St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-10
ALT. BURNETT.
Close of the Career of the Famous Amcri-
can Hunbo1ist.
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.

Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
ALI. Burnett one of the most famous of
our American humorists, and the originator
Of the peculiar monlogue entertainment of
which he has been SO long the chief expon-
O'Clock, of apoplexy, at his residence, No. SO
David street. He was just about to con-
clude most successful week at Harris
Museum, and went to his home after the
half-past 10 performance of the previous
evening, in the best of spirits, though com
planning little of bodily fatigue. About 4
O'Clock in the morning his wife was awaken
ed by his heavy breathing, and becoming
alarmed at her inability to arouse him, call
ed the family to his bedside and physician
was Immediately summoned. In a few
moments, however, he was beyond all need
OF medical assistance, having expired before
the doctor could arrive. ALI Burnett one
might say was famous throughout the world,
being almost as popular among the patrons
of the playhouse in Europe as in America;
indeed he had returned but few weeks
since from a seven months tour of the Brit
ish provinces, having been received every
where by large and enthusiastic audiences.
The deceased was born in Suffolk, Eng
land, October. g. 1924, coming with his faith
er, Cornelius Burnett, to this country in 1881.
The family located in this city in 1886, where
Mr. Burnett, ST., opened confectionery up
on the site now occupied by Mabley's main
store. His son, the subject of this obituary,
was among his apprentices, and years after
wards succeeding to his fathers business,
removed the establishment farther west on
Fifth street, near Elm. He soon became
famous as caterer, the Burnett wedding
cake" being considered one of the essentials
of every well regulated marriage feast. 1t is
said by his early acquaintance that had he
continued in his business he certainly would
have amassed afortune, as he seemed peculi-
arly adapted to it. His tastes, however, in
clined him to a bohemian life, and the ma
jor portion of his time was spent either with
newspaper or theatrical friends. When Prof.
De Bonneville, the once well known mes
merist, first began lecturing throughout the
country, young Burnett was employed to as
sist him in his entertainments and through
this as much as any other thing was finally
led to adopt the stage as profession. VIXEN
qite boy he attended school at Utica, n.
Y, among his com panions being Horatio
Seymour and Roscoe Conkling.
Reaching the age of eighteen, he returned
to Cincinnati, marrying two years later Miss
Vandalia Blair, of Cynthiana, KY. After
marriage ALT Burnett started saloon and
confectionery and for eleven years it was
the tiptop place of the city. In 1856 he sold
out his business and went on the stage as a
humorist rnd caricaturist, and was imme
diately successful. He has been steadily on
the stage ever since, except last summer,
which he spent with his brothe, Joseph o.
Burnett of New Zealand, travelling most Of
the time for pleasure in England and on the
continent.
Mr.. Burnett at one time edited and con-
Quoted, together with Enos Reed, a news
paper in this city called the Warning Bell,
devoted to the interests of firemen, and dur
ing the rebellion was for a while the war
correspondent Of the Commercial. His faith
er was a famous Abolitionist, and during
the excitement following the destruction by
a mob of the office of the Abolitionist organ,
the Philanthropist, located in Lodge alley,
his confectionery on Fifth street was attack
ep by the rioters and only saved by the bay
onets of the militia.
When the war broke ont ALI went to the
front with the Sixth Ohio Re gimenDthe Guth-
RE Grays), serving in the ranks for quite
awhile, but, being finally relieved OF account
of sickness, followed the calling of a sutler
until placed upon General Rosecrans' staff
In the early part Of 81 he volunteered his
services for a benefit performance to be
given in Newport By, in behalf of Mrs. Cur
tbs, an actress, the widow of the well-known
river man, Captain Curtis, but his anti-slav-
cry notions made him obnoxious to the peo-
pie on that side of the river. and he was
driven from the stage. An accident befell
him in this city, not many years ago, which
resulted in injuries from which he never
thoroughly recovered. The then famous
steampoat Natchez was about to be launched,
and Captain Tom feathers invited Mr.. Bur-
nett with other friends, to thoroughly inspect
the handsome craft before she left the ways.
While on one of the scaffolds with the Cap.
tain and others the supports gave way, and
the entire party was precipitated to the ground
below, distance of twenty-three feet. Mr..
Burnett suffered a fracture of both legs and
severe internal injuries, the effects of which
never left him. This was upon the 14th day
of May, 1879, and for over year he was con-
fined to his house.
Mr. Burnett was always successful finan-
cially, but his extravagant liberality prevent
ed him accommodating any great wealth. He
was in receipt of 5000 week at Harris
museum.
VI the FAMILY Oh eleven brothers ana SIS
tiers, there are now but two brothers and one
sister left-Mss Jennie E. Burnett, Walnut
Hills; T. N. Burnett, Freeman street, for
many years an invalid, and JOS A. Burnett,
a wealthy retired sheep-raser and real estate
dealer, New Zealand, Australia.
Mr.. Burnett leaves, beside his widow, five
children-Charles, in Wisconsin; Mrs. Cora
Winans, St. Louis; Mrs. VIII Kirby, Win
ton place; Aft, ir., and Clement, both mar
ried and living with their father.
He was always great mimic, and when
boy, used to keep the family in roar.
His father used to read aloud to the family
in the evening, and ALT. would get behind
his chair and get the family to laugh by his
his mimicry, till his father would send him
off to bed. ALI. Burnett leaves behind him
host of friends and no enemies.