The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-07-19
SUICIDE OF DIR. BURKE.

| UNFORTUNATE MAN-FRoM oPULENCE
TO PovERTY--FRoM THE POOR HOUSE In
TO THE GRAVE.
On Monday last DIR. VIM. II. Burke, at
one time distinguished physician Of this
city, but at the time of his unnatural
death an inmate of the county poor house,
committed suicide by swallowing sugar Of
lead.
THE DECEASED
was remarkable man, and the story OF
his life might furnish q text from which
many bomilies on the dangers Of yielding
TO the temptations Of
THE WINE CUP AND THE wILEs OF THE
might DO drawn. At the time of his death
he was about forty-Avc years Of age,
broken in health and complete physical
wreck. He was tl.f
NATIVE or VIRGINIA.,
the child Of wealthy parents who denied 10
him nothing that money could furnish. His
father at ono time was the proprietor of
the celebrated White Sulphur Springs.
After leaving the University OF Virginia,
from which he graduated, he studied law
at Richmond, and just after attaining his
majority was
ADMITTED TO THE BAR.
His first case was the defense Of crimi-
nal by appointment Of the court. He made
all necessary preparations for his maiden
effort before q jury, and arose confident
Of his ability TO pass through the ordeal
successfully; but, being Of bashful dispo-
sition, he became embarrassed before
he had proceeded Eve minutes and tainted
in the court room. He was carried to his
hotel, and could never Afterwards texcep:
on one occasion) be induced 70 enter .
court house. His father, after his failure
at tho bar, sent him to . medical college,
where he speedily mastered the physi-
clans profession, and graduated with the
highest honors OF his class. Soon after
commencing the practice Of medicine he
| CAME TO CAIRO,
in. 1S45, we believe, and soon obtained .
lucrative practice. At one time no was
considered the most learned and successful
| physician in Southern Illinois. For many
years he WAS associated in the practice Of
his profession with the well-known DR..
Duning Of this city.
WOMAN.
His success in life now seemed to DO as
sured. He was respected by all who know
him, and at one time contested with Col.
Taylor for the mayoralty Of the city, being
defeated by that gentleman by only few
votes, fact which shows his great popu-
larity with his neighbors. But unfortu-
nately he became involved in . laison with
q married lady Of indifferent reputation
and Of easy virtue. His infatuation car
ried him into all kinds of Excess
Sos, and he became loose In
business and morals. At last he again
! sought and obtained admitance 10 tho bar
for the sole purpose Of prosecuting . d.
vorce suit for his paramount. He was sue.
cessful; and, after living in an open state
Of adultery with her for considerable
time, finally married her. This was
THE FATAL STEP
of.his life. His married life was unhappy
and contributed more to his downfall than
all other causes combined. He be-
came dissipated, and finally sank to the
very lowest depths Of degradation. At
one time no owned the residence now &C.
cupied by Judge Allen, drove the
fastest horses in the city
and was in comfortable financial circum-
stances, but he dissapated all his proper
ty, became helpless pauper--and few
months ago was sent to the poor house,
his wife having been sent, q short time
before to the insane asylum at Jackson
vile. Feeling his degradation, and know
ing how helpless was his condition, he
sought death by suicide.
| THsTIMONY.-Thousan Of mothers arc
constantly speaking in exalted terms Of
commentator Of tho magical effects of
Mrs. Whitcomb's Syrup for soothing in