Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-12
THE EOvELY.
Letters from Me,. and WOsRen WhO Lay
Claim to nv BHrnaDa's Prices for
Rrautu
New York Sun.

New York SUM-.
| Yesterday was the last day for compel
| itors to enter the list for the prizes Of
| 10000 to the handsomest women and
$4,000 to the handsomest man recently
offered by Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson
The applicants are legion. Some of the
odd letters they sent a Sun reporter has
been permitted to copy, on condition that
| the names should not bepublished.
| A characteristic letter was sent by a
young man in Maine, who gave his pater-
nity, the story of his business ventures,
his habits of life, acquaintance, tastes
and preferences. He described 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 phrenologlst
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 conld declaim ;'The Raven -
'sPaul Revere's Ride and "Shamus
O'Brien,'' and was altogether a
very versatile genius His portrait
is that of a rather sharp-face young
man, who would be likely to esteem the
twenty elephants comparatively trifiing
feature of the great show.
A lady in Mlnersville, Pa, writes on
gilt edged note paper:
My personal description is as follows:
Five feet seven and half inches IN
height; an abundance of dark, wavy hair;
large, dark, and expressive eyes; COM
plexion fair, and exceeding rich color;
broad shouldered and plump form, and
considered the finest formed woman in
the state of Pennsylvania. l regret I
have not 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
$50. 000-not that feared, but in conse-
quence of being member of q highly
esteemed family. If you would like to
see me personally should not fear your
criticism. am q young girl IS years of
age, and noted hereabouts for refinement
and responsibility.
From Oshkosh comes this avOwal:
Ny Dear Mr.. Barnum--I am called the
most beautiful woman in this town by o
young man here who has been in New
York and other large cities. My hands
are somewhat hard, from milking, but
if you could advance NE a part Of the
prize money l could fix up so as to be very
nice, as see by the papers they sell lots
of things to made women look better
The next letter was written on both
sides of half sheet of note paper By the
father:
SIRs: Knowing that every crow thinks
their young ones the whitest, venture to
send you picture of my oldest daugh-
ter. She is II years and one month old,
and her hair is just fifty inches long, and
for want of time | am compelled to send
tin type instead Of photo, but photo
would be much better than this. We
are poor, but our reputation is without a
blemish, and can give the best references
in regard to any of our habits.
in delicate hand, on sheet of note
paper, with pretty picture in the corner
showing some flowers, a BIRDS nest, and
a couple of bees walking arm III arm, was
written.
Mr.. BARNUM: l want to be your $780,
600 beauty, not for money but fame.
There is whole lot of stuck-up girls in
this town who are just as Jelous as they
can be Of me, and treat me horrid mean;
and say the spitefullest things about me
Just because l can't keep those fellows
away from the house. would go on an
elephant into the ring anywheres.
The lady who wrote this had greater
confidence in her spelling than her beau
ty:
Troy, n. Y, Jan. 26.-Mr Barnum: Is
this a good time to go on the stage i
Have bin wanting to go for sometime
want opening there in New York.
could play the beautiful woman # it's got
speaking in it. l am thought smart by
the Boys and Girls. A picture amt no
use any way because Talent is Wanted
not looks. Can you employ me IN the
show.
The following was received from col
ored gentleman whose photo accompanied
it,
CHARLEsrowN, S. G. Jan. 23.-Messrs.
p T. B. & Co.: You will observe that
my personal appearance excels my picture
a good deal. do not claim to be hand
some, though that is the general verdict:
1 hope you will be lenient have been
struggling hard during my lifetime against
great odds to make rise in the world,
but have been unfortunate, hence my last
resort. | would be contented with half
the sum. 1t would be novelty
to great many to have one of my nation
ality proclaimed the handsomest complex
ON:
The next is little in the same way.
NEW ORLEANS, La.-Mr. Barnum 81
Co.: Although am not quite white, l
am nearly so, and no one could tell the
difference unless you told them. I have
refused twenty offers of marriage be-
cause | am too beautiful to throw myself
away ON any ordinary man. If get the
prize will pay you handsome commits
sion. | must stipulate, however, that
when l am exhibited l must not be ex-
pected to talk to people.
P. 81 am girl, as you will see by
my photograph.
Boston is to be credited with the fol-
lowing:
Mr.. Barnum: ! will give you de-
scription of myself. l am five feet five
in hight, and perfect form. | have
hazel eyes and brown hair, dimple in nv
chin; am told every day that am hand
some. have beautiful arms and hands
and pretty foot I have a handsome
bright eye. My teeth are white as pearl.
I am quite sure if you were to see me you