Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-01
The Death Of A Prominent Citizen.

no. with what was supposed to have been
appendicitis. but an operation Tuesday
afternoon disclosed more serious ailment
The death certificate issued by the Wash
lneton city authorities reads: "Appendi-
citis. acute obstruction of the bowels, and
congestion of the lungs"
Mr.. Burnett. who was 81 years old, was
born in Washington city. but had lived in
this county about fifty years. He was a
son of the late Louis L. Burnett, a French
man, who for many years lived on a farm
near Silver Spring About twenty-nine
years ago, he was appointed deputy clerk
under Captain Anderson. and for six years
esrved in similar capacity under Thomas
Dawson. and eleven years ago was elected
Clerk, defeating the Republican candidate,
Thomas Dawson. Five years ago he was
renominated and reelected without oppo-
sition. For number of years Mr.. Burnett
was town clerk and treasurer of Rockville.
He was singularly fitted for the per-
Torrance of the work of the Clerk of the
Circuit Court. His talent was brought to-
public light by the sincere friendship of
Mr.. j. Heath Dodge, of Bethesda, this
county, who was an asprant for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Clerk in 1884. He
withdrew from the field and threw his
strength to Capt. James Anderson. who
was also running. His withdrawal was
conditioned upon the Captains promise to
give Mr.. Burnett deputy clerkship in the
office if the Captain succeeded in securing
the nomination and election at the general
election. The promise was fulfilled. Mr..
Burnett left little country store at Ten
leytown. d. C., to accept the position. His
value as deputy grew in the appreciation
of the head of the Office as well as the
public. On the death of the chief deputy
in the office, who was very efficient, Mr..
Burnett succeeded to the position, not long
after he had entered the public service.
Finally he became its head, and had not
death interposed he would have been con-
tinued by another election in the fall of 1915
with an overwhelming vote of the people
as the head of the office of Clerk of the
Circuit Court for this county In fact, it
was thought that he would have no oppo-
sition for the nomination of his party.
Probably none by the Republican party at
the general election.
His devotion to this office was only made
secondary by devotion to his faith in
the Catholic Church. He was a member
Of St. Marys Church in this town and
there with a regularity that
knew no variation. Father Williams, who
preached his funeral sermon last Monday
taking as his subject Death"
pierced every heart present with his solemn
and eloquent words. He knew Mr. Bru-
nett well and long and his undertaking
devotion to the church, and, having this |
intimate acquaintance, pronounced his
death Christmas gift of everlasting rest,
occurring. as it did, at o'clock Christmas
Guided by simplicity in all the affairs with
which he had to deal. he made no display
of his acts of charity Very few knew of
his life in this respect. but since his death
numerous instances have been put forth
by the beneficiaries of his charity in the
goodness of their hearts. One among the
many spoken of stands out prominently in
human generosity. He was interested in
a business enterprise. holding command
ing position in it. That family of mother
less children might be reared and educated
and kept under one roof, he directed the
Iather of the children to take the proceeds
If the business, apply them to the main
enance of the children, and if there was
)r was not surplus he would be satisfied.
Happiness and health and intellectual de-
,elopment and comfort came out of this
charity and he felt rewarded at the close
If each business year as the years went
'n-the smiles that wreathed his face
yearly portrayed his full satisfaction.
A large crowd Of persons attended the
funeral at St. Mary's Church. filling the
edifice to its full capacity. among them
many prominent in the official, political
and business life of the county. Mass was
by Father Clements, of Balti-
more, a relative of Mrs. Burnett, and the
sermon was by Father Williams of Brook
and. d. c., former pastor of the church.
Other priests in the sanctuary were Father
of Forest Glen, and Father
of Baltimore, former pastors of
he church; Father Torndorf, of George
own University, and Father Coolahan. pas
.or of the church. Chief Judge Hammond
Drner. Associate Judges Edward C. Peter
and Glenn H. Worthington and the mem
Iers of the Montgomery County Bar Asso-
,iation and representatives of the bar as
'ociations of the District of Columbia and
Frederick county attended in a body.
The pallbearers were James T. Bogley.
J. Darby Bowman. j. Hampton Jones and
J. Forrest Colt, composing the clerical force
If the Clerks office; H. Clinton Allnutt and
Wellington W. Welsh. Burial was in the
lew Catholic cemetery, near Rockville.
There were many floral tributes.
Mr.. Burnett leaves his widow, who is
laughter of the late Peter Henry Clements.
If this county. and three children Miss
Helen Burnett, student at the George
own Convent; Adrian L. Burnett, who is
attending the Catholic University. and
Paul Burnett. He also leaves two brothers.
.wo sisters and half-sister, as follows
julius and Victor J. Burnett. Misses Edith
and Rose Burnett and Miss johnson.
A Real Live Baby.