The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-07-09

w. X bOHNl !, CITY COMM s.
sIoNER.
W. Il. Burnitt, city commissioner
from the Second ward, is what anyone
would call selfmade mana man
who has surmounted obstacles and
arisen through his own efforts. un-
aided and with AN indomltabe will
that knows no such thing as failure.
Mr. Burntt was born on large
plantation in Monroe county. Missis-
sippi, on The 22nd day of February.
1862. when the South was engaged in
conflict with the North in defense of
the Lost Cause. His father. who ows-
ed immense plantation interests in
the Bayou State. owing to the depre.
dations of the long drawn out con-
ilict between the two forces divided
by the Mason and Dixon line. lost
his holdings.
In those days school facilities We're
limited. and as Mr.. Burnitt himself
puts II, his schooling was acquired ut
his mothers knee. where he was
taught the rudiments of life-that
which has proven the stepping stone
| TO useful and successful lfe-and
the influence of that good mother has
lived in his breast and proven a bul-
wark in the development of his
mind and body.
In 1872 the Burnitt family migrat
ed to Texas, locating at Paris in
Lamar county, When "Burnitt Him
SELF was seventeen years old he
went to Honey Grove, where he serv.
ed his apprenticeship in the sign
writing business, and at the age OF
nineteen had acquired the business of
his employer and achieved a high de-
gree of success. He married in Honey
Grove and remained there until 1895,
when he came to Ardmore and es-
tablshed the Burnitt Outdoor Adver-
tising Company, which he has con
Quoted ever since with a degree OF
success attained only through strict
attention TO its every detail and a
thorough knowledge Of every detail
of the business.
At the time the commission form
of municipal government was estab-
iished in Ardmore. April 1909, Mr..
Burnitt was elected commissioner
from the Second ward by an over
whelming majority over his oponent
In the organization of the board of
commissioners after their induction
into offnce, he was assigned as head
Of the department of Streets. Alleys
and Public Property, drawing one of
the long terms. the city charter pro-
yiding for two and four year terms.
Mr. Burnitt has applied the same
methods to the affairs of the city that
he employed in the conduct of his
own business, at all times doing what
he believed would rebound to the
best interests of the town and to it's
people. He is progressive and never
stands back on any matter brought
mp for adjudication by the commits
iioners, taking an open and firm
stand Tor what he believes is right
When he took up the work incum
,ent upon him in connection with
he department of streets and public
property he promised the people that
,e would do his utmost to secure
needed in connection
herewith. and that he has made
ood to the highest degree what he
as accomplished now stands sponsor
D his ability He promised the people
hat he would have sidewalks CON
tructed and street pavements laid
.herever these Improvements were
eeded. and as a consequence there
re today more miles of concrete
idewslks and asphalt pavement in
rdmore than I'm any town Of like size
] the state.
W. r. Burnitt is a town builder
nd has since his residence here been
ientified with every move inaugural
d for the upbuilding and advance
lent OF Ardmore.