Life of Hon. Phineas T. Barnum
Benton, Joel
PHINEAS T. BARNUM
A UNIQUE STORY OF A MARVELLOUS CAREER.
LIFE OF
Hon. PHINEAS T. BARNUM.
ELEGANTLY ILLUSTRATED
COMPRISING
HIS BOYHOOD, YOUTH, VICISSITUDES OF EARLY YEARS; HIS HERCULEAN STRUGGLES, BRILLIANT ENTERPRISES, ASTONISHING SUCCESSES, DISASTROUS LOSSES, NAPOLEONIC TRIUMPHS; HIS RECEPTION BY KINGS, QUEENS, EMPERORS AND NOBILITY EVERYWHERE; HIS GENIUS, WIT, GENEROSITY, ELOQUENCE, CHRISTIANITY, &C., &C., AS TOLD
By JOEL BENTON. Author of ``Emerson as a Poet' and various other works, and for nearly thirty years a most intimate friend of the greatest of Showmen
EDGEWOOD PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1891. COPYRIGHT, 1891, BY R. B. POLLOCK
CONTENTS.
* CHAPTER I.
IN THE BEGINNING.
Family and Birth -- School Life -- His First Visit to New York City --
A Landed Proprietor -- The Ethics of Trade -- Farm Work and Keeping
Store -- Meeting-house and Sunday-school -- ``The One Thing
Needful.'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
* CHAPTER II.
EARLY YEARS AT BETHEL.
Death of his Grandmother and Father -- Left Penniless and
Bare-footed -- Work in a Store -- His First Love -- Trying to buy Russia -- Uncle
Bibbin's Duel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
* CHAPTER III.
BUSINESS LIFE
Removal to Brooklyn -- Smallpox -- Goes Home to Recover His Health --
Renewed Acquaintance with the Pretty Tailoress -- First Independent
Business Venture -- Residence in New York -- Return to Bethel --
Anecdotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
* CHAPTER IV.
TRYING MANY VENTURES.
Visit to Pittsburg -- Successful Lottery Business -- Marriage -- First Editorial
Venture -- Libel Suit -- Imprisonment and Liberation -- Removal to New
York -- Hard Times -- Keeping a Boarding House . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
* CHAPTER V.
BEGINNING AS A SHOWMAN.
Finding His True Vocation -- The Purchase of Joice Heth -- Evidence as
to Her Age -- Her Death -- Signor Vivalla -- Visit to Washington -- Joining
a Travelling Circus -- Controversies with Ministers -- The Victim
of a Practical Joke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
* CHAPTER VI.
INCIDENTS OF A CIRCUS TOUR.
Beating a Landlord -- A Joke on Turner -- Barnum as a Preacher and as a
Negro Minstrel -- A Bad Man with a Gun -- Dealing with a Sheriff --
``Lady Hayes'' -- An Embarrassed Juggler -- Barnum as a Matrimonial
Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
* CHAPTER VII.
HARD TIMES.
Advertising for a Partner -- ``Quaker Oats'' -- Diamond the Dancer -- A
Dishonest Manager -- Return to New York -- From Hand to Mouth --
The American Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
* CHAPTER VIII.
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.
Advertising Extraordinary -- A Quick-witted Performer -- Niagara Falls
with Real Water -- Other Attractions -- Drummond Light . . . . . . .115
* CHAPTER IX.
INCREASED POPULARITY OF THE MUSEUM.
The American Flag and St. Paul's -- St. Patrick's Day -- The Baby Show --
Grand Buffalo Hunt -- N. P. Willis -- The First Wild West Show . . .126
* CHAPTER X.
GIANTS AND DWARFS.
Science for the Public -- Mesmerism Extraordinary -- Killing off a Rival --
The Two Giants -- Discovery of ``Tom Thumb' -- Seeking Other
Worlds to Conquer -- First Visit to England. . . . . . . . . . . . .138
* CHAPTER XI.
TOM THUMB IN LONDON.
An Aristocratic Visitor -- Calling at Buckingham Palace and Hobnobbing
with Royalty -- Getting a Puff in the ``Court Circular'' -- The Iron
Duke -- A Great Social and Financial Success . . . . . . . . . . . .148
* CHAPTER XII.
IN FRANCE.
Arrival in Paris -- Visit to the Tuilleries -- Longchamps -- ``Tom all the Rage -- Bonaparte and Louis Phillipi -- Tour through France --
Barnum's Purchase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
* CHAPTER XIII.
IN BELGIUM.
Presented to King Leopold and the Queen -- The General's Jewels stolen --
The Field of Waterloo -- An Accident -- An Expensive Equipage -- The
Custom of the Country. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
* CHAPTER XIV.
IN ENGLAND AGAIN.
Egyptian Hall and the Zoölogical Garden -- The Special Relics -- Purchase
of the Happy Family -- Return to America . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
* CHAPTER XV.
AT HOME.
Partnership with Tom Thumb -- Visit to Cuba -- Iranistan, his Famous
Palace at Bridgeport -- Barnum's Game-Keeper and the Great Game
Dinner -- Frank Leslie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
* CHAPTER XVI.
JENNY LIND.
A Daring Venture -- Barnum's Ambassador -- Unprecedented Terms
offered -- Text of the Contract -- Hard Work to Raise the Guarantee
Fund -- Educating the American Mind to receive the Famous Singer . .198
* CHAPTER XVII.
ARRIVAL OF JENNY LIND.
First Meeting with Barnum -- Reception in New York -- Poems in Her
Honor -- A Furore of Public Interest -- Sale of Tickets for the First
Concert -- Barnum's Change in Terms -- Ten Thousand Dollars for
Charity -- Enormous Success of the First Concert. . . . . . . . . .213
* CHAPTER XVIII.
CONTINUED TRIUMPH.
Successful Advertising -- The Responsibilities of Riches -- Visit to
Iranistan -- Ovations at Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Washington -- Visit to Mt. Vernon -- Charleston -- Havana -- Fredericka
Brerner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
* CHAPTER XIX.
HAVANA.
Conquest of the Habaneros -- The Italian and his Dog -- Mad Bennett --
A Successful Ruse -- Return to New Orleans -- Ludicrous Incident --
Up the Mississippi -- Legerdemain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
* CHAPTER XX.
THE TRIALS OF AN IMPRESSARIO.
St Louis -- The Secretary's Little Game -- Legal Advice -- Smooth Waters
Again -- Barnum's Efforts Appreciated -- An Extravagant Encomium . . . 278
* CHAPTER XXI:
CLOSING THE GRAND TOUR.
April Fool Jokes at Nashville -- A Trick at Cincinnati -- Return to New
York -- Jenny Lind Persuaded to Leave Barnum -- Financial Results of
the Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
* CHAPTER XXII.
A FEW SIDE ISSUES.
The Expedition to Ceylon -- Harnessing an Elephant to a Plow -- Barnum
and Vanderbilt -- The Talking Machine -- A Fire at Iranistan -- Mountain
Grove Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
* CHAPTER XXIII.
SOME DOMESTIC ENTERPRISES.
Putting a Pickpocket on Exhibition -- Traveling Incognito -- The
Pequonnock Bank -- The New York Crystal Palace -- A Poem on an
Incident at Iranistan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
* CHAPTER XXIV.
THE JEROME CLOCK COMPANY.
Founding East Bridgeport -- Growth of the City -- The Jerome Clock
Bubble -- A Ruined Man -- Paying Honest Debts -- Down in the Depths. .322
* CHAPTER XXV.
THE WHEAT AND THE CHAFF.
False and True Friends -- Meeting of Bridgeport Citizens -- Barnum's
Letter -- Tom Thumb's Offer -- Shillaber's Poem -- Barnum's Message to
the Creditors of the Jerome Clock Company -- Removal to New York --
Beginning Life Anew at Forty-six . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330
* CHAPTER XXVI.
IDLENESS WITHOUT REST.
Annoying Persecutions of Creditors -- Summer on Long Island -- The
Black Whale Pays the Board Bill -- The Wheeler & Wilson Company Remove
to East Bridgeport -- Setting Sail for England . . . . . . . . . . .349
* CHAPTER XXVII.
A PROSPEROUS EXILE.
His Successful Pupil -- Making Many Friends in London -- Acquaintance
with Thackeray -- A Comedy of Errors in a German Custom House --
Aristocratic Patronage at Fashionable Resorts -- Barnum's Impressions
of Holland and the Dutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
* CHAPTER XXVIII.
HOME AGAIN.
A Jolly Voyage -- Mock Trial on Shipboard -- Barnum on Trial for His
Life -- Discomfited Witnesses and a Triumphant Prisoner -- Fair
Weather Friends -- The Burning of Iranistan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
* CHAPTER XXIX.
THE ART OF MONEY GETTING.
The Lecture Field -- Success -- Cambridge -- Oxford -- An Unique
Entertainment -- Barnum Equal to the Occasion -- Invited to Stay a
Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
* CHAPTER XXX.
AN ENTERPRISING ENGLISHMAN.
A New Friend -- Dinner to Tom Thumb and Commodore Nutt -- Measuring
the Giant -- The Two Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
* CHAPTER XXXI.
AT HOME AGAIN.
The Clock Debts Paid -- The Museum once more under Barnum's
Management -- Enthusiastic Reception -- His Speech -- Two Poems . . . .424
* CHAPTER XXXII.
THE STORY OF ``GRIZZLY ADAMS.'
Barnum's Partnership with the Famous Bear Hunter -- Fooling Him with
the ``Golden Pigeons'' -- Adams Earns $500 at Desperate Cost -- Tricking
Barnum out of a Fine Hunting Suit -- Prosperity of the Museum --
Visit of the Prince of Wales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .437
* CHAPTER XXXIII.
BUILDING A CITY.
At Home Once More -- Growth of East Bridgeport -- Barnum's Offer to
Men Wanting Homes of Their Own -- Remarkable Progress of the
Place -- How the Streets were Named. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .453
* CHAPTER XXXIV
A GREAT YEAR AT THE MUSEUM.
Capturing and Exhibiting White Whales -- Newspaper Comments -- A
Touching Obituary -- The Great Behemoth -- A Long ``Last Week'' --
Commodore Nutt -- Real Live Indians on Exhibition. . . . . . . . . 459
* CHAPTER XXXV.
GENERAL AND MRS. TOM THUMB.
Miss Lavinia Warren -- The Rivals -- Miss Warren's Engagement to Tom
Thumb -- The Wedding -- Grand Reception -- Letter From a Would-be
Guest, and Dr Taylor's Reply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .491
* CHAPTER XXXVI.
POLITICAL NOTES.
Barnum Becomes a Republican -- Illuminating the House of a Democrat --
The Peace Meeting -- Elected to the Legislature -- War on the
Railroads -- Speech on the Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
* CHAPTER XXXVII.
BURNING OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.
How Barnum Received the Tidings -- Humorous Description of the
Fire -- A Public Calamity -- Greeley's Advice -- Intention to Re-establish
the Museum -- Speech at Employees' Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . .537
* CHAPTER XXXVIII.
POLITICAL LIFE.
In the Connecticut Legislature -- The Great Railroad Fight -- Barnum's
Effective Stroke -- Canvassing for a United States Senator --
Barnum's Congressional Campaign -- A Challenge that was not
Accepted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .557
* CHAPTER XXXIX.
FIGHTING A NEWSPAPER.
Disposing of the Lease of the Museum Site -- The Bargain with Mr.
Bennett -- Barnum's Refusal to Back Out -- A Long and Bitter War with
``The Herald' -- Action of the Other Managers -- The Return of
Peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .573
* CHAPTER XL.
BRIDGEPORT.
The Fight for the Establishment of Seaside Park -- Laying out City
Streets -- Impatience with ``Old Fogies'' -- Building a Seaside Home --
Waldemere -- A Home in New York City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .583
* CHAPTER XLI.
HONORS AND ADULATIONS.
Second Marriage -- The King of Hawaii -- Elected Mayor of Bridgeport --
Successful Tour of the Hippodrome -- Barnum's Retirement from
Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .590
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
* P. T. BARNUM,. . . . . . . . . . .Frontispiece
* BARNUM'S BIRTHPLACE, . . . . . . . . . . . .19
* AIRS. CHARITY BARNUM,. . . . . . . . . . . .38
* JOY AT HIS RELEASE FROM PRISON . . . . . . .55
* HORACE GREELEY,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
* ELEPHANTS TESTING A BRIDGE,. . . . . . . . .91
* ROBT. HUBBARD, M. D.,. . . . . . . . . . . 110
* TOM THUMB'S MARRIAGE,. . . . . . . . . . . 127
* MR. AND MRS. CHARLES STRATTON . . . . . . .146
* THE GREAT DUKE AND THE LITTLE GENERAL . . .163
* GRIZZLY ADAMS AND HIS TRAINED BEARS . . . .182
* TAMBOURINE GIRL, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
* NEW YORK'S WELCOME TO JENNY LIND . . . . . 218
* REV. THEO. CUYLER, . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
* JENNY LIND,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
* IRANISTAN, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
* COMMODORE VANDERBILT,. . . . . . . . . . . 290
* BARNUM'S MONUMENT, . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
* BRIDGEPORT -- HOUSATONIC RIVER . . . . . . . 326
* GREAT EXCITEMENT AT THE FIRE . . . . . . . ...
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