The Van Buren press., 1878-08-06
MINNIE WARRE,N'S DEATH,
Maj. Newell's Wife. and Gen. Tom
Thumbs Sister-in Law.
From the New York Sun. July a5th

ilntIulD sSlstCT~iu Law.
from the New York Sun. July 21th.
Minnie Warren, the youngest, bright
est and prettiest Of Mr. Barnam's dwarfs,
died in Middleboro, Mass, on Tuesday,
evening in childbed.
"Tho death of Minnie Warren will
probably end the public appearance OF
the Tom Thumb party. Minnie's death
was undoubtedly caused by her maternal
love. Had she listoned to the advice of
her physician sooner, her life might
have been saved, although her child
would have been lost to her. But she
would not until it was too late. During
her sickness she seemed to think of moth.
ing but tho baby she soon hoped to press
to her bosom.
"l shall live she said to her sister,
Mrs. Southworth, and after her baby was
born, she said, with smile, | knew
should live take mo and rock me- The
sister took Minnie in her erms, rs she
would an infant. Don't cry, said Min
nie, 4 shall live through it. Then, af.
terra little, she said, .rock me on the
other side, sister, Mrs. Southworth did
80, and Minnie WAS quiet little while.
AT length she said, with sigh, | don't
know whether shall get through, after
lll. Please put me on the bed | feel
very badly; Pm afraid | can't live
through it, The sister put her tendcrly
IN the bed. In q few minutes without
mother word, and with only n gentle
sigh, Minnie died three hours after her
baby was born. The baby was Il beau
tiful child, robust, and weighed Just ono.
seventh of Minnio's weight, six pounds. +"
She was the youngest Of n family Of
eight children, all Of whom, except her.
self and her sister Lavina, now Mrs Tom
Thumb, were of ordinary size. When
Minnie was eleven years old, she joined
the Tom. Thumb troupe, and for fifteen
years she Travelled almost continually,
visiting nearly all the civilized parts OF
the globe. She was forty inches in height
and never attained 4 weight to exceed
45 pounds, being considerably shorter,
and more slender than Mrs. Tom. Thumb.
She was p years of ago at the time of
her death, To pretty face she added
pleasant disposition and winning ways,
and she became the fast tavorite of Mr..
Barnum as well as the public. When
Tom Thumb was married to Lavina
Warren, the general opinion was that
Commodore Mutt would take Minnie for
his bride bnt the little commodore had
set his affections on Lavina, Rnd his lit
tie heart was blighted when Gen. Thumb
won her from him.
"Never mind, commodore, the jovial
Barnum said. "Minnie Warren isl bet
ter match for you. She is younger than
you, while Lavina is several years
older"
Time lesscned Commodore Nuts
grief. and he partly renewed his atten-
tons to Miss Minnie. But, after his first
disappointment in love, it is said he be-
came fast young man, and Minnie, like
wise young lady, discouraged his ad-
dresses.
A few years ago, Barnum found an
other lilliputian, Maj. Newell, who was
re-christened Gen. Grant, .ir., and added
to the Tom. Thumb combination. The
Major was bright and intelligent, and he
and Minnie became great friends. About
a year or so ago they were married, and
they lived happily together with Con
Thnn,b AID ,vi4a, ,Sin. Nla4llehnro Their
last tour together was in the western
States, from which they recently had re-
turned.
When Mr.. Barnum was in the city re-
Gently he lot out the secret, which had
been closely kept by Minnic's family
but the memory of the spurious Thumb
baby, red many to regard the story as a
Barnum hoax. But the New Haven wo-
men soon discovered the purchase Of lit
tie bits OF muslin, lace and flannel by
members of the Warren household, and
sccrcsy became impossible. A lady friend
who visited the Warrdns, described the
little garments rs 8 too cominal for any
thing" Dolls patterns were used, and
the little slips and wrappers were made
one.sixth of the size Of garments for or
dinary babies.
The announcement of Mrs. Newcll's
death was received with much regret by
the members of the old museum compa-
ny in this city. Mr. Barnum is now with
his show in Indiana. His son-in-law,
Mr.. Hurd, who is full of "reminiscences
of the Lilliputian family, is in business
in this city, and is spending his summer
at Mr.. Barnum's home in Bridgeport.
Gen. Tom. Thumb and wife have
grown corpulcnt in the last few years,
and neither appears SO diminutive as in
their younger days. Tho General has
been wealthy, but haslived extravagant-
ly, and spent'a fortune in yachting and
other sports, and possesses onl y a mode
rate income. lie is Al years Of age.
North Carolina Election,