Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-08
nRIpsEpoRr,s aREAr Loss.

and confinement to the house, which be- gan twenty-one weeks ago last Friday, there have been frequent fluctuations in his condition, from each of which he rallied, although in each instance with . slightly lowered vitality. The change for the worst, which occurred last night, how ever, was 50 much more pronounced than the previous attacks had been, that 1t con- vineed the attending physicians that their patient had not many more hours to live. During his confinement to the house he has been down stairs only twice, although sitting up much of the time and being cheerful and conversationally inclined in his waking moments. After the attack, which came shortly before midnight, MT Barnum suffered good deal of pain. much longer and spoke of the approaching end with calmness.
 During his illness the physicians have been careful about administering nor phine or sedatives of any kind through a fear that they might produce ulterior ill effects. Last night MT. Barnum spoke of this, and said when all hope was gone he wished to be given sedatives which would allay his pain and make his death as peace full as possible. Dr. Hubbard promised compliance with his wishes in this respect The first sedative was given at 10:10 o'clock this morning. It was understood by the patient and his family to mean that the end was near Mrs. Barnum remained night In alternate spells of dozing and in conversation which showed his brain to be as clear as ever MT. Barnum passed the hours until about 4 o'clock this morning, when he sank into a lethargy, which was condition of stupor, rather than of natural sleep. To arouse him from this state of unconscicusness was difscult. A faint eleam of recognition alone indicated that he had knowledge of his surroundings, or knew the familiar and sympathetic faces grouped about him. Thus matters went on until about 10 o'clock this morning He was again aroused and his mental faculties, which appeared to be brighter than at any time anTine the several hours previous.
 Among the sorrowing group then in the pastor of the Cniversalist church; Mrs D. ". Thompson, his tlaughtsr: Mrs. Clarke of New York, his granddaughter; Mrs. May Rsaae, his niece. Mrs w. H. Ruch- as1le as New York, another daughter, Ciin- s<na H Seelys, his grandson and principal hs.-s Benjamin Fish, Mrs Rarnum's A-'e.iihA- s2a treasurer of the Rarnum X Bailey show nr. Hubbard. Mrs N. L. ESiaksGXa, the hoassSesper; .. E. Olcutt, $ araSns<a narss from Bellevue hospital, who has e,ssl MT. Rsrnum's attendant since Ass illness and w D. Roberts, for many years MT. Rsrnum's valet. The scene ir the dying man chamber was deeply pathetic, Mr. Rarnum was fully awake and conscious although his nearly e1- hausted physical powers made it impossi- ble for him to talk. The affectionate mes- sages he conveyed with his eyes to the weeping attendants were more expressive than words. With the exception of him. self all were in tears.
 Previous to the arrival of several of the relatives from New York on the 10 o'clock train Rev. MT. Fisher bent over the dying man and spoke words of relig- ious consolation. MT. Barnum's eyes frightened as the scriptural promises were recalled to him and he half nodded his head in assent. Shortly after Il o'clock he took a sedative from Dr. Hub bard, and soon afterwards sank into 8 daughter, sat by the bedside holding his hand in her own from the time of her ar- rival in the sick room. She could not hold back her tears. Mrs. Barnum also endeavored to restrain her feelings and present to her husband cheerful counte- nance.
 At 3:30 this afternoon Mir. Barnum sank into comatose condition, from which it was evident there would be very little hope of his again returning to consciousness. When the end finally came it was peaceful and to all appearances painless.
 The physicians say that MT. Barnum had no organic disease whatever, the enfeebled heart action which had been apparent for ual failure of his general mental powers, resulting from old age.
 In general way MT. Barnum has pre- scribed directions for his funeral. He wished it to be of a private and unosten- tatious character as possible. Of show and parade he said he had had enough dur ing his life, and his commitment to his last resting place he wished devoid of all ceremony beyond the simplest tribute of affection and respect. He directed that the interment should be in the Mountain Grove cemetery, where several years ago, he erected massive granite monu- ment of simple design.
 The funeral will be held Friday after noon in the North Congregational church and will be conducted by Rev. L. B. Fish CT, the Universalist pastor, assisted by Rev. Charles Ray Palmer of the North church. MT. Barnum had an intense hor- TOT of embalming or of having his body placed on ice after death. The remains will therefore be kept in dark, cool room in the house. The body will then be en- closed in an dramatically sealed metallic casket. This is in exact accord with Mr. Barnum's expressed wishes. There will, no doubt, be an effort made to induce the family to have the obsequies public, but from present indications, however, the family will probably strictly adhere to the wishes of the deceased.
 SKETCH OF BARNUM's cAREER-ITs vICIs-
 STUDIES.
 Phineas Taylor Barnum was born in Bethel Qear Danbury) on July 10, 1910. His father was an inn keeper and country merchant, who died in 1895, leaving no property. From the age of thirteen to eighteen the son was in business ill various places, part of the time in Brooklyn and New York city.
 Having accumulated little money, he returned to Bethel where he opened & small store. Here he was successful, es- pecially after taking the agency for a year of lottery chartered by the state for building the Groton monument opposite New London. When the lottery charter expired he built 8 larger store in Bethel, but through bad debts the enter prise proved failure.
 After his marriage in 1929 he established and edited weekly newspaper entitled ''The Herald of Freedom" and for free expression of his opinions he was im- prisoned sixty days for libel In 1884 he removed to New York, his property hay ing become much reduced. He soon after visited Philadelphia, and saw there on ex hibition colored woman named Joyce Heath, advertised as the nurse of George Washington, 161 years old. Her owner ex- hibited an ancient looking time colored bill of sale dated 1727 MT. Barnum bought her for $1,000, advertised her ex- tensively and his receipts soon reached $1.500 week.
 Within a year Joyce Heath died and post-mortem examination proved that the Virginia planter had added about eighty years to her age. Having thus acquired taste for the show business, MT. Barnum travelled through the south with small shows, which were generally unsuccessful, In 1874, although without dollar of his own, he purchased Scudder's American museum, named it Barnum's museum, and by adding novel curiosities and advertis- ing freely, he was able to pay for it the first year, and in 1848 he had added to it two other extensive collections, besides several minor ones.
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