Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-11-06
THE BEARD y WOMAN.
One OF Barnums Noted CurlosIties.

One of Barnums Noted CuriosIties.
OF Bafnum's Bearded Woman"
who died near Syracuse, N. Y, short
time ago, the New York Sun says: Mrs
Rebecca Lyon was her name, and for
years she has been exhibited in this city
and throughout the country. She was
genuine bearded woman, having q fine,
long, brown beard, and a graceful brown
mustache. Aside from the beard her
appearance was thoroughly feminine.
Her features were delicate and regular,
her brow was broad and low, and from
it heavy mass of shining brown hair
swept back and was tastefully arranged.
Her eyes were gray, large and pleasing
and were veiled by long, curling lashes.
The brows above them were too heavy
for beauty. Madame Lyor's beard, which
was her fortune, would have been a
prize to many youth. 1t was silky,
wavy and luxuriant. Her mustache,
shade lighter than the beard, curled
gracefully upon her short upper lip.
She was graceful and feminine in all her
movements. Her voice was trife
peculiar, having the semi-masculine
tone that marks the boys voice just as it
is changing.
81 know her quite WE'LL" said
pleasant-faced woman in the ticket-box
of the museum at 299 Bowery. 81 was
with her good deal last winter, when
she was here. This was then the Amer
lean Dime museum. She was perfect
lady, very gentle, making many friends
wherever she worked. There was one
remark that was almost always passed
upon her. 1t was that her face, with its
brown beard and soft gray eyes, looked
like the pictures of the Savior. heard
this time and time again. Her husband
took tickets here while she was in the
museum. All last summer she was at
Couey Island, in Middleton and Ufner's
Seaside aquarium. She LETT there
awhile ago 10 go on the road, / believe.
She was about thirty-fve years DID,"
Professor c. w. McGlennen, proprie.
tor of the Great European museum and
theatrum, in the Bowery, said that he
had known and exhibited Madam Lyon
for years. She was first exhibited by p.
L. Barnum, and was connected with his
museum when it burned. She was also
with Forepaugh's for two years. "Her
husband was at one time on the police
force here" said the professor. ''She
bad two or three children, / am quite
certain, and / believe that she has
daughter living near Syracuse now."
Tilly Haynes, proprietor of the United
States hotel, in Boston, tells this story OF
how Mr.. Barnum found the bearded
lady. Mr.. Haynes was then living in
Springfield, and the great Snowman was
visiting there. Mr.. Barnum never let
slip an opportunity to add to his collec-
tion of living curiosities, and so he said
to Mr., Haynes:
g say, Tilly, is there anything Curl
Gus or remarkable around hereP"
"Not that know Of" said Mr..
Haynes, "unless it is that woman down
at South Wilbraham that has got
regular beard all over her face."
"A beard-a genuine beardw ex-
claimed the Snowman. Wonderful!
just the thing. Where does she live?"
Mr.. Haynes directed Mr.. Barnum,
who started off post haste in search OF
the bearded woman. He reached the
house, knocked Mt the door, and it was
opened by woman with long brown
beard Barnum was in ecstacies.
"Are you Mrs. LyonP" he asked.
"Is this all natural, all genuineP" and
he gently tugged at the beard.
Mrs. Lyon was naturally indignant.
"Oh, don't get mad. Don't get mad"
said the Snowman. I'm here on busi-
ness and mean business. i want you
to come and travel with my show. I'm
2. I. Barnum. What'll you takep"
Mrs. Lyon kesitated. "I'll call my
husband" she said. Mr.. Lyon came
iron the field.
Il want your wife to come with my
show. What'll you takeP" said MIR.
Barnum.
What's it worth ?" asked the Yankee
farmer.
Mr.. Barnum thought q moment and
answered.
"Well, l guess ten dollars week
and expenses"
This was wealth to the South Will
braham farmer and his wife. and they
accepted the offer at once. Since that
day Madame Lyon has been before the
public.
They manage to get along in the Bank
| Of England with only LOCO clerks.