Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-08-08
MINNIE WARREN'S DEATH.
Mai. Newell's Wife and Gen. Tom
Thumbs Sisfer.in.LaW.

Minnie Warren, the youngest, bright
est, and prettiest OF Mr.. Barnum's
dwarfs, died in Middleboro, Mass, on
Tuesday evening OF last week in child
bed. She was the youngest of fami-
ly of eight children, all of whom ex-
cept herself and her sister Lavinia,
now Mrs. Tom Thumb, were OF ordi-
nary size. When Minnie was II years
of age she Joined the Tom Thumb
troupe, and for fifteen years she trsv-
eled almost continually visiting nearly
all the civilized parts OF The globe. She
was 40 inches in height, and never at !
talned weight to exceed 40 pounds,
being considerably shorter and more
slender than Mrs. Tt umb. She
was q years of age at the time OF her
death. To a pretty face she added a
pleasant disposition and winning ways,
and she became the fast favorite OF Mr..
Barnum as well as of the public. When
Tom Thumb was married to Lavinia
Warred the general opinion Was that
Commodore Mutt would take Minnie
for his bride; but the little Commodore
had set his affections ON Lavinia, and
his little heart was bIighted when Gen.
Thumb won her from him. "NeVer
q tnC JONAoA A%eAA
uum said, "Minnie Warren Ii better
match for you: She is younger than
you, while Lavinia is several years
older"
"Thank YOU, sir" the Commodore
said, stiffiy, 81 would not marry
the best woman living. don't believe
Ia women, anyway"
Time lessened Commodore Nutts
grief, and he partly renewed his atten'
tions to Miss Minnie. But, after his
first disappointment in love, 1t Is said
he became fast young man, and Min
ME, like wise young lady, discour.
aged his addresses.
A few years ago Barnum found an
other liliputian, Major Newell, who
was rechristened Gen. Grant, Jr., and
added To the Tom Thumb combination.
The Major WAS bright and Intelligent,
and he and Minnie became great
friends. About year ago they were
married, and they lived happily to-
gether with Gen. Tom Thumb and
wife in MiddleborO. Their last tour
together 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 Minnie's fam-
lily, but the memory of the spurious
Thumb baby led many to regard the
story as q Barnum hoax. But the New
Haven women SOON discovered the
purchase of little bits of muslin, laco
and flannel by members OF the Warren
household, and secrecy became inpo5-
sible. A lady friend who visited the
| Warrens described the little garments
as s'too comical for anything" Dolls
patterns were used, and the little slips
and wrappers were made One-sixth Ol
the size Of garments for ordinary ba'
| bies.
Mrs. Newell Is described as looking
forward to maternity with great anti
cipations of happiness and no misgiv-
ings. Her husband, however, had
gloomy fOrebodings, and expressed the
greatest solicitude. Her death was a
great shock to her family. The child
died at birth. It weighed five pounds
and ten ounces. Four hours later the
mother died from exhaustion.
Mrs. Newell's death caused deep sOr-
row in Middleboro, where she and her
sister were much loved. Much Gym
pathy is expressed for Major Newell.
who is overwhelmed with grief. Mrs.
Newell was buried in Middleboro.
The: announcement Of her death
Was received with many expressions
of regret by the members Of the old
Museum company in this city. Mr..
Barnum is now with his show In In
diana. His sOn-in-lsw, Mr.. Hurd, who
Is full OF "reminiscences of the Liliputi-
an family, Is business In this city, and
Ia sDoptinO tho amman at Mr. RaF-
NUNS home in Bridgeport.
A gentleman who was with Mr.. Bar
mum for several years says that Major
and Mrs. Newell were the smallest
welded pair that ever lived.
Gen. Tom Thumb and wife have
grown corpulent In the past few years,
and neither appears 30 diminutive 60
In their younger days. The General
has been wealthy, but has lived ex.
travag mtly and spent fortune in
yachting and other sports, and posses
es only moderate competence. He is
Al years of age.-N. Y. Sun.