The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-10-06
1EApED TO HIS DEATH.
A Circus Gymnast Summesaults into
Eternity.

at the st. Giles Hotel in Pulaski
iast Sunday morning from the
effects of injuries received in at
tempting to turn a double summer
sault at Forepaugh's circus on
L thursday night before. He said he
had been sick week and had
walked down the run twice that day
unwilling TO attempt his leap. but
he determined TO leap that night,
although he had presentImeui
that he would be hurt, and told one
of the women of the circus OF it.
When he went to leap he struck the
spring board wrong and did not get
sufficient momentum TO turn himself
twice, but In the secoDd turn he
lost his "cast" Gas they call it } and
came down ON the back of his neck,
his head doubled under his breast.
end was p raiyzed instantly by the
injury sustained by tue spunal
ring and prs. J. A. Sumpter "a
Bate followed him into the Dress
ing room snG prescribed for him.
The exhibition did not stop a mo
ment, and as the band blew the
funeral dirge of Burt, 1t also in
spired the step of another tinselled
athlete who rushed down the fatal
plank and accomplished the feat
that cost his comrade his lie.
Not a word indicated whether the
man was fatally hurt or not anu
the audience thought he had GER
tainly broken his neck. Indeed,
Forepaugh and his managers cared
nothing for this mans life. They
never called to see him and went
off and left him dying among
strangers with only Sl.50 in the
world. The Herbert brothers, 1.-THE
three acrobats) and one other man,
it Is said, were the only ones who
went to see him. When he was
brought up to the b otel that night
DR.. G. ALI. Alternately was called in,
his pains having increased and the
other doctors being still down at
the circus, and until the last
moment he had every possible at
tention. Men stood with ready
hearts and hands to wait upon him
and he said he would not have re
ceived such kindness where he was
born. He said he had no home and
no kindred, was left an orphan when
q child, and had been Ia circus
twenty years-ever since he was
eight years old. He was CORES
pondiDg with q woman in st. Louis,
to whom he was evidently much at
tached, and she is the only person
IL tie wide world, perhaps, who
will drop tear in his mem Dry. He
had ring and few pocket trinkets
which are at the hotel. He also
said that circus man had his watch
and that his wages were SIS week.
When it was found that he was
probably fatally injured. Mr.. Lyle
followed the circus TO Decatur and
susded Forepaugh to promise to
pay the bills incurred in caring for
HIM. Forepaugh was not inclined
to do it and his agent yielded only
to the strong appeal made by Mr..
Lyle, and Forepsugh telegraphed
Mayor Crow to care for Burt and
draw on him for the amount. The
unfortunate man, it is said, died
very hard. The injury to the spine,
as we stated, paralyzed him from
his breast downward completely.
He was perfectly at himself and
was surprised that any one should
care for aud nurse him. DIR. Aber
nsthy exerted his skill to arrest the
paralysis, but on Saturday night
his lungs became involved and the |
muscles of his breast aud throat
lost their functions, causing gradual
and terrible asphyxiation and
death. An autopsy was contem
plated but abandoned on account
of the surroundings. He was told |
that he must die and Father Abbott |
received his confession. He was |
buried in a neat casket at the new
cemetery at 8 O'Clock in the after
noon, with impressive services by
Father Abbott. A very large
of people, ladies and gentle
men, attended the funeral and paid
the last sad tribute of respect to the
stranger deserted to
the charities of this people, and
when the priest and people had re
cited prayers for the repose of the
soul, and some loving hand had
laid a wreath of flowers and doubt
less dropped tear upon the new
made mound, the people withdrew
with signs and shudders. The men
who so tenderly watched at his bed
side and answered his slightest
wish have had no words of thank
fulness, because no one exists who
cares to give them, but they are
Of having wrought well,
and we are all proud that charity
abounds in our midst. The grave
Of the stranger will always be a
monument to Pulaski humanity.
If the circus managers pay the bills
incurred, (some $75), it is intended
20 erect a neat monument over the
grave. DR.. Alternately wrote the
lad particulars to the only person
Who cares to hear of them perhaps
the unknown woman in st. Louis.
What 8 lesson is taught in the
vents here related!
We learn that Forepaugh has tele-
that he will pay the bills.
t is said by some that Burt had a
brother with another circus.
Mrs. Leonora Eulsom and daugh-
er, Mrs. DR.. McAboy, of Louisville,
re visiting the formers mother,
d.