The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-27

TRIDAY.s..s.ssssss
w..ss ee CesasnsaSre Nuts.
vus GENIAL LTrTxR pwAM rAssns nwr
PEACEFULLY AfTss ssok' Doi "'''s'''"
cARks" fSs~ vsst n@sA, aeshl
=. room nj the Anthony House. on
pr"sdway. laid yesterday siI that vas NOR
81 ~ an American citi4sn who, during n,s
short lie q <hIrty-seven years, probably
~Nook hands and couvcrsed win more
crowned heads than any other NV.
tnr American, saving, perhaps, one,
Assfinuuiscd and one mimic genera
lyIy<ses S, GRAFT and Tom Ibumo:
Ia was the hfeIess form OF the little dwarf
Commodore Mutt that lay Ia what mlgs'
have served for achiid's cosha IN the sem'.
darkened room, with . ray OF suni'gnt
streaming aslsut the waxen face, on when
sm6eripg and pain bad ieft no impress,
-h,ie The dead dwari's wife--s youthfUl
blonde. In stature little below the average
height Of wcnan--her eyes sueused Win
tear. gaxed regretfuly on the tiny sorm
drapcd In the .rappings Of death, moaning
srsiu and again, ~ she pressed her ups 10
the ashen brow, my poor boy, my poor
boy" , w.. -,
sbst was the full name OF the genial little
msnikIn. was born on the list OF April, 1914,
NJ MANCHESTER, N. II. His father was
farmer, holding deposition OF city marshal.
The boys parents were large, hearty folks,
The father weighing upward oil 25e pounds,
and though he had Eve brothers and sisters,
only one Of The family was, like himself,
published IN o small edition, and with tbat
one his brother, "Maior" Rodney Mutt,
10 ms
the most sffectionate relations. Until the
lad was about fifteen years OF age
his Lilipuiian fame bad hardly spread
bevopd his native town, but some
time during 1859 7. Il. BarDum
heard Of the Manchester phenomenon and
soon made hrs parents 80 tempting an offer
for his services that In 1850 be was first pre-
sep,ed 10 the gaze OF New York sght-seers
at Bsrnum's Museum, Broadway and Ann
streets, which then occupied the site where
on now stands the Herald establishment.
Here he was for long time great attrac-
ton, not only on account OF bis small
stature-for be was only three feet six
inches in beigbt-but by reason OF his
pleasing manners, lively antics, and unfall.
ing good humor. Unlike most dwarfs, he
had q pleasing eountenance, and. moreover,
-yns in no way acknowledging. indeed,
.is-in perfect proportion 10 bis height.
w" HIS TOUR ROUND THE WORLD.
In 1869, at the suggestion Of Mr.. Barnum,
n troupe OF midgets was organized for
tour around the world. The party was
made ND OF Tom Thumb and his wife and
Commodore Mutt and Minnie Warren, and
during the following three years this quar-
tette OF little folks visited almost every part
OF the habitable globe where dollars or
their equivalent were to be gathered by the
exhibition OF the "human form divine" in
its most condensed shape. Japan, China,
Australia, India, Arabia, Egypt, France.
England, Ireland, and Scotland were each
In turn visited, aud at the expiration
OF three years and day after leaving
New York the little people arrived of
Sandy Hook, after one Of the longest
and most successful starring tours on
record. After taking a mucb-needed rest
the Commodore" who bad by this time
developed some musical and dramatic talent,
ioined combination OF tiny artists styled
the Deakin Ii iputiaD Opera Company, and
played with some success throughout the
country for year or So He then went into
management, aud with his brother, the
"Major," opened a variety show at Port
land, Oregon; but the venture did not
prove particularly successful, aud he soon
sold out and went on to San Francisco,
where he started an entertainment Of q like
nature at The corner Of Third and Mission
streets, adjoining which temple OF the muses.
he ran saloon, where as "mine host" he
attracted large daily and nightly gather:
ing of thirsty souls. He tired OF San
Francisco, however, before a year had
passed, and again organized a theatrical
troupe and travelled with them for some
ttpne htlt ha ftirQ M a
ful one be again came East and entered into
business 10 this city on Sixth avenue. But
the Commodore was veritable rolling
stone. though be was far more successful as
moss.gatberer than the proyerbial bowl
der, and after few months he abandoned
his saloon, and during last summer acted as
superintendent at the Rockaway Pier,
where bis trim little figure, his conse-
Quential walk, and merry laugh will still be
fresh in the memory OF those who visited
that salubrious locality in search OF health
giving ozone or the tooth.teasing clam. In
February last he was again upon the road
with q show, aud later still was member
OF hilarious combination known as the |
Tally-h0."
FATAL SICKNESS.
Three months back he was overtaken with |
sickness, which was at first thought to be |
fneumatlsm OF nalaflai type, out some |
eight weeks ago it became evident that he |
was suffering from Breht7s disease, and |
though all that medical skill could do to |
alleviate his sufierings was tried ne was
seized with spasms on Sunday last, and, |
rapidly sinking, he passed peacefully away \
Ia the presence OF his wife and his cousin |
and manager, Mr.. ID. e. Purdy, at ten min
tstes TO yesterday morning. The Commo-
dore was genial, whole-soued little
atom OF humanity, aud will be regretted |
by host Of friends. His generosity to
those who gained his affection was tn-
bounded, aud 1t is stated by his cousin. Mr..
Purdy, that when Barnum paid him $50, 900
for three years engagement he gave one
haiti OF The money TO his fayOrte brother,
the "Major." Though il was very gene
rally believed at one time that he had mar
ried Minnie Warreo this was not the case.
The Commodore" did not enter into the
matrimonial state until some two wears and
bali ago. when he espoused in Redwood
City, Cal, toe lady who survives him. II
Is understood that he leaves quite a eonsid.
cradle cum OF money, but be never made
will. The body will be removed to Man.
chester, N. H., the place OF bis birth. to-
day, and will be there inferred 10 the fam
lily vault.
- a.