Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-07
p. T. BARNUM DYING.
He Is Not Expected by the Physicians to
Survive the Day.

nc As Not Expected Oy the Phye1c1ans to
Survive the Day.
BRIDGEPORT. Conn. April AT 10 O'Clock
last night Mr.. Barnum was taken much worse
and his physicians wers hastily summoned.
They saw that he was rapidly sinking, and adj
vised Mrs Barnum to send for he children.
They were telegraphed for and will arrive to-
day. At midnight the old showman's death was
considered to be only question of a few hours.
At 1880 DIR. Hubbard telegraphed Mr.. Barnum's
close friends in New York saying that his
patient was much worse and asking them to
come on at once.
The following bulletin was issued at 8 clock
this morning:
s''Mr. Barnum much worse; rapidly failing:
will probably not last twenty-four hours.
Signed Robert Hubbard, G. G. Godfrey, at
tending physicians"
Mr.. Barnum's attending physician. Dr. C. c.
Godfrey, was in attendance upon Mr. Barnum
all night. de stated to a reporter at 10 o o'clock
this morning that he believed the famous
Snowman would not live many hours. He had
been declining fast since midnight
The doctor described his condition as
up to 10 o'clock this morning and
recognized those who were gathered
around his bedside. Shortly after o'clock Dr.
Godfrey aroused him from a slight slumber and
told him that the city had gone republican in
yesterdays election. In a very feeble voice
III.
Godfrey believes that his death will be due to
loss Of respiration or heart failure His respira-
ton and pulse is growing weaker every
moment, and the doctor gives it as his opinion
that the veteran Snowman will not last the day
through Mr.. Barnum's daughters are expected
here shortly, having been telegraphed for.
p T. BARNUMs CAREER
Phineas TAYLOR Barnum was born in Bethel
Conn, July 5. 1910. His father was an inn
keeper and country merchant. who died with
out property in 1925. From the age of thirteen
for i've years Phineas was in business in various
places and finally opened a small shop in
Bethel, but made more money out of an agency
for state lottery than out OF his business He
failed soon after the charter of the lottery ex-
PRED. He then started the Herald Of Freedom.
weekly paper. and for expressing his opinions
too freely was imprisoned for libel. In 1884
he moved to New York, and while on visit to
Philadelphia saw ON exhibition a colored woman
Joyce heath, advertised George Washing
toms nurse. He bought her for 81 600 and ex-
hibited her, his weekly receipts reaching 81 500
This success was the foundation Of his great
fortune. In ls41 he opened his first museum
in New York and paid for it in the first year.
his custom of liberal advertising having caused
his enterprise to be wonderfully successful
Not long after he discovered Charles l. Stratton.
who was less than two feet in height and weighed
only sixteen pounds. He exhibited him
throughout Europe as Gen. Tom Thumb and
made great deal of money. In 1919 Mr.. Bar
mum contracted with Jenny Lind for $50 con-
eerts at $1,000 a performance. Only ninety
five performances were given. but the
gross receipts were s712, l61, Mr.. Barnum
making large profit. Mr.. Barnum vas
deeply interested in the success of Bridgeport
and through indorsing paper of a projected
! manufacturing company lost his properly. He
lectured, travelled with Tom Thumb, and was
enabled to take charge of his old museum 1t
burned in 1865 and another museum which he
opened suffered the same fate. In 1871 he
established his travelling museum and menag-
| erie, which has made regular tours ever since
Mr.. Barnum has been four times a member of
the Connectica at legislature, and has been mayor
| of Bridgeport, to which he presented public
park. His benefactions have been large and
numerous, among them being a stone museum
building presented to Taft's College. His name
! Is probably more widely known than that Of
any other American, it shaving been carried in
the search for curiosities to the most unfre-
quented parts of the earth.