The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-06
ONE MORE LIFE WORN OUT.
THE ROMANTIC HISTORY OF MRS,
yIRGINIA q. burke
Old Capt. Aiexandor's Fortune, and the
Chsraes that were Made Against the
Keepers Of boarding House In Harlem.

Charaes that were Mado Against the
Keepers Of n Boarding House In Harlem.
Virginia Cathnrne Burke was buried
yesterday In Calvary Cemetery. She was born
in baltimore In 1890. Mayor Van Zlndt Of To I
city was her eodf ,ther. She was educated In
one of the best seninaries in Maryland. and at
tho age OF about Is years went to New Orleans.
There she took up her homo with wealthy rels-
tives. Virginia Alexander was soon known an
one Of the bellies OF New Orleans. She was an
accomplished musician and good singer,
and had hundreds OF admirers. She was
married, before she was sixteen years OF age,
TO Jonn NJ. Burke, then a PROSPEROUS commits
sion merchant OF Louisiana. He was the father
OF her seven children, three OF whom are vet
living. The couple at length separated, and
Mrs. Burke, with her little children, took
plainly furnished Apar ments in n tene-
pent house In New Orleans. Then G ut.
Alexander, who was very wealthy. heard through
hts agent. one Richard Swaine the story Of Nrs.
Blrke's tenement lie. and sent her money and
2 We her a home IN New Orleans. She sent her
children to school, md her daughter. after re-
ceiving good education. was married TO a
Old Capt. Alexander, Mrs Burke grandfather,
died in Harlem In 1879: He had lived for years
with Ira G. Gardner aud his family. The Captain
carried for long time IN II leather bag on his
person $4,000 Ia bonds, aud after his death only
= e. few OF the bonds we're to be found. Mrs
To take possession under her fathers Will. as
etecutrix, Of his property. Her law suits woro
numerous. The lawyer who was first employed
In the case retired on account OF sickness, and
another lawyer was substituted at his own re-
quest. She became dissatisfied wit him. and AS
she was about to secure another attorney, he
drew from the Union Trust Company. In cash
and bonds, $40 1910. Mrs. Burke property. A
Judgment Of SbO,Up had been obtained against
the Gardners, who. Mrs. Burke Insisted. had
possession OF the property that her grand father
had bequeathed to her. The lawyer knew that
not more than Slo,Dn, If anything, could be
realized upon the judgment.
Mrs. Burke resOrted to everv known legal
means To compel the Gardners and her lawyer
to make restitution but she failed. She was
Ludlow street Jail, and was several times forced
10 hy from the clty. Her property wss going tn
ruin IN New Orle ns. She had no money TO pty
the taxes la Louisiana, and soon ne irly all OF
her property was sold to satisfy the states de-
mands. she lived frug lily. aud whatever money
she could spare she expended In tue courts. In
her efforts to recover the money that her grand
father h ID b. quettned.
Recently Mrs Burke hired little room 10 tho
fourth story Of boardinR house IA Greenwich
avenue, and therein for many weary days and
nights she sat at the sick bod OF her son Harry.
She seemed bright, determined, and sanguine Of
her success In tho renewal of her hght In the
courts. hut the news OF the death OF her hus-
band Ia LOuisiana broke her down. About
week AGO she returned to her room disneart-
ened ~ what her lawyer had told her, und sue
said that sne felt that all hope WIS gone. Sne
was very poor aud In debt. aud IN another month
could no longer pay her room rent Her cour-
are and her strength fOrsook her and phv-
slCian said that ~he had congestion OF the brain.
On sunday Afternoon she died.