The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26
HOW TOM THUMB WAS FOUND.
BarnuIn's First Introduction to the Grcat
Little Mun-An Interesting Chat.

Little Man-An Interesting Chat.
"I'm the man who was the means of
Tom Thumb being found by P 7. Bar
num-" was the remark made by Mr.
Henry Folsom, of South William street,
to q reporter the other afternoon.
"How so3" Was the query Of the person
to whom this information was youchsafed.
"Well, I will tell you how it came to
pass" Mr.. Folsom responded. About
forty years ago knew a family named
Stratton who lived in Bridgeport, Conn.
The head of the family was in the habit
of indulging too freely in liquor. Scme
people calie.i him hummer but, as far
I ever knew, he was g quiet, incIensiTc
man He was in very poor condition
financially, and his family sometimes sut-
fered for the want of the ncccssaries OF
life Thi3 man had 4 son, who was the
smallest child of his age | ever saw IN my
life. The little fellow was probably or
years of age at the time. He was cum
ming youngster, and the wonder OF the
neighborhood in which he lived. This
small chap was Charles S. Stratton. after
ward known as Tom Thumb"
"But how did Barnum find him."
"Oh, I'll explain that to you presently.
There was restaurant and liquor saloon
in Bridgeport in those days. The proprie-
tor had i trap door in the floor OF his
saloon that opened iato sort OF cellar
where clans were kept. This establish
ment was situated or the docks, 50 that
boats loaded with clans could come
alongside for the purpose of dumping
their loads into the cellar aforesaid. A
large number of men who wef~ c'i aged
in the clam business were III the ia3it OF
frequenting this place. There were other
customers who came there to eat cno"aer
and to partuke of the liquid refres;Iment
offered at the bar The saloon became
known rs the headquarters Of class OF
happy-go-lucky neii. OF whom the elder
Stratton was one Of the acknowledged
leading spirits. The eller S;ratton often
brought his iwarfed boy into the saloon
to amuse tie men who congregated there.
Nobody then had any idea that the little
fellow would ever be of much account. /
was then acquainted with P. U. E1cnun.
At that time Barnum kept small mu-
scum. His museum was such !; one
horse affair that there was not sufficient
income from it 70 keep its proprietor from
financial embarrassment.
"One day Burnum asked ME IL | would
take the trouble the next time | visited
Bridgeport to 20 to his brother, Phllo
Barnum, who lived thre, and obtain for
the Snowman loan Of $50. l did the cr-
rand as requested Feeling interested in
BarnuIn's museum enterprise, naturally
began to think about ways ana means OF
helping him in his business said TO him:
"See here, Barnum, there is dwarf
named Charlie Stratton up in Bridgeport
He isn't bigger than pint of cider. 1t
seems to me that it would be good idea
for you to get him for your museum
Thank you for the suggestion returned
Mr.. Barnum, and I'll go up to see the lit
tie chap Barnum accordingly went to
Bridgeport and saw Charlie Stratton. lie
was greatly pleased with the dwarf, and
forthwith resolved to bring him to New
York and place him on exhibition. 1t was
not difficulty task to make a bargain
with the elder Stratton, who was de-
lighted at the prospect Of making little
money without having to work for It,
Well, to make q long story short, Charlie
Stratton's name was changed to Tom
Thumb and he was exhibited rs the
smallest and most wonderful dwarf on
the face of the globe He was great at
traction for the museum, and 1t was not
long before the proprietor began to realize
the fsct that Tom Thumb was d trump
card People came from fur and near to
visit the liliputian wonder. New York
Star