New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-08

6orthst. The experience gained in his many unaer
takings had done its work in fitting him for tho
real work of his Contact with men in many
relations had taught him the knack of arousing public
curiosity and coaxing the almighty dollar from the
public pocket in unexpected Originality OF con-
ception energy In execution. and readiness OF VIII
In unforeseen contingencies acquired during TINS form
tive period OF his life, lay at the foundation Oh MS
coming success as - Snowman.
Mr. Barpum's connection with great moral shows
dates back to the introduction 10 public notice OF the
original nurse of Washington. In the summer Oh
1898 he bought OF r. w. Lindsay, Of KENTUCKY Tue
right to exhibit one Joice Heth. an ancient negro
woman, who was said to be l61 years old, ana 10
have been present at the birth of the Father OF inc
Country. The price asked was $4,000 Yankee aoit
ity at bargan-driving brought this down to Siooo'
Mr. Barnum had $500 cash; he sold his interest In
the grocery business for $500 more and the purchase
made. A resort to the energetic methoos Oh ao-
vertislng that subsequently made him famous soon
filed the new showmans halls In New-iork, Boston,
Albany and Philadelphia The venture was success
The death of the old negreSs In the following spring
terminated the enterprise
The young Connecticut Yankee had now iouno Ills
true vocation and he for any length OF uihe'
strayed from it afterward. His second star, slgnor
Vivalla," balancing, stitwalldng, patespihIhs
specialist also success, except in washington,
where Manager Barnum had TO pawn his watch TO pun
his show over financial depression. He subsequently
Joined forces with Aaron Turner'S travelling circus
vivalla going the ring and Barnnm into the TICKET
wagon This venture was also success, ana all the
ms and outs Of the circus business soon became fama
10 the young Snowman. in the fall of 1896 Barnum
and few performers separated from the Turner circus
and for the first time he had complete travelhhg
company of his own though q small one. Az Camoeh,
s. c. his negro artist left him. so that the new man
agcr had to black his face and do the ZIP coon par'
of the programme himself. lie scored hlt ana inc
perfection of the disguise may be realized from the fact
Cd N
side the tent and would have been shot for an impu
dent negro II he had not pulled up his sleeve and
shown his white skin. This company travelled through
the South for nearly years. dsbandns in Louisiana
In the spring Of 1888
Returning to New-York, Mr.. Barnum again tried
mercantile business. manufacturing blacNng at No
lO1 I-2 Bowery, but soon gave 1t up, ana Ill io4o
opened the Vauxhall Garden Saloon This not proving
altogether successful he went the road again VITA
small company, travelling In the South Win vary
ing success. The harships of an tnerant snow again
drove him back to trade. May 10, 194l, ne opeheu
an Office as agent for Sears Pictorial illustrations
of the Bibleo at Nassau and Beekman sts BUSINESS
WAS good but sub-agents were dishonest; and Mr..
Rarnum was reduced TO the necessity Of writing theatre
notices and stories for the Sunday papers 10 get inc
means wherewih TO pay grOcers' bills.
IL was darkest lust before the dawn The scudder
Museum, at Ann-st and broadway, was failure. n
collection that cost $4,000 offered for sale at
Olmstcad to purchase II in his name. The price pald
was $4,000. Within twelve months this was repaid
to Mr.. Olmstead From 1912 to 1860 MI Barhuih
was at the head OF this enterprise. which was known
as the American Museum. and netted us pFOpEoVor
800 a day. That harmless humbuS the Hobokeh
buffalo hunt the "woOlly horse the discovery OF
which he endeavored to saddle on General Fremonps
exploring expedition, and the famous mermaid hoax
were some of the outside enterprises In which he en-
gagged General Tom Thumb, Lavnia Warren and
Commodore Mutt engaged from time to time ana
beamcd on the NewYork public from the stage OF the
museum Several times Mr. Barnum took them abroad
individually and collectively winning riches, world
wide reputation and speaking acquaintance WIFI
most of the crowned heads of Europe.
IDlowing wealth enabled the now great Snowman
10 build pretentious house at Bridgeport In lo4s
which was christened Iranistan. Branch museums
were started in several cities and it seemed 'hat MI
Barnum had reached the limit Of his powers in this
line Of business. In 1s40 his active brain fourd
new outlet for his energy.
Jenny Lind the sweetvoced songstress, had capt
ured all music loving hearts In Europe Mr. Bar
mum engaged her, with suitable support, Tor an
American season Of $50 nights in 1850. The sum OF
slS7,5OO had to be put in the hands OF London
bankers as a guarantee. An immense amount OF
money was expended in "campaign OF education"
to teach the American public who Jenny LIND really
was. This and q most adrot management, made
Jenny Lind's American tour the sensation OF INC
decade. Tho total receipts were pfOO,OVO, Va
Jenny Lind received s176675 for singing at ninety
FIVE concerts.
In 1851, the "Asiatic Caravan, Museum and Men
ageries was put IN the field with dozen elephants
from CeyIon. Financial disaster overlook the pros
porous Snowman in the shape Of the Jerome CLOCK
Company ENHANCEMENT Anxious to have this sup
possibly rich corporation remove to his pet town oil
East bridgeport MIR. Barnum went security on the
company's paper. The concern soon failed, and the
cost 10 him Of sustaining his business honor was about
half a million. He went abroad with Tom THUMB
and the profits of this tour, together with the rise
In value of his Bridgeport property, enabled him to
pay all his obligations. Then his Museum burned
In 1865, involving another loss Of half Million Mr.
Barnum opened another museum at Nos. $50, 537 and
C30 Broadway. In three years this was burned also
The "Hippotheatronn on FourteeDthst was opened
In 1879 burned in less than four weeks sweeping away
100000 more. Hluck pursued him. but the ener-
getic Snowman allowed the fight to slacken lie
soon opened his famous Hippodrome, which ran sue
cessfully for several years.
In 1876 the modern era OF the railroad circus began
Mr.. Barlum, using the money OF certain wealthy
men, and giving his time and name for consideration
Of $4,000 year, put an immense tented exhibition
and circus in the field. This transported
hundred specially built cars and the evolution Of the
modern circus complete. In 1880 there came
battle of the giants. The Cooper & Bailey London
Circus followed the Barnum Circus from place to Place
and fought for public favor At the end Of the
the situation such that Barnum proposed a com
bnation. The firm Of Barnun. Bailey d Hutchinson
was formed iii which Barnum had half interest After
various changes Mr.. Bailey bought out the third
interest In 1885, and since that time Messrs BaInum
and Bailey have been equal partners. The circus
has proved a financial gold mine under this manage
mcnt netting sometimes mucE $650,000
year, and rarely falling below 100000. The Incl
dents Of Jumbos arrival and death, the baby ee-
phant the engagement of Chang, the Chinese giant;
the battle of the white elephants and many other
sensations connected with Mr. Bsmum's name, are
too recent to need recounting.
Mr. Barnums history merchant and q show.
man has been briefly outlined Ii remains TO mention
his accomplishments In public and political capacity.