E L BURNETT/BRONSON DEATH, ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK Copyright(c) 2002 by Margaret Logan-Behrns http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm ******************************************************** SOURCE: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS -VOL.XXXIV - NO.145 - September 27, 1897 HAS GONE TO JOIN HIS ENEMIES STARTLING NOTE FOUND UPON THE BODY OF A SUICIDE AT CANANDAIGUA Had Always Blamed Three Elmira Men for His Trouble and Downfall WAS E.L. BURNETT His Father Was a Well-Known Elmira Physician - His Former Wife Now Lives at Hornellsville (Special to the evening news) CANANDAIGUA, Sept.27 - The most sensational suicide that has taken place here in a long time was that which was discovered late yesterday afternoon. A man who registered as E. L. Bronson of Buffalo, at the Webster House, but who was really Edwin L. Burnett of Elmira, was found dead at the east side of the pier at the lake, from the effects of morphine. The body of the dead man was hidden amoung some trees alongside the East Shore road, and near the beach, and was accidentally discovered by John. K. Frye of Gorham, who drove into the shallow water of the lake to wash the mud off his buggy wheels. A Coroner's jury will investigate the case. On the body wa found a couple of morphine bottles, and this strange note: "To Whom It May Concern: - Charley Hazard, A.M. Dewitt and old Judge Pratt wrecked my life 18 years ago; the venedetta is still open. They are dead and I follow, into hell if need be. E. L. Burnett, Elmira." It is supposed here that the dead man was in some way connected with the Elmira Telegram with Charles Hazard, who committed suicide by drowning in the Hudson river last Thursday. Burnett wore a small bar badge, "St. John Commandery, No. 1, Providence, R.I.". He also had a ritual of the order in which his name was printed with the date June 3, 1889. There was also a pocketbook of fine leather on which was stamped in gold, "E. Lemmon Burnette, Paris, '77." WAS FROM ELMIRA E. L. Burnett Was the Son of Dr. Burnett. Family Troubles Had Wrecked His Home. (Special to the evening news) ELMIRA, Sept.27 - E. L. Burnett was the son of Dr. Burnett and very well known here. He had family troubles, and his wife left him about 15 years ago. She had him arrested, charged with desertion and non-support. She later secured a divorce and is now living in Honnellsville, the wife of another man. Charles Hazard, mentioned in Burnett's note, was the editor of the Evening Gazette at the time,. The paper is said to have "roasted" Burnett; Judge Pratt was the recorder before whom Burnett was tried; A. M. Dewitt was a former employer of Mrs, Burnett, and assisted her in securing her divorce, All these men are now dead. Burnett always blamed these three men for his downfall. Personal note: The spelling is 'Burnett' throughout except for the one reference to the 'stamped in gold' section when the spelling is 'Burnette'. _________________