The Washington herald., 1906-11-26

Henry c. Burch, vne of the best known
and most widely liked citizens OF Wash
ington. proprietor and manager Of the
Ebbitt House, died yesterday morning
after a short weeks illness. His sudden
death comes as a great shock 10 his wide
circle of friends. and many distinguished
men in public life mourn his loss. Only
last Monday he was taken III with acute
indigestion. There were some fears that
the attack was serious. but he rallied on
Friday, and it was hoped he would re-
cover. A relapse occurred on Saturday,
and yesterday, little before 8 a. m, IN
his sixty-fourth year. he died.
From the farm in LeOnardtOwn, Nd,
where he was born. and where. as a boy,
he worked. Henry c. Burch moved with
his parents TO Washington in 1854 He
was placed in Georgetown University.
where he remained only two years. He
was ambitious 10 get TO work and make
his way in the world The first money
he earned, his first regular employment.
was as "a newsboy in the old Ebbitt House.
II was in those days an unpretentious
hosiery. Hard work suited him and he
stuck TO his tasks SO well that promo
ttons came 10 him. Soon he was made
clerk, and it was not long then before
he became assistant manager. and then
manager. His close attention to business
ana the marked charm Of his personal
qualities in time made him one Of the
best-known hotel men in the United
States.
Famous Men His Friends.
Mr.. Burch had the qualities of a boni-
face that are born into "a man, not made.
He not only took care Of his guests. he
became their personal friend. As Repre-
sentative in Congress, the late President
Mckinley made the Ebbitt House his
headquarters, having apartments on the
second floor. where. always. Mr. Burch
was welcome guest, The friendship be
tween them-the distinguished statesman
and the genial hotel-keeper-lasted until
President McKinley's death. Oliver p.
Morton. of Indiana, while Senator, also
made the Ebbitt his home. and warm
personal friendship existed between him
self and the manager. This was true as
10 many public men.
Among the officers of the army and the
navy. Mr. Burch bad a wide circle Of
friends who used always 90 make his
hotel their home in Washington. and the
stamp Mr.. BuTCh gave il through these
friendships still remains. for the Ebbitt
Hotel is q favOrite haunt OF the officers
Of both branches Of the service.
Mr.. Burch had the prime quality In a
hotel proprietor of seldom forgetting the
faces or names Of those who had once
been guests Of his house. An incident is
recalled OF an army officer who used 70
be an habitue OF the hotel, who was OF
dered abroad. where he served COntin-
uously for twenty-five years. on his re-
turn TO Washington, he bent his steps
once more toward the Ebbitt, hardly daT-
ing 10 believe that any of his old cronies
might know him. Before he could get TO
the desk TO register. Mr. Burch had him
by the hand recalled his name and his
service, and save him a true home-com-
ing welcome. 1t was qualities such as
these that made for his great success.
Became sole Proprietor.
He remained manager Of the Ebbitt
House until twelve years ago, when a
company OF business men having pur-
chased the interests of c. c. Willard
placed Mr. Burch in full charge Of the