New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-30
TALK ABOUT BARNUM'S BODY
SILLY REPORTS THAT MEN TRIED TO ROB
THE GRAVE.
PISTOL SHOTS SAID TO HAVE BEEN FIRED IN
THE CEMETERY-wAToHMEN WHO DID
NOT WATCH, BUT MAY HAVE HAD
AN INTEREST IN BEING AP-
PARENTLY ASLEEP.


Bridgeport. Conn.,, May 30 ISpeciaD.-An ex'
tremely sensational story has excited this city
to-day but how much real foundation Tor IL
exists it is difficult tonight TO determine Ihere
is sufficient however to recall vividly the horrors
of the robbery Of the grave OF A. L. stewart vi
New.York and the fact that it relates 10 nothing
less than an alleged attempt to steal the oody OF
the great Snowman, P T. Barnum, gives additional
zest and dramatic interest to the rumor
About 2 o'clock this morning. so the story goes
milkman was driving by the cemetery in which
is the grave of Mr.. Barnum, when be was startled
by several reports of pistol shots fired at the
place where the body of the famous Snowman had
rested since the burial several weeks ago. lie
did not stop TO make personal investigation Of
the cause of the reports is il altogether clear
that he even suspected their meaning. He pur-
sued his way into the city, and gradually in the
forenoon the story began TO make its way from
one TO another that attempt had been made to
rob the grave of Mr.. Barnum Such action has
not been unanticpated, although few believed 10
would really be undertaken, the fact being well
known that watchmen were employed to guard
the tomb against violation.
As the day advanced interest began to quicken
and an effort was made 10 start an investigation
Facts were slow in being developed, but the
statement was finally made that the watchmen
on duty alleged that they had fallen asleep that
one of them awoke suddenly and was startled
on discovering men with picks and shoves at
work near Barnum's grave. Immediately shots
were fired at the robbers, who hastily ran
away leaving behind them in their flight
only dark-lantern, and this Of a cheap
quality and design. Two citizens Charles Bards-
well and Mr.. BOwser are the confidential agents
of the Barnum family, and when the newspaper
men heard the rumors application was made to
these gentlemen for confirmation or denial of the
stories. At first there was a disposition manifest
to say nothing, butt finding that the rumOrs were
so generally circulated, and that the excitement
was Increasing the agents admitted that the affair
had been reported to them and that they were
making inquiry concerning 1t. 1t is said
this evening in the streets that detectives have
been put to work, with the dark lantern only as
clew, to investigate the case, although
10 reward has been offered. Nor is
it believed that any reward will be offered, in
asmuch as Mr.. Barnum apprehended that possibly
an attempt would be made TO rob his grave. and
he was averse to offering any premium in advance
as an inducement TO those who might be inclined
to an enterprise of such interesting character.
The theory advanced this evening, if it
should develop into a reality, is worthy
in its incipiency OF the ingenuity OF
Mr. Barnum HIMSELF 1t is said that within
a few weeks the watchmen were to be discharged
as no longer needed for the service. The theory
is that the men, anticipating the early loss of an
occupation, which it is fair to assume is reason
ably rc1na aseratiye, thought the time opportune
to prove the usefulness of their watch, and fired the
shots at moment when some one was passing the
cemetery In the direction of the city, in the
confidence that an immediate sensation would be
produced, their importance magniied and
their places maintained by the grateful friends
Of the dead man.
singular phase Of the business is that the
mil<man should have failed to report the incident
of the firing promptly on his arrival i'll the city,
instead Of waiting until o'clock. 1t is also rather
remarkable that the watchmen themselves should
not have hastened to communicate with the
authorities, which, so far as learned, they failed
to do.