Smyrna times., 1855-01-17
3Ml5tcIlalltol}s.
The Life Of P. T. Barnum,

Journal.
We believe Barnum has made clean breast |
ofthe history ofhIs chuquered life, and although
the details are not calculated to add anything
to his reputation, every one Will give HIM credit
for frankucss, and read his book. Barnum was
born on the 5ih day Of July, 1Sl0-and al
though he is STYLED "Od Birnum," it VIII be
seen he is still what might be called a young
man. He was shrewd speculatmg boy, and
early manifested his peculiar tact for business.
His first was selling mo!aSses candy on "traln-
mo days." and he folloWed THIS upuntll liquors
were added to his stock, by the sale OF which
he accumulated the su'n of $40, which made
INN feel at the age OF twelve that he was a 4
s. COnd CrGsus. HIS father CONSIDERABLY al
lowed hun to purchase his own clothing, which
considerably reduced his pile. The first visit
TO the scene Of his future success, New York,
was made in January, 1922, and what occurred
during his stay IN that CITY, forms very imu-
sing chapter Of tue book On his return he
was placed in country store, and the loaters
in and around this store seem to have been
clever set of practical jokers A number OF
spicy anecdotes are told with much zcst, and
we have had some hea.ty private laughs over
! them. Btruum Was at one time pretty eAten-
sivelv in the lottery business--he started also
= a small store of his own at Bethel, Connect
cut, and he frankly tells you of all the tricks
OF himself and his companions, IN the way OF
making money 10y Little .humbug. tie made
some little money by his store and by selling
lottery tickets, but Bethel was too small, he
) felt that his genus was crdmped and h spec
ulatlye spirit desired wider field. In 1929
he married an /. .attractlve taIloress named
Charity Hallett, and he now says by that acl
he d" became the husband of one OF the bes
women that was ever created
In the beginning of the year 1885 he remov'
ed his family to New York, and rented a sma
house IN Hudson street. lie was now out II
! the world to seek hls fortune. The only means
ofliyeyhood for his family were what his agen
could cole ct from the bad debts he left in ant
around the town OF Bethel. Btrnum watched
the pe pers for an opening. He attended III
column OF Wants" every day, but wlthou
success He at last started small boarding
n house, No. %, Frankfort street, and purshase
an interest in grocery store 1t was at TIN
time the attention of Barnum was called to tn
extraordinary woman "Joice lleih," who wa
then on exhibition in Phiade phia. The oil
e negro women was represented to be l6l year
y of age; 1t was also stated that she had bee
the nurse of General Washington, and was
slave IN the Washington family for many year
Barnum went to Philadelphia, examined tn
'0 prOofs OF her age-had an interview with ht
re aud found she new all about the Washngto
family and all their connections, and he dete
mined to purchase her. She was bought IL
one thousand dollars. He went to New YoI
- kicked up a perfect furor about Joice Heth-
articles appeared in all the papers IN relatlC
= to the old woman, and she Mas at last broug
to the city, aud announced tor exeoitlon. Ba
mum had at last struck the mine OF Hunlbug, al
he commenced to reap his harvest. He trave
ed over the country with Jolce Heth---add
bother attractions to hisexhibitlOn--mostly hui
~ lbugs--and in several years bad accumulat
ar lsome money. He afterward had an interest
Of travelling circus, and went through all
ex- Southern States. This was not paying
ac. terprise, and in lS4l, he found himself IN NJ
.spE York, almost as poor as when he started IN
eF- /" Show business. The American Musel
-., was offered for sale, and he bought 1t for 81
hts 600 on credit. Here he made money irom
,es, start, and during the first year paid on
onr I debt.
oU' The Fegee Mermaid dswas the greatest hu
. bug that Barnum ever ATTEMPTED to palm oil
rate the community, but the attempt was.suees
nee, lful. The Mermaid was a manufactured
l,be Gle, and Barnum acknowledges the cor
= giving ali the details of how he manutaetu
'i public opinion, and throwed dust IN the eye
act the leading men and sergeons OF New
she's and Boston, The next enterprise that occ'
aIy ed his attention was Tom Thumb" Pass
~. tbrough bridgeport, Connecticut, in Novep
he' 1924. he stopped at the hotel during thenil
lne He here saw Chas. s. Stratton, "a five "
uni. old dwarf He first engaged him from his Fl
very er for feur weeks at three sidollars week,
etedisides paying theexpensesi Ofathec boy and
aets, molnss. pn : iiainSe . en- Ten ~
the' aidwarf OF eleven years OF age, just arr
cnOr from Englsnd." Tom proved valuable