The Newtown bee., 1891-04-17
NEwToWN, APRIL II, 1891.
BRIDGEPORT.

HON P. T. BARNUM LAID AT REST.
Last Friday will be day long to be
remembered by citizens of Bridgeport.
All day long, the sky was overcast and
had ii dismal appearance. At l O'Clock,
relatives and favored few gathered at
the great showman's home, Marina, to
take their last look at the face of the
dear friend.In the elegant drawing room,
nearly filled with beautiful flowers in ell
egant designs, rested the casket, covered
with black cloth, with silver trimmings,
containing all that was earthly of the
man who was everybody's friend. Mr.
Barnum looked the perfect picture of
health, the face not in the least emaciat-
ed, but with pleasant, calm expression
on his face, as if he had just gone to
sleep. His pastor, Rev Mr. Fisher, offer
ed prayer, after which the casket was
closed for the last time. Relatives and
friends entered carriages and the funeral
procession proceeded to the South
church. Every street along the route
swarmed with people. At the church,
such an immense throng had collected
that only small passageway was left to
enter the church door. Inside the church,
few seats in the center aisle were re-
served for relatives. On one side sat
about 40 heads of departments of the
show, also members of the common
council, historical, scientific and other
societies in the front seats sat Drs Hub
bard and Godfrey, who attended him
during his illness and the honorary pail
bearers also delegations from the Grand
Army, members of the board of educa-
ton, bank directors. The rest of the
church was completely filled, not even
standing room left. Upon the platform
was the pastor, Rev l.. b. Fisher and Rev
DIR Collyer, also nearly every pastor of
the city churches; but they took no part
in the exercises. Thousands of neat me-
mortal programs were on hand, so that
every one was supplied. Rev LIB. Fish
err opened the services, then the choir,
Mrs A. d. Dutton, Mrs r. B. Allen, Luz
Their G. Allen and j. Howard Russell,
rendered hymns selected by Mr. Barnum.
Mrs Elmer Beardsley presided at the Or
gan. Rev DR. COllyer of New ork,a de-
voted friend of the deceased, delivered
touching and impressive address, which
he could tittingly do, on account of his
long friendship,in remembrance of many
pleasant hours spent with his departed
friend. The services closed with the
tune "Auld Lang Syne,' in which every
one joined. The casket was carefully
borne from the church, followed by his
sorrowing widow, leaning on the arm of
C. Barnum Seeley, the grandson of Mr.
Barnum who perpetuates his name. The
relatives and others followed. The long
procession started along Broad street to
Fairfield avenue, passing the Universal
list church where Mr. Barnum always
worshipped, directly out to Mountain
Grove cemetery, where the casket was
placed in an elegant polished red cedar
box, on the center of which was plate
with the inscription, "Phineas Taylor
Barnum." 1t was then lowered into the
underground vault, all sides of which
n, VIII studded
with lovely cut flowers. Along the route
from the church to the cemetery, the
streets were thronged with people and,
at the cemetery, it was almost lmpossl-
BILE to keep the family plot clear. After
the services, n large derrick was raised
and the huge block of granite lowered
to cover the vault; then the grave was
filed in. Hundreds waited around hop
ing to get chance to secure even one
flower as a memento; but Il guard was
left to protect the family plot. At Mar
ina, after the return from the cemerery,
Curtis Thompson read the will The es-
tate is estimated at S., 900, 900. Sunday,
thousands visited Mountain Grove to look
at the elegant and immense display OF
flowers. Many offered money to secure
single flower as a memento of the
Greatest Snowman on Earth, whose pres
encc filled so large Il place on earth that
found to fill it A. 5. NJ.
The schooner Amelia of New York is
unloading a cargo of broken stone from
Tomkins' cove to be used on the drive
WAYS at Marina. at Boards
ley's ship yard, the new schooner Green
leaf johnson was successfully launched.
-Watchmen have been constantly on
guard at the grave of Il. L. Barnum to
guard against any disturbance or a rep
etiton OF the A. Il. Stewart case.
Carpenters have begun work on the
new $4,000 building for Councilman Nc
Padden on Steuben street, East Bridge
port.-Edtor George G.. Waldo, Presi-
dent Isaac Holden of the scientific sOcie-
ty and Lawyer George Z. Carroll are
committee on the literary merit of essays
by the senior class of the high school, the
prize being a Barnum medal.-Barnum
made provision in his will for finishing
the new historical and scientific building.
The Bridgeport Union, the Park City s
latest venture in journalism, is weekly
with Ocain & Raymond as editors and
prOprietors.
Probably the West End Congregation
al church will be ready for dedication by
May Is, though the contract calls for its
completion by May l. The dedication
will occur as soon as the work is finished.
The handsome bell tower will not be u.s.
ed at present, as the bell now in use will
be kept in the tower of the old church,
Misses Lyon of Warren street gave a
pleasant musicale, last week.-A. w.
Burritt has sold lot on the west side of
Fifth street, East End, to Charles Cor
ham, who will put up house.-From
plans by Architect j. w. Northrop, a
house is being built by Carpenter Brown
on Clinton avenue, near State street.
Frank Bolande and wife started for trip
to Washington, d. c., Tuesday.-Sher-
wood r. Wheeler of the firm of Hustled q
Wheeler was quietly married, Saturday,
to Miss Bessie Norman of Cottage street.
Rev w. w. Kirkby performed the cere-
mony. Mr. and Mrs Wheeler have the
best wishes of many friends.-A pleas
ant entertainment was given at the State
street residence of Wilbur A. Smith, last
week, in aid of the building fund of the
Y. M G.. All. G.. Lennon of Marsh,
Merwin q Lennon is home from Allan
tic City, improved in health.-First meet
ing of the new common council, next
Monday night.-George A. Gould has
sold to Grace M. Sherwood property or
Fairfield avenue.
ASPETUCK.
Coley NJ. Abbott is quite sick with in.
fluenza.--Mrs Helen Osborne has visited
Il.