
placed in slantng position. and police
man managed to crawl up into the attic.
Hello, here Come out of this = said
the officer, poking about with his stick.
But, to his surprise, he found no one there.
After satisfying himself that the place was
vacant, the officer came down, muttering
curses upon the whole affair.
Again did the tofch-bearer approach to
light the pile, and again the voice sounded
from the upper room.
Let me out, sa-ay Con denim (hic)
yer picters, will ye burn fell'r alive
Let lie out Let me out! Let me
ou-u-ulr
.Slop!' shouted Barnum 10 the torch-bear-
er,' this won't'do! Mr.Colon will you send
man up into that building who has his
senses about him? Send him quickly,
too
Another person now ascended to the
loft, which he examined by the light of a
lantern that was passed up to him, and he
likewise reported the place empty.
short pause now took place, during
which the spectators began to manifest
great impatience, and their cries began to
fill the air.
'Humbug!'
"A Barnun, humbug
The thingumbob won't work
'Woolly Horse y
'Joice Heth!
sMerm-a-id =
These were some Of the unpleasant words
that assailed Barnum's ear in the babble-
ment that was rising like the roar of
waves around him.
Have a little patience, gentlemen, and
well proceed said he
We'll, yer kin proceed, but yer can't
succeed,' growled member OF old Forty
Two's company.
The torch was now applied to the tar
and rosin, and as the flames began to curl
up, a number of VOICES sounded distress
fully from all parts of the building. 1t
was apparently half full of men. Pigs
also began to squeal as if their bristles
were scorched, but Rarnum now took the
hint. He recognised some of the very
sounds that the great veentriloquist had
produced in his office that afternoon, and
he exclaimed, in high dudgeon-
That cursed Bluz has made all this