The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-08-07


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Minnie Warren, the youngest,
brightest and preitiest of Mr.. Bar
NUNS dwarfs, died in Middleboro,
Massachusetts,, on Tuesday evening,
in childbed. She was the youngest
of a family of eight children, all OF
whom. except herself and her sister
Lavinia, now Mrs. Tom Thumb,
were Of ordinary size. When Min
nie was eleven years of age she
Joined the Tom Thumb troupe. and
for fifteen wears she travelled almost
continually, visiting nearly all the
civilized parts of the globe. She
was forty inches in height, and
never attained a weight to exceed
forty-Gve pounds, being considerably
shorter aud more slender than Mrs.
Thumb. She was twenty-seven
wears Of g at the time of her death.
To a pretty face she added pleasant
disposition and winning ways, and
she became the last ~favorite of Mr..
Barnum as well as the public. When
Tom Thumb was married to Layinia
Warren TIE general opinion was that
Commodore Mutt would take Minnie
for his bride, but the little Commo-
dore had set bis affections on Lavinia
and his little heart was biighted when
General Thumb won her from him.
Never mind, Commodore" the
ioyisl Barnnm said, minnie Warren
is a better match for you. She is
younger than you, while Lavinia is
several years older"
Thank you, sir" the Commodore
said, stifly, 81 would not marry the
best woman living. don't believe
10 women any way"
Time lessened Commodore Nuts
grief, ana he partly renewed his at
tentions to Miss Minnie. But after
his frst disappointment in love, it is
said, be became q fast young man,
and Minnie, like a wise Young lady,
discouraged his addresses.
A few years ago Barnum found
another Liliputian, Major Newell,
who was re-ehristianized General
Grant, Jr., and added to the Tom
Thumb combination. The Msior
was bright and intelligent, and be
and Minnie became Great friends.
About a year ago they were mar
ried, and they lived happily together
with General Thumb and wife in
Middleboro. Their last tour togeth-
er was in the Western States, from
which they recently returned.
When Mr.. Barnum was in the
city recently he let out the secret,
which had been closely kept by Min.
MES family, but the memory of the
spurious Tom Thumb baby led many
to regard the story as q Barnum
hoax. But the New Haven women
soon discovered the purchase of lit
tie bits of muslin, lace and flannel
by members of the Warren household
and secrecy became impossible. A
lady friend who visited the Warrens
described the little garments as ''too
comical for anything" Dolls pat
terms were used, and the little slip;
and wrappers were made one-sixth 0
the size OF garments for ordinary ba
bies.
Mrs. Newell is said to have looked
forward to maternity with great an
~ticipations of happiness and no mis-
givings. Her husband, however
had gloomy forbodings, and express
ed the greatest solicitude. TIE chilC
died at birth. Il weighed five pound.
and ten ounces. Four hours late
the mother died from exhaustion.
Mrs. Newell's death caused deel
sorrow in Middleboro, where she anC
her sister were much loved. MucI
sympathy is expressed for Majo'
Newell, who is overwhelmed with
grief Mrs. Newell is to be buried
10 MiddIeboro this afternoon.
The announcement of Mrs. New
ellis death was received with man,
expressions of regret by the member
of the old Museum company in thi
city. Mr.. Barnum is now with hi
show 10 Indiana. His son-in-law
Mr.. Hurd, who is full of reminis
cences OF the Liliputian family, is il
business in this city aud is spending
the summer at Mr.. Barnum's homl
in Bridgeport.
A gentleman who vas with Mr.
Barnum for a plumber of years say
that Major and Mrs. Newell were tn
smallest welded pair that ever lived
One smaller couple is mentioned by
Marco Polo in his travels in Tartary
They were each twenty-five year
of age, aud twelve and eleven inch
cs in height respectively. The.
married by order of the Khan, ant
their fourth son was six feet tw'
inches in height. There are som
doubts as to the correctness of Polo
figures.
General Tom Thumb and wifi
have grown %corpulent within the las
few years and neither appear so di
f minutive as in their younger days
The General has been wealthy, bu
has lived extravagantly and spent
fortune in yachting and other sport
and possesses only a moderate CON
peteuce. He is forty-one years {
age.-N Y. Sun, July 10.