James L. Hutchinson

Entered show business as canvasman, Lake’s; joined Mabie’s, 1863, employed by Stewart Craven for the “peep show,” and remained through the season of 1864; Yankee Robinson’s, 1866-69; contracting aqgent, P. A. Older’s, 1870; autobiography agent, P. T. Barnum’s, 1871-1873, from which he made a small fortune; remained with Barnum’s, 1874-75, as press agent, etc.; privileges, VanAmburgh’s, 1876-78; controlled all privileges, Cooper & Bailey, 1878-80; Following the 1880 season, by good fortune, became a partner with P. T. Barnum and James A. Bailey in forming the combined P. T. Barnum and Great London Shows and held an interest in Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson until he sold it October 27, 1887. [Hugh Coyle: “... was the best lecturer for a concert that ever did that work in a tented show.”] Married Miss Frankie Watt, professionally known as Mollie V. Lubin, in NYC, March 25, 1880. She died 1903. At time of death, owned 3 homes: in NYC, Englewood, NJ, and on Shelter Island, NY, where he died from Heart failure while playing golf. Had two sons, James and Guy, and a daughter.