Struggles and triumphs; or, Forty years' recollections.

Front matter

Ex IGtbrtH

SEYMOUR DURST

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Preface

This book is my Recollections of Forty Busy Years. Few men in civil life have had a career more crowded with incident, enterprise, and various intercourse with the world than mine. With the alternations of success and defeat, extensive travel in this and foreign lands; a large acquaintance with the humble and honored ; having held the preeminent place among all who have sought to furnish healthful entertainment to the American people, and, therefore, having had opportunities for garnering an ample storehouse of incident and an ecdote, while, at the same time, needing a sagacity, energy, foresight and fortitude rarely required or exhibited in financial affairs, my struggles and experiences (It is not altogether vanity in me to think) can not be without interest to my fellow countrymen.

Various leading publishers have solicited me to place at their disposal my Recollections of what I have been, and seen, and done. These proposals, to gether with the partiality of friends and kindred, have constrained me, now that I have retired from all active participation in business, to put in a permanent form what, it seems to me, may be instructive, entertaining and profitable.

Fifteen years since, for the purpose, principally, of advancing my interests as proprietor of the AmencaD vi

PREFACE.

Museum, I gave to the press some personal reminiscences and sketches. Having an extensive sale, they were, however, very hastily, and, therefore, imperfectly, prepared These are not only out of print, but the plates have been destroyed. Though including, necessarily, in common with them, some of the facts of my early life, in order to make this autobiography a complete and continuous narrative, yet, as the latter part of my life has been the more eventful, and my recollections so various and abundant, this book is new and independent of the former. It is the matured and leisurely review of almost half a century of work and struggle, and final success, in spite of fraud and fire — the story of which is blended with amusing anecdotes, funny passages, felicitous jokes, captivating narratives, novel experiences, and remarkable interviews — the sunny and sombre so intermingled as not only to entertain, but convey useful lessons to all classes of readers.

These Recollections are dedicated to those who are nearest and dearest to me, with the feeling that they are a record which I am willing to leave in their hands, as a legacy which they will value.

And above and beyond this personal satisfaction, I have thought that the review of a life, with the wide contrasts of humble origin and high and honorable success ; of most formidable obstacles overcome by courage and constancy; of affluence that had been patiently won, suddenly wrenched away, and triumphantly regained — would be a help and incentive to the young man, struggling, it may be, with adverse fortune, or, at the start, looking into the future with doubt or despair.

All autobiographies are necessarily egotistical. If my pages are as plentifully sprinkled with "IV as was the chief ornament of Hood's peacock, u who thought he had the eyes of Europe on his tail," I can only say, that the uI's" are essential to the story I have told. It has been my purpose to narrate, not the life of another, but that career in which I was the principal actor.

There is an almost universal, and not unworthy curiosity to learn the methods and measures, the ups and downs, the strifes and victories, the mental and moral personnel of those who have taken an active and prominent part in human affairs. But an autobiography has attractions and merits superior to those of a " Life " written by another, who, however intimate with its subject, cannot know all that helps to give interest and accuracy to the narrative, or completeness to the character. The story from the actor's own lips has always a charm it can never have when told by another.

That my narrative is interspersed with amusing incidents, and even the recital of some very practical jokes, is simply because my natural disposition impels me to look upon the brighter side of life, and I hope my humorous experiences will entertain my readers as much as they were enjoyed by myself. And if this record of trials and triumphs, struggles and successes, shall stimulate any to the exercise of that energy, industry, and courage in their callings, which will surely lead to happiness and prosperity, one main object I have in yielding to the solicitations of my friends *id my publishers will have been accomplished.

R T. BARNUM.

Waldemere, Bridgeport, ) Connecticut, July 5, 1869.)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. PORTRAIT OF P. T. BARNUM, Frontispiece

2. MY BIRTHPLACE, . 24

8. PORTRAIT OF PHINEAS TAYLOR, 28

4. MY PROPERTY AND MY TENANT, 52

5. MY DELIVERY FROM IMPRISONMENT 76

6. THE COWARD AND THE "BRAVE," 100

7. VICTORY OVER VESTRYMEN 124

8. THE AUTHOR TRAINING TOM THUMB 148

9. TOM THUMB AND THE POODLE 172

10. THE GREAT DUKE AND THE LITTLE GENERAL 180

11. ROYAL HONORS TO THE GENERAL, . . ' 196

12. MANURE CART EXPRESS, 220

13. PUT ME IN IRONS 244

14. IRANISTAN, 268

15. WELCOME TO JENNY LIND 292

16. THE ITALIAN AND HIS DOG 316

17. ELEPHANTINE AGRICULTURE, . 340

18. MOUNTAIN GROVE CEMETERY, 364

10. SQUALLS AND BREEZES „ 388

20. CAPTURING WHITE WHALES 412

21. THE CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY 436

22. "THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT," 460

23. THE PRINCE IN THE MUSEUM 484

24. THE MUSEUM BUILDING, 508

25. GRIZZLY ADAMS AND HIS FAMILY, 532

27. TROUBLE IN A TURKISH HAREM, 580

28. MARRIAGE IN MINIATURE, 604

29. ALARM AT LINDENCROFT 628

8L THE GREAT UNKNOWN 676

82. AFTER THE FIRE, 700

Chapter I. — Early Life

MY BIRTH — FIRST PROPERTY — FARMER BOY LIFE — GOING TO SCHOOL — KARLY ACQUISITIVENESS — A HOLIDAY PEDDLER — FIRST VISIT TO NEW YORK —

LEARNING TO " SWAP " — MISERIES FROM MOLASSES CANDY " IVY ISLAND "

— ENTERING UPON MY ESTATE CLERKSHIP IN A COUNTRY STORE — TRAD- ING MORALS THE BETHEL MEETING-HOUSE — STOVE QUESTION SUNDAY

SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASS — MY COMPOSITION THE ONE THING NEEDFUL, 25

Chap. Ii.— Incidents And Anecdotes

DEATH OF MY GRANDMOTHER — MY FATHER — HIS CHARACTER — HIS DEATH — BEGINNING THE WORLD BAREFOOTED — GOING TO GRASSY PLAINS — THE TIN

WARE AND GREEN BOTTLE LOTTERY " CHARITY " HALLETT — OCR FIRST

MEETING — EVENING RIDE TO BETHEL — A NOVEL FUR TRADE — OLD " RUSHIA" AND YOUNG "RUSHIA" — THE BUYER SOLD — COUNTRY STORE EXPERIENCES — OLD " UNCLE BIBBINS " A TERRIBLE DUEL BETWEEN BENTON AND BIB- BINS — FALL OF BENTON — FLIGHT OF BIBBINS, 38

Chap. Iii.— In Business For Myself. My Clerkship In Brooklyn — Uneasiness And Dissatisfaction — The

SMALL POX — GOING HOME TO RECRUIT " CHARITY " HALLETT AGAIN

BACK T- BROOKLYN OPENING A PORTER-HOUSE SELLING OUT MY CLERK- SHIP IN NEW YORK — MY HABITS — OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY — IN BETHEL ONCE MORE — BEGINNING BUSINESS ON MY OWN ACCOUNT — OPENING DAY — LARGE SALES AND GREAT PROFITS — THE LOTTERY BUSINESS — VIEWS THEREON — ABOUT A POCKET-BOOK — WITS AND WAGS — SWEARING OUT A FINE — FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE BAR — SECURING "ARABIAN" — A MODEL LOVE-LETTEB, 48

Chap. IV. — Struggles For A Livelihood

PLEASURE VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA — LIVING IN GRAND STYLE — TIIE BOTTOM OF THE PILE— BORROWING MONEY — MY MARRIAGE — RETURN TO BETHEL

EARLY MARRIAGES — MORE PRACTICAL JOKING — SECOND APPEARANCE AS

COUNSEL— GOING TO HOUSEKEEPING — SELLING BOOKS AT AUCTION — TIIE

"YELLOW STORE" A NEW FIELD — "THE HERALD OF FREEDOM " — MY

EDITORIAL CAREER LIBEL SUITS — FINED AND IMPRISONED — LIFE IN THE

D ANBURY JAIL — CELEBRATION OF MY LIBERATION — POOR BUSINESS AND

BAD DEBTS — REMOVAL TO NEW YORK — SEEKING MY FORTUNE " WANTS "

IN THE "SUN" — WM. NIBLO — KEEPING A BOARDING-HOUSE A WHOLE

SHIRT ON MY BACK, i>9

1*

CONTENTS.

Chap. V, — My Start As A Showman

THE AMUSEMENT BUSINESS — DIFFERENT GRADES — CATERING FOR THE PUBLIC — MY CLAIMS, AIMS AND EFFORTS — JOICE BETH — APPARENT GENUINENESS OF HER VOUCHERS — BEGINNING LIFE AS A SHOWMAN — SUCCESS OF MY

FIRST EXHIBITION SECOND STEP IN THE SHOW LINE — SIGNOR VI VALLA

MY FIRST APPEARANCE ON ANY STAGE AT WASHINGTON — ANNE ROYALL

STIMULATING THE PUBLIC — CONTESTS BETWEEN VIVALLA AND ROBERTS — EXCITEMENT AT FEVER HEAT — CONNECTING MYSELF WITH A CIRCUS — BREAD

AND BUTTER DINNER FOR THE WHOLE COMPANY NARROW ESCAPE FROM

SUFFOCATION— LECTURING AN ABUSIVE CLERGYMAN — AARON TURNER — A

TERRIBLE PRACTICAL JOKE 1 AM REPRESENTED TO BE A MURDERER —

RAILS AND LYNCH LAW — NOVEL MEANS FOR SECURING NOTORIETY, . 71

Chap. VI. — My First Traveling Company

THREE MEALS AND LODGING IN ONE HOUR — TURNING THE TABLES ON TURNER — A SON AS OLD AS HIS FATHER — LEAVING THE CIRCUS WITH TWELVE HUNDRED DOLLARS — MY FIRST TRAVELLING COMPANY — PREACHING TO THE PEOPLE — APPEARING AS A NEGRO MINSTREL THREATENED WITH ASSAS- SINATION ESCAPES FROM DANGER — TEMPERANCE — REPORT OF MY ARREST

FOR MURDER — RE-ENFORCING MY COMPANY — " BARNUM's GRAND SCIENTIFIC AND MUSICAL THEATRE " — OUTWITTING A SHERIFF — " LADY HAYES'S "

MANSION AND PLANTATION A BRILLIANT AUDIENCE BASS DRUM SOLO

CROSSING THE INDIAN NATION JOE PENTLAND AS A SAVAGE — TERROR AND

FLIGHT OF VIVALLA — A NONPLUSSED LEGERDEMAIN PERFORMER A MALE

EGG-LAYER — DISBANDING MY COMPANY — A NEW PARTNERSHIP — PUBLIC! LECTURING — DIFFICULTY WITH A DROVER — THE STEAMBOAT " CERES " — SUDDEN MARRIAGE ON BOARD — MOBBED IN LOUISIANA — ARRIVAL AT NEW ORLEANS, £ti

Chap. VII. — At The Foot Of The Ladder. Disgust At The Travelling Business — Advertising For An Associate

RUSH OF THE MILLION-MAKERS COUNTERFEITERS, CHEATS AND QUACKS

A NEW BUSINESS SWINDLED BY MY PARTNER DIAMOND THE DANCER

A NEW COMPANY DESERTIONS — SUCCESSES AT NEW ORLEANS — TYRONE

POWER AND FANNY ELLSLER — IN JAIL AGAIN BACK TO NEW YORK ACT- ING AS A BOOK AGENT— LEASING VAUXHALL — FROM HAND TO MOUTH — DETERMINATION TO MAKE MONEY — FORTUNE OPENING HER DOOR — THE

AMERICAN MUSEUM FOR SALE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE — HOPES

AND DISAPPOINTMENTS THE TRAIN LAID SMASHING A RIVAL COMPANY, 104

Chap. Viii.— The American Museum

A TRAP SET FOR ME — I CATCH THE TRAPPERS — I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM — HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT HARD WORK

AND COLD DINNERS — ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM— EXTRAORDINARY ADVER- TISING BARNUM'S BRICK-MAN — EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY — INCIDENTS

AND ANECDOTES — A DRUNKEN ACTOR — IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOu"'H PLEASING MY PATRONS — SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES — LIVING CURI- OSITIES— MAKING PEOPLE TALK — A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS — Iff! AGAR*

FALLS WITH REAL WATER — THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK SELLING LOUIS

GAYLORD CLARK THE FISH WITH LEGS THE FEJEE MERMAID HOW IT

CAME INTO MY POSSESSION THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY — JAPAN- ESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS — THE USE I MADE OF THE MER- MAID— WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN — THE BALCONY BAND — DRUMMOND LIGHTS, • "116

CONTENTS.

Chap. Ix.— The Road To Riches. The Most Popular Place Op Amusement In The World — The Moral

DRAMA — REFORMING THE ABUSES OP THE STAGE FAMOUS ACTORS AND

ACTRESSES AT THE MUSEUM — ADDING TO THE SALOONS AFTERNOON AND

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES — FOURTH OF JULY FLAGS — THE MUSEUM CONNECT- ED with st. Paul's — victory oyer the vestrymen — the egress — st. Patrick's day in the morning — a wonderful animal, the "aigress"

inpouring op money — zoological eruption — the city astounded

baby shows, and their object — flower, bird, dog and poultry shows — grand free buffalo hunt in hoboken — n. p. willis — the woolly horse — where he came from — colonel benton beaten — purpose of the exhibition — american indians — p. t. barnum exhibited— a curious spinster the touching story of charlotte temple— services in the lecture room — a financial view of the museum — an "awful rich man," 133