Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-05-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Corrcsrondent.1

1 Out Sp'iSefPhae"t'
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 27, 1883
The unveiling of the Henry statue last
week was one of the most entirely sue.
sessful affairs Of fthe lVnd that has ever
occurred in Washington. The details
were carried out with perfect exactness
and the brevity and interest of the ex.
erclses, the distinguished audience
present and the lovely weather combin-
ed to make the occasion perfect. Pro-
fessor Henry, although well known TO
scientists outside of Washington, is not
so generally known to the laity, but
his peculiar work was IN the creation
almost, of the Smithsonian Institution
as it now stands. According to the
curious will of the curious Smithson the
institution was to be "for the increase
and diffusion of knowledge" This
was generalization SO broad that
nothing specific could be made of It.
1t is by many doubted whether James
Smithson really expected his testament.
ary wishes to be carried out, as, while
he was known to be very acute bust
ness man, his legacy to found the
Smithsonian was subject to inaum era
BILE eventuallties and his direction OF
the great fund as vague as possible.
1t really rested with Professor Henry
to make the Smithsonian what he pleas.
ed; he actually succeeded in making
it an institution for the increase and
diffusion of knowledge. Most visitors
are satisfied with examining the mus
cum, but that is a mere adjunct of the
real institution. One of the curiosities
there is sarcophagus with a flaming
inscription that it was an ancient tomb
brought from Beirut by Commodore
Elliot on the frigate Constitution. The
English of this is that Commodore
Elliot cribbed the tombstone and
brought it home.
Ex-Congressman and ex-Land Com
missioner, Burdette. once well known
and prominent in Washington circles,
but for some time past "out ofsight and
out of mind" was about the city last
week. He is dark eyed, stout, dark
man. somewhat past
middle age, with an air of melancholy
reserve. He rarely speaks, and has
almost no intimate friends. The clr-
which once made his name
familiar over the land has perhaps been
forgotten by most people. After his
as land commissioner by
President Grant he went along quietly
for some time, made a good officer,
and appeared contented. His meth
DDS of doing business were direct. his
decisions clear, and his dark eyes nev-
er expressed unrest. But one day he
disappeared from his Office without
leaving behind single wold or trace |
There was nothing the most magma
i've detective could call a clue. He
had gone away without reslgning. Va
rious rumors foated about for days.
By some it was said that he had taken
passage on board an outgoing Eu-
-opean steamer. and had jumped over.
board the first night. Although no
one knew any thing, it was generally
concluded Burdette had committed
suicide. The fact of his going off and
eaving good Office argued in favor
If the suicide theory. Not word was
leard of the missing man for two years.
Then, without word Of warning. he
walked INTO his own house in the little
village where he had lived be-
ore going to Washington. He at first
:ould make no explanation. He was
worm out with fatigue. After a night
# rest he was able to tell his story. 1t
vas remarkable one. He had lost
in his Office at Washing.
on the day OF his disappearance, and
'hen he regained his right mind again
o as to recognize his old self he was
4 Australia, and nearly two years had
assed. Of that period he could not .
one word prior to the time
hen he came to himself in Australia.
wonder what jolly spirit returned to
arth and occupied the Burdette tene- I
lent for two years. The adventures
t stolen body. What a subject for
novel.
The center of attraction of the dead e
tier Office is the recently established d
luseum where the eyes of visitors can =
asst on almost anything from a needle +
an anchor. In fact it contains i
that can be enumerated. Il
his acquisition to the many objects
interest to those sightseeing here is =,
e work of Major E. ]. Dallas. chief of %
e dead.le:ter Office, who has been in. ie
in his efforts to place on "
all articles held in the Office al
at would show or give an idea of the o.
ass Of articles passing through the q,
ails. Another object in view was to
old the annoyance of visitors to the
oms where clerks are engaged. when
e time of the clerks is taken up ex- n,
aiming the character of articles and