New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

KN " FIND Cne genesis OF the dime mu-
scum we must go back to the early
days of the nineteenth century when
Peale's Museum was thrown open to
the public with an alligator and an anaconda
one of them stuffed-as the chief attrac-
tions. But it was P. T. Barnum who many
years later put the museum business on the
map at the corner Of Ann Street and Broad
way, and may be said to have at the same time
created the profession of publicity, now
dominant influence in the affairs of the nation
and vital force in the work of humbugging
the public. Barnum never did that, for even
when he fooled his patrons he gave them full
measure of entertainment.
1t would be hard to name New Yorker of
my age who does not recall the curiosities,
both quick and dead, at which we used to gaze
with bulging eyes. The Cherry y-colored Cat
the color of black cherry; the What-Is-It,
the Happy Family, collection of animals
whose natural antipathes to another had
been stilled by drugs; the club that killed
Captain Cook; Tom Thumb, whose marriage
in Grace Church in the presence of a fashion
able assembly marks the apogee of the mu-
scum business; the little theater, called "lec-
ture room" in Difference to religious prejudice,
and presenting "Joseph and His Brethren"
with a ballet divertissement-the is not one
Of them all that do not recall vividly. l re-
member, too, a peaceful ape, exhibited as
terror of the jungle and the manner in which
the Snowman created the illusion of danger
with a skill worthy of Mr.. William Gillette
by fitting his cage with bars of double thick
ness. As for Professor Hutchinson, the
Lightning Calculator, whose feats of addition
and multiplication seemed to us youngsters
little short of miraculous, he crossed my trail
many times in later years when as the lee
turer in Bunnell's Museum and afterwa-d III
Austin & Stones Boston establishment he re-
vealed gifts of oratory that made him the
Daniel Webster of his profession. Professor
Hutchinson had all the dignity that is found
so often in men Of very small stature, and the
solemnity with which he uttered his encom-
iuna was auise in keeping with his dignity
Once an hour he would make the tour of the
museum with the rabble at his heels and
pausing at each freak, pronounce a few words
so earnestly and mpressively that every one,
myself included, felt sure he was speaking
the truth, and, to quote his words, went home
to ponder over the marvels that beneficent
Creator and liberal management placed be-
fore us for the low sum Of ten cents"
When Barnum's Museum was destroyed by
fire in the summer of 1865 The Tribune pub
ished humorous account of the event. In
which the polar bear was said to have wan
dered down to Wall Street and seated him
self on the steps of the Treasury building,
where he was heartily welcomed by the brok
ers who were on his side of the market In
this account the reporter called on Mr.. Ben
nett of "The Herald, whose Office close at
Qand, to ask him if he apprehended any dan
ger To which the editor replied that 1.-The
aevll was always at ones elbow" and then
turned to find the baboon standing close be-
side him.
Woods Museum was of later day, and
early IN the eighties George B. Bunnel opened
similar place on Broadway, think, at the
northwest corner Of Eighth Street 1t was
aele that the late George Starr, who had been
pfacticing physician in the city, entered the
business, in which he afterward became note
worthy figure. Attracted by natural apti-
eaoe Tor such exhibitions, he soon developed
,ssnarkable gifts a press agent, and it was
asgeiy by virtue of these that he finally be-
sssss the managing director of the Barnum &
.suey show Quick to discover Mr.. Charles
= Dana 8 fondness for snake stories, Starr de-
.'peo great skill in letting his pythons escape
4 - d. suitable Ihour in the evening, and thus
s'sareo ~ many front page stories in "The Sum-"
nere was at this time in New York team
q. 'sfy young variety actors playing at bene
anu IN the cheaper Bowery houses and
70 secure an opening on Broadway.
~ oe1tly they set afoat rumor in chan
asls that led direct to Mr.. Bunnelps ears that