The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-08

fore midnight, Barnum suffered good deal
of pain. he seemed to realize that he could
not live much longer, and spoke of his ap-
preaching end with calmness. During his
Illness his physicians have been careful
about administering morphine or sedatives
through fear that they might produce ul-
terror i'll effects.
Last night Birnum spoke of this and said
that when all hope was gone he wished to
be given sedatives which would allay the
pain and make his death as peaceful as
possible. The first sedatiyes were given at
10:10 o'clock this morning. 1t was under
stood by the patient and family to mean
that the end was near. Mrs. Barnum re-
mained at her husbands side throughout
the night. In the alternate spells Of doing
and conversation, which showed his brain
to be as clear as ever, Barnum passed the
hours until o'clockt this morning when he
sank into lethargy which was q condition
of stupUr rather than natural sleep. To
arouse him from this state Of unconscious
ness was difficult.
This forenoon he revived somewhat, and
Rev. Mr.. Fisher bent over the dying man
and spoke to him words of religious con-
ISOLATION. Barnum's eyes frightened as the
scriptural promises were recalled to him
and he half nodded his head in assent.
Shortly after II o'clock he took sedativs
from DR.. Hubbard, and soon afterward
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 returning to con-
sciousness. When the end finally came it
was peaceful, and. to all appearances. pain
less.
The physicians say that Barnum had no
organic disease whatever, the enfeebed
heart action, which has been apparent for
10 Dac ct faNp hS hPinCY dua tn thp grad
ual failure of his general physical powers,
resulting from old age.
In general way Barnum prescribed di-
rections for his funeral. He wished it to be
private in character and unostentatlous.
LONDON, April 7.-Jhe Times, in speak,
ing of the death of Barnum, say: THE
ectogenerian Snowman was unique. The
death of Mr.. Barnum removes a noteworthy
and classical figure, typical Uf tue age of
transparent putting through which modern
democracies are passing. His name is
proverb already, and will continue to be
proverb until mankind has ceased to find
pleasure in the comedy of harmless de-
ceiver, and being willingly deceived" All the
newspapers contain eulOgies Of Barnum.
Phneas Taylor Banum was born In the town
OF Bethel, Conn, July 8, 1910, which would
make him in his eieh,y-first year at tile time of
his death. He used TO say that from his earl-
est recollection lie was compelled to scratch
grayeT' for living, by which he meant to con.
any job he could get. At the age of IS years he
obtalnid d employment in country store. where
he remained nve years, when he embarked in the
lottery business. When but 10 years OF age he
married. November 8. 1929, young lady of the
town in which lie lived. Miss Charity Hallett,
and lhe couple removed TO Danbury, when, Octo-
Der 19, 1881, he started paper called 1.-The
Herald of Freedom" His restless nature and
speculative ambition caused his removal from
village life, and he went 10 New York in 1884
Shortly after hts arrival in the metropolis lie
heard of tile now famous Joiee Heth, an aged
negress who claimed To have been the nurse Of
General Washington. and whose age was given
at the time as being 16l years He purchased
her for $1,000, and this was his Induction into
the show business.
HIS START IN LIFE.
1t must not be inferred that Mr.. Barnum
started out in life upon tile strict temperance
platform upon which he stood for many years In
after life. He was bon vivant a good liver, a
Jolly good fellow, and was never so happy as
when entertaining his friends. But he never
was Il sot or a man who frequented bad CON-
pany. From the beginning his looks were al
ways directed upward, aud bis friends were In
the habit Of saying: "Barnum Is always looking
after the unaltanaole.1 His reply would be:
III shoot at the sun. may hit star" This
was All active principle OF his life, but other
qualities ruled him, among them being strict
temperance, performing whatever be promised
TO do, and meeting his engagements promptly.
Joice Heth was not only tile commencement OF
his career as snowman, bnt also the beginning
OF his prosperity. After mis-, he engaged in
several theatrical ventures, sometimes meeting
with success and often otherwise. In April,
1856, he became Interested III Aaron turner's
circus, and from that time until his return TO
New York IN April, 1841, his experiences were,
TO say the least, exciting June IA, 1S41, he
opened the NauXhall saloon and made a little
money. In December of the same year he
bought Scudder's American Museum corner OF
Ann street and Broadway. His Cheek" or as
he termed it, brass" was all he had to pay for
IL with, but so energetic and economical was he
that within twelve months lie had a clear title.
1t was al this museum that he introduced lhe
feature of Stage in connection with the other
attractions.
WANTED NOToRIETY.
NotorieIy was what he courted, and he brought
humbug tU his aid. His first attempt was the
"Fcjee Mermaid" made OF the So Sins of a mon-
key and goldfish. Free music for the million,
moral plays, negro mlnstfelsy, baby shows. the
free buffalo hunt, the woolly morse, the Iowa In.
dians. giants dwarfs, monstrositles. freaks rap
idly followed. In December. 1S42, lie engaged
the famous Charles y Stratton. familiarly known
as General Tom Thumb, with whom. In 1874, lie
made European tour In July, 1S45 Barnum
and General Thumb became equal partners In
their enterprises, and after tour OF the United
States they went TO Cuba in 1S47. In lS48 lie
commenced the building of his magnificent orr
entail villa, " "Ivanlstap," In Fairfield, Conn.,
which. being removed but a few rods from the
bridgeport line, IS popularity supposed to
have been built In that town. While In
Enrope his agent had purchased for him
the Baltimore Museum, but on his return
| he sold IL TO The comedian, John Z.
owens, and In lS49 he opened museum
| at the corner OF Chestnut aud Seventh Streets
| Philadelphia. Al this time he was also Piesi.
uent OF the Fairfield County Agriculture Society
| OF Connecticut In October. 1S49 he conceived
the plan of bringing Jenny Lind to this country,
| and January g. 1850, signed an agreemnnt by
| which he was To give her $1,000 for each of $50
concerts, furnish her with secretary and male
| and female servants andsay their expenses. and
TO place at her disposal Carriages and horses Tor