The Empire County argus., 1856-04-26
Barnum's Business Affairs.

Barnum's Business Affairs.
The following is portion of the examination of
the great Snowman before the Supreme Court in
New YORK on ain application of his creditors. 1t
Is rather funny than otherwise:
q. You say you have no business now; how do
you live, and how do you get funds for immediate
use?
A. hired furnished house in Eighth street
last December, where my family resides, and where
we have kept five boarders from the first day that
we took the house.
z. Do you pretend to say that you make your
living by keeping boarders9
A. Partly so my vegetables were raised last
year on my land in Connecticut, and my son. in-law
at Bridgeport sends me box of meat every week.
have also few friends left who would probably
not let me exactly starve this year have receiv-
ed various letters from friends at distance offer.
ing to send me money which have declined. One
wealthy gentleman whom | scarcely knew resid-
ing near Bridgeport, offered to be one of ten to
raise me SlOO,O0O without security, if | could be
relieved from clock debts, and return to Connecti-
cut to reside; but desired no such assistance and
would not receive it.
z. What does your wardrobe consist of
A. am ready to answer truthfuy all civil ques-
tons, but | will not be insulted NV position is
not pleasant one, but | shall try to meet all my
troubles with patience. If you choose to trife un<
necessarily with my feelings, however, | shall be
protected by the Court, or will protect myself.
BY advice of his counsel Mr. Barnum answered
the question | have only one suit of clothes be-
side the one on my back, and this you will see is
rather seedy
e. Do you own property in Tennessee?
A. None but what have told you Of
e. Do you own any in Alabama!
A. owned some in Selma, Ala but sold it and
got my pay more than four years ago
Y. Do you own property in Ohio!
"A. had mortgage property in Cleveland
Ohl0, to debt of ahout Sf O()0 hiyt
assigned to secure my honest debts, one of which
was note of nearly $4,000, due to the estate of
5. E. Stratton, the father of Gen Tom Thumb
e. Do you own any other real or personal prop
erty, IN any State except New York and Connecti-
cut!
A. Not to the best of nv recollection, except
some worthless manufacturing stocks. I own six
thousand dollars of stock in the Watervlle Cutlery
Co.. live or six thousand in the French Hat Body
company, and nearly twenty thousand in the Je-
rome clock company, nearly all of which cost me
par in cash. and the whole of which l do not now
consider worth two cents.
q. You are not lucky in manufacturing are you!
A. generally lost in all operations not connect
ed with my legitimate business don't understand
any business except the show business.
z. Are you able to pay your debts?
A. hope and think can pay my honest debts;
but, from the great sacrifices made, as explained
to you yesterday, have great fears that my prop
| ~ N'.h Aoioiy Nc W pay any tnILS HOre
than those,
q. Can not you pay what you call clock debts?
A. No, sir; probably not two cents dollar
Q. Do you a gold watch! Mr.. Barnum
was much nettled and appealed to his counsel, who
told him he was bound to answer the question.
A. Yes sir
@. What did it cost!
A About $3.50
Q. Where is it!
A. | believe it is in my pocket.
Q. Do you own any diamonds?
A Does that look like diamond. pointing to
plain gold pin on his cravat
G. That is not answering my question.
A own diamond pin and ring, which cost
about three hundred dollars.
Q. Where are they!
A. can produce them when they are wanted.
q. Do you own pano-forte!
A. do; but, unfortunately for you it is nort-
gagged for about its full valuej have had the mos
ney and spent it,
Q. Have you any money in bankt
A. | have no money except what is in my pock-
ct.
G. How much is that!
A. can count it for you, but there is less than
twenty-five dollars.
Nevermind don't want it, if that is all you
have got
Mr.. B. Then l shall probably spend it before
long.