The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-05
He Built Center Bridge, Opened East Bridgeport, Founded
 Washington Park
He Gave Land For Inner Break water, Many Acres to Seaside Park, and Barnum Institute to Societies

Barnum was an active member Of the Universalist church, the Church of the Redeemer, of which he was trustee. The church was organized, about 1850. In March of that year the city records report the burning of the church structure, which was then on Cannon street. The present handsome building was dedicated at it's site on Fairfield avenue, in 1851. Barnum was generous to the society. during his life and remembered 1t handsomely in his will, at his death.
 Barnum took a prominent part in organizing the Bridgeport Horse Railroad Company, which was tnsti- tuted in 1865 with a capital of $100,- coo. The charter allowed lines to be run from Penn broke Lake and Noun tain Grove cemetery. with branch to Seaside Park. The road was were extended through State street and Fairfield avenue. At the time of the organization Barnum was a mem Der of the board of directors. Albert Flames was president, Frederick Hurd, secretary and treasurer. and B. F. Lashar, superintendent. In 1890 this Syndicate, and three years later. after sale had been made to Charles A. Hotchkiss, was reorganiZed as the Bridgeport Traction Company. which in 1894 introduced electric locomotion The property passed into the posses sion of the Conn. Railway & Lighting Company, and finally. by lease, to the New York. New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company.
 The original street railway played an important part in the development or East Bridgeport, which was opened up by Barnum and General William Fl. Noble, as land scheme. much as such enterprises are now operated. But the location of great manufacturing enterprises like the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, had or course, much more to do with the rapid development of the property.
 Barnum also had his part in the de- velopment of Bridgeport harbor. In 1851 a small lighthouse was erected at the mouth of the river by the govern ment. In 1871 the government began series of improvements. among which, finally. came the building of the inner breakwaters and the dredg- ing of a basin at the north end of it. was donated by Nathaniel Wheeler, George Mallory and Barnum.
 Barnum was also interested in the development of the water supply of Bridgeport. and was at one time a director of the Bridgeport Hydraulic most of his life a firm believer i'll the principle that public utilities should be conducted by the people.
 He led long fight against the mo- nopoly enjoyed by the Bridgeport Fly draulic Company. which was for a Warner. the late James Staples, and others he organized the Citizens Wa ter Company The new company To- cated a reservoir and dam on Mill River in Easton and immediately con- nected the city with it's supply. The courts, at this point decided that the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company en- joyed an exclusive franchise and that the Legislature lacked power to grant a franchise to supply Bridgeport with water to another company. The Citi- zens' Company was in 1887 consolidated with the old company. and Barnum became the first president of the merg- ed organization.
 Always important in the history of Bridgeport have been the bridges con- meeting the East and West Sides of the city. And most important was the part that Barnum played in in creasing the number of the bridges.
 He was leading spirit in building the first center bridge. He was asso- ciated in the enterprise with General William H. Noble Their primary ob- ject was to build up their East Side property. Its eastern terminus was close to the present center bridge. but on the west side it came a consider able distance to the south This bridge was a toll bridge, until the city bought it in 1864 and made it free.
 Barnum also tGek a prominent part in the memorable contest between Bridgeport and Norwalk, to determine if Bridgeport should remain the coun- ty seat. Fairfield was the first county seat. But in 1853 the courts were re- moved to this city. Tn 1886 the ques- tion of building a new court house came up. Norwalk was in the field