From Richard Flint #5

On Oct 19, 1887, a small fire broke out in the winter quarters but was under control before any real damage was done. However, just one month later, on Nov 20, a far more serious fire broke out and destroyed the menagerie barn. Many animals escaped the conflagration but some, such as the valuable rhinoceros, also died. Untouched by the fire were the car barn and parade wagons. Barnum, of course, made hay of the fire and nourished many press stories about how he lost a half million dollars but rose from the ashes like a phoenix. Barnum’s own dramatic account of the fire and the reprinting of a citizens’ petition appealing for the circus to keep its winter quarters in Bridgeport appeared in his souvenir animal booklet for 1888 along with this garish drawing on the back page. And James A. Bailey, after a two-year absence because of a likely nervous breakdown, had just returned to the partnership.