The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-08-05
Z. It. Barnum,

The New York correspondent of the
Troy Tim Sgives some interesting rCmi-
niscences of the Snowman, =. T.
Barnum, whose seventy years of life
have been crowded with interesting in
,idents: Some men feel like retiring as
lge advances, but Barnuul is too in
.ensely active ever 10 think OF rest so
ong as he retains strength and faculties.
Barnum Las not rs yet grown old.
rrue, his hair is silvercd, but his feel
ings are fresh and his amJi ion rs great
IS eVer-perhaps, indeed, greater, for
see what grand scheme he has under
AIKEN in the reconstruction of Madison
avenue garden. The plot, which con-
aims two and a half acres, will be
made the grandest place for popular
Entertainments in the world. Barnum
has already done much for the public,
1ut his past achievements will be dis.
tanced by this immense popular enter
prise.
Barnum's father was a very poor
man and hardly made living, though
he combined a petty express business
with tavern-keeping. At the age Of
thirteen Barnum became o clerk in n
ountry store. He early developed
Ireat business tact, and before he was
ighteen opened an oyster saloCn on his
Dwn account He then engaged in sell
ng lottery tickets, and showed his in
lenuity by assuming iicii iOus name.
Ills advertisement announced "tbe
ucky DR.. Slrickland,' and the public
was warned to buy of none other. DR..
Strickland, however, was none other
han Barnum himse (. Having gone
Trough with this role he next turned
ditor, and established the Herald of
Freedom at Danbury but indulging in
some injudicious personalities he was
prosecuted for libel and suffered brief
He then moved to this
;ity, where in lis twenty-ffth year he
,pened q boarding. house. His wife
(who had been n poor sewing girD CO.
,peratcd faithfully with him, but The
business did not pay aul he became
assembly poor. He tried many shift,
% nal ke u living, but was unsuccessful
until lie got control of "Joice Heth."
The latter was an aged crone whom
Barnum exhibited as the nurse OF
George Washington. He advertised
her as I6l years old, and attracted great
'rowds. She soon, however, broke
iown under the excitement OF the
showroom and died-hcr age being
pronounced by the physicians as not
more than fourscore.
Barnum has gone through remarE.
tble vicissitude., and | mention his cas-
n order to show that no man should
,icld 70 Encouragement. The darkcs'
hour often heralds the dawn. For thrC,
years after the death of Joice Heth.
Blrnum's efforts invariably failed. II,
with a cheap show through
he South, and afterward opened petty
heater at Vauxhall garden, in this city.
lie next canvassed rs book agent ,.and
hen turned his hand at cheap journal
sm, and wrote theatrical criticisms for
he Sunday papers at $4 per week. II,
advertised for IN opening in some re
nunerative business, but this effort was
also unsuccessful. Such was his ill-rc-
oute as q visionary adventurer that ont
who knew him well said that "whcn
Taylor Barnum could make a sieve that
would hold water he would expect to
zee him q business man.
At that very moment, however,
fortune was about to smile on her deter
mined and faithful follower. Barnum
Jaw the American museum offered for |
;ale and applied for the purchase. |
. Young man. said the agent, "the
,rice is $4,000; how do you propoGe to |
,ayp" I'm brass, SIR" was the reply, |
for lave no money" The agent was |
10 pleased with the applicant that he |
rusted him for the amount, and Barnum
It once began to thrive. One day the |
lgent camefor specified payment, and |
ound Barnum in his Office eating dry |
,read and cold corn beef Is this the |
way you live, sirP" was the inquiry. |
3arnum replied: "Ishall eat cold din
lers till l get this debt paid" Ina ycal
t was done. and then Barnum gradL
lily became famous. lie Was, however,
ust rs great man while under the |
hadow as he was while under sunshine
lie is now worth $4,000 OOO--a degree |
If success which is in no small extent
lue to his extreme liberality in adver-
Using.
The Force OF an indian Arrow.
The Indian bows are made of ex-