Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-12-18
WAITS BECOME GOVERNORS.
Meet and Talk Over Days When They
Were Street Boys In New York.

Street waits in New York In 1857
shaking hands aN ex-governors in 1906
nearly fifty years afterward. This is
the story Of both John G. Brady Of q
State street, Boston, and Andrew F
Burke, Kansas City representative oi
the Great Western Oil company. The
two met at the Midland hotel this
morning, says the Kansas City Star
and talked of days on Randall's Island
the New York home Of waits.
John G. Brady is the. ex-governor OF
Alaska. Andrew F. Burke, along In
the early '90s. was governor Of North
Dakota. Both were on Randall's Is
land two years-1S57 and 1859, charges
Of the city. Both were shipped to the
west in 1859, to be given to farmers
who wanted husky boys to work their
lands. Both not only gained an edu-
cation and wealth but became men Of
influence, and each occupied a govern
or's chair.
There's not much to tell about
those days on RandalPs Island" Gov
Brady said. Andy Burke and I were
friends there. was simply a little
mick picked up off the streets. They
didn't put me in the criminal home
although the reason, I guess. is that
they didn't catch me In all the things
did down around the end Of Broad
way. Just those little things that kids
do. you know, were what we were up
to. Andy and l got some schooling
there--got some tannings, too. Got
everything we had coming, 1 guess.
We weren't bad boys, though.
along in August, 1859, the superin-
tendent read US a letter from little
Martin Terrell, one Of the islands
boys who had been sent to Delphi, Ind
Martin told about the apples, the
chickens, the green corn and the horses
he had to ride and drive.
II got to thinking about all those
things. was a strong boy, and
strong boys have strong stomachs
Don't know whether Andy Burke heard
that letter or not, but 1t made me de-
eide to go to that land where all the
good things grew. When the train
started west, Andy was on it too. He
went to a farmer at Noblesville, Ind
went to one at Upton.
"Then the hard days came. 1 went
to work deadening trees-swinging an
axe. It was swamp land and the
work was hard But that land, clear
ed now, Is the garden spot Of Indiana
Andy Burke worked hard on the farm
where he was sent.
when the war broke out Burke
Joined the army as drummer boy
and served throughout the war. He
saved the money he earned, and at Its
close went to Asbury college. Then
he left the school and got in business.
He eventually drifted to North Dako-
ia. | don't know all the history OF his
battles there. He grew to be known
he gained friends and influence. and
the whole country knows when he was
chosen governor.
And me?" continued Gov. Brady.
well, | remained on the farm In In
diana until 1867. Then I became
genuine Hoosier schoolmaster. 1t
seems laughable now, when look back
to the days when attempted teaching
school. My first job was near Sharpes-
vile. taught that school, then got
better ones.
II had studied during my idle hours
on the farm and had gone to school
when l could. l grew interested In
mining and went to Alaska. With my
own hands I hewed out a cabin.
worked with a pick until my hands
were cracked and bruised. I lived
there twenty-eight years and finally
struck It, Then l was appointed
Alaska's governor
It's no use to tell all I've gone
through. I've worked hard in my days.
have seen Andy Burke several times
since we were shipped west from
Randall's Island. It's a satisfaction to
know. however, that two street waits
with not a thing in the world. with
hardly a friend in the world. with ev-
cry obstacle to battle, have at least
made some success in the world.
There's no use for any boy to say he
has. no chance. The opportunity Is
before him every day. The obstacles
he has to overcome are not too great.
There Is room and work and d place
for them ALL"