The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-09-21
GOVERNOR BUM
UNIQUE CHARACTER
SKETCH OF IDAHO'S CHESTER
FIELD WRITTEN BY HISTORIAN
WAS GOVERNOR ISS4-1SS5

WAS GOVERNOR ISS4-1SS5
In connection with the death of
W. NJ Bum, one of Idaho's terri
torial governors, and known as
"Idaho's Territorial Chesterfield,
which occurred yesterday at his home
in Philadelphia, sketch of Gov
ernor Bum, written by c. j. Bros
nan, now professor of American his
tory at the University of Idaho, but
then superintendent of city schools
at Nampa, is of more than passing
interest The sketch, which follows,
was published in the Boise Capital
News in it's issue of May 13, 1917:
The years that lay between 1863
and 1890 were as dashing and tumul-
tuous in their onward course as the
waters of one of our mountain
streams. AS one turns the pages of
that stirring drama, he feels as
though he were reading the conquest
of an empire instead of the settle
ment of a little mountain state.
These 27 memorable years comprise
our territorial period.
During this romantic epoch, 16 ter
ritorial governors were appointed for
Idaho territory Four of these failed
to qualify and one remained with us
only a week. so in reality we have
had II territorial chief executives.
OF this number nine were non-resi-
dent or " carpet-bag" governors; only
Stephenson and Shoup-were
" "Idahoans." A few were men of
commanding abilities-almost wore
upon their brows the signet of genius;
several were substantial, devoted Of
ficials; one or two were eccentric
geniuses; nearly all were likable
souls.
Towering white shafts mark the
resting places of a few of these pio-
neers who appeared in the gray of
the morning of our history; many, un-
happily, sleep in forgotten graves.
Only one of the little column is still
in the flesh and that is Governor
William M. Bum, now resident Of
Philadelphia.
When Beauregard "sprinkled blood
on the faces of the northern people
by firing on Fort Sumpter, William
Bum was a beardless Philadelphia
boy. Shortly after Father Abra-
ham," however, had issued his call
for volunteers, we find Bum in a
blue uniform His Civil war expert
ence was no dress-parade, half-holi-
day affair. At Savage Station, Vir-
ginia, he was almost fatally wounded;
was taken prisoner; and got ac-
uuainted with the interior of Rich
morld rebel prison. -,
Returning to his native city after
the war;, he became, in rapid sue
cession, register of wells. guardian
of the poor, and member OF the state
legislature. In 1884 Mr.. Bum was
appointed governor of Idaho terri.
tory by his lifelong personal and
political friend. President Chester A.
Arthur. The memorable events OF his
administration are described else
where by his own facile pen.
Immediately following. his retire.
ment as governor, Mr.. Bum became
editor and publisher of one of thb
leading Philadelphia papers. On
February 4 OF this year, brilliant
article on Charles Dickens from his
pen was featured in the newspapers
of his home city. He is at present
a member of the Republican, Glover,
and Lawyers clubs of Philadelphia,
and a member of the Lotus club Of
New York City. His present home
is at the Bellevue-Stratford hotel,
Philadelphia's finest hostelry. In
sketch called who's Who in Phila-
delphia we find: 1T is hard to
conceive what could add to his popu-
larity as a Philadelphian, and few
men, perhaps, in the whole country,
have warmer and firmer friends"
The writer recently received from
Governor Bum a faded old literary
relic. 1t is a manuscript of an ad-
dress delivered at Haley, July L, 1884.
He generously sent, also a copy of
" The Crazy Quilt" lecture delivered
in Boise City for the benefit of the
public school library fund; and an
expensive, beautiful souvenir volume
of the Glover club. He is a delightful
and obliging correspondent; his let
ters are models of felicitous utter
ence and he confers a favor as
though he were indebted to you for
permitting him to bestow it.
In some future time, Idaho will pro-
duce her real historian. No Idaho
Parkman has yet appeared; but he
will appear We have been so busy
acting our Hard, we have not had
time to write it, This future his
torian will rate the achievements and
merits of all our public servants. 1t
is quite probable that Governor
3unn's title to remembrances will be
as the author of our best written ter
ritorial message; as the handsomest
man VINO figured in our early annals
as our Territorial Chesterfield.