The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-05-05
Our Washington Letter.
TFRoM our SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
WIN. CRAIG,

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 80, 1883.
Ex-Congressmsn and ex-Land Com
missioner Burdette, once well known
and prominent in Washington circles,
but for some years past ''out of sight
and out of mind" was about the city
last week. He is dark-eyed, stout,
dark complexioned man, somewhat past
middle age, with an air of melancholy
reserve. He rarely speaks, and has al
most no intimate friends. The circum-
stance which once made his name famil-
lar over the land has perhaps been for
gotten by most people. After his ap-
pointment as Land Commissioner by
President Grant he went along quietly
for some time, made good officer, and
appeared contented. His methods of
doing business were direct, his decisions
clear, and his dark eyes never expressed
unrest. But one Gay he disappeared
from his Office without leaving behind a
single trace. There was nothing the
most imaginative detective could call a
clue. He had gone away without re-
signing. Various rumors foated about
for several days. By some 1t was said
he had taken passage on board an out
going European steamer, ,and had jumped
overheard the first night. Although no
one knew anything, it was generally con-
cluded Burdette had committed suicide.
The fact of his going off and Leaving a
good Office argued in favor of the suicide
theory. Not word was heard of the
missing man for two years. Then, with
out word of warning, he walked into
his own house in the little Missouri viii
Jsge where he had lived before going TO
Washington. He al first could make no
explanation. He was worn out with fa-
tigae. After night of rest he was able
to tell his story. 1t was remarkable
one. He had lost consciousness in his
Office at Washington the day of his dis
appearance, and when he regained' his
right mind again so as to recogize his old
self he was in Australia, aud nearly two
years had passed. Of that period he
could not remember one word prior to
the time when he came to himself in
Australia. 1 wonder what jolly spirit
returned to earth occupied the Burdeite
tenement for two years. The adventures
of stolen body, What subject for a
novel,
The center of attraction of the dead
letter Office is the recently established
museum where the eyes Of visitors can
feast on almost anything from needle
to an anchor. In fact, it contains every
thing that can be enumerated. This ac-
QUESTION to the many objects of interest
to those sightseeing here is the work OF
Major E. j Dallas, chief of the dead-let-
ter Office, who has been indefatigable in
his efforts to place on exhibition all ar
ticles held in the Office that would show
or give an idea of the class of articles
passing through the mails. Another OBJ
ject in view was to avoid the annoyance
| of visi tors to the rooms where the clerks
are engaged, when the time of the clerks
is taken up explaining the character OF
articles aud work of the office. By the
new arrangement every convenience il
afforded the visitor. who is properly re-
ceived bya lady in charge of the museum,
who gives graphic description OF every,
thing contained therein and such othei
information as may be desired by the
visitor relative to the working of the of.
fee. DOM PEDRO.