The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-04-05
Portsmouth Blade.l
HIS LAST RUN.
Richard Burns, the Old Engineer,
Dead.

Richard Burns, after an illness of near
ly three months, died Thursday night at
eight o'clock, at his residence on Sixth
street, death coming painlessly and gently
to WOO him to another life. The remains
were taken to Newark, Ohio, for inter
ment, yesterday.
Richard Burns was born on the 22d day
of July, 1881. in the village of Poultney,
in Southern Vermont. His fathers name
was Hugh, and by trade was an expert
enced molder, plying his vocation in the
village in which the family lived. At
tracted by the glowing accounts of the
West, his parents concluded to seek their
fortune in that much-talked-of golden
empire, and in 1887, when the subject of
our sketch was but six years of age, the
family bade farewell to Poultney. They
went to Whitehall, New York, and from
there, via the Erie Canal, came to Buffalo,
taking lake steamer and going to Oil City,
then opposite Cleveland, but now form
ing a part of that city. Here they settled,
but in short time afterward, moved to
NOrwalk, now known as the maple City,"
After remaining here one year the family
located at Sandusky City, where young
Burns was sent to school. He received a
common-school education, and on the
first day of August, 1S49, received en-
ployment with the Mansfield and Newark
Railroad Company under Master Me
chanic Thomas Hall, (deceaseD who
brought the first locomotive west of the
Allegheny Mountains In June, $780,
Burns was firing the "Richland" on the
M. & N. r. r. This engine was subse-
quently transferred to the old Scioto and
Hooking Valley Railway, running into
Portsmouth, its name being changed to
BETSY" Dave Derrick was running this
engine on the Mansfield and Newark
road, and was afterward appointed Mas
ter Mechanic of the Scioto and Hooking
Valley, Burns running the BETSY" under
him.
The subject of our sketch was promoted
to running on the road where he got his
years of age. True he was young, but he
possessed an old head, and was readily
classed as good reliable engineer.
Derrick, the engineer under whom
Burns received his first instructions, now
had charge of the machinery and rolling
stock of the Scioto and Hooking Valley,
and he was offered a position, which he
he accepted. The Hooking road was aft
erward changed to the Marietta and Gin
cinnati, and several years ago to the pres
ent Cincinnati, Washington and Balti-
more Railroad.
Burns came on the Portsmouth Branch
in March, 1854 and continued at his post
of duty until the call for troops in 1868
to aid in putting down the rebellion. He
went to the front, commissioned First
Lieutenant of Co. X, Second Ohio Artil-
lery, and in 1864 was promoted to the
Captaincy of Company L of the same reg
iment. In the spring of the same year he
was afflicted with rheumatism, from
which he never fully recovered. and
which was the principal cause of his de-
mise. During its first stage he was rem
dered unfit for duty and was in the hos
pital at Mumfordville, KY, for a long
time. On the 18th day of March. 1865, he
was appointed by Major General Stone
man Acting Provost Marshal of East
Tennessee, which honor he held until the
close of the war, when he returned home
and assumed duties at the throttle, which
he had left to serve his country. Mr.
Burns has continued on the branch road
ever since until few months ago, when
he was compelled to quit his engine, and
for the last time.
His reputation was unsurpassed for
carefulness. He was very lucky in his
career, Notwithstanding he occupied a
prominent part in several disasf- ,ps
wrecks, coming out each - yvi+hont
the loss of limb .--,.., ,u,1ak O.,o 80
these o:,. 41, ,,4:.,;.-
many residents of this city being perfect
ly familiar with its occurrence and fatal
results. 1t was ON the Sth ;ef December.
1856, just two years after Mr.. Burns had
located here. He was running the "Vin-