FRANCIS BURNS DIES AT HOME FOR VETERANS

Was a Former Well Known Resident of This County Who Served in War.

Another old-time resident of this county has crossed the Great Divide, never to return. Francis Burns, a well known former resident, who for a number of years past has made his home at the soldiers' home at Santa Monica passed away at that institution yesterday afternoon. Death was due to the infirmities of old age.

Francis Burns was one of the best known residents of this county, he having made his home here for a great many years. He was a man who was possessed of a good education and was a great student.

He served his country with distinction during the Civil war, enlisting October 15, 1861, as a member of Company H, Twelfth Massachusetts Infantry. His term of service expiring and the war not yet at an end, he re-enlisted Septembr [sic] 30, 1864, in Company B, Second Massachusetts Calvary, and was discharged July 20, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He also saw service on a gunboat in the navy.

While a resident of this county he evolved the scheme of running a long tunnel from the South Yuba river to drain the mines on Deer creek. He believed that such a tunnel would be a great paying investment and that it would also cut in its course many valuable quartz ledges. While he succeeded in interesting some people in it, and had options upon rights of way through various lands, actual work was never started.

He was born in Massachusetts and was aged about 70 years. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. P. F**, of Alleghany, and another sister lives at San Diego, also two brothers in Weymouth, Mass., which was the old family home.

Source: The Morning Union July 19, 1913 pg 6

Burns, Francis N.