Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-05-08
Isaac Burgess Declared Dead by
the Courts and Property
Distributed.
Found Well and Hearty at Mus.
Catine Under Name OF David
Baker.
Mentally Unbalanced-Does Not
Remember Former Person
ality-Fine Law Points.
,ec,al TO Times.Renublican.

strangest stories that has ever been
brought to light in eastern Iowa is
found in the life of Isaac Burgess, who
has been declared legally dead, but i1
still alive and residing in this city
The Journal says:
A man. declared legally dead by the
courts of two states, Iowa and Indi-
ana, has beer found living in Musca-
tine, having resided here for about nine
years. His real name is Isaac Bur
CESS. but now goes by the name of
David Baker. He once owned a 800
acre farm near Pleasant Plain, Jeffer-
son county, Ia. but mysteriously left
dead, the property sold, the money d.
vided and probably spent. A claim
has 10Y been made for the property.
The object of the strange action is
shrouded in mystery, but it may be
from mental alteration.
The story of the life of Isaac Bur
CESS, alias David Baker. Is indeed a
strange one. In September, 1886, he
was a resident Of Pleasant Plain, JEFF
ferson county, Iowa, q small place not
far from Fairfield. He was known
there as Isaac Burgess. He was I'M
married, owned a farm of about 12C
acres, and everything in his life SEEM
ed 10 be pleasant and running smooth
ly. N. Rosenberger, Of his city, knew
him at that place. Mr.. Burgess had a
brother and sister living in the town
and they reside there to the present
time. In September, 1886, he left that
little. town for Danville, Ind, on a 80
days visit, but before the expiration
OF that time he concluded to remain in
that place, which he did until the Sd
OF November, 1889, when he suddenly
disappeared and nothing as 10 his
whereabouts could be found. His rel
atives advertised for him, but every
effort proved unavailing.
Five years later, the court of Hen
bricks county, Ind. declared him Of
f1cially dead and admitted his will to
probate. In this will he disposed of
considerable Of his property, giving 1t
10 various colleges of the Friends de-
nomination. He was a member of that
denomination, and was always inter-
ested IN the work. He still has rel.
atlves living in Indiana. Some time
Mr.. Rosenberger, of this city. re-
celVed a letter from a Mrs. Mckee. of
indianapolis. asking for the where
abouts of Isaac Burgess, saving she
a heard he had com to Muscatfne
MI. Rosenberger said there was a man
mere answering her description. and
whom he thought was Burgess hI,,
he stoutly maintained that his name
was David Baker, and nothinp soannaa
70 oe aole to change him. Nothing has
ueel heard from these people for some
tif1e. they are in good circum-
stances ana perfectly willing to take
care OF MIN. This Mrs. Mckee was q
cousin of Burgess.
On Sept. 10, 1890, William n Mo
oracken, living near Fairfield. Iowa
was by the court appointed trustee ~
tue real estate belonging to Burgess IN
Je11erson county. In November 1908
q Sloane declared the said rsaac
w. Burges as being dead and tho ho1o
ahce or his property was then given
70 MS surviving brother, Aaron Rnr-
CESS, now residing at Pleasant plain
Nothlng more was thought about tha
matter until the county clerk of Jef.
ferson county, John H. Merckens re-
celFed a letter from Edward S. Hoap
OF this city, telling of the presence or
asking what had become
OF the property he owned in that
county. That has been the first niece
Oh news received in that section that
would indicate where he is or where he
mas been these many years.
Trace of Isaac Burgess. or as he ,s
known here, David Baker, can only he
discovered as far back as 1893. It was
learned upon inquiry that he came to
Muscatlne that year and took up his
residence with the family of DR.. Battey.
He was no relative, merely an inmate
OF the household. He remained with
these people until the doctors death
ana a snort time after that even went
out TO S"eetland township, where
continuously he has made his
home with the family Of Ed Pinkham.
with whom he has resided up until
about thirty days ago, when Mr.. Pink
ham removed to Washington county,
n since that time Baker, now an old
has made his home with a Woods
family in Sweetland. Edward S. Hoae,
who wrote about the matter to the
clerk Of the court in Jefferson county.
Is also a resident Of Sweetland, and
probably knowing the circumstances
wished to know If there was any prop
erty upon which the old man could
live.
He was always known as a strange,
peculiar man. He is we'll read, educat-
ed, and a man that has every appear
ance of taking good care of himself.
He Will not for a minute admit that
his name is Isaac Burgess; he still
maintains that his name is Baker. Mr..
Rosenberger stated that he knew him
when he resided at Pleasant Plain, ard
recognized him when he saw him on
the streets of Muscatine. talked with
him, and asked him if he was not Bur
but the old man stoutly maintain
ed his name was Baker, and he claims
hat to his day.
Not long after he came to this part
of the country he attended quarterly
meeting Of the Friends denomination
at Oskaloosa. At that place he was
known and recognized, but he still,
stoutly maintained his name was Ba-
Burgess. The people marked 1t down
as a remarkable resemblance, and evil
IDENTIFY let it pass.
The case involves some very fine
points, the like of which will be
found. Here is a man who has
been declared dead by the courts of
two states. his property divided and
the money expended, and yet he still