New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-17
LAW LNTELLIGEVC.E.
EXAMINATION OF p. T. BARNUM.
SUPREME COURT-sEoosD DAY-Mach l6-Befcre Judge
ROCKWELL.

EXAMINATION OF p. T. BARNUd.
ROOSEVELT.
Gushing Dennis and others agt p 4. Bsrnum.
At n o'clock on Saturday morning j. w. Wilson,
sso. opeped the examination in behalf OF plaintiffs.
Mr. Barnum was attended by bis counsel, Mr.. Ge-
ysrd.
Oueston by Plaintiffs Counsel. What is the nature
Of your claim for $4,000 against Messrs Duncan,
Sherman a. Coz A. An injunction was obtained oy
Orson D. Mum and others against the Crystal Paiace
70 prevent their paying some $4,000 which they
owed 10 Messrs. Duncan g. Sherman. Mr.. Watts
sherman of that frn desired me TO get that in unc
ton removed by compromising with the plaintiffs
Mr. Sherman agreed TO indemnify me against any loss
which might incur by signing certain agreement
with Mum g. Co. i made the agreement. Mum o.
Go. subsequently sued me upon i, and recovered
Judgment for something more than $4,000. The case
n stil pending on appeals Mum a. Go. will proba-
bly, be defeated in the higher Court, but the Judgment
d lien my real estate in this city and Williams
burgb. hold Duncan, Sherman L. Co. indebted for
all costs and for any further sums If any, which may
eventually have TO pay IN consequence OF the agree
ment with Mum.
O-Hsve you got note against Henry l.. Bate
man, father of the Bateman children Al have a
judgment against Batemsn for about $4,000.
Ole il goodi Al think it Isl Batemanis con-
Quoting theatre in st. Louis; wrote to an attorney
fbere and he replied that he could collect it; have
not yet sent the claim to st. Louis.
Q.-what other debts do you hold against parties
Al have note gainst the estate of II. p. Bardon
Of Memphis, Tenn, for cash lent; it is in law.
Q.-Nho are your attorneys in Memphis A
Messr T. S. S. w. Ayres; there is list of notes and
debts against various parties handing the st amount
ng TO about o. 600; that includes all the claims which
can think of; also own five shares Of stock in the
Cypress Hills Plank Road for which paid $500.
Q-You say you paid $4,000 for your museum col
lecfop. and sold il Tor s94, 100 Now have you not
added many valuable articles to that collection since
you owned IT. Yes but not $4,000 worth of curiosi-
ties; expended $40 600 in snarging and decorat-
ing the theatrical lecture room and for scenery, &C.,
but the lease of the lecture expires in one year
hom the let of May next and the fee belongs TO par
ty who does not the fee to the other portion OF
prvva~,y Wins "a ,vvv -s.-.. ss-y
o. Did you not within few years purchase a large
and valuable collection known the Chinese Muse
umi A. No, Sir; it never belonged TO me- 1t Is hired
at high rent from the son of Alderman Peters OF this
city. =
Museum A. / suppose it did, but there is not much
goodwill to it. for the that the most profitable
portion Of il must be broken up in one year, viz; the
Lecture Room.
o. You saw YOU have no business now; how do you
i've and how DO you get funds for immediate use A.
hired furnished house in Eighth street last Decem-
ber where my family resides, aud where we have kept
Eve boarde from the first day that we took the house.
q. Do you pretend to say that you make your living
by keeping boardersl A. Partly so; my vegetables
were raised last year my land in Connecticut, and
my SON -in-aw at Bridgeport sends me box OF meat
every week. have also a few friends left who would
probably not let me exactly sarve this year. have
received various letters from friends at distance, of
feriDg to send me money which have declined. One
wealthy gentleman, whom | scarcely knew, residing
near Bridgeport, offered TO be one of ten to raise me
100000, without security, if could be relieved from
clock debts and return TO Connecticut 10 reside. But
desired such assistance and woud not receive il.
O. What does your wardrobe consist Off A. am
ready to answer uuthfully all civil questions, but
viii not be insulted My position is not pleasant
one, but shall Try to meet all my troubles with pa
tence. II you choose to trfe unnecessarily with my
feelings, however, shall be protected by the Coult,
OF will protect myself by advice of his counsel, Mr..
Barnum answered the question: / have only one
suit of clothes beside the my back and this you
win see is rather seedy.
Q. Do you property in Tennessee A. None
but what have told you of
Y. Do you own any in Alabama A. owned some
IN Selma Ala, but sold it and got my pay more than
four years ago.
q. Do you own property in Ohio A. l had a
mortgage on property in Cleveland, Ohio, to secure
debt Of about SO 900; but assigned 10 my
honest debts of which note of nearly So oO0
due TO the estate of s. f. Stratton the father of Gen.
Tom Thumb
@. Do you own any other real or personal property
IN any State except New-YOrk and Connecticut A.
Not TO the best Of my recollection, except worth
less manufacturing stocks. own So 900 stock in the
Watervie Connecticut Cutlery Co.. $1,000 or So 900
in the French Hat Body Co., and nearly SIC, 900 in
the jerome Clock Co, nearly all of which cost par
m cash, and the whole OF which do not consider
worth two cents.
q. You are not lucky in MANUFACTURING are you
A. generally lost in all operations not connected with
my legitimate business; don't understand any bust
pess 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
sacrihces made, as 1 explained TO you yesterday l
have great fears that my property can hardly be made
TO pay anything more than those.
V; Cannot yeu pay what you call O'clock debts ?"
"A. No, SIR; probably not two cents on a dollar.
Y. DO You own gold watch Mr.. Barnum was
much netued, and appealed to his counsel who told
nm ne was bound to answer the question: A. Yes sir.
q What did teostl A. About S25O
U Where Is It A. believe il is in my pocket.
-, v do You own any diamonds A. Does that look
hke a diamond lpointng to plain gold pin on his
q That Is not answering my question. Mr.. b. I
Own diamond pm ard ring which cost about $500
they are wanted. P-N>' '"0" ""'"
A. DO yon own pAno-forsel A do. I'm, nm
fortunately foE YOU Is morgaged for about rs fnl
value. / have had the money and spent a ~ '''
q. How many horses did you osni A. Two esr
risge-hones, fourteen 10 sixteen years DID, two farm
horses and single horse. sold them al for the best
prices could get l sold to four different parties
All OF the horses brought less than $500.
" nave you any money in bank A. have no
money except what is in my pocket.
" how much y thati A. ] can count j. fox you,
Never mind; don't want Il II that i all vo, have
got.
Mr. Y. Then shall probably spend !, before loue
q. Whet dividend will the property al the Jer,me
Clock Company be able 10 make It's creditors
do not know; but from the best iaforma,;on ,yh;,h
con obtain Sonld Judge il will be very srnalnyohs
biy from egs, twelve een.s the dollar provided
nsy eve no aiore than they say.
Soleu'ped 70 Monday,