The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-11-09

BURKE OF LONDON.

BURKE OF LONDON.
The Louisiana Ex.Treaaprer Has an
Illinois Record.
A special TO the 81. Louis Repu0lic,
from Xenia, ILL.,, October 50, says /:
The recent exploits Of Nsjof r. A.
Burke, ex.S;ate Treasursr Of Louisi>
ana. has recalled to the minds Of
IXenia's older citlxsus remIulscenses OF
his career when . resident Of this placs
some thirty years sgo. He. was born
and raised at New Albany, Ind., and
when. about 20 years old came 10 this
place to take charge Of the telegraph
odice Of the Ohio and Mississippl rall-
road company. He worEed In the
onace with Uacle John Pierce, who
still re.ides here, aud who was Z, that
time the railroad cent proper.
Later on the company tou3d Il more
economical to employ only one msn
for both places, as one could easily do
the work. Mr.. Pierce knew nothing
about lelegraphy, and Burke was Civ
en- the position. He became one Of
Xenia's young men, and wee reCog
nized as a jovial, whole-souled fellow,
but sometimes quite inc0nsiderats aud.
re .kless.
He continued as agent for several
months, and during an investiga-
ton OF his books by the auditor .
shortage in his accounts was found.
OF course he was dismissed, but was
given an opportunity TO repay it by
being employed on = conductor on
freight train. He gained quite no.
toriety as railroader, but was Thought
to be too reckless in his management
of trains, oitentimes5 having halr-
breadth escapes.
Mr.. J. A. Pierce,of this place, who
was one OF Burke's friends and &C.
quaintauces, was telling the Republic
man to-day one of Barke's escapades
in that line. He said: zone day 1
wauted to 60 down the road piece 50
I boarded the freight in charge OF
Burke, which was then about two
hours behind time. He had orders to
meet the fast express going east at
Iuka, eight miles west. Upon arriv-
ing there they found the siding full OF
cars and no room to hold their train.
Bure consulted his watch and said to
the engineer: its ten minutes till
time for the express TO leave Salem,
nine miles away. Can you make it?'
The engineer was somewhat doubtful,
and Burke said: sLet nae, then, and
TIL shove her through The throttle
was pulled wide open and the heavy
train shot ahead like a flash. The
fireman put in stick after sick of
wood aud the train wOrmed lis way
around the curves at a rapid pace, but
when almost in Salem and but min.
ute remained, the fuel was exhausted.
The floor was cleared Of all the bark
and litter and nothing remained. The
engine strained and puffed and gained
the top of the grade where the town
lay. The cars run by the depot, and
it was with the greatest effort that the
monster engine backed the cars on the
side track, and not second too soon,
either, for hardly was the switch
closed before the express dashed BY"
Soon after this Burke YVES running
freight train an hour or so ahead OF
spscia train bearing the Prince Of
Wales, who was then making tour
of the United States, aud when near
ing east St. Louis one of his "spells'
came upon him and he had the train
dashing along at high speed. and
while going around curve the engine
left the track, stacking the cars high
up on one another, making an inpas-
sable wreck. Burke knew he had
committed an objectionable deed by
delaying the princes train, and at
once "skipped" the country and was
never seen here again.
He joined the rebel army and was
promoted to the rank Of major, COM
| ing out with great honors. AS direc-
tor general of the Worlds Fair at
New Orleans he was reported as a fail
ure, while his conduct during his
term as State Treasurer was on the
same line and following the precedent
made here while young. He left this
country owing money to every man
whom he claimed as his friend, and
never attempted to make reparation
for his acts. Uncle John Pierce ia well
acquainted with him, and knows his
past record like book.
To sum the matter up, Burke was
always considered as somewhat un.
scrupulous in his dealings.
cAr.rv M SvE MRnAT TR RAVEJ