The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-11-26
BURCH FUNERAL
HELD WEDNESDAY
Leading BonifaCe Dies After
Illness of Only a
Week.
FROM CLERK TO PROPRIETOR
Rose to a Position Of Affluence
Through His Own
Efforts.

Funeral services for Henry O. Rurch.
proprietor of the Ebbitt House. and one
Of WashingtOn's most prominent citi-
zens. who died yesterday morning after
brief illness, viii be held al St PauTs
Episcopal Church tomorrow afternoon
az o'clock. The Rev. Alfred Harding
rector. viii ohiciate.
Mr.. Burch had been III but one week.
He was taken suddenly sick with acute
indigestion and heart trouble and sew
eEal physicians who attended hun said
his condition was serious He rallied
later in the week. and on Friday and
Saturday Physician stated that he was
much improved. and they were hopeful
OF recovery. The patient suffered a re
lapse Saturday afternoon and spent
restless night About O'Clock yesterday
morning SIR. Burch died. He was sixty
fear years old, and had spent forty-two
years OF his life in Washington.
From clerk at the news stand In the
Ebbitt House 10 The proprietorshIp OF
that hosiery and large interests in
others was the accomplishment of Mr..
Burch in a little more than two score
years. He was ambitious 20 succeed and
realized his hopes long before he thought
they would materallze.
Started at News Stand.
Born in Leonardtown. Nd. he lived
there until he had passed his twentieth
year. and came 10 Washington with his
parents. 10 court fortune The young
man was Immediately placed in George
town University. but being eager 10
earn salary and help his parents tight
LIES battles he left the institution
after attending TWO years. and took the
position at the news stand in the Ebbitt
House.
Close application 20 duty won a pro
motion for him and ht was made clerk
Of the hotel. Later his ability was
again recognized and he Was promoted
10 be assistant manager. The position
OF manager was made vacant a wear or
two later and he was the only man for
the place. Because of his generosity
and other admirable personal qualities
he endeared himself % the hearts of an
with whom he came In contact and has
FOR many years been recognized as one
OF the most widely known and popular
hotel faen in the country. After hlIIng
The position OF manager for fifteen years
ne became the proprietor two years ago.
He was a friend of the late President
Mckinley, and while a Representative
In Congress the latter made Mr. Burcn's
motel his home, and the two We're boon
companions. Mr.. McIIiuley's apart
ments we're on the second EO0r and it
was there that Mr.. Burch was welcome
and could be found almost every night
the Representative was not otherwise
engaged The close personal friendship
ended, noJ wueu AR Mckinley left the
hotel, but when da died
Besides Nj Mckinley. Mr. Burch num-
bered Oliver T. Morton, Senator from
Indiana, and innumerabie other promi-
nent political leaders as his sincere
friends. Members of the army and nav
have Hooked 10 his hosiery by the hun
dreds, and the place was known as the
Army and Navy Hotel because SO many
4nen IN the service made their head
quarters there.
Other Hotel Interests.
Mr. Burch, i'm addition to owning the
Ebbitt House, had large interests i'm the
Raleigh Hotel and in the Willard Hotel
Company. He had many investments
besides these, ana II is thought his es-
tate viii amount To about $500 coo
President Mckinley was conveyed
from the Ebbitt House To the CAPITOL TO
take the oath or Office az his first in
auguration. The members of the Egan
court martial board made their home in /
l44V 4-11ttt EAoua'r ana htil4ieuS OF pan
queIS. dinners meetings. and balls
which will never be forgotten have been
held In the spacious parloTs of the old !
hosiery
Mr.. BurCh Is survived by a widow. a /
daughter, Mrs. X j. Hampton. OF Louis /
VILE. Ky. and two sons, Dr. W. T.
Buvch and H. b. Rurch an Of whom
were gathered around his bed when ne /
died.
Thanksgiving Orders for Flowers Re
cefved TleaSoDa i7lc Drfras Sbaffar 14rbeT |