Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-06-02
How Tom Thumb Backed Out

81 -
The numerous and Confusing para.
graphs concerning the interesting
awart GRrnsey.5 of Washington, Eng.
land, whose death was recorded re.
Gently, Of necessity revived In the
minds OF old sshowInen many memo.
ries OF the original and most famous
OF oil dwarfs, General Tom Thumb"
says the New York Telegraph. The
confusion In the minds of the busy
paragraphists arose from the some
what mistaken title nField Marshal
'Eom Thumb" assumed by MIR. earn.
sey when he was before the public
as prodigy Of nature,
F. n. Barnum in "the story OF his
life. written by himself, says that
IN November, 1912, I was In Bridge.
port, Conn, where I heard OF re-
markably small child, aud at my re-.
guest my brother Philo F. Barnum,
drought him to. the hotel. He was
not two feet high; he weighed less
Than 16 pounds, and was the smallest
enid ever. 4gaw that could walk
alone. He was a perfectly formed.
bri8ht.eyed little fellow with light
hair and ruddy cheeks, and he enjoy.
ed the best Of health He was ex.
ceedingly bashful, but after some
coaxfng he was Induced to talk with
me. and he told me ,ho was the con
OF Sherwood. o.. NStratton, and that
NIB own name was Charles s.. STRAIT.
ton. After, seeing him and talking
WIN MIN at once determined to sc.
cure his services and exhibit him In
public. engaged him for four weeks
at S3 q week, with all travelling and
boarding charges for, himself and his
mother Mt my expense. They came to
New York on Thanksgiving Day, 1912.
and announced the dwarf on my
museum bill as General Tom
Thumb" 45f
Ihat was the introduction to the
world OF this famous midget, and the
story OF his after success In America
and through Europe Ia. set out In sew.
oral interesting chapters In the story
ot barnum's life and enterprise.
The success OF the little General in
Liverpool and afterwards in London
was instantaneous and complete, Tut
~ must never be forgotten that the
success was due to the daring and
original Snowman, Barnum, as to the.
talent and charm of the little man.
!Barnum's biggest hit iu London dnr
Ing his successful season with the
General at tho Egyptian Hall was
when no was able to close the door
OF the hall and exhibit the announce.
mont, "Closed this evening General
Tom Thumb being at Buckingham
Palaco by command OF hor majesty,
One Of the best stories OF the abil.
ity OF the little general was concern.
Gu win their visit to royalty. Bar.
mum thus details 1t; Surprise and
pleasure We're depleted on the coun.
tenances Of the royal circle at be.
hiolding this remarkable specimen OF
humanity SO much smaller than they
evidently expected to find him. The
generai advanced with a firm step;
as he came within hailing distance,
ne made graceful bow. and exclaim.
cd, Good evening, ladies' and gentle.
mon. A burst Of laughter followed
!, This ,!l salutation. The Queen then took
nm by the hand, led him about the
gallery and asked him many ques-
lions. the answers to which kept the
party In an uninterrupted strain of
merrlment, The general familiarz
informed the Queen that her picture
gallery was first rate, and told her
that he should like to see the I.rlnce
or Wales. The Queen replied that
.he Prince had retired to rest but
mat he should see him on somo future
occasion. The General then gave his
songs, and limitations, and after
conversation with Prince Albert and
all present, which continued for more
IMAM an hour, we were permitted to
depart. 80 =
The funniest incident OF this visit
was occasioned by the little gener.
ais reading OF the instructions given
him by tho Lord.in- Waiting as to
backing" out OF the royal presence.
exhibited the greatest aptitude In the
somewhat awkward movement The
little general, however, not wishing
TO be outdone by Barnum, when he
was losing ground, turned immedi-
ately and ran n few steps until he
was level with Barnum, and then with
all the solemnity and ceremony re.
sumed the process of "backing" out,
ana SO continued to alternate his
Of reaching the door of the
gallery, and so making his exit from
royal presence. These tactics Of re-.
treat provoked the greatest possible
merriment from the spectators.
Upon another visit to Buckingham
Palace, Queen Victoria, kept her prom.
tse and introduced him to the Prince
OF Wales. General" said the Queen,
this Is the Prince, OF Wales" How
are YOU. Pflnce?. said the General;
and then standing by the Prince. he
ADDED. "The Prince Is taller than.
I am. but feel as big as anybody.
upon which observation he strutted
UP and down the room rs proud as a
peacock, amid shouts OF laughter
from az present.
A Most interesting chapter In Bar
NUNS book Is concerned with Z the