Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-04-11
The Veteran Snowman Ends His
Varied Career at Bridgeport
Last Evening.
His Contributions TO American Amuse-
mt ats Had Made His Name
Household Word.
sketch of the Long Life of This
Unique Character in Yankee
Civilization.

of his grief stricken family. During the
period Of Barnum's invalidism and con-
anement to the house, which began twenty
one weeks ago last Friday, there have
been frequent fluctuations in his condition
from each of which he rallied although
in each instance with slightly lowered
vitality. The change for the worse which
occurred last night, however, was so pro-
nounced that it convinced the physicians
that the patient had not many more hours
to live. During his confinement be has
been down stairs only twice, although
sitting up most of the time, and being
cheerful and conyersationaly inclined
in waking moments After an attack
which came upon him shortly be.
fore midnight, Barnum suffered
good deal of pain. He seemed to realize
thathe could not live much longer, and
spoke of the approaching end with calm
ness. puring his illness physicians had
been careful, about administering NOR
phiue or sedatives through fear that they
might produce Interior i'll effects. Last
night Barnum spoke of this and said that
when all hope war gone he wished to be
given sedahves which would allay pain
and make death as peaceful as possible.
This forenoon he reused somewhat
while Rev Mr.. Fisher bent over the dying
man and spoke to him works of reh gious
consolation. Barnum's eyes frightened
as the scriptural promises were recalled to
him and he half nodded his head in as
sent Shortly after II o'clock he took a
sedatye from DR.. Hubbard
and soon afterward sank into a
peaceful sleep When the end finally
came it was peaceful and to all appear
ancel painless. Physicians say he had no
organic disease whatever Heart trouble
had been apparent for the past few
months, and there was gradual failure of
his general mental powers resulting from
old age In a general way Barnum nre-
scrIbed directions for his funeral. He
wished it to be of private character and
transformations.
Phineas Taylor Barnum was born in
Bethel Conn, on the 5th day of July, 1870
When young Barnum was Is years old
his father died leaving no property, and
be sought and obtained employment in
various places, principally in Brooklyn
and New York city Having accumulated
little money he returned to Bethel and
opened small store. His business here
prospered for awhile but he finally ia led,
and after his marriage in 1929, he estab-
Hshed and edited weekly newspaper en-.
titled The H erald of Freedom He
succeeded in being imprisoned sixty days
t-7 libel. In 1884 he removed to New
York. and in 1841 purchased the Ameri-
an Museum, which he managed very sue
os.f1Ily He exhibited Gen. Tom Thumb
10 Europe, and, in 1856, engaged
Jenny Lind to visit America
7na give number of concerts
IL fterwud exhibited Joyce Heth, whom
be announced to be at least $50 years Of
Age and TO have been the nurse Of George
Wellington; the "Feeiee Mermaid, the
Woody Horse, and the "Petrifed Man .
d +, the author Of The Humbugs of the
World and other works. Mr.. Barnum
& 0-en four times member Of the Con
a-.'le1t legislature aud once mayor Of
Bridgeport.
There is quite a romantic story connect
with the second marriage of Mr. Bar
aaa which he love to tell In 1853 he
gave a lecture in Manchester. England.
-.7 0szt day a gentleman named John
ta .alled upon him at the hotel where
Fl Fa coping. In the course of CONVEX
.Aa he assured Mr.. Barnum that his
in life ,he was a wealthy cotton
was attributable to Mr.. Barnums
biography for on reading it
gas So fred with his ideas q
as'ng money that he branched out in
% un-EngIish fashion and was re-