Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-15

Chicago. Soon after Mr.. Powell in
formed DIR. Burnham, the father Of bis
wife, that Ellen had changed her dress,
and was now wearing mems attire, aud
living in Chicago. The doctor was
thunderstruck, aud the mother half
crazy. The only satisfaction they
could get out Of Powell was that his
wife was not woman, and would
not dress as woman any longer. The
Doctor requested Powell to accompany
him, and Immediately went to Chicago,
where he found his daughter dressed in
suit Of clothes which Mr.. Powell had
had made for his brother. Mrs. Powell
informed him that she was nota women,
and would no longer try to act the part
Of one. The doctor insisted upon an ex-
animation. At length, TO satisfy her
father, she consented that the late. DR..
Brainard should examine her. DIR.
Brainard did so and informed the father
that his daughter was not female, and
had done the best thing to be done In
changing her attire. After much solici-
tation, Ellen permitted her father to ex-
anime her aud satisfy himself that she
was not woman. DR.. Burnham then
procured situation for her, under the
name of Edgar Burnham, in the whole
sale drug house of j. H. Reed Co., in
whose employ he remained one year.
During the time he roomed and slept
with young man by the name OF An
drews, now doing business in Crosby's
Opera House block. He also became
engaged to young lady on State street,
the daughter of his landlady.
We frequently visited young Burnham
at his room on Washington street, being
ourselves at the time in the law office of
Meech & Redfeld, then ofiicing on Dear
born street. Young Burnham made up
in appearance as a man all the beauty
and grace he lacked as woman. Chi
cago had few better looking young men
than the former Mrs. Powell. He was a
portion of this time organist at the Ply
mouth Church, Rev. J. r. Shepherd, pas
tor, and for q time organist of one OF the
Baptist churches. We were particularly
amused at his hearty admiration of the
girls. He would leave his piano or work
any time to look at a woman. In 1868
young Burnham returned to Broadhead,
and went into the drug business with his
father. He was at this time engaged
to the State street lady, who was en-
tirely ignorant of the story of her lover
life. We have it from the best au-
thority-a young man who resided
in the family of the young lady
that Burnham was o devoted lover, and,
even after he removed to Broadhead,
corresponded regularly twice a week
with his betrothed, and paid her visits of
two or three days duration. After his
removal to Broadhead, he was decided
favorite in the society here, both on
account of his good looks and his skill
as a musician. Men, women and children
focked to the drug store of Burnham ~
Son to trade, for the sake of seeing the
Young man who was once wife. AT
length DR.. Burnham sold out his property
here in 1864, and removed to Waterloo,
Iowa, taking Edgar with him, and there
opened a drugstore. Soon after the
removal of the family to Waterloo, Edgar
ought and obtained in marriage the hand
of Miss Gerta Everett, one of the pret-
tiest girls in Spring Valley, Rock county,
Wisconsin. The Chicago engagement
had been broken off.
They have now been married about
three years, and are living at Waterloo.
They have no children as yet, all stories
to the contrary Notwithstanding Should
they ever have children, or either of
them, we shall make haste to inform our
readers of the fact
1t is simply ridiculous to suppose that
Edgar Burnham was ever a mother, and
quite as insane to believe that he can be
a father.
From the best authority, namely from
Mr.. Powell and from the surgeon who
examined him, we know that Edgar
Burnham is an 1t, and will never be any
thing else. 1t is due to the young lady
to whom he was engaged in Chicago, TO
say that she never knew the makeup of
her lover from first to last, and that the
engagement was broken off by her before
his his history became known.
Miss Everett, his present Wife knew
the facts of this remarkable case, sub
stantialy as we have related them, and
married 1t willingly of her own accord,
and against the wishes of her parents.
She undoubtedly knows the facts more
definitely now than we do, and can com
fort herself accordingly. We wish her
Joy of her union with an 1T, if there is
any Joy in IL.