The Free Grand Buffalo Hunt
Residents of New York City were delighted when they learned of Barnum's next big attraction: a "buffalo hunt" that would take place across the river in Hoboken on August 31, 1843. According to the ads, Barnum had imported a herd of wild buffalo from New Mexico, and cowboys would pretend to hunt and lasso these dangerous beasts for the entertainment of the crowd (who would be protected behind thick double-rail fencing). Best of all, the show would be absolutely free!
Although the show was in theory free, Barnum, of course, had a scheme to make money. He never did anything for free. He had secretly cut a deal with the operators of the Hoboken ferry, so that he would receive half of their net receipts. The more people he could entice to make the trip to Hoboken, the more cash he would pocket.
He expected around 16,000 to make the trip, but 24,000 people showed up, unable to resist the lure of a "free" show. Barnum ended up pocketing a profit of $3400 for the day.
All these people experienced a bit of a let-down when the show commenced. Instead of a herd of wild, dangerous buffalo, they were greeted by a ragtag group of scrawny, malnourished creatures which Barnum had bought from a local merchant for a mere $700. When the crowd started hooting and hollering, the buffalo became frightened and broke through the "thick double-rail fencing" Barnum had erected (it was just a flimsy barrier) and escaped into the surrounding swampland. So much for the free buffalo hunt.
References/Further Reading:
- Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., Philip B. Kunhardt III, and Peter W. Kunhardt. P.T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman. Alfred A. Knopf, 1995: 46-47.
Text copyright © 2002 Alex Boese