Evening star., 1935-09-22
Py John Clageh Proctor.

puted age at that time was 161 years,
though a post-mortem examination
following her death, early In 1885,
disclosed that she was only about 8
years old at that time.
Shortly after the great Snowman OBJ
tanned control Of the venerable Ne
gress, he started out On the road with
juggler and equilibrist whom he had
picked up in Albany and renamed
Signor Vivalla. Soon he was on his
way 10 Washington with the Signor
and opened here on January 16, 1886.
to a house said by him to have not
exceeded $50. Needless to say he lost
money, since he was not to receive
anything for Vivalla's act until 500
had been taken in at the box Office.
However, his impressions of Washing
ton 100 years ago are worth repeating.
He says:
"As this was my first visit to Wash
ington I was much interested IN visit
ing the Capitol and other public build
ings. I also satisfied my curiosity in
seeing Clay. Calhoun, Benton, John
Quincy Adams, Richard M. johnson,
Polk and other leading statesmen o.
the time.
IT was also greatly gratifed in call
ing upon Anne Royal, author of the
Black Book, publisher Of little paper
called Paul Pry,' and quite a cele-
brated parsonage in her day. I had
exchanged The Herald Of Freedom
with her journal and she strongly
sympathiZed with me in my persecu-
tions. She was delighted to see me
and although she was the most gar
rulous old woman I ever saw, I passed
a very amusing and pleasant time
with her. Before leaving her, mani
tested my Snowman propensity by try
ing to hire her to give a dozen or
more lectures on Government in the
Atlantic cities, but could not engage
her at any price although I am sure
the speculation would have been O
very profitable one.
Il never saw this eccentric woman
again: she died at very advanced
age, october l, 1854, at her residence
in Washington.
THERE was incessant snow in
Washington during Vivalla's en-
gagement, and was SO Unexpectedly
loser by the operation that I had
not sufficient funds to return to Phila-
deiphia. After much hesitation, and
with deep feeling of sadness and
humiliation. pawned my watch and
chain for $35, promising to redeem 1T
within month. Fortunately, how
ever, Mr.. Wenyss arrived on Saturday
morning, bringing with him Lucius
Junius Booth and Miss Waring, after
wards Mrs. Seton. Mr.. Wemyss loaned
me s35, and I redeemed my watch,
paying 81 for the use of the money q
few hours"
The Washington playhouse, where
Barnufn introduced Signor Vivalla to
the audience, formerly known as the
Theater, was located on Indiana ave-
nue. between John Marshall place and
Sixth street and had just reopened
under the management of F. C..
Wemyss.
Soon, however, in 1847, Barnum
made another visit to Washington, and
this time with much better SUCCESS,
for this time he brought with him
Tom Thumb, a Bridgeport dwarf
whom he had engaged for exhibition
purposes five years before, when he
was but years old, but whose age the
Snowman advanced to IL years for
business reasons. Tom Thumbs real
name was Charles s. Stratton, but
Barnum thought Gen. Tom Thumb"
sounded better, and so thereafter this
was his name. He appeared here
number of times, but upon this par
ticular occasion the National Intel
ligencer Of April 10, l847, said:
Gen. Tom Thum has drawn nu-
merous and fashionable companies to
his popular levees at jackson Hall
during the three days and nights Of
his exhibition In this metropolis. The