Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-01-15
Signor Blitz and the Fire
Annihilator.

Fire Annihllator few years since in n
7. Circumstance occurred which causct
teud between z. t. Barnum and Signo
Bitz, so well known for his veLtriloqus
powers, his skill in training birds, and hi!
extraordinary feats in Natural Magic
Blrnum had invited the Signor to b,
present lin n. " at an experimental ex
hibition, in which he was interested, o
the machines that put out great fire
with Il great smoke. The great dcceivel
was on hand "a little man, dressed il
black, with iron gray hair, an restless
o1servant cye-and he ming'cl in tho
crowd unrecognizei.
The temporary structure in which thC
fire was to be kindicd and then annihila.
ted, was about fifteen feet square, and on,
story and halt high. There was ar
upper floor, but no stairs, as none was
needed. The carpenter who had naile.
it down had merely LETT a hole by whici
he descended after pcf5rming his job.
A large concoursc of people assemble.
to witness the experiment, which was to
come off little after dark. The spcctl.
tors examined at their leisure the build
ing and the queer looking cans that con.
taincl Blrnum's gas, ready to be let tortl
to arrest the progress Of that "dcvourin-
clement which to use the stcrcotypel
laasudg3 Of the insurance companies, "of
ten sweeps away in few hours the hare
earnings Of many years
Process Cotton at last mounted q
stand, anl explained to the assembly the
principles OF the AnnihiIator, aui SET
forth the immense benefits shat would &c.
crde from the it to all combustl6lc com.
munitics.
Barnum WAS around, AMI, although he
had been searching for his friend B!ltz
that willy professor Of deviltry lodged tht
great sh)wman anl remained Invisible.
At length every thing was really. \
heap Of highly combustible matter had
been p, cqarel on the miliie of the floor,
and an assistant was proceeding to set fire
to it, when all in the vicinity were star.
It'd by 4 cry from the upper room of tht
bal!in:-
"Doa't don't! Let me out! Dom
burn m9 up
sS.op - sAoatela police oheer; cher
4 man n the lott.
Taa master of ceremonies steppe int
the hui,,ias, anl ordered the intruder tc
jump doSn.
= | cln't thie)' get down. sad th'
voice.
Some drunken f]o} has got up ther'
with his bottle, said B.rnam in Il toni
ot yrXlti5n. "0h, tot Name liquor
tay in these digglngS! Somebody mus
% ~ AM haul tae fellow do n"
y siltN OF timer was proeurei ana
place. in santlns position AMI a po
Iiccnan managed to crawl u? INTO the at
tic.
Hello, here! Come out OF thus !:
Sald the oiil;er, poNln5 ABOUT with III
sti1S. But to his surprise he found NJ
one there. After satisfying himself tha
the place was vacant, the officer scam
down, matterins curses upon the whol'
affair.
A-an did the torch-oearer approach Il
light the pile, and again Megoice soandel
from the upper room. sF
lit me out, | sa-ay. 0on-iem1 thie
yer plctcrS, Will ye burn teli'f alive :
let me out. Let me -'out Let m'
ou-u-ut'
stop" shouted Bar'nm to the toret
bearer, this won't do. W.. Cotton, vii
you send man up INTO ttWt oull 'ihS W1E
has his senses about haa. Send hn
quickly too. ~
Another person ascenlel to the loft
which he examined b the light of Ian
tern that was passed up to him, and h
likewise reported the place empty.
\ short pause now took place, durin!
which the spectators began to manlles
great impatience, and their cries began t
ill the air.
." IFumbas !"
4 BArnum humbug"
The thingumsob wont work -
Woolly Horse ~
"Joicc Heth /"
"Merm.a.id :"
These were some Of the unpleasant
words that assailod Barnam's ear in tn,
great babblemcnt that was rising like th'
roar of waves arounl him.
"lIave a little patience, gcntlcman,and
we will proceed" said he.
"Weil, yer kin proceed. but yer cam
succeed growlcI member Of Old Forty
Two's compauY
. The torch was now 1appiicd to the tal