A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
In 1913, Howard H. Barnum was accused and tried as an accomplice in the escape of Harry Thaw, the murderer of the famous New York architect Stanford White.
On June 25, 1906, during the premiere performance of the musical revue Mamzelle Champagne at the Madison Square Roof Garden, renowned architect and playboy Stanford White was shot three times in the face and killed by Henry Kendall "Harry" Thaw. Harry Thaw was the jealous millionaire husband of Evelyn Nesbit, a popular artist's model and chorus girl, whom White had seduced when she was 16.
There were two murder trials. At the first, the jury was deadlocked; at the second, (in which Evelyn Nesbit was suborned by Thaw's mother to testify on his behalf), Thaw pled temporary insanity. He was incarcerated at the Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Beacon, New York, where he enjoyed almost total freedom. In 1913 he strolled out of the asylum and was driven over the Canadian border into Sherbrooke, Québec. Howard Barnum and several others were accused as accomplices.
The New York Times, August 22, 1913: Barnum in Court. Asylum Gate Keeper's Hearing is Postponed to Sept. 6. Special to The New York Times.
Poughkeepsie. Aug. 21.—It is said that an important part of the defense offered by Howard N. [sic] Barnum, former Keeper at the Matteawan State Hospital, charged with bribery and aiding Harry Thaw to escape, will be that the system in vogue at the hospital is to blame for the escape of Thaw. Barnum's counsel will hold that there should have been an inner gate, and that Thaw should not have been allowed to approach the outer gate.
Barnum, who has been in jail here since last Sunday night, was arraigned before Justice Morschauser this morning and his hearing was postponed to Sept. 6. He was represented by F. A. Hoyt, Jr., of Beacon, and John Ringwood of Poughkeepsie. He was remanded to jail, being unable to furnish bail. Barnum made no statement in court this morning.
He has grown surly and refuses to say anything about Thaw's escape. He was asked to-day if he would say Yes or No to the question of whether he received any money from Thaw.
"No, I won't," Stormed Barnum, "I won't say anything at all."
Barnum was not found guilty, although he lost his job and fell on hard times. He had been married (to an Irish immigrant) the previous year and died about 12 years later, leaving his widow alone to support their five children.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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