Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-21

From the Baltimore American.

HOward's Experiences With Him.
From the Baltimore American.
The death of General Tom Thumb. the cele-
brated lillputian, recalls some interesting Incl
dents connected with his public career. II was
In November, 1S42, that the great Snowman, r.
I. Barnum, first heard Of the General. Tom
Thumb was then fourteen years old, two feet
high, weight less than sixteen pounds and was
considered the smallest child for his age in the
world. He%as perfectly formed, bright-eyed
had light golden hair and rudy cheeks He
was very bashful. but. with a little coaxing
would talk with anyone. When Barnum first
engaged him he agreed to give him So week
and travelling and hotel expenses His first
public appearance was in New York city on
thanksgiving day, December 8, 1852. at the
American Museum. At the expiration of the
first engagement Barnum made another con-
tract with the general for one year at 81 per
week and expenses for himself and mother but
before the expiration ofthe contract he had be-
come such great favorite that Barnum in-
creased his salary to $50 and afterwards to $50
per week. He was taken to Eurone I'm 1874
where he appeared before all the crowned
heads. and from them he received valuable to-
kens Of regard and esteem. AT this time he
was fourteen years Old but was advertised by
Barnum as twenty-one years old. All Europe
rom the nobility to the peasant. seemed to
a nave R.rnap perfect craze go, to see him.
OF the success OF Tom Thumbs first visit
to Europe, says: 1.-The word of approval was.
indeed, so passed around in high circles that un-
Invited parties drove to my door In crested car
riages and were not admitted" When first
presented to Queen Victoria the General ex-
Claimed, good evening. ladies and gentle
men," burst of laughter followed the salu-
tation, in which the Queen heartily Joined.
When asked by Her Majesty how he liked the
royal paintings. he replied that they were First
rate" 1t is customary in leaving the royal
presence to back out, and the General and Bar
mum were both given lessons in the art by the
l0rd-in- waiting before they were admitted to
the palace. Barrnm. in speaking of the way in
which they LETT the Queen. says:
1.-The lord In waiting was perhaps Modified
towards me when he saw me following his illus
trfous example in retiring from the royal
presence. He was accustomed to the process
and therefore was able to keep somewhat ahead
Cor rather aback) of me, but even stepped
rather fast for the other member of the retiring
party. We had considerable distance to travel
in that long gallery before reaching the door,
and whenever the General found he was losing
ground. he turned around and ran few steps.
then resumed the position Of backing out. then
turned around and ran, and so continued to
alternate his methods Of getting to the door,
until the gallery fairly rang with the merriment
OF the royal spectators. 1t was really one of the
richest scenes ever saw. Running, under the
circumstances. wasan Offense sufficiently heinous
TO excite the indignation OF the queens fayorite
poodle dog, and he vented his displeasure BY
barking so sharply as to starte the General from
his prOpriety. He, however, recovered imme-
dately, and with his little cane commenced an
attack on the poodle, and funny fight ensued,
winch renewed and increased the merriment Of
the royal party"
At the second visit Of the General to the
Queen, the Queen introduced him to the Prince
OF wales. saving: General. this is the Prince Of
wales. How are you, Prince. old fellow"
said Tom Thumb. The Queen then asked him
If he would sing her song, at the same time
asking him what song he preferred. yankee
Doodle" was the prompt reply. In 1S47 he ap-
peared before President Polk at Washington and
had audiences with all the Presidents since that
time. In every city in the United States he
was great success. His first appearance in
this city was at old Carroll Hall. on Baltimore
street, corner of Calvert, in lS4S He also ap-
peared at the New American Museum, where
the Baltimore and Ohio building now stands,
under Mr.. John E Owens management;at Front
Street Theater. FOrd's Opera House and the
Academy of Music.
Charley Howard. the veteran minstrel of this
city, says: Il travelled with the general for five
months in 1913. and used to carry him from the
hotel TO the theater every rainy or snowy night
He was the most irritable fellow ever saw. He
was always in a bad humor, and would get up
every morning crying; but he got over that ia
after years"
During the burning OF the Newhall House in
Milwaukee about a year ago the general and his
wife barely escaped with their lives from the
burning building by means of clothes line. He
lost at this fire some of his decorations, medals,
etc. to the value Of $1,000. In 1863 he was mar
rIed in Grace church. New York, to Minnie
warren, who survives him. The general had
little or no voice and his performances consisted
OF dancing and fair limitations of actors and ac-
fresses. Both Mr.. and Mrs. Stratton, the parents
OF the general, were large people. Mr. Stratton
was feet II inches high and weighed l6O
pounds, and Mrs. Stratton was nearly as tall
and weighed more than her husband. At the
time of his death the general had grown quite
feshy.