The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-08
THE GREAT SNOWMAN DEAD.
P. 7. Barnum Passes Quietly Away at His
Home in Bridgeport.
AN INTERESTING SEETCHOF HIS CAREER
He Requested that His Funeral BE Con-
Quoted Privately-His Family at His
Side When He Breathed His Last.
BRrDoEronr, Coys., April 7.-P. t. Barnum is

BRIDGEPoRT, Conn. April 7.-P. It. Bsrnum IS
dead.
He passed away at {. ~ O'Clock this evening in
the presence of his family and intimate friends.
Among the sorrowing group in the room when
the end came were: Mrs. Barnum, Rev. l.. Il.
Fisher. Mrs. Thompson, his daughter; Mrs Clark
Of New York. a granddaughter; Miss May Read,
his niece: Mrs. Bushtelle. another daughter;
Clinton H. Seeloy his grandson and principal
heir: BENJAMIN Fish. Mrs. Barnums brother;
DR.. Hubbard, Mrs. Rickwan, the housekeeper,
and the nurse.
Mr. Barnum's illness and confinement to tho
house began twenty-One weeks ago. and during
this period there has been frequent fluctuations
IN his condition. The change for the worse.Whlch
occurred last night was however, so ,inuc1
more pronounced than the previous attacks hau
been. that the attending physicians became
convinced that the great Snowman had Uut
few more hours 10 live.
he KNEW THE END WAS NEAR.
Mr. Barnun suffered a good deal of pain and
seemed 10 realize that he could not i've mucb
longer, but he spoke Of his approaching en1
with calmncss ami told his physicians when al
hope was gone hc wished 70 be given sedatlVe7
which would aiay his pain ant make ms dehlh
az peaceful as possible. The hrsi tedatiVe was
given httlc after ten o'clock TINS lhoIihns am
vas understood by the patient and his famlIy 10
mean that the end wa near, ii.
Mrs Barnun remained at her husbands side
through hout the night. At O'Clock tn, morn
ng The patient sank nto lethargy' when wa
condition OF stulOr rather ihAn OF hAtuiaI
sleep. IL was very dihcult 10 rou-t MN rom
this state. and faint glcaIn OF recognition III
has eyes alone indicated that he had any kno"l-
edge of his surroundings. ,
thus matters went on until about 10 O'Clock
this morning. At that hOur he was again
aroused and his mental faculties appeared 10 be
brighter than al any time during the previous
few hours.
DEEPLY PATHETIC SCENE.
II Loo in
chamber at this time and the scene was deeply
pathetic one. Mr. Baruum was fully conscious,
but unable 10 speak. and the ahecuonaie mes
sagcs be conveyed with his eyes 10 his weeping
loved ones were more expressive than words.
Rev Mr.. Fisher bent over him and spoke words
OF religious consolation. 20 which Mr.. barhum
half nodded hl- head IN assent
About n O'Clock another sedatlYe was gwen
him and soon afterwards lac sank into a peace
fnl spell Al half past three this afternoon Mr;
Barnum sank INTO comatosc condltou' anu
from his condition he never rallied, ana when
the end finally came. u was peaceful ami 10 All
appearances painless.
/ organic disease whatever, the eniccbled heart
action which he had noticed for the past lew
months, being due 10 gradual failure Oh MS
mental p0wers resulting from old age.
THE FUNERAL
Mr. Barnum. in general way, had prescribed
directions for his funeral. he wished II OF
strictly private character. He directed that the
interment should be III the Mountain Grove
I "
massive granite monument Ot simple design.
The funeral service viii be held IN the North
Congregational church Friday and wiz PC coi-
Quoted by Rev. l..Bflsher the IniNersanst pas
tor assisted 10y Rev. Charles L. Palmer OF r''
/ Congregational church. -,
An effort will probably be made 10 induce the
family to have the obsequles public, but the
family from present indications will strictly adj
here TO the wishes of the deceased
MR.. BARSUMs cARKER.
Phineas Taylor Barnnm was born in Bethel.
Conn, July 3 1910 Hls Iather was 5h mn
keeper and country merchant. who died with
out property in lS3J From the axe ~ thirteen
for fye wears Phln as was IL business ID various
places, and finally opened "a small shop III
Bethel. but made more money out Ot an agency
for State lottery than ont OF his business lie
failed soon after the charter OF the lottery eH-
pred He then started the Herald Of Freedom.
IA weekly paper and for eKpres-lng his opinions
too freely was imprisoned Tor libel. I'm 1884 he
moved 10 New York. and while on visit 10 fhll-
adephla SAW on exhibition colored woman
/ Jovce Heath. advertised as George Washing
| tons nur-c. lie bought her FOR sifo0 and eI-
hibited her. his weekly receipts reaching sl,0O.
! This success was the foundation OF has great
| in isn he opened his first museum in New
| York and paid for II IN the first year his
! custom OF liberal advertising having caused
his entorprise TO be wonderfully succe ssful
Not long after he discovered Charles STRAIT;
ton. who was less than two feet IN height anI
weighed only sixteen pounds lie exhibited him
throughout Europe a. General Ion thumb
/ and made q great deal OF money IN lsi0 Mr..
Bafnum cohtItclt'l WliH Jenny i'lil" ivi i" yIi
certs al al.OO) performance: Only nInety-ikc
performances were given. but the gross re-
! cents we're s7l216l. Mr. Barnum making
/ large profit.
Mr. larnum was deeply interested N the sue
cess of Bridgeportan1 through indorsing paper
/ of a projected manufacturing company lost his
property he lcctured. travelled with Tom
Thumb and was enabled 20 take charge
/ of his old museum IL burned i'm
! ISIS and another museum which he
openel suffered the same fate. In 1871 hc
| established his travelling museum and monag-
erirwhich has made the regular tours ever since.
! MIR Barnum has been four time, member Of
/ the Connecticut Legislature, and has been
/ MAYOR OF Bridgeport, 10 which he presented
public park.
Ills bcnefactions have been large and numer-
/ ous among them being a stone museum build
ing presented 10 Iafts College. His name Is
! probably more widely known than that Of any
/ other American. II having been carried in the
! search for curlositlcs to the most unfrcQuented
parts of the earth.