ALEXANDER F. BURNS
Lewis and Clark Co. MT

submitted by Nichols [hcnich@vii.com]

In the Helena Independent (newspaper ) dated 28 May 1908.
" CAPTAIN BURNS ANSWERS CALL"
VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR QUITELY PASSES AWAY AT HIS EAST HELENA HOME
FIGURED IN PUBLIC LIFE
__________
Delegate to Montana Constitutional Convention and Member of First
Legislative Assembly of State
 -- Wounded in Civil War--
Later Captured and Held Prisoner.
__________
After a long eventful and distinguised career, Captain Alexander F.
Burns, a member of the Montana constitutional convention, died at 
East Helena yesterday. Captain Burns had been ill for some time 
and the end was not unexpected although the news of his death came 
as a shock to his many friends in Helena and throught the state. 
Captain Burns was born in Clay county, Mo.,75 years ago, and there 
he spent his earlier years and received his education. When 
nineteen years old Captain Burns crossed the great plains to 
California where for several years he engaged in mining,
returning to the states via Panama and New Orleans.

-First to Enlist.-
Upon the breaking out of the civil war in 1861 Captain Burns was 
among the first to enlist in the confederate army from his own 
state. He joined the First Missouri Confederate cavalry, where 
he served under General Price. Much hard service was his, but it 
was not unmixed with glory for he rose from the rank of private 
to that of captain before the war was over. He participated in 
the battles of Blue Mills Landing, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth 
(two engagements), Luka, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Altoona Pass, 
and was also in the Georgia campaign against General Sherman, and 
was twice wounded. He was captured at Franklin, Tenn., in 1864, 
and was a prisoner on Johnson Island until hostilities ceased.

-Moved to Helena-
When peace was declared Captain Burns went to Virginia City, but 
later in 1866, came to Helena. For several years he engaged in 
mining here but in 1868 took a farm in the valley which he 
cultivated successfully. He was elected to the Montana 
constitutional convention in 1889 and was one of the distinguished 
members of that body. In 1890 he served as a member
of the first legislative assembly of the newly created state of 
Montana. Captain Burns was married in 1856 to Miss Ann Kennion,
a native of Virginia, who with five children still survive him.

-Funeral Tomorrow-
The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the
Methodist Episcopal church, South, of East Helena, and will be 
attended in a body by the confederate veterans as well as the 
members of the Grand Army. The Montana pioneers will also attend. 
Burial will take place in Forestvale cemetery.


- Also there is a write up about him in the History of Montana 
1739-1885 pulished in Chicago by Warner, Beers & Company
in 1885. On page 1195. Here are the highlights from that article.
1. Alex. F. Burns, Helena, son of Jeremiah and Jane (Sampson) 
Burns, was born at Liberty, Mo. on December 7 1832. His earlier 
days were spent on a farm near St. Joe, Mo.
2. Went to California in 1852.
3. In 1855 returned to Missouri and in 1858 moved to Graham, 
Nodaway Co., Mo. - engaged in the mercantile business until 1861.
4. Enlisted as a private in the 1st Missouri Cavalry of Confederate
Volunteers under Col. Gates. Service ended 2 June 1865.
5. At close of war he went to Nebraska, where he remained until 
1866 when he moved to Helena, arriving Oct 4, 1866.
6. He and wife parents of 8 children.
7. Joined the Oddfellows in 1857 and took an active part
8. In 1885 he had for some time acted as school trustee in the 
distrct "where he now resides".