The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-21

Mr.. smith filled many prominent public
positions during liic For two sessions he
was clerk of the New Hampshire house of
representatives, and was also at one time q
director OF the New Hampshire Central
railroad. He was secretary of Min nesota 8
last territorial coWncil, and was afterward
elected as member of the house. At sew
eral of the democratic state conventions OF
Minnesota he acted as presiding officer.
For number OF years he was member Of
one OF the leading law firms of Hastings,
that OF Smith, Smith Il Crosby. He was
for long time citizen of Nahua, N. II.
Charles Haywood Stratton, better known
as Gen. Tom Thumb, died at his residence
at Middletown, Mass, on the 18th inst, of
spopexy. He had been slightly indisposed
for a few days, but nothing serious was
anticipated. The remains were taken
to Bridgeport, Conn, for interment,
For more than quarter of . century Tom
Thumb has occupied position in the eye
OF the public in immerse proportion to his
size. While by no means the smallest
dwarf ever exhibited, he is by far the most
notable. He was born at bridgeport, Conn.,,
Jan. 4, 1888 and had, therefore attained
the age OF iorty-fve years and six months
when he died. His parents were ordinary
sized people, aud until the age Of four OF
FIVE Charles was not noticeabiy small.
AboHt that time he ceased growing. how
ever, and when at the age OF fourteen he
Sss engaged by =. T. Barnum rs an at
traction for the New York museum Of the
great Snowman, he was about the size OF q
boy of six. He broadened considerably in
later years, bu. gained little in stature. He
has been be:re the public ever since 1852,
and served 's an object ofcuriosity to more
people tb An any other human. May
wears yss married sfU to comey female nr%9 ssrf
named Minnie Warrea." Their wedding
was celebrated with great pomp and cere-
nony, in Trinity church, New York, a sis.
ter OF the bride acting as bridesmaid and
Commodore Mutt, a midget considerably
smaller than the groom, and since dead,
Nerving as best man for the latter. About
lyo years after his marriage Mr.. and Mrs.
kratt6n became happy parents but their
,fspring, much to the regret of the curious
lived but short time. About two years
ago, the pair, having amassed very con.
siderable fortune, retired from the stage and
made their home in the handsome resi-.
dence in the outskirts OF Middleboro, which
was bHlt under Tom Thumbs personal Or
ders. Mrs Stratton, who is several years her
husbands junior survives him.
Congressm man Beford Indignantly and
emphatically denies that he was retained
by ex-senator Tabor to represent his in
terests in q selection of the site of a govern
ment building in Denver, and says he knows
Architect Hill was never offered, and never
received, a cent to locate the building on
Tabor's property.
John d. Van Buren,, Jr., son of the most
brilliant attorney general New York ever
bad, has written a letter to Gov. Cleveland
declining the appointment as commission
er Of the state survey. He believes the work
done by the State survey should be under
the din ection Of the State engineer and
surveyor, and favors the abolishment of the
board.
Gov. Crittenden of Missouri declares it is
his intention to enforce all the provisions
of the recently enacted Downing law, the
principal of which is the closing of saloons
on Sunday.
Capt. J. J. Clsgue, United States COM
missary OF subsistence, stationed at Helena,
Mont, is visiting friends and looking after
his real estate interest in Minneapolis.