Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-08-10

The last was not case of cholera"
TEMPLAR
MINNIE WARREN's DEATn.-Minnie
Warren, the youngest, brightest, aud
prettiest of Mr.. Barnum's dwarfs, died
in Middleboro, Mass, on Tuesday eve
ming, in child-bed. She was the young
est OF eight children, all ofwhom except
herself and her sister Lavinia, now Mrs.
Tom Thumb, were of ordinary size.
When Minnie was eleven years Of age
she joined the Tom Thumb troupe, and
for fifteen years she travelled almost con-
tinually, visiting nearly all tho civilized
parts of the globe. She was forty itch
es in height, aud never attained .
weight to exceed iorty-fve pounds, be-
log considerably shorter and more slen-
der than Mrs. Thumb. She was TWEEN
ty-sevea years Of age at the time OF her
death. TO a pretty face she added
pleasant disposition and winning ways,
and she became the fast favorite OF Mr..
Barnum as we'll as of the public. When
Tom Thumb was married to Lavinia
Warren the general opinion was that
Commodore Nut would take Minnie for
his bride; but the little Commodore had
set bis affections on Lavinia, and his lit
tie heart was blighted when General
Thumb won her from him.
"Never mind Commodore" the jovial
Barnum said, "Minnie Warren is bet
ter match for you. She is younger than
you, while Lavina is several years Older
"Thank you sir" tho Commodore
said stifliy, 81 would not marry the
best woman living. ! don't believe in
women anyway"
Time lessened Commodore Nuts
grief and he partly renewed bis a,ten-
tions to Miss Minnie. But after his
disappointment in love, it is said he be-
came fast young man, aud Minnie,
like wise young lady, discouraged his
addresses.
A few years ago Barnum found an.
other I.iiliputian, Major Newell, who
was rechristened General Grant, Jr,
and added to the Tom Thumb combi-
nation. The Major was bright and in
telligent, and be and Minnie bacame
great friends. About year ago they
were married, 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 ont the secret, which bad
been closely kept by Minnies family,
but the m emory of the spurious Thumb
baby led many TO regard the story as n
Barnum hoax. But the Middleboro'
women soon discovered the purchase of
little bits of muslin, lace, and flannel by
members of the Warren household, aud
secrecy became impossible. A lady
friend who visited the Warrens described
the little garments a. "too comical for
anything" Dolls pattern were used,
and the little slips and wrsppers were
made one-sixth the size Of garments for
ordinary babies.
Mrs. Newell is described as looking
forward to maternity with great sntici-
pations of happiness ard no rnissgiv-
ings. Her husband however, had
gloomy foreboding, and expressed the
greatest solicitude. Her death was q
great shock to her family. The child
died at birth. Ii weighed FIVE pounds
and ten ounces. -Four hours later the
mother died from exhaustion.
Mrs. Newells death caosAd deep sor-
row in Middleboro, where she and her
sister were much loved. Much symps-
thy is expressed for Major Newell, who
is overwhelmed with grief.
A gentleman who was with Mr.. Bar
mum for several years says that Msjor
and Mrs. Newell were the smallest we'd
ded pair that ever lived. One smaller
couple is mentioned by Marco Polo iu
his travels in Tarary. They were each
twenty-four years Of age, and twelve
and eleven inches ip height respectfully.
They married By order OF the Khan, and
their fourth son was six feet two inches
10 height. There are some doubts Is
to the correctness Of Polo's figures.
General Tom Thumb aud wife have
grown corpulent in the last few years,
and neither appear 30 diminutiye a. in
their younger days. The General has
been wealthy, but has lived extrsva-
gsntly, and spent fortune in yacht;ug
and other sports, and possesses opIy :
moderate conPetence. He 10 forty-ops
years Of age.