Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1872-03-21
o.%i .: y FISK t.sk'} FISK BROS, Publishers.
JOHN BURNS OF GETTYSBURG.

The Hon. Edward Mcpherson, clerk of the House
and resident of Gettysburg, has re
,eised information that John Burns hero of Gettys
'urg, died in his own town on February Z, of pneu
nonia. John Burns was an humble citizen, whose
lame has been placed among those made famous fol-
leeds of heroism wrought during the American civi
var What he did is best described In these extracts
rom poem Of Bret Harte: i,!sr, ..f p .,.r-
Have you heard the story that gossips tell .,r .
OF Burns of Gettysburg ?---No? All. well;
Brief is the glory that hero earns, ~
Briefer the story of poor John Burns:L LIGHJn
he was the fellow who won renown4- 81 avn
The only man who didn't back down V
When the rebels rode through his native town; So
'Bnt held his own in the fight next day; ~ ~ElI,
When all bis townsfOlk ram away. r ,.i..u M
TSe very 7 day ia 'a thss General Lee, H,aUaunD "a
Flower of Southern chivalry, s1gu f,YgEru4n,
safied and beaten backward Iesled ,, yfiou
From stubborn Meade and barren feld, I'8"
f"% - "1.li!. syI+U ~ ~ tnIl
just where the tide Of battle turns, '5.'~ d tFA!
Erect and lonely stood old John Burns. fNH3T
How do you think the man was dressed 3urE!
SSTs ss e aassn SPE r. sP Ses nq ri
And huttoh6d bvef his manly breast - ~ O,tfg 9
VASE bright Mne coat with rolling collar;
Win tas sas ts sSantTs q cslisd i swailett
He Eorea brqad-brmrned. bell-erowped hat, g..
White ~ the locks on which 1t sat. g,t - .r,,,'
Never had such sight been seen ~ ~ .''
For forty years on the village green, Hl -@.t-.3
Since old John Burns WAS country beau, -
And went to the "quilting 4" long ago. r,,,,,,, q,
celote athis' elbows all that days. VCIsd a.m
VetetaM OF the Peninsula, t't,B aqrIa-yi , f.
Spnburpt and bearded, charged away; ~.
And sttipplngs downy Of lip and chin-N"'it'%
Clerks that the Home Guard mustered in IufFEi
~Elaneed as they passed, at the bat he wore, ,,r
And hailed him. from out theif youthful face; ~ ;
With scraps Of slangy Typ9t0iFe; .tF-r ,
a"How are you, White Hat p" .sPut her through = :
t.sYour heads level" and Bully for you!' : ~ -
Called him "Daddyh-begged he'd disclose CO
The name of the tailor who made his clothes. f,3
While Burns, uninindful of jeer and scoff A. ~ =
stood there picking the Rebels off--,nsrs- -.1
With his long, brown rifle, and bel-crown hat,
And the swallow-tails they were laughing at - '
Twas buta moment, for that respect ..YHh ]"
Which clothes all courage their voices checked;
And something the widest could understand m
Spake in the old mans strong right hands J*iSI
Aud his corded throat and the lurking frowne 4 .
Oflhis eyebrows under his old bell-crown; !
Until as they gazed there crept an awe l5' ''' %
Through the ranks In whispers. and some men saw
r. in the antique yesttnents and long white hair,
The past of the nation in battle there;
And some of the soldiers since declare 'sd tt-
That the gseam of his Old white hat afar,0 fs..
Like the crested plume Of the brave Navarro,
That day was their orifiamme of war 'i'" J."
So ragged the battle You know the rest;4y Er.
How the Rebels, beaten and backward pressed, a.
Broke at the final charge and ran,
At which John Bnrne-a practical man. ,4E
Shonldered his rifle, unbent his brows, V,!lg az.
And then went back to his bees and cows,