Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-08
DIED OF OLD AGE.
The Worlds Greatest Show
man Dead.
PMheas r. Barnum Passes
Peacefully Away.
His Mind Retained Its yigor to the
Very Last.
The Career of One of the Most Unique
Cbaracters in History Closed.
Other Deaths.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
BRrpGEpoRT, Ct., April 1.-THE great
Snowman r. 4. Barnum died at 6:22
O'Clock this evening, in the presence OF
his grief-stricken family. During the
period of Barnum's inyalidism and con-
finement to the house, which began
twenty-one weeks ago last Friday, there
were frequent fluctuations in his condi-
tion, from each of which he rallied, al
though in each instance with slightly
lowered vitality. The change for the
worse, which occurred last night, how
ever; was so pronounced that it con-
vinced the physicians that the patient
had not many hours to live.
During his confinement he was down
stairs only twice, although sitting up
much Of the time and being cheerful
and conversationally inclined in his
waking moments. After the first at
tack, which came upon him shortly be-
fore midnight, Barnum suffered good
deal of pain. He seemed to realize that
he could not live much longer, and
spoke of his approaching end with calm
ness.
THE END DRAWING NEAR.
During his illness, the physicians had
been careful about administering NOR
phine or sedatives, through fear that
they might produce Interior ill-effects.
Last night Barnum spoke of this, and
said when all hope was gone, he wished
to be given sedatiyes which would allay
the pain and make death as peaceful as
possible. The first sedative was given
at 1910 this morning. 1t was under
stood by the patient and family to mean
that the end was near.
Mrs. Barnum remained at her hus-
bands side throughout the night. In
alternate spells of doing and converse.
tion, which showed his brain to be as
clear as ever, Barnum passed the hours
until A o'clock this morning, when he
sank into q lethargy, which was con-
dition Of stupor rather than natural
sleek. To rouse him from this state of
Inconsistencies was difficult.
SANK swEETLY TO REST.
This forenoon he rallied somewhat,
while Rev.'rtr. Fisher bent over him
and spoke tonim words of spiritual con-
ISOLATION. Barnum's eyes frightened as
the scriptural promises were read to
him, and he half nodded his head in
assent. Shortly after II O'Clock he took
sedative from DR.. Hubbard, and soon
afterwards sank into peaceful sleep.
This afternoon Barnum sank into a
comatose condition, from which it was
evident there would be little hope of his
again rousing to consciousness. When
the end finally came it was peaceful, and
to all appearances painless.
DIED OF OLD AGE.
The physicians say Barnum had no
organic disease whatever, his enfeebled
heart for the past few months being due
to the gradual failure of his general
mental powers, resulting from old age.
In general way Barnum prescribed
directions for his funeral. He wished it
to be of private character and unosten-
tatious.
NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
LONDON, April o. The Times, in
speaking of the death of Barnum, says: !:
The octogenarian Snowman was unique.
The death of Mr.. Barnum removes a
noteworthy and almost classical figure,
typical Of the age of transparent putting,
through which modern democracies are
passing. His name is proverb, and
will continue to be a proverb until man.
kind has ceased to find pleasure
in the comedy of harmless nature, and
be willingly deceived.
All the newspapers contain eulogies
of Barnum