The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-07-20
TOM THUMB.
Death OF the World-Famed Dwarf--Sketch
OfHis Career.

Death OF the worId-Famed Dwarf--Sketch
of His Career.
Charles Haywood Stratton, better known
to the world as General Tom Thumb, is dead,
having succumbed to a stroke of apoplexy
at his home in Middleboro Mass. 1t is said
that, to those who knew him, his death was
not surprise. His irregular habits and
occasional excuses have seriously alarmed
his friends, and for many days he has been
quite ILL., During the temporary absence
of his wife he has en- ertared quite a
number of jovifl fellows, who have always
been ready TO partake of his hospitality.
His widow, the almost equally flmous and
popular Lavinia Warren, whom he married
IN 1863, and who has appeared n the stage
with him constantly since their marriage,
was in Cincinnati, bat was summoned home
by telegraph.
Tom Thumb was born in Bridgeport
Conn, on January 4. 1898, and was con-
sequent y for y-five years cd. He came to
the tce CT p. T. Barnum in November,
1912, and the Snowman describes him as
eng under two feet high, weighing less
than s.xtt en- pounds, beautifully formed 1,
blonde, with ruddy cheeks and mirthful
eyes. Balnum introdut ed Stratton to the
public on DecemberS. 1912, by the name that
afterward preceded him around the world
General Tom Thumb. He paid the little
midget S3 a week. with expenses for himself
ard his mother, for four weeks. Then he
was re-engaged for twelve months It 81 a
week, u: long before this term Expired Mr..
Ba mum paid him 8. ga week. In January,
1916, Tom Thumb, now getting $50 week
and expenses, set slil with Bernum for Eu-
rope in the orksh re, sailing ship. The
little Gener II proved decided hit in Eng
land, France and Germany, and the state
nent, never afterward omitted from the
showbills, that he as exhibited before the
crowned heads" was literally true.
In the autumn Tom Thumb returned with
his manager, who was then the proprietor of
the museum that bore his name, and early
the next year the mite returned again to
Europe. When, three months later, he
again came back 10 Americ ,, his value as a
curios ty had grown greater than before.
Mr.. Barnum t lok him to Havana and made
a great ceal of money there. After that the
dwarf was put i'll charge of ag nts of Mr..
Ba'num, who had no desire to SPEND his life
in travel.
In 1857 Barnum took Tom Thumb and
Cordelia Howard, a child who was famous
as Little Eva in "Uncle Toms Cabin" to
Europe, and in 1852 he engaged Layinia and
Minnie Warren, two tiny sisters. TO the for
mer of whom Tom Thumb lost his heart at
Bridgeport. The fact that Tom Thumb and
Lavinia Warren were to be married re-
doubled the interest in them, and Barnum
offered them $4,000 to postpone the we'd
ding a month. This was Indignantly re-
fused. They were married in Grace church,
and held reception afterward in the Met
ropolitan hotel i his was in 1862.
OF la year the name of Tom Thumb oc-
Cured outside of museum show bills, when
he and his wife escaped with their lives. but
lost Sc me money and jewelry, in the burning
of the Newhall house at Milwaukee.
General Tom Thumb long ago grew in
eight, became stout, and ceasel to be the
smallest mortal OH exhibition. He wore
mustaches and beard. Three generations
If Americans sa' before him. He was fond
Of yachting, lived comfortably and saved
,Ome money.