Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-09

and adv. rtise by her owner as being l6l
years o!d-.n 'oTrOborItion whereof an
ancient yell W bill of safe of the date of l727
was exhibited.
Barnum bought the woman. He paid
81, 900 for her, advertised his show in the same
vigorous manner as lie later displayed in his
amusement enterprises, and shortly was en-
toying an income of $500 u week. Within
the year the woman died, and a post mortem
examination revealed the fact that heI
former owner had generously added some
eighty years to her age.
This experience had infatuated Barnum
with the show business, and he went into II
in earnest. He Travelled through the south
with small shows of various kinds which,
like small shows generally, were unproft-
able.
In 1871 he did one of those bold things
which have contributed so much to his sue
cess. Although he had not dollar he
bought Scuddar's American museum,
changed the name to Barnum's museum ad-
ded some new curIosities, and within year
had made the concern earn enough to sup
port him and pay for itself. By 1913 it had
grown to be a great amusement enterprise.
His It great hit was made the year after
he bought the American museum. He had
heard of Charles StrattOn, of Bridgeport,
Conn, a matured man who weighed but
sixteen pounds and stood less than two feet
0lSu. instantly ne eHSdBeu tue plBull StTdt-
ton, dubbed him Gen. Tom Thumb, exhibited
him all over the world, married him to
Lavinia Warren, a female midget, and made
the name of Tom Thumb well nigh as much
q household word as that of BarIum.
Who does not remember Gen. Tom Thumb
and his dimnutive wife? What a Juror they
aroused in the days of their popularity, and
how the people fiOcked to see themi How
many men and women can remember how,
when boys and girls, they stopped down to
kiss Lavinia anu shake hands with Tom?
Like everything else Barnum touched, the
little couple achieved wealth and world wide
fame.
And there was the bringing OF Jenny Lind
to America, one OF Blrnum's greatest sue
cesscs. The great Swedish cantatrice came
to America after long negotiations with the
indefatigable Barnum in 1919 She was to
sing at $50 concerts in the great cities, but
only appeared at ninety five. Her reception
was something marvellous, and is talked
about to this day. Her ninety five concerts
drew $4,000, of which she received $4,000
Barnum during these years was connected
with numerous other enterprises and in 1855
he removed to Bridgeport, Conn, where he
lived in luxury. directing the while his great
enterprises. To encourage manufacturing
concern he Endorsed notes ag9regating 81
100000. The factory failed and Barnum's
fortune was swept away He had, however,
settled much on his wife, and visiting En-
gland with Tom Thumb and lecturing in the
principal cities there he soon returned with
his losses recouped
Then he again took charge of the old mu-
scum on Broadway, New York, and in July,
1865, this was destroyed by IRE. Ano her
museum he established also burned, the two
fires being among the historical conhagra-
lions of New York.
In 1871, appeared ''P. 7. Barnum's Greatest
Show on Earth" the show which has
visited every town Of importance in the
limited States with its numerous and ex-
travagantIy advertised features.
In his declining years Barnum has lived
easily in a most magnificent Queen Anne
house at Bridgeport, with his second wife,
handsome and talented woman for whom
the children OF his first wife have much love
and for whom they have named their chill
dren. His has been a pleasant old age, his
time being passed in reading and planning
further gifts to his town
During his slowly encroaching illness
Barnum has fought sturdily and cheerfully
for his life. To a newspaper writer who Wis
tied him in March the enfeebled veteran
said.s
snow / am better and feel that I must
live, at any rate until after March IS. Iwant
to ride around with the procession once
more. I am like Mr.Vanderbilt, who, when his
physician told him he was going to die, said;
why, I can't die-I can't-untn get that
tunnel built And / can't die until after
I've gone around New York once more with
my procession
And Barnum did live until March Is. but
unless his physicians are very much de-
ceived he win ride st the head Of his tinsel-
bedecke4 prQeesaiQR n EoZe