The Washington herald., 1914-02-10


ME iass s4dF Tvachtman. who 4
= sIowRs ~ Reeay ssinins pestha-
nous fame e ID American painter.
who's genius ~ not recognized In HID
lifetime. exoept by . few who were Of
sod judsnssuf. had q wide acqusint.
snce with painters and squlptors and
also with musicians. He was fortunate
enough 10 hear the nrst performances OF
Warmers "Aeistersingef'' at Munich.
and he had It that time made acquaint-
ance either with Thomas Ball or intimate
friends OF Ball. who related to him many
anecdotes about the latter.
Ball was sculptor who lived many
years at Florence, Italy. and also spent
some months each year At Munich. where
Twachtman studied. The bronze edues-
TRAN statue OF Washington IN the Boston
Public Garden and the statue Of Webster
In New York were Balls work. but he
was perhaps best known as the sculptor
who designed and executed the Emanc1-
patton group which stood In the Capitol
grounds In Washington.
Mr.. Twachtman for some years was .
neishbor OF mine. and often had the
pleasure Of hearing his anecdotai rem
iniscences of men who had achieved sue
cess In the world OF art. He hadsa very
Keen sense Of humor, and he once mar
rated the following incident, which was
either told to him by the sculptor Ball or
by one Of Mr.. Balls friends:
In some way Tom Ball and p. T.
Barnum. the great American showman.
established an intimate personal friend
ship at the time when Barnum was In the
height Of his career.
THAT friendship was maintained until
Barnum's death. How skillfully the
great Snowman was able to utilize his
intimacies with men who had gained
high reputation was discovered by Mr..
Ball Just after Barnum had built his
country home at Bridgeport.
Conn.,. which he called Iranistan.' Bar
mum had often invited the sculptor to
visit him at Bridgeport and the invita-
tons were sometimes accepted. But
when Tranistan' was completed and fur
nished Barnum urgently invited Mr.. Ball
TO 60 to Bridgeport and spend q few days
at this beautiful country home. The day
was hyed by Barnum and the invitation
was accepted When Mr.. Ball arrived at
the Bridgeport station he found Barnum
there awaiting him. The Snowman led
tho famous sculptor through the station
10 q carriage drawn by four brilliantly
-ep6Ii6Onc0 horses ana PROVIDED Win u
and footman I'm snowy livery.
Ball was somewhat astonished at the
Of this reception to him,
but he Vnhesitatingiy took the seat in
he carriage which Barnum pointed out
The Snowman then seated himself beside
he sculptor and the carriage proceeded
,n its way.
Speedily Mr.. Ball discovered that this
,arriage was at the head OF a procession
which consisted of long string of circus
md menageries carriages or wagons
which were gayly painted and I'm the
midst of which was a chariot in which
vas seated a large brass band which
Dotted away vigorously. The PROCESSION
made a parade through all the streets of
and the Snowman in expla-
,ation said to the sculptor that this was
he opening day for the greatest show
IN earth
But II was not till the procession dis
landed and Ball was enjoying the house |
iold Inequalities OF Mr.. Barnum that he |
earned that the great Snowman had !
aused II to be widely advertised that
With him WAS to ride in the procession |
he great American sculptor. Thomas |
,au. That explained to Mr.. Ball why so
many people on the sidewalk looked at /
i'm with curious eyes"
Copyright. IHLl