Morning journal and courier., 1888-11-12
UNCHANGED LAST EVENING.

Ex-Senasor Barnum,s Condition Is
 HOpeIess-A Sketch of His Career
 A Busy Life-Overwork Saps His Iron
 Const1tution-H1sP Political Career.
 From Danbury last evening news came that ex-Senator William H. Barnum was no better. He was reported to be dying Satur- day, but rallied somewhat, and his condi- ton yesterday remained without material change, but his life hung by thread and he was expected to survive but few hours, or possibly days. He is in deep stupor, from which he rouses at rare intervals. His fami- ly have all been with him since Wednesday, but he is unable to recognize them now. At times he seems to suffer great pain but the doctors say his heart is affected. Aside from these occasional paroxysms he rests easily, but they greatly alarm the attendants. Mrs. Barnum has borne up nobly, but the great strain is beginning to tell on her and on Miss Barnum. The villagers gather about the honse to hear the latest news and read the bulletins. He was always popular among them for his kindly ways and great interest in their welfare.
 The family all try to find comfort in the thought that while there is life there is hope. and gather not little consolation from the fact that he has outlived the doctors proph- ec1e5 The sons, CnarleS, ana William, QO not seem to have as much hope wife, who clings earnestly to the last straw. Dr. Delfeld arrived Saturday noon and agreed with Dr. Wilcox that the chances were too slender to be calculated, aud though the fact that the patient still breathes is remarkable, they seem to look for the end at any moment
 He has been very conspicuous figure both in Connecticut and national politics for many years, and his illness is attributed to overwork in the recent campaign as a mem- Der ot the National Democratic committee, committee of which he was for years chair man. His great energy and sagacity con- tributed much to the election of Cleveland in 'S4, and he was also chief manager for the party in the Tilden campaign of '76. In ad- dition to his herculean work for the Demo- cratic party, he had his own gigantic busi- ness and financial interests to manage, and the strain proved at last too much for man of his advancing years. He was an over- worked man. His own business was enough to break down strong constitution and some of his friends when he took the Democratic chairmanship tried to dissuade him from so doing on the ground that he was undertaking too much. But he was ambitious, man of iron nerve and constitution and undertook too much.
 MT. Barnum was man of remarkable ex- ecutive ability. His mind worked rapidly, and he made decisions instantly. He grasped great business enterprises, and he seemed to see the length and breadth of them at a glance. Beginning life poor boy, laborer in the Salisbury iron mine, he rose rapidly to the mastership of vast interests, and extend- ed his business relations from Connecticut to Duluth
 MT. Barnum was an honest, conscientious man, devoted husband and father, with family as happy as any family could be. To them this stroke of death will be terribly crushing.
 He was a native of Connecticut, born Sep tember 17th, 1918, being, therefore, little past 70. In his youth he was distinguished for making sharp trades and paying invest ments.
 At Lime Rock, in Salisbury township, Litchfeld county, about forty miles from Hartford, Barnum entered the business of iron manufacture in early life, and his supe- rior energy soon pushed him ahead until, when comparatively young man, he soon be- came one of the largest iron manufacturers in the State and the owner of nearly all the blast furnaces and forges in the Housatonic valley.
 MT. Barnum entered politics more as a business matter than from any particular fancy for the pursuit. He sought election as 8 member of the Connecticut State legisla- ture in 1851 and 1852, with the design of sustaining such measures as affected the large interests in which he had Q stake; he served in the capacity of a representative, with satisfaction to his constituents. In 1866 he was chosen to the Fortieth Con- gress, and his practical knowledge soon made him valuable representative. He was reelected to the Forty First and Forty- Second Congresses in 1888 and 1870.
 In the latter years he was the only Demo- cratic representative elected from his State and the only Democrat in the entire Connec- ticut delegation, his associates in the House being Julius L. Strong of Hartford, Stephen 1 W. Kellogg of Waterbury and Henry H. Stark l weather of Norwich, all Republicans, while l the senators were Orris s. Ferry and William l Buckingham. l
 MT. Barnum was soon after elected to the ] United States Senate and was succeeded by 1 our present senator, Orville H. Platt, in 1879. l He was an active participant in the Tilden l and was highly commended by Til | den for his sagacity and energetic work. In | the Hancock presidential campaign in 1880 ] he was again the chairman ot the Democratic | national committee. He was also one of the | executive committee of the Democratic na- | tional committee in the national campaign of | 1884 and also in the one that has just drawn | to a close. He also held the same position | during the Greeley campaign in 1872 Since 1868 he was delegate to every national Dem- ocratic convention. Col. Calvin S. Brice tried Il in the campaign just closed to have Mir. Bar men takes things easier, but unavailingly. l MT. Barnum worked as necessarily as if only l 35 years old, and his colleagues noticed that |
  ened. He was so i'll during the last week of | the presidential campaign that few days l prior to the election he went to his home at | Lime Rock to go under medical treatment | On the journey from New York MT. Bar num's condition changed for the worst, at | Bridgeport his strength almost entirely fail- | ing him. He had severe attack of illness | three years ago, brought on by overriding. l MT. Barnum was a man of we'll knit figure, erect in carriage with 8 face indicative of l great force of will, sagacity and shrewdness. ! He was to those who knew him best genial, l and could at times unbend and become very | social and chatty. He lowered up in one | Democratic State convention above many of his colleagues in physical stature as well as | in mental, and though his party in Connecti- ! cut numbered many in its ranks who resent ed his domination, still they were in the mi- | nority. MT. Barnum's wealth is variously I but is placed by some of our | prominent citizens at $5,o00,000.
 The Bulletins.
 BRIDGEPORT. Nov. 11.-A bulletin from | Lime Rock at p. m. states that no change | has taken place in Mir. William Fl. Barnum's | condition since midnight.
 BRIDGEPORT, Nov. II, 10 p. m.-Mr. Bars num has been more comfortable and his con- Hilton is no worse. Dr. Cragin, however, gives | but little encouragement Mr. Baruum is | now taking some nourishment and there is | prospect of 8 comfortable night.
 Historical Society.
 Edmund Kirke reads paper before the | New Haven Historical society this evening on "How the Union was saved in 178S."
 Funeral of Captain Arnold.
 The funeral services over the remains of | Captain George s. Arnold were held at