The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-07-18
RUPTURE IN THE RANKS

Dixie would give the opinion that a
fierce antipathy to Sister Esther Car
lotta, state president Of the Daugh-
tiers of the Confederacy, exists in the
ranks OF the Florida division of the
order. The Star has consulted a
number Of the members Of the order
in Ocala and judges from what they
say that Dickson Chapter L. ID. c.
regards Sister Esther CarIotta as a
most estimable and lovable lady and
is almost solidly for her. The article
in Dixie IS as follows:
1t is extremely unfortunate that
there is SO much discord in the ranks
of the Daughters Of the Confederacy
OF Florida, and Dixie has been loath
TO take any part in the controversy
which has resulted from charges
made against the state president.
Sister Esther Carlotta, because she
has warm and enthusiastic support
ers who are sticking steadfast to her
regardless of the charges made.
Sister Esther Carlotta,'' whose
real name is Miss Burrus, is a bril-
liant woman, who is alleged TO be the
head of the Sisters OF the Resurrec-
tion," affiliated with the Episcopal
diocese of Florida. There is no such
organization so affiliated and Epis-
copal clergymen have emphatically
so stated and the church newspap-
ers have also published corrections
of this character.
The peculiar garb adopted by Sis
ter Esther Carlotta is very similar to
the ones worn by Catholic sisters,
but in wearing this garb the presi-
dent of the Daughters of the Con-
federacy uses her own pleasure, and
that is her privilege.
There are other charges, however,
that are brought by the opposition
against the state president and many
in the local chapters complain that
meetings are held at the homes of
the friends of the president and when
efforts are made to bring up the
charges they are called down"
Among those active IN securing
evidence against the president are
Mrs. J. r.. Nolan, a highly educated,
refined old lady, who takes a great
interest in the organization. Mrs.
Nolan charges that the president has
no claim to be a Daughter of the
Confederacy, inasmuch as Mrs, Jas.
B. Can't, of Jefferson City, Mo-, who
is general recording secretary, says
that ''she has no copy OF the appIfca-
tion paper of Sister Esther Carlotta. -
Mrs. Nolan has also letter from Dr.
Samuel e. Lewis, of Washington, ID.
c., who kept record of Confeder-
ate surgeons and DR.. Lewis says, ct
am unable to find any mention of DR.:
John Lewis Burruss."
Mrs. Janet III. Randolph writes that
she has searched the Virginia mill
tary records, but finds no such name
as DR.. John Lewis Burrus. She says
that she appealed TO Captain Trice
and was informed that he knew DIR.
John Burrus, who died many years
ago, but knew nothing OF his Confed-
crate record. The said DR.. Burrus
had a son and daughter, the latter
ibefng named L0ttfe.
House Regent Susan B. Harrison
of the Confederate Museum writes
that she has been through all the re-
cord books, roll Of honor books and
the other records and there is no
proof of DR.. John Lewis iBurruss.
These are letters written in reply
to letters seeking information re-
garding the ancestor of the president
of the Daughters of Florida
The crisis came few days ago
when the opposition published in the
Times-Union an advertisement that
the Episcopal convention had denied
its connection with the so-called isis.
ters of the Resurrection.
The affair is indeed an unfortu.
nate one and lovely women-true
and loyal daughters of the South
are very much divided on the propo
sition. The rupture threatens to dis
rupt the organization.
In the meantime Sister Esthe
Carlotta remains state presiden
with her friends standing Loyalty b,
her.