The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-20

who had begun life like himself AS a
poor boy, but had become millionaire,
was elected United States Senator for
West Virginia. For some time Burr was
superintendent of Davis's great estate al
Deer Park.
But the glamour of newspaper life had
environed him, and he could not resist
its destinations
He became Washington correspond
emit. The New York Herald EMPLOYED
him to report the famous ketcham muir
der trial at Annapolis, Md, and by d.
rection of the elder Bennett he had the
dead generals stomach analysed and
employed the medical experts whose tes-
timony acquitted the woman defendant.
Subsequently Senator Davis furnished
Burr the capital to start the Pottsville
Standard, Que of the most brilliant
newspapers that ever flashed across the
armament of Pennsylvania journalism.
But the paper was too big for the town,
and it took Burr only about eleven
months to lose $4,000. Subsequently he
became correspondent of the New York
Times; in 1856 travelling correspondent
of the Philadelphia Press; in 1884 travel
ing correspondent of the Philadelphia
Times.
Up to the time of his fatal illness Col.
Burr was in the active pursuit of the
profession in which he had gained re-
nown. His writings mainly concerned
public measures and, consequently, pub
lie men. No man in his line Of work
was IN closer touch with the historical
figures of his day and country.
Col. Burr's literary work was in the
main of that character which appertains
to most newspaper endeayor-it breathed
but for day. He was the author of
three biographical volumes, their SUBJ
jects being Ulysses S. Grant, Russell A.
Aiger and James A. Beaver
Col. Burr was born in Michigan Nov.
~, 1913. His has been remarkab bly,
varied career. His intimate personal
knowledge of public men was exceeding
~ extensive.
AS result of domestic difficulties,
Burr, at the connivance of one of his
parents, was stolen when but three years
of age by band of Chippewa Indians,
and at point where the city of Grand
Rapids now. stands he was paddleds away
IN canoe by party of savages For
SIX years he lived among these people.
When nine years of age he accompanied
his Indian friends to Detroit, then a
great trading post. His attire consisted
of a little check bib-an- tucker affair
that did not reach his knees. In the
hurry of departure the little ward was
forgotten and was left lying asleep in
an out-of-the-way corner The Indians
never came back after him, and SO the
wait became newsboy, sleeping at
night in the cellar Of the Free Press
building. Many time did the ragged
lad fold his papers on the steps of Zach
Chandeliers store, and he finally attract
ed the attention of that astute politician,
who became his fast friend. When the
civil war famed into fratrici lal strife
Burr, although only a lad of eight eel,
years, became a soldier, and it was
through the interest displayed in him
by Zach Chandler that he became an aid
on General Ayers staff, and when but
nineteen years old he was captain in
the fifth Michigan cavalry. Until the
day of his death he carried disabled
arm as testimony to the part he had taken
in the shock of battle. When the war
ended Col. Burr commanded regiment
of cavalry.
He became fireman on the Baltimore
& Ohio railorad,a after four months
service was made an engineer. Seven
months later he received his appoint
ment in the government printing officer.