The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-05
BURRELL'S SAD FATE.
He Falls Into the Harbor in a
Fit of Dizziness.
HIS BoDYiN AsTEAMER's TRACK.
A Former Clerk OF Auditor Forrest
Aeefs Strange Death-His
Mournful History.

As the tug Portland was backing out Of
the slip between the Yesier and Hatfield
wharyes Yesterday morning about IL 80
O'Clock, deckhani who was STOPPING
over near the steamers stern was startled
by seeing the corpse Of a man floating in
the whirl of water disturbed by the pro-
peller. A rope was fastened TO the body
and il was soon drawn ont and laid upon
the YesIer wharf Coroner Horton was
summoned and ordered the body conveyed
10 Bonney & Stewards.
The body was soon identified as the re-
mains of Harvey NJ. Burrell, until re-
Gently an employee in the county auditors
Office
A book found in one of the pockets was
not wet through. showing that the body
had not long been in the water watch
found in the vest pocket had stopped at
$50 O'Clock, probably not over half an
hour after falling into the water. No
marks of violence were found, nor any
thing 10 indicate foul play. The drowning
was evidently accidental or suicidal
Burrell took dinner Tuesday evening at
the home of Ed Chilberg. He complained
OF being sick, and IL was noticed that he
reeled about like drunken man. But he
was not drinking man and no evidence
of liquor could be detected. His unsteadi-
ness was undoubtedly caused by dizziness
Mr.. and Mrs. Chilberg were going to Port
Gamble that evening at IL O'Clock on the
Edith, which was lying at Eesler's wharf
Burrell, when he left Mr.. Chilberg's
home about<9 O'Clock in the evening. was
accompanied by Mr.. and Mrs. Chilberg TO
3i4 James street. the residence of A. r.
Fink, where he roomed- They lett him
at the door, and he was not seen again
alive. II is thought that he went into his
room and remained awhile. Becoming
lonely and feeling unwell, he is supposed
to have walked down TO the Yesler
wharf 10 see Mr.. and Mrs. Chilberg en-
bark, and TO have accidentally fallen into
the water, perhaps reeling over the edge
of the wharf in his dizziness. He had al
ways had fondness for the water front,
for when unemployed. he would sit for
hours watching the shipping in the harbor
Mr.. Burrell came 10 this city last April
from Leadyille, Colo. His wife came here
alone ahead of him. She was taken i'll
and died, and the remains were kept until
his arrival. She was a sister of Mrs. Nell
son Chiiberg aud Mrs. ID. j. Smith, of this
city. He remained unconsoiable for her
death, and has been gloomy and despon-
dent ever since. This has inclined some to
the belief that he committed suicide, but
this theory is rejected by Mr.. and Mrs.
Chilberg. Last September he went to
work as a clerk in the county
auditors office. During the last
campaign he was very jealous and en-
thusiastic worker for the success of the
Republican ticket. When Auditor Forrest
returned there was not employment for all
of the men of the Office. and Burreil being
one of the newest men there, was thrown
out of employment. Since then he has
had no regular work. His age was about
40 years. He leaves daughter. aged
about II years. He was a man of good
habits and well liked. He was in the alb
stract business in Leadvllle prior to COM
ing TO this city.