52Ancestors52Weeks Week 12 Theme: Loss....The Story of Affa Woodcock Hayman (Boothby/Hayman)

 The theme for this week is loss.  Loss is universal.  It touches everyone at some point  in their lives and in multiple forms.  You can loose a cherished object.  You can loose a loved one.  You can loose your children.  You can loose your livelihood.  You can loose your freedom.  You can loose your ability to tell your own story.  You can loose your life.  

  This is the story of Hannah Aphia "Affa" Woodcock Hayman Kirk (my paternal Great Great Grandmother) and the losses she experienced during her lifetime,  until she eventually lost herself and then her own life.   This is a difficult story to tell, but today I am honoring her memory by relating her life story and the strange events that surrounded her death. 

Back of the above picture.  Joseph Buchtel was one of the earliest photographers in Oregon.  In 1873 he partnered with E.H. Stolte, and they had a gallery on the corner of First and Morrison Streets in Portland (No. 91). That partnership dissolved in 1878.  This picture was taken  between 1873 and 1878.  The Hayman's were living in Portland at the time. 

Top writing: "Mrs. L. Horner (Lillie Mae Horner) Heppner, Ore". My Great Grandmother. 

Bottom writing (upside down) "Mrs. Harry Hayman, Heppner, Oregon". That would have been Harry Rideout Hayman's wife Laura May. Harry was Lillie Mae's brother. 

Side writing on right:  Affa Hayman

This photo ended up in the possession of Terry Boothby (my paternal Grandmother) and came eventually to me. It is one of my favorite photographs on the Boothby side of the family. 

  Hannah Aphia "Affa" Woodcock was born in St. David, Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada on 17 March,  1844.  Her mother died when she was 14 years old. By the 1860 US Census the Woodcock family lived in Calais, Maine.  When she was just 16 she married Martin Dinsmore Hayman. 

  

Martin Hayman shared by Ritch Fuhrer on Ancestry.com

  Martin Dinsmore Hayman (my Great Great Grandfather) was born in Robbinston, Maine.  In 1860 he was aged 22, and was working as a laborer.  Calais and Robbinston are about 12 miles apart on the United States side of Passamaquoddy Bay.  Martin and Affa were married October 23, 1860.   Their first child, Holmes Van Buren Hayman, was born in 1864.  Then came Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hayman in 1866, then Lillie Mae in 1870.  

   The Hayman family came from Maine when Lillie Mae was around 6 months old and settled in Portland.  On the 1880 Census Martin's occupation was teamster.   Martin worked for R. Pittock (older brother to Henry the publisher) or Henry Pittock himself as a teamster.  Their last child Harry Rideout Hayman was born in Portland in 1871.  Between 1878 and 1880 Martin drove a horse drawn street car in Portland.  

Horse drawn street cars Portland 1888

   Affa's older sister Harriet and her younger brother Edwin moved to Portland at around the same time as the Haymans.  I can imagine that being close to family again would have been a comfort and support for Affa.  Sadly, Edwin died in 1875 and Harriet died in 1878.  That must have seemed a huge loss.  

   By 1880 the Hayman family had moved to Heppner, Oregon where Martin tried homesteading and  farming on Balm Fork, south of Heppner, Oregon.  Heppner lies about 50 miles south of the Columbia River in northeastern Oregon, and sits on Willow Creek amidst rolling basalt hills and plateaus.  Balm Fork lies several miles from the actual town.  It must have been quite a shock for Affa,  moving from the large and bustling city of Portland to the remote and isolated community of Heppner.  This move set in motion a series of downturns for Affa and her children and eventually led to the loss of her life.  

  The rest of her story comes from Frances A. Cox Griffin, a granddaughter of Lizzie Hayman Cox, sister to Lillie Mae Hayman.  This story was shared on Ancestry.com by Mike Keo, who is a DNA cousin.  She wrote these stories in 1969 and they were preserved by her family.   Her words are in quotations.  

  "Hard times came to Hannah (Affa) as in 1882 she gave an affidavit for her daughter to marry F. D. Cox."  (This would be her older daughter Lizzie). "In it, she states that 'Lizzie is past the age of fifteen and that I am the mother of Lizzie I. Hayman and have sole care of my family including Lizzie. My husband having left me with my children to care for without his aide and support.'  At the age of 14 Lizzie was 'lent out' as an indentured servant".... (She was in service in the family of George Herrington in Heppner.)... In 1884 she gave her consent for Lillie to marry Silas Horner." Lillie Mae would have been around 14-15 years old at the time of her marriage. 

   This loss must have been enormous for Affa and heartbreaking.  For unknown reasons Martin left her and she suffered not only economically but emotionally as she let her two daughters go at such an early age. Although not that uncommon at the time, the early marriages of her daughters took away their company and much needed help.  Her oldest son was living with Martin who was working at the Star Boarding House in Dayton Washington as a clerk.  Her youngest son Harry was around 13 years old and was probably living with Martin until 1886 when he moved back with her.  So, she lost not only her husband, but her daughters and sons as well. She probably could not support her children with the mending and sewing she did to earn money.   She ended up doing what most women did at that time after the loss of a husband and economic stability;  she remarried.

  "On 26 October 1885 Hannah married William Whitney Kirk. They lived on his ranch six miles north of Heppner. I believe this was on Blackhorse Canyon.  She had maintained her family by doing sewing for women in the Heppner area.   She must have continued this practice after her marriage.  This was not a happy marriage and on the 15th of August 1886 Hannah was ill and asked her husband of one year to take her into her daughters in Heppner.  He refused and the next morning she was evidently too ill to eat but drank a cup of coffee and started to Heppner on foot.  It was six miles to town and she bundled some clothes and some work she was doing for a Mrs. Blackman and although her son Harry who was living with her went to get his pony for her she did not wait, telling him she was going to town and not coming back.  Harry was 14 at the time."

  "Hannah got about two miles and stopped at the A.S. Wells home probably for help.  The Wells family was not home. She went to the well for a drink and then into the house.  She came back out and layed down on a 'straw tick' mattress in the yard.  She then went back into the house where the Wells family, at least Mr. Wells, found her dying on his return home.  And on her last trip into the house, stopped and leaned against the door casing.  She must have been in a lot of pain.  In spite of Mr. Wells attempts to revive her she lived but a few minutes."

  She stated that she was going into town and 'not coming back'. What did that mean? Was she so despondent that she was thinking of leaving William Kirk? Or was she thinking about something entirely different?  Was she even able to think coherently on that morning? Had she lost herself entirely at that point due to actual illness or was it profound depression? Francis Cox Griffin had questions, too......

  "There was in inquest into her death, and though they were thorough for that day and age, I feel there were many extenuating circumstances that were not paid attention to, possibly because they didn't even know what these signs meant at the time.  In any case, the ruling was suicide. I have included the following pages to bring these other issues to light." 

State of Oregon 

County of Morrow

In the matter of Coroners Inquest at S. S. Wells place four miles north of Heppner in Morrow County, State of Oregon, on the body of one deceased supposed to be Mrs. W. W. Kirk--August 15 1886. 

The following named persons were duly impowered and sworn as Juror

D.W. Horner, G.W. Shipley, J.D.L. Lockmane, E. Nordyke, John McEntire, Thos. Morgan

(Daniel Webster Horner was the brother of Silas Richard Horner who married Lillie Mae Hayman)

Evidence Adduced

A.S. Wells  Sworn-says

Came to my house at about half past ten this morning. Saw the door open. Went thru and saw a woman seemingly in a fit.  Rubbed her hands with camphor and tried to revive her, but she died within five minutes after I arrived.  Seen her bonnet on the table and bundle of clothes on the floor--saw a teacup containing what appeared to be poisoned wheat--Had not seen her about my place before--When I first seen deceased her lips were blue-Eyes rolled back-lips quivering-Did not notice cramps in hand-Think she was breathing when I went into the house.  No froth or discharge from the mouth.  When I saw she was dead.  Straytned (sp) her head-Her hands were on her breast.  Found no writing about the house-My residence is four miles north of Heppner in Morrow County.  Believe saw track which I think was that of the deceased going up the road and into my house from there to the well and back-Recognize hat and gloves present as those of the deceased-Had some poisoned wheat over sitting in the house which has not been touched.

W. W. Kirk Sworn said--

Recognized deceased as Hannah Kirk, my wife.  Last saw her alive about half past eight o'clock this morning at my house-two miles from this place.  She wanted to go to Heppner last night-I think it was after she had gone to bed-She was not well.  I did not take her to town-Told her she could go on horseback but she did not do so.  She took a severe cold about three weeks ago and has not been well since.  She acted strange since that time was nervous.  Small things seemed to trouble her.  For some time past parties have been circulating stories to the effect that I turned all of my property over to Jeff (his son)-This seemed to trouble her but she was always wild in talking about it.  Did not know when she started this morning. She dressed in the room where I was lying.  Said she was going to Mr. Horners in Heppner (Lillies) to stay awhile-Took some work she was doing for Mr. Blackman-wrapped up a calico dress for everyday ware-We have lived peacefully together for the past few weeks-Her son Harry lived with us.  Could not get him to do anything while I was away.  He would lie about the work would leave and be gone for several days.  He was at home when his mother left this morning.  He might have left when she did.  Deceased had never said to me that she thought of committing suicide sometimes said in a joke I was getting tired of her.  I had a small amount of poisoned wheat around the place. Don't think there was more than two tablespoons full.  She had it put away.   Was cheerful last night she wanted to know if she could put down some butter for Lillie.  I told her she could.  Deceased got breakfast this morning did not eat anything but drank some coffee.  Seemed to have lost her appetite gradually since she last went to town.  Did not rest well nights.  Coughed a good deal did not complain of heart troubling her.  Has complained of her stomach..

J.H. Gentry Sworn said

Saw a woman near Mr. Wells house going toward the well and returning to the house.  After a minute came out and went to a straw tick back of the house.  Went back to the house.  When she came back to the house the second time stopped in the door and leaned against the door post saw no more of her.  Then supposed it to be Mr. Wells daughter.  Soon after this perhaps an hour Os Wells called my house and wanted me to come quick said that a woman was dying at the house and they did not know who she was.  Came down when I arrived she was dead to all appearances. Her color was blue around the nose and a spot on the neck.  Expression of face natural, not painful, mouth slightly open.  Was acquainted with her have know her five years.  Recognized body as that of Mrs. W.W. Kirk-last saw her alive about three months ago.  

Harry Hayman Sworn said

Body present is that of my mother.  Saw her at home this morning.  She started out on foot this morning and said she was going to town and was not coming back.  I told her to wait and I would get a pony for her to ride-she would not wait.  She and Mr. Kirk had quarreled some.  Don't know what about.  Mr. Kirk has not treated her well.  Would not go anywhere with her. She had had no water fit to drink for three days.  She left the house about an hour before I did.  I went to hunt my pony when she started.  Bundle and parasol shown witness, which he recognized as that of decease that she had with her when she left home. I know where poison wheat is kept about the house.  None has been used that I know of since I have been living there.  Have lived with mother since last May last.

Her appetite has been poor lately she ate nothing this morning drank a cup of coffee.  Has coughed much lately.  Would get tired and rest occasionally when at work.  Sometimes would help me run after the hogs and complain of being tired afterward.

W.W. Kirk recalled

"Produced can about 1/8 full of Wakleys squirrel poison.  Said it was the same can his wife had-There was more in it than he thought there was-said "Can't tell whether any has been taken out lately or not--found can where my wife kept it". 

A.S. Fox Sworn said

After careful examination of the body of deceased and the circumstances connected with her death.  I conclude that death was cause by taking poison-It is my opinion that it was strychnine. 

Facts-A teacup containing a small amount of wheat (moist) was standing on table in same room where deceased was found.  Experiment with same on a chicken proved it to be poisoned.

State of Oregon

County of Morrow

I hearby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of all the proceedings of the inquest as indicated by heading of said copy and that this bill of expenses the results attached is a true account of the cost of said inquest that the same was all necessary expense. 

Signed this 20th day of September 1886

C.M. Wollery 

Court of Morrow County

We the jury duly impowered and sworn to hold inquest upon the remains of Hannah Kirk found about five miles north of Heppner Morrow County, Oregon, on the 15th day of August 1886.  The said Hannah Kirk came to her death by means of poison administered by her own hands,

Dated August 15, 1886

D.W. Horner, G.W. Shipley, J.D.L. Lockmane, E. Nordyke, John McEntire, Thos. Morgan.

 We will never know the true details of the morning.  Affa's voice was officially silenced by her neighbors and her husband who made the final pronouncement of suicide.  Was it really suicide? Or was she slowly being poisoned by her husband who seemed indifferent and uncaring to her well being. She seemed to be a lost soul in that marriage, and became powerless to assert herself.  Was she suffering with depression after experiencing so many losses during her short life time?  Or, was she suffering with a long term illness such as tuberculosis?  It was a tremendous loss for her children, certainly.  She was only 42 years old.  

W.W. Kirk died in 1912 and was buried in the Penland Cemetery in Lexington (down the road from Heppner).  A.W. Wells who gave sworn testimony to Affa's death died in the 1903 Heppner Flood. Francis and Nancy Schaffer Gentry lived up Willow Creek and their son J. H. Gentry may have been another witness to give sworn testimony as a witness.  His name was James Hiram Gentry.  Martin Dinsmore Hayman died in 1906 and was buried in Kent, Sherman County, Oregon.  

Martin Hayman's Obituary shared by Ritch Fuhrer on Ancestry

 This is the only record of where Hannah Aphia "Affa" Woodcock Hayman Kirk is buried.  She is buried in the Heppner Memorial Cemetery in an unmarked grave.  All was not lost, however, as all four of her children lived long, resilient lives and raised remarkable families.  My last picture is of all four siblings in their older years. 

Left to Right:  Holmes Van Buren Hayman, Lizzie Hayman Cox, Lillie Mae Hayman Horner Boothby, Harry Rideout Hayman.  Picture shared by RobertPotter62 on Ancestry.  

  

Alexander Burrows A Colorful Life Part 4 (Burrows)

 

  

  

   Alexander Burrows made his will out in San Francisco on April 1, 1903.  It read....."I devise all my property to Vere Burrows my daughter at Grass Valley, Calif. and her two minor sisters, to the exclusion of her sister Maud and her three brothers.  I appoint J. F. Riley of S.F. executor to serve without bonds."  At the time he made his will out Vere was 20 years old and not yet married, Gwendolyn was 13 years old and Gladys was 10 years old.  I find it interesting that he did not mention Wanda, who was 17 years old.  She would not marry until 1905.  All the girls lived at home on Townsend street with Elizabeth Jane Burrows.  Maud was married and living in Los Angeles.  He excluded his three sons, who would have been Don, Roy and his son Herbert living at the Napa State Hospital.  

 From the Daily Morning Union, August 5th, 1904...The late A. Burrows left a will which disinherited part of his family.  The will dated April 1, 1903, was filed for probate Aug. 4, 1904, leaves his entire estate to three of his daughters; cutting off two other daughters and three sons.  Burrows committed suicide a week ago leaving much property to be divided among his children. In the instrument which is in the handwriting of the testator, all the real and personal property to be given to daughter Vere, who is now Mrs. Hansen and her two infant sisters, Gwendolyn and Gladys.  It specifically provided that his other daughters, Mrs. Maude Morrill of Los Angeles , Miss Wanda Burrows of Grass Valley, and his sons Don F. Burrows of 1111 H St. Sacramento, Herbert S. Burrows of Napa, and Roy A. Burrows of GV shall have no part of this property.  It is expected that the exclusion of his other children will lead to a contest. 

  The newspaper article mentioned Wanda, so there may have been a transcription error on the part of the Clerk of J.F. Riley.  It also mentions Herbert by name.  By 1917 Herbert would not know where his nearest relative was located, as noted on his WWI Draft Registration Card. 

     I do not have any evidence that anyone contested the will.  I wonder what his thought processes were in making the decisions he did.  He had already given his property to Elizabeth Jane after the divorce, but to exclude one daughter who was still a minor  and an institutionalized son from sharing in his estate is not quite rational.  His other two sons were well on their way to starting their careers and families, and may have not needed the benefit from his estate. Maybe Vere, Gwendolyn and Gladys were his favorites.  We will never know. 

  Excerpts from The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley, July 27, 1904 give more details on the last days of Alexander Burrows.  It says that ...."about a year ago (1903) he left this city to accept the editorship of The Pacific Coast Miner.  When that journal gave up its San Francisco office, he lost his position.  Then he took up the practice of law at Etna Mills (in Siskiyou County, Ca.) but left there on July 1st weary of life, unsuccessful and broken down, no light gleaming ahead in the darkness.  Worst of all, he was without friends." 

  Excerpts from The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley and Nevada City, Cal. July 28, 1904

BURROWS' WISH FOR CREMATION.....While not known for a certainty, Burrows, whose suicide in San Francisco Monday night startled a host of old acquaintances in this city, were cremated yesterday afternoon in the Odd Fellow's Cemetery. Some time ago he wrote to John Mulroy of this city, expressing the wish that in case of death his body was to be cremated......In a recent letter to Mulroy Burrows stated that he had a flattering offer to go to Tonopah and form a new partnership with an Eastern man.  He had been assured of over $2,500 a year, he wrote, and seemed highly pleased with the turn affairs had taken......  That the thought of suicide had haunted him for a long time was apparent from his conversation and letters.  He was accompanied to his room on Turk street some month ago by a well known local man, who noticed a piece of rubber tubing on the table.  Burrows, catching his eye, remarked with a remarkable degree of coolness that the tubing reached nicely from the gas jet to his bed, and that he had often thought how easy it would be to simply turn on the gas to pass peacefully away.  

                       (This is from the newspaper that was saved by Vere Burrows Hansen)

  So, the last few months of his life were marked by disappointment, a lack of any success, no hope and no friends.  He was in debt.  He was left in a despondent state that resulted in the taking of his own life.  He left unpaid bills and room rent at the Regina Hotel in Etna Mills that Vere Burrows Hansen had to take care of in August of 1904.  

 In my previous posts on Vere Burrows Hansen's life,  you will remember that she and John Hartwig Hansen married on July 3, 1904.  Alexander Burrows took his own life July 26, 1904, just days after their happy event.  His death was always spoken of as a scandal in the family, as he chose to take his life so soon after the marriage.  

  I can also imagine this was a scandal in the community of Grass Valley at the time.  There was so much (very private) information printed in the newspapers then, and a great deal of it was based on speculation and sensationalized.  The whole community knew about Alexander Burrows and Elizabeth Jane from the time they came to live in Grass Valley; they  followed Alexander's practice, they were aware of  the divorce and  Alexanders' remarriage, and finally they knew of his decline and death,  and the effects on his family through many published details that were private and personal.  It must have kept the community's interest for weeks. 

There is so much more I would like to know, too, but I think this is a good point to put Alexander Burrows and his life to rest. He lived a colorful life and  he put his unique stamp on the town of Grass Valley.  But, it ended on a very sad note. 

 

Just a quick and interesting side note:  Vere Burrows Hansen's husband, John Hartwig Hansen, had a letter of recommendation from a P.T. Riley, who was a neighbor, and who vouched for his 

character, work ethic and patriotic citizenship in recommending him for duty during the Spanish American War in 1898.   P.T. Riley served as District Attorney for Nevada County during this time and was captain of the state military company of Grass Valley.  He was also the Principal of the Grass Valley High School. He moved to San Francisco after the war, became a prominent attorney there,  and died at the age of 56 in 1912.  He was buried at the Presidio.   He had two brothers:  John F. Riley and George E. Riley.  Both were attorneys in San Francisco.   From: San Francisco Call, Volume 112, Number 116, 24 September 1912---Capt. P.T. Riley Called by Death 

J.F. Riley was the attorney acting as executor of Alexander Burrows' will. 

Alexander Burrows: A Colorful Life Part 3 (Burrows)

 

Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley and Nevada City, Cal., July 28, 1904

  I knew that my Great Great Grandfather, Alexander Burrows, took his own life while living in San Francisco in the early 1900's.  I discovered this brittle, fragile newspaper in my Auntie Claire's research files. The short article tells about a sad ending to a very colorful life.   How did Alexander go from being  a successful lawyer in a growing mining town to "subsequently loosing it all, owing to his friends and the public deserting him on account of his manner of life"?  (The Daily Morning Union, July 27, 1904 front page).  That is a good question. 

  Alexander had built up a strong practice since his marriage to Elizabeth Jane Burrows around 1874-5.  According to the newspaper reports, he  frequently and successfully defended accused murderers  and also participated in some important cases regarding mining law.  He was a colorful lawyer, and was on occasion involved in verbal and physical altercations with prosecuting  lawyers.  He seemed to get along with the community and was esteemed enough to be elected City Attorney.  

  He and E.J. had twelve children in all.  E.J. herself was admitted to practice law.  They seemed to be a family that was popular in the community.  But, there were tragedies that happened from time to time that possibly led to their eventual divorce. Their son Frank was born in April 1887 and died in August of  1887. In January of 1892 their young daughter Lillian died from diphtheria.  In February 1892 their son Edison was born, but died later that August. Their son Herbert's admittance to the Napa State Hospital was never spoken of, and since he was unable to list any relatives on his WWI Draft Registration card (relatives "unknown") it looks like he was abandoned by his family.  The original name of the hospital was the Napa Insane Asylum. There must have been stress around the decision to admit him.  Did E.J. want to keep him at home? Did Alexander want to put him away? Did Herbert's  behavior or lack of intelligence reflect badly on Alexander's practice?  Alexander may have had a brother back home in Sligo that lived in a Workhouse.  The only family member looking out for him was a brother in law, and the court system. Unfortunately, this is what happened to many family members who were deemed  cognitively  impaired , insane or criminally insane.   

  According to the Morning Union on the 13th of December 1894 Mrs. Lizzie J. Burrows was granted a divorce from her husband , A. Burrows, the lawyer.  The complaint charged was cruelty and inability of the couple to live happily together.  Did E.J. resent the fact that she had twelve children and was not able to practice as a lawyer like her husband?  Was she jealous of his success?  Was he not able to emotionally support her during family tragedies? Were there personality traits in one or both parties that we are not aware of?  Was the fact the Alexander was busy and constantly working a factor?  Or was is something else entirely? This is all purely conjecture on my part.  There are always two sides to every story, and I am not in possession of all the facts, nor will I ever be.  So, I will go on with the story.  This next snippet from the Union might give some clues.....look carefully at the date. 

Morning Union, Volume 52, Number 7405, 14 December 1894

Burrows' Compliments

A. Burrows, the well-known attorney-at-law, was a visitor at the county seat yesterday.  His business of course was at the court house, but not for the purpose of filing complaints, demurrers, answers or notices to call up, etc., but for the simple purpose of having the clerk issue to him a certain document, authorizing any Judge, Justice of the Peace, priest or minister of the gospel of any denomination to perform certain ceremonies.  And being a member of the bar and not wishing to slight any of the attaches of the court house, he magnanimously treated the Clerk's and Sheriff's offices to a large box of "Roma F.K.H. Habana Regalia Chica Fina" cigars of many sizes and varieties.  The boys all agree that cigars, like wine, improve with age.  

In other words, he obtained a marriage license.  He married a Miss Dodge, a native of Forest Springs, Nevada County.  They married sometime in  early 1895.  

Morning Union, volume 53, 24 March 1895

LOCAL BREVITIES

A. Burrows has moved into the M.P. Stone house on Richardson street, until recently occupied by Dan Morgan. 

Morning Union, Volume 54, 21 August 1895

PERSONALS....Mrs. A. Burrows was a guest in the Gurary Hotel at Denver which was destroyed by an explosion, the same day the accident occurred , she left a few hours before the dreadful affair took place.  Mrs. Burrows was in Leadville yesterday en route home.  

Note:  This was the new Mrs. A. Burrows.   Elizabeth Jane Burrows still lived in Grass Valley on Townsend Street, a short distance away from the new Mrs. Burrows. She was often referred to as Mrs. E.J. Burrows in the paper. 

  Alexander Burrows still worked hard at his profession.   He was elected City Attorney on January 5, 1897. And, he continued his quarreling ways in court...

Morning Union, 18 February 1897

Attorneys Fight

The usual quietness of Justice Trebilcox's court was disturbed yesterday afternoon by Attorneys Burrows and Kitts becoming involved in a wordy duel during the progress of the case of Mrs. Stead vs. Irving.  The quarreling lawyers also attempted to strike each other, but were separated before they succeeded in doing any bodily harm.  Justice Trebilcox fined each $20, or in default of which to serve one day in the county jail, for contempt of court.  They were given until this morning to pay the fine. 

Morning Union, 19 February 1897

LOCAL BREVITIES

Tomorrow morning the case of the People vs James Hoskings, charged with keeping open his saloon after midnight, will come up before Justice Paynter and a jury.  C.W. Kitts will appear for the defendant, and A. Burrows, City Attorney, will conduct the prosecution.  It is stated that the defendant will attack the validity of the ordinance on legal grounds.  

Note:  Burrows and Kitts also paid their $20 fines, per the Union. 

Morning Union, 25 February 1897

LOCAL BREVITIES

Dr.s Brown and Jamison, assisted by Dr. Hays, performed a laparotomy on Mrs. A. Burrows for the removal of an abdominal tumor.  The patient rallied well and is progressing as favorably as can be expected.  

Morning Union, 28 February 1897

Died This Morning

Mrs. A. Burrows, on whom an operation was performed a day or so ago for the removal of a tumor, died in her home on Richardson street this morning about 3 o'clock.  The deceased was a lady of considerable literary ability, and was of a sunny disposition.  Previous to her marriage to Mr. Burrows about two years ago she resided at Sacramento.  She was a native of Forest Springs, Nevada County.  

Morning Union, 2 March 1897

LOCAL BREVITIES

Mrs. Lameter, sister of the late Mrs. A. Burrows, and husband, have arrived to attend the funeral which takes place this morning from the residence on Richardson street at 11 o'clock.  The services will be conducted by the Rev. E.R. Willis of the Methodist Church.  Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery.  

Morning Union, 3 March 1897

LOCAL BREVITIES

The funeral of Mrs. A. Burrows took place from her late residence on Richardson Street yesterday morning and was well attended.  The Board of City Trustees followed the remains to their last resting place in a body.  The pallbearers were: John Muhoy, Thos. Buckett, Fred Trebilcox, R.D. Lawrey, Wm. Paynter and Wm .P. Rodgers.  

  So, Alexander's new found happiness with his second wife was over in two short years.  

The next place I find Alexander Burrows is on the 1900 Census.  He was still living in Grass Valley on Richardson street.  His occupation was still lawyer, he  was listed as head of his household, divorced, and the census also listed  a Celia Armstrong (aged 28) as his "housekeeper".  This may be why the public deserted him, "on account of his manner of life."  I  don't know for sure.  By 1904 he was in San Francisco living at in a hotel at 416 Turk Street. 

The Daily Morning Union of Grass Valley and Nevada City, July 27, 1904 

GAS ENDS THE LIFE OF A. BURROWS AT THE BAY

Former Grass Valley Attorney Wrote Flippant Farewell in Verse and Turned on Deadly Fumes

After writing a flippant farewell in verse to the coroner, A. Burrows, an attorney, formerly of Grass Valley,  killed himself this morning by inhaling illuminating gas.  Despondency over failure to secure employment is supposed to have been the cause of death. 

  Burrows gave no sign of his intention when he went to his room at 416 Turk street last night.  Shortly after 7 o'clock this morning Charles Wheland passing through the hall, detected the odor of gas.  He notified G.W. Shrinker, the landlord, and C. McCarthey, the janitor, who broke into the bathroom adjoining Burrows' room, and found the unfortunate man on the floor, dead. 

   Burrows had evidently started to kill himself in his own room, as the cracks of the doors and windows had been stopped with paper, but later decided to end his troubles in the bathroom.  With glue he pasted papers under the door and between the window sashes.  

  In the dead man's room this verse to the coroner was found:

"Coroner, to you I will confide

This is a case of suicide:

The causes they are multiplied;

Let them remain still mystified. 

All my old friends, the true and tried,

Have passed on that other side.

In plainer words, have chilled and died.

Alone am I--the suicide.

Back to old earth I journey blithe.

To her embrace, whate'er betide,

We all return howe'er allied;

And thus to go I'm satisfied."

Several verses on suicide he had partly destroyed.  One fragment read: "Or gas turned on--Or a swallow of poison, not carbolic acid.  But some of the kind that is bitter, but placid.  Like morphine, queen of the night and of sleep.  That induces repose and a coma so deep that its patron glides over the valley of death.  As a child in its joy sometimes runs out of breath."

Another verse addressed to Mount Shasta begins:

"Great giant of the hills, you pierce the cloud......shroud,...and ends:  "To thee all time is eternal now, Great sentiled (?) of eternity art thou." 

The article continues...

  He was a man of great brain power, had the law at his finger tips and might have risen to almost any height had he chosen to put his talents to their proper use. 

  He was twice married in this county.  Both ventures were unhappy.  Divorce ended the first and the death of his second wife, who was a Miss Dodge of Davisville, left him again free.  He became a cynic and a pessimist of the deepest dye, and gradually went down and down, morally and physically, but retained his keen mental powers. 

   About a year ago he left this city (Grass Valley) to accept the editorship of the Pacific Coast Miner.  When that journal gave up its San Francisco office some months ago Burrows lost his position.  He then took up the practice of law at Aetna Mills, but left there on July 1st, weary of life, unsuccessful and broken down, his life misspent and no light gleaming ahead in the darkness.  Worst of all, he was without funds.  An old friend here sent him some money to tide him over, but from the tone of Burrows' letters it was evident he had determined to end his life.  In fact, he seemed to have been thinking of it for three months past, having mentioned the fact in more than one letter. 

  Burrow's first wife and a large family still make this city their home.

I will continue in the next post with the repercussions of Alexander Burrows' suicide on his family.