The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-19
DEATH OF A GENTLE GIANTESS.

MOURNING IN BOwEIy MUSEUM OVER A FA-
voRITE cURIosIrY-MRs. FLANDRAU, AGE
EIGHTEEN, WEIGHT FIVE HUNDRED AND
SIXTEEN GONE TO TIE BETTER WORLD.
There was grief yesterday in the American Museum
in the Bowery the death. on Monday. of Mrs.
Flandrau. nee Miss Wood, young lady who was
known on the bills 1.-The Mormon Giant Girl"
She died at her residence No. IS West Fourth
street. at half-past four O'Clock Monday afternoon
after ordinary illness. to all appearances. of some
weeks. No one anticipated the sudden and dreadful
change. and when it came it plunged both the hus
band and those who had been associated with the
Giant Girl" in the "show' world into the depths
of mourning.
In quest of facts anent the demise of one who was
favorably known far and wide as curiosity" the
HERALD reporter called yesterday afternoon upon
Mr. Bunnell. of the museum. He was accorded all
facilities and spent considerable time in the estab-
lishment collecting facts. which are about as fol-
lows:-Mlss Annie Wood was born in Broadhead.
Wis.,, little over eighteen years ago. At an early
age she began to manifest that susceptibility to the
accretion Of fat which was her distinguishing pro-
fcssional characteristic and eventually her doom.
death having been caused by fatty degeneration of
the heart, complicated by kidney troubles. Two
years ago Miss Wood came to New York. exhibiting
cry. Grand street. She was then q very pretty
girl despite the fact of being almost six feet tall
complaisant and even-tcmpered, and was always
noted for her engaging manners her generosity. her
willingness to do anything in her power to aid the
curiosities about her, whether the scene was hall
in o large city a wind-swaycd tent in q country
Circus giving satisfaction both the public and the
management. 1t may sound strangely. but IL is
nevertheless true that outside of the fact OF being
general favorite with those about her, she also
the recipient Of honorable matrimonial attentions
the part Of gentlemen in every phase OF business
life. Many offers of marriage were made her. none
of December
when. while Barnum's show was at the Hippodrome.
she became the wife of Mr. John Flandrau, then en-
gagged as ticket seller for the combination.
GRIEF THE CURIOsIT1Es.
The reporter. visiting the museum during an off
hour had chance to talk to the living curiosties
and learn that grief for the death of companion
and friend is just genuine in the mystic realms of
orthodox branches of society. The Crcassian girl
Zoe Meleke. was in tears. and when asked about it
she free to confess that her agitation was due to
the loss Of one who had become endeared to her.
Mile. Zoe spoke feelingly Of the Mormon giant
girl" recalling many of her good qualities and
dwelling particularly upon her habit when travel
ling of Insisting upon all in the hotel coming to her
room on Sunday and enjoying her hospitality.
YES" said the Abno. ,,she was ... good girl.
There was no questioning the gloom that hung
the museum: Even the Arab Giant towering
He spoke feelingy of the event. and. with sigh pro-
poronate to his size. remarked that death was the
S we're We also oppresse9 and did mot attemp
to sell their photographs "You see how it is, said
OF the attendants, 'they were all very fond Of
Annie. and when one Of these people die it Is not
like as if it was outside in the big world"
THE DEAD GIANTEss.
No. 66 West Fourth street is opposite Washington
square. Mr.. and Mrs. Flandrau lived on the second
floor. Yesterday afternoon the reporter found Mr..
Flandrau watching over his dead wife, whose pres
too plainly indicated by huge cotin
cred with pail that trailed to the floor. 1t
against the hall bedroom door. with the
head to the street. Mr.. Fiandrau was deeply
affected by the misfortune that had overtaken
him and expressed it most Enthusiastically. He re-
counted the last moments of his wife, little after
four o'clock Monday afternoon she turned in bed,
and he demonstrated with her for the change of atti
tude. She replied that the doctor had stated she
could lie upon that side. It afforded her the great
quietly died. making no sign, struggle, uttcring
no word. She will be buried tomorrow afternoon.
at O'clock from her late residence, the remains
being taken to Woodawn Cemetery by the train that
leaves the Grand Central Depot at hafpast two p. NJ