The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-02-21
BE, SHE, OR IT.
A Correct Account Of the Mysterious
Female MAJ.
Truth Stranger than Fiction.
From the Bredhead wis. Independent,
Feb I

From the Bredhead Wis Independent,
Feb1
About the year 1856 there removed to
this village family by the name Of Burn
ham, consisting of DR.. NJ. L. Burnham,
his wife and two children, daughter aged
sixteen, and = son three or four years
younger. DIR. Burnham Was man of some
property. and of the highest responsibility.
The family soon became active members Of
our village society, the doctor being an
active member and one of the deacons OF
the Congregational church. DIR. Burnham
was we'll read physician, and did some
practice in addition to keeping drug store,
in which his daughter, Ellen, assisted him
as clerk for the first two years Of the doc
tors residence here. Miss Burnham was
by no means beautiful girl. Her hair
and eyes was dark features regular, but
rather coarse and masculine form tall,
square shouldered, and wanting in that
grace OF outline that inspires admiration.
Ii stranger was tempted to look at her
the second time, it would be from surprise
at the strong masculine appearance unnatu-
raj to women, especially one SO Young.
Miss Burnham was not a tavorlte with our
young men, nor did she .seem anxious to
be. Her time, outside of her domestic du-
ties, was devoted to instrumental music
and to horseback riding, both of which she
was decidedly accomplished. Her life for
the four years subsequent to 1856 was not
unlike that of other young ladies OF the
place. She had large class, mostly OF
young girls, whom she instructed in instru-
mental music. In the fall of 1868 young
man by the name of Powell came here and
was employed princi pie of village school.
Powell resigned the leadership of tue school
in the spring of 1859, and started the Re
porter, the first paper PUBLISHED in our vii
lage. During the summer he became init
mated with the family of DR.. Burnham
the fall of 1859. The engagement soon
became known outside of the family. The
only surprise at the taste Of Mr.. Powell in
selecting a girl Of such masculine appear
ance. Miss Burnham's parents seemed
particularly pleased at the prospective mar
riage of their daughter, whom they believed
editor. In February 1860, l.. w. Powell
and Miss Ellen Burnham were married by
Rev. Mr.. Cochran, IKE Congregational
minister
The happy couple took a short bridal
tour, preparatory to settling down for life
After an absence of week, they returned
to the residence Of the brides parents,
who, in honor of their daughter marriage,
sent out invitations to large numbers Of
our citizens to welcome the bride ana
groom. We were present at this wedding
party, and could not but think that both
the bride and groom appeared remarkably
solemn. We would not kiss the bride, al
though that was the fashion. Our objec-
ton to the kissing part of the programme
was dislike to come In contract with an
unusually heavy and black mustache which
marred the upper lip OF the bride.
Mrs. Powell became more and more mas
cullne In her appearance as she grew older.
She took a case in the Reporter Office, and
learned the printer s trade rapidly. And
In short time she proved to be the best
jour. in the Office. She also took to smok-
ing, In the cultivation of which habit fhe
proved herself printer.
In the spring OF 1861, when Powell had
been married about year and half, the
1th Wisconsin regiment was organization.
Powell's wife not having presented him
with an heir to make home doubly pleas
ant, he resolved to 60 to the wars. He
sought, and, through the influence of
friends obtained the appointment OF State
agent or wet nurse tor the gallant 18th,
then ordered to Washington, Mrs. Powell,
being Of tough and hardy make, resolved
to accompany her husband to the front.
No objection being raised, she fitted her
self out and went to Washington. The
regiment was for time detained at Wash
ington, and Mrs Powell made herself hap
Ply by working up that moral town. A few
weeks after her arrival there, while she was
riding on horseback one day, her masculine
appearance attracted the attention of Gov
crnment detective, who made up his mind
that Mrs. Powell was a man and rebel
spy. The detective followed her about the
city and to headquarters. He logged her
steps tor several days, until. just before the
regiment was ordered off, Mrs. Powell took
II into her head to return to Broadhead.
She pack up her rig, took leave of her
husband AND the regiment, and started for
home. The detective accompanied her to
Chicago on the same train, and at the
Briggs House where the lady booked her
name, he placed her under arrest as reb-
ell In disguise. In vain she claimed to be
woman and the wife of member of the
7th regiment. She called in the landlady,
who asserted that she had seen Mrs. Pow
ell at the house before Mrs Powell finally
induced the detective to telegraph to Gov.
Randall, of this State, and to her husband
at Washington. Gov. Randall telegraphed
back that there was such lady. A SINH
lar telegram arrived from Washington, and
the detective released her and returned to
Washington. In few days, Mr.. Powell
reached Chicago, and the unhappy couple
made their way home to this village.
Language cannot describe the feelings of
this unhappy pair. Hardly over the first
flush of connubial felicity, and the wife had
become an object of suspicion to strangers,
and was in constant danger Of being ar
rested as man. They remained here
few days, when Mrs Powell informed her
parents that she was going to visit some
relation East The fond parents, little
dreaming of the arrest and subsequent
scenes at the Brigg House, urged her to
remain and replenish her wardrobe. She
readily answered that she could procure
more becoming and stylish garments at the
East. After her departure, Mr.. Powell,
produced some cloth, and went to Mr..
Mooney, one of our tailors, aud informed
him that he wished to present his brother
with suit of clothes. He informed the
tailor that his garments fitted his brother,