Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-10
NOW TREATED LIKE THE COM
MONEST CRIMINAL.
HAS BIG CORRESPONDENCE
Wife Loyal and With Him Often
Convict Loses a Lifelong Reputa-
ton in the Short Space of Three
Years--WilI Practice Law as Soon
as Released.

| senator ever convicted of q crime
against the federal government, is
serving his sentence In the Iron
county jail at Ironton, Mo, the six
months sentence imposed upon him
by the United States district court
for bartering his influence as sen
ator lie has become used to his
SURROUNDINGS and to the tremendous
humiliation to which he has been sub
jected. One-third of his term has
4 expired
/ During the first weeks of his inn
+ prisonment Burton set a strenuous
pace which amazed his fellow prison
ers. He wrote reams of correspond
ence, made necessary by the vast
quantities Of mail he received. His
wife acting as his consider and sec
rotary as We'll opened a great many
of his letters, and discussed with him
all the important affairs of his bust
ness and is his adviser at all times.
| Burton seemed not to suffer much
the first week He was treated cor
daily and with leniency the first day
The second day he was allowed spe-
cial privileges. Then the department
Of justice at Washington began to
hear the tales from Ironton result
ing in an order to the effect that Bur
ton was a federal prisoner and should
be treated as such.
The fact that he was once a United
States senator does not alter this
case. Burton Is a prisoner, paying
the penalty of a crime.
TEe Kansas legislature Is now in
session and it will not be long before
he will read accounts of the election
In his own state Of his successor to
the highest federal Office within the
gift of the people of any state
Within three years Burton lost all
he had striyed for during a career
extending back twenty-five years
Miss Carrie Mitchell daughter
of u former surgeon in the confeder
ate army, became his wife in 1876,
when he was Il struggling lawyer at
Princeton, Ind After his marriage
he remained in Princeton for three
years and then moved to Abilene,
Kan, and since has made that his
home. During his gradual rise to
fame, his wife had been his devoted
assistant and "A great measure of his
success was due TO her.
Not over stones throw from
where the noted prisoner passes his
days in his cell in the county jail
with n pretty embezzler as his cell
neighbor, Mrs. Burton has secured
quarters in order to be near him
that she may attend to every want
She prepares his food with her own
hands and carries it to him, remain
ing while he eats his meals
These meals consist of the best
that the market affords, each day
some rlvorite dish finding its way to
the hotel" as Burton facetiousIy re-
Icrs to The Jail,
Mrs Burton was iokingly asked
why It was that she supported a re-
publican when it was known that she
was a lifelong democrat Her reply
quick rs a fash was: Well, you
known ! always support the best
man, and in looking over the avail
able timber found there wasn't one in
my party which could compare with
the republican candidate (Mr. Burton)
so supported him. and have never
been sorry of my selection
Then, becoming serious. she said;
81 am the daughter of soldier and
have learned to bear up bravely UNI
! der misfortune Adversely creates
opportunities and we shall make the
best OF ours.
Those who were formerly my
friends have Stunned me. and | have
seen women so out of their way to
avoid me, but | do not mind these in.
suits"
Burton's quarters are in direct con-
trast to those of his wife. Surround
ed by other prisoners, confined under
charges varying from misdemeanor
to the prisoner under sentence of
death, he faces the situation with a
! stoiclsm worthy OF comment.
He presents a joyial front under
all circumstances, but II is apparent
that 1t is forced and that he feels in.
tensely the disgrace brought upon
himself, His face is getting care
worn, and he exhibits a nervousness
never before shown. He is fastidous
in his dress and presents an immacu-
late appearance after he completes
his toilet.
Since the first days confinement he
has devoted the greater part of his
time 70 his correspondence. He writes
from is TO 40 letters day. All let
ters to which he has replied are
turned over to his wife in the even
ing. They are taken to her home and
fled away for future reference.
| Burton looks forward To the visits