Articles on Barnum's American Museum Fire

     “A big fire that began at noon had just ended.  Barnum’s show shop and several buildings of less note on B’way, Ann St. and Milton St. were burned up. . . Barnum’s was an ancient institution.  The Museum building dates back (I think) to 1830.  It has long been an eyesore with its huge pictures of the Fat Woman, the ‘What is it’, the albino children, and the tableau from the reigning ‘Moral spectacular Drama.’  The horrible little brass band that was always sitting in its balcony, must have produced or aggravated many cases of nervous disease.”

     Detailed description of the fire that destroyed Barnum’s Museum.  “Poor Ned, the educated seal, who was wont to astonish spectators with his sagacity, who used to turn the handle of a barrel organ, and do everything but speak. . . . At length his rescuers succeeded in bringing Ned to a place of safety, and we may at some future time see him perform as of yore.”