Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-12
OVERLAND WITH s5O,OcO,C Geo.

Col. II. j. Burns OF san FRANCISCO
who can beast the unparalleled record ct
having twenty-five times crossed the
United States from extreme west to
farthest east in a refrigerator car with
millions of dollars In his posset 3ion was
In Dsnver yesterday.
When In 1886 it was decided TO take
$50 0O0, 600 of gold and silver from the
Sub Treasury Of the United States at
San Francisco to the Treasury st
Washington. Col. Bur0s, although q
s,anoh republican holding office IN the
United States Marshsl's Office under
democratic admin s,ratioD, wss selec-
ted for the task. Such an undertaking
at that time wss unknown and las
ne yer since been repeated.
To acc ,mplish this task OF mtV Vipg
the yellow and white millions peces-
STATED fifty trips across the continent
in fruit car, making 10 all journey
Of more than 100000 miles and con-
suming nearly years time. All OF
this yellow treasure might have
been loaded upon one train or two
rains aud transported to i's destina-
ton on short notice. But the Treasury
officials felt that the risk OF such
an undertaking would be too great even
though they should guard the trains
with a regiment of soldiers. The coun-
Try through which the treasure was
taken was the worst in the land, and iis
reputation for obedisnce to law was at
that time not as good as 1t Is at present.
While the moving of whole train load
of money could not have been kept
quiet, the plan by which the money was
sent was kept a profound secret, al
though it may have been guessed by
the train men.
A siugle fruit car was fitted up es o
combined treasure house aud arsenal.
Loaded with seventeen tons OF silver
and gold, and coupled next the engine
of passenger t:s'n 1t gave out the gen.
eral impression of load Of perishable
fruit being hurried to its destination.
For the first few trips Col. Burns and
an assistant lived in the car day sod
night from start to finish. When trip
alter trip was made without molesta
tiou the assistant was taken of and
Burns finished his task alone.
Strange ss it may seem bis coming
| and going were so unobtrusive aud the
| fruit car so little tempting TO robbers
| that not once 10 all the fifty trips was
an attempt ever made TO hold up the
| treasure car.
| Had robbers beset the train, however,
they would first have had to kill the
defender before they could have
touched the Government gold, for
Col. Burns is known as one OF the
foremost dead shot rifle and revolver
marksmen of the Pacific Coast
he is quiet, modest.speaking man, but
quick ss a fash when 1t comes to draw
ing and with stern old New England
integrity is ss irflsxible es time in mat
ters OF duty.
For four years he was sheriff OF Sar
| Francisco at q time when that oticia
needed plenty Of pluck and backbone
During his term of office he hanged two
men, bus says they never caused him tC
lose moments sleep. For ten year
he was an officer of the national gusrc
| of California, and each year he won thu
marksman's or sharpshooter's bar to III
dpon his breast and finally to hang 8
the end of all these trophies, a serylc'
10 edal awarded by the State.
1. was his reputation as shot and
man who could be relied upon to do hi
duty at ell times, that gained tn
money. carrying commission for th
colonel. Again in 1896 he was calle'
upon to carry another million scros
the continent, and for many years be
fore and after that he was commando
OF the guards of the pay trains OF To
Southen Pacific, so zeslously Rusrdiu
the millions intrusted to bis care ths
his record Is ss bright as a page fror
the book OF life. Not cent has eve
been lost 10 bis hands.
Col. Burns is now 20 years OF age
He has quit the strenuous life and live
10 quiet contentment with his Wit
dividing their time between their littl
farm away off 10 the woods of Main
and their San Francisco home Der
: yer Republican.