Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-09

sheet he was sent to prison for 20 days for
libel This completed his ruin, and he
left Bethel for New York. On visit to
Philadelphia, in 1891, he saw on exhibit
ton II slave woman, named Joyce Heth,
advertised as the nurse of George Wash
ington, and alleged to be l6l years old.
Her owner exhibited in proof an ancient
looking, timecolored bill of sale, dated
l727. Mr.. Barnum bought her for 81 900,
advertised her extensively, and his receipts
soon averaged 81 800 a week. Within a
year Joyce IIeth died, and the AUTOPSY
proved that her Virginia owner had prob
ably added about 50 years to her true age.
This was his first introduction to the
show business. He Immediately organized
q small show and Travelled with 1t through
the south. This was the first of several
shows which he successfully managed,
but which were mostly unsuccessful. In
1871, though without dollar of his own,
he purchased Scndders American Mu-
scum, in New York, named it Barnum's
Museum, and by adding novelties and
extensively advertising, he managed to
p;A for il in the first year In the follow
Ing year he heard of Charles $. Stratton
of Bridgeport, Conn, who has since be-
come famous as q dwarf under the stage
name of General Tom Thumb. AT that
time he was only years old, was not
more than two feet high and weighed less
than IL pounds. MIR. Barnum engaged
him for exhibition at a salary of 50
week, but as he proved a great success,
his salary was soon increased to S25, and
by the end Of the second year he was re-
ceiving $50 a week. In ISIS Mr.. Barnnm
took the dwarf to Europe and exhibited
HIM at the principal cities of England and
the continent, introducing the little
general to the courts Of England, France
and Belgium.
by this time Mr.. Barnum's fortune had
orr saH hD, Ia IaV t,l
more extensive contracts every year, while
his museum was one Of the great attrac-
tons of New York city. In lSi9, after
| long negotiations, he engaged Jenny
Lind, the Swedish nightingale 10 sing
in America for $50 nights at salary Of
SlOOO night. This was an unprecedented
sum, but the result of the tour proved Mr..
l3arnum's wisdom. Only 81. concerts were
given, but the gross receipts of the nine
months tour in lSj0-5l was SIP 1871, leavi
ing very large profit for Mr.. Barnum
after all expenses were paid.
lie was engaged in many other enter
prises, most &c which proved highly sue
ccssfnl, but decided in 1850 to retire to the
magnificent villa which he had built at
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. lie expended large sums
| in improving and identifying that city,
making miles Of streets and planting thou
sands Of trees. East bridgeport was en-
tircly built up by his energy and liber-
ulllN. MS plltTa W NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 10 ell
courage them to settle III the town finally
led him into monetary difficulties, for by
the failure Of one of these enterprises, in
1867, he became involved to the extent of
nearly 81 0O0,0CD His whole property was
sunk, but he had many years before set
tied fortune on his wife, and she now
saved him from utter ruin.
He went to England again with Tom
Thumb delivered lectures in London and
other English cities. ON his return he
| again took charge of his old museum at
| broadway and Ann street. and proceeded
once more to advertise, and was soon again
| III possession OF u fortune. On the 18th of
lnly 1865, his museum was burned to the
| ground. second museum which he
opened was also burned. He then, in the
spring of 1871, established great travelling
museum and menagerie which soon devel-
oped into "fhe Greatest Show on Earth"
He continually added novelties, introduce
ingre representations Of ancient Roman races
and rare or curious animals, including an
alleged white elephant from Siam and the
great elephant Jumbo.
All Of these enterprises We're most extern
sively advertised both directly and in
directly and in every conceivable manner.
They were very profitable in spite of the
great expense they involved. Mr.. Barnlm
himself used e accompany the circus
whenever possible and frequently made
addresses to the great audiences froln taaA
ring.
Mr.. Barnum has been four times a menu
her OF the legislature Of Connecticut and
mayor Of bridgeport He has made most
liberal gifts to that city and making nu-
merous large benefactions to other places,
among them stone museum building
filled with specimens of natural history
which he presented 10 lofts College, near
Boston. He has delivered hundreds Of
lectures on temperance and practical affairs
Of life and has published several books,
including his Autobiography, "Humbugs
0t the World, and Lion Jack, novel.
In politics Mr.. Barnum was Il Democrat
until the foundation of the Republican
party, when he became member Of the
new party. lie was a faithful attendant
and generous supporter Of the Universalist
Church. and was always noted for his
stalineh advocacy of temperance His wife
survives him.