The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-02-14
LBrrERs FROM THE LOVELY.
Men and Women Who Lay Claim
to Mr.. Barnum's Prizes
for Beauty.

petitors to enter the list for the prizes
of $40, 900 to the handsomest woman
and SO, 900 to the handsomest man
recently offered by Barnum. Bailey &
Hutchinson. The applicants are le-
gion. Some Of the odd letters they
sent, Sun reporter has been permit
ted to copy, on condition that the
names should not be published:
A characteristic letter was sent by
young man in Maine, who gave his
paternity, the story of his business
ventures, his habits of life, tastes, &C.
quaintances and preferences. He de-
scibed himself as a representative
American of the great middle class,
from which much of the brain and
Drawn of the republic springs" He
said that a phrenologist had examined
his head and pronounced it sharp on
all points; that if he got the Prize he
would devote part of it to various
charitable purposes, which he named !;
that he could declaim "The Raven"
"Paul Revere's Ride" and "Shamus
O'Brien," and was altogether a very
versatile genius. His portrait is that
of a rather sharp-faced young man,
who would be likely to esteem the
twenty elephants a comparatively
trifiing feature of the great show.
A lady in Minersville, Pa, writes
on gilt-edged note-paper:
My personal description is as follows:
Five feet seven and one-half inches in
height an abundance of dark, wavy
hair; large, dark, and expressive
eyes; complexion fair, and exceeding
rich color; broad shouldered and
plump form, and considered the finest
formed woman in the state of Pennsyl-
vania. l regret that l have not a
better photo to send. You, no doubt,
have seen my name in the papers as
the acknowledged loveliest lady in the
land. not only in face, but in form.
Mr.. Forepaugh wanted me to come,
but would not ride his elephant if
he gave me S50,O00-not that l
feared, but in consequence of being a
a member of highly esteemed family.
If you would like to see me person
ally, / should not fear your criticism.
[ am young girl 10 years of age,
and noted hereabouts for refinement
and responsibility.
From Oshkosh comes this avowal /:
My DEAR MIR. BARNUM: [ am
called the most beautiful woman in
this town by young man here who
has been to New York and other large
cities. My hands are somewhat hard,
from milking, but if you could ad-
vance me part of the prize money,
1 could fix up so as to be very nice,
as l see by the papers they sell lots of
things to make women look better.
The next letter was written on both
sides of half sheet of note paper by
the father:
SIR: Knowing that every crow
thinks their young ones the whitest, I
venture to send you a picture of my
Oldest daughter. She is IL years and
one month old, and her hair is Just
Fifty inches long. and for want of time
l am compelled to send a tin type
instead of a photo, but q photo would
be much better than this. We are
poor. but our reputation is without a
blemish, and can give the best of refer
eDce in regard to any of our habits.
In delicate hand, on a sheet of
note paper, with a pretty picture in
the corner showing some flowers, a
birds nest, and a couple of bees walk
ing arm in arm, was written:
Nj. Barnum
want to be your 10000 beauty,
not for money but fame. There is a
whole lot of stuck-up girls in this
town who are just as jealous as they
can be Of me, and treat me horrid
mean and say the spitefullest things
Just because [ can't keep those fel-
lows away from the house. would
60 on an elephant into the ring any
where.
The lady who wrote this had great
er confidence in her spelling than in
her beauty:
TROY, n. Y, JAN. 26.
Aister Barnum:
Is this good time to 90 on the
stage Have bin wanting to 90 for
sometime i want a opining there in
New York. l could play the beauti
full woman IF its not speaking in 1t. .
am thought smart by the Boys and
Girls. A picture amt no use no way
because Talent is Wanted not looks.
Can you employ me in the show.
The following was received from
colored gentleman whose photo accom-
panied it:
CHARLESTON. S. c., JAN. %.
Aeesrs- p. +. B. 4 Co.:
YOu will Ohaorvo fhof NV y,or,oro1