Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-06-25
MAYOR BURNSIDE
ROMANTIC HERO AT
MORNING BLAZE
What a Diplomat Does When
Caught Between Fire and
Painting Woman.

WATERFOWL. S. D., June 16.-Tht
prize story OF the Masonic convention
IS told by Mayor George w. Burnside
of Sioux Falls. and is an incident OF
the last meeting of the grand COM
mandery in this city 20 years ago.
The Queen city mayor and three
other gentlemen were assigned a room
In the Kampeska hotel. one of the
quartet was Dan Glidden, a we'll known
Sioux Falls gentleman, who on this
occasion was respondent in high
topped boots and a high silk hat-a
get-up that made a distinct impression
on the mayors memory.
Before retiring for the night, Glidden
insisted on learning all about the fire
escapes for Dan would not stay in a
hotel where the fire escapes We're not
adequate. He feared fire-didn't want
TO spoil his boots or plug hat.
The hotel clerk explained abou the
fire escapes and even showed Glidden
where and how he could easily get out
Of the building in case of a fire alarm,
GIidden an Attraction.
Strangely enough, just at daybreak
the next morning a clerk rushed
through the halls, rapping loudly on
each door and shouting fire" the
smoke from which was rolling In vol
umes from the lower windows of the
hotel.
Glidden had brought no night shirt
with him, SO had slept in his under
wear, which was a rich carmine in col-
or, crawling into the back side of the
bed in which Burnside slept. No soon
er had the alarm been given than Gid
den shot over his led fellow like a
red comet. Ramming his long feet into
his tall boots and DOMINIC his plug hat,
he grabbed all the clothing in sight and
rushed out of the building, leaving his
three room mates with absolutely
nothing 10 wear except what they had
been sleeping in. The three pounced
out of bed and followed, their shirt
tails tapping in the breeze. When they
reached the street they beheld Glidden
dancing about and still hugging the
clothing which he had started with.
his red urderclothing. adorned by that
high hat, n n end and the top boots
on the other, serving to make their
room mate a most conspicuous figure,
1t was soon discovered that not
withstanding the smoke there was no
fire to speak of. II being confined to a
small place under the kitchen floor.
Hero In Jndress Uniform.
But the climax for Mr.. Burnside had
not been reached He was about to
make his way back into the hotel with
some articles Of clothing which he had
Gildden TO part with from
his assortment when, just neal one OF
the principal exits, he encountered a
gentleman n his wife escaping.
Whether it was the sight OF Glidden
in his devil costume, or the appear
ance of the three lono-legged chaps
in their leggless shirts, or the general
commotion. Mr.. Burnside has never
been able to figure out. but at any
rate the woman tainted dead away"
and dropped gracefully into the may
or's arms.
There l was said he, "in my shirt
tailed raiment, with absolutely moth
ing else to cover my lank body, and
that woman serenly resting in my
arms, pinning me down While the goats
that were with me were escaping to
cover. OF course ~gallantry forbade
that / should drop her limp form, and
fee like a jack rabbit, and yet, as you
fellows may guess. it was rather en-
b~arrassing TO hold her to ones breast
In the presence of an augmenting and
excited audience gathering in front of
the building that June morning"
How he finally got rid Of her he does
not remember, but that after everyone
else had gotten dressed and made
themselves ~presentable he alone was
forced to parade before the tittering
crowd back TO his room to take what
az left of the clothes.