It was at this museum that he boasted over "5,000 specimens on display", per an undated report:[1] There are bipeds, and quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, shells and minerals and Indian curiousities, all regulated to delight the eye and improve the understanding and mend the heart.Barnett faced stiff competition from Buffalo native, Saul Davis for over 30 years from 1844 to 1877.
Barnett was criticized for his son Sidney's assault charge in connection with the homicide and, shortly thereafter, began to have financial problems.
In a desperate effort to attract the attention of tourists and gain financial windfall, he staged two events, which ended in total fiasco.
James Butler as "Wild Bill" Hickok was to be the focus of a "Great Buffalo Hunt" promoted by Barnett in August 1872.
Despite advance publicity and hopes for fifty thousand in attendance, the event was largely considered a failure entertainment wise.