Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-04
"MRS. TOM THUMB"
Death of Countess Magri Removes
Worlds Best-KnOwn Midget

Countess Lavinia Magri. known profess
sonally as Mrs. Tom Thumb throughout
the world by patrons Of theatres and
travelling shows, who died November Is
at her home in Warrenton village, part
of Mddleboro, Mass, after long illness.
was one of the best known Liliputians in
the world having been taken around the
world and before crowned heads. under
the management OF the late Phineas T.
Barnum, the famous Snowman.
Born in Mddleboro, on October 81, 1912.
she was daughter of James S. and Hulda
(Warren) Bump. Another sister. Minnie.
also was small of stature and was before
the public as an entertainer. The other
children of the family were of normal
growth, as were the parents. The coun-
tess never attained height above thirty
two inch nor weight of more than
thirty pounds. Her sister, Minnie, was
even smaller. At birth Lavinia Warren
Bump weighed six pounds and at the age
of one year she was of normal size. For
the next nine years she grew slowly, and
then suddenly stopped altogether.
Her first public appearance was at the
age Of seventeen, under the management
of a man who operated a FLOATING Pal
ace Of Curiosities" on the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi rivers, before the Civil War. She
met =. T. Barnum in 1862. and then began
her long career under his management. 1t
was a tour of triumph through the camps
of the Civil War and later in foreign capi-
tails 1t is said that her photographs are
in more family albums than any other
persons in the worlds history. Her pub
lie career occupied fifty-six eventful years.
and during this time she travelled all over
the civilized world and visited all conti-
ha
every crowned head and eminent person
in every country she visited.
At the age OF % she met Charles
Stratton, known to thousands as General
Tom Thumb and after a brief courtship
they were married at Grace Church, New
York. Soon afterward they appeared as
1.-The smallest couple in the world" at
Barnum's Museum on Broadway. A few
years later the couple formed troupe with
Commodore Mutt and Minnie Warren. Mrs.
Thumbs sister. and toured England and
France. In the former country the per-
formers were presented to Queen Victoria.
and In the latter to Napoleon III. Fol-
lowing visit to Egypt, the troup toured
the world. 1t had been travelling con-
stantly for four years when Minnie War
rem died and the Thumbs and Commodore
Mutt returned to America. Minnie War
. rem was tNe Ike Oh fufnuNu Newell,
known among little people as General
Grant, Jr." While General and Mrs.
Thumb We're playing in Milwaukee in
1883. he became i'll and was taken to Mid
dleboro. He died shortly afterward. Mrs.
Thumb then left the stage for a period
of two years.
In 1856 she married Count Primo Magrt
of Italy. in Holy Trinity Church. New
| York. They toured the country with
new company. Count and Countess Mag
ri retired from the stage number OF
years ago. although they have appeared
from time to time in local productions
given for charity. Countess Magr was
member of h. w. Pierce Post, w. X.
g., of her home town. also OF the Order
OF the Eastern Star and the Daughters
OF the American Revolution. She was
for many years a Christian Scientist in
faith. She was especially fond of chill
dren and frequently stopped to talk with
them In theatres and on the street. Count
Alagri her husband. survives her