The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02

1t was on his birthday in 1902 that h,
announced a donation of $40 900 for the
establishment and maintenance OF the
convalesoents' home. The gift came as
a great surprise to the general public. az
MIR. Burke was known to few persons az
a very rich man.
Some Of his business associates knew
in a vague way that he was a man OF means,
but he was not generally rated as a mill
ionaire. Like Fayerweather, the leather
merchant, whose will when opened after
his death was found to contain requests
to colleges Of something like g. 600, 900,
Mr.. Burke has led a very retiring life and
has taken no part in the usual gayeties Of
the world.
Since the donation was announced Mr..
Burke has added nearly half a million to
the b~enefaction. which accordingly now
amounts TO a, 500, 900. and which In pro-
portion to his wealth is far greater than the
Rockefeller gift OF S4S, 900, 900. or the Mrs.
Russell Sage gift of SO 600. 900. 1t will
take the bulk Of his fortune, with the ex-
ception Of a legacy OF $4,000 a year for his
faithful companion, Miss Vincenta NJ.
Fensley.
Mr.. Burke lives in an old fashioned house
NJ 10 iolN1 -bCNSlllh blI6tI. . NO
changes have been made in the decora-
lions or furniture In years and the neces-
sity for a quiet life precludes the idea of
any change until after his death. Even
then there may be no change, for he has
directed that the house be turned over
to Miss Fensley after his death.
Although not i'll in the usual sense, Mr..
Burke has a nurse TO care for him, and he
occasionally receives visits from his family
physician. The slight ailment from which
he suffers requires him to move about as
little as possible, and for that reason he
never goes out.
His faculties are as clear as ever and he
is able to transact business with his lawyer.
Frederick II. Denham. Of 10 Broadway,
or with the members Of the corporation
TO which he intrusted the gift to build the
home. His complexion is still as rosy as a
young girls and he signs papers in a bold,
firm hand and without the use OF glasses.
There isn't an unsound tooth in his head
and his legs are those of an athlete.
Mr.. Burke continues TO take a keen in
terest in the affairs Of the world and he Ia
particularly interested in the doinRs of
the financial district. He either reads him
self or has read to him several newspapers
every day, among them Wall street pub
locations. MIR. Burke never married and
has no near relatives.
When he retired from business a number
Of years ago he decided TO dedicate In his
lifetime "A substantial part Of his estate
TO the relief Of worthy men and women,
who, Notwithstanding their willingness
to support themselves, have become wholly
or partly unable TO do 30 by reason Of sick
ness or misfortune. He has had in mind
particularly those people who are dis
charged from hospitals before regainine
sufficient strength to assume their regular
employment.
Among the original inoorporators OF the
corporation TO which MIR. Burke turned
over the gift we're the late Abram S. Hewitt.
William Hubbard White, Edward NJ.
Shepard. Frank X. Sturgis and Mr.. Burke
himself. He met the other in-oorporators.
according to agreement, in Mr.. Denham's
Office. where the transfer was made.
Lyman j. Gage. the former Secretary of
the Treasury and president Of the United
States Trust Company. was once also a
dire ctor, out he resigned when he gave I'D
business TO go to California to live. He
was succeeded as vioe-presidsnt by Mr..
Shepard, who still holds that office. The
late J. Harson Rhoades, the president Of the
Greenwich Savings Bank. was also a director
up TO the time Of his death. Mr.. Burke il
the president Of the corporation which ia
known as the Winifred Masterson Burke
Relief Foundation. u va named for Mr.
mother. who died thirty-ive years