William Seward Burroughs moved to Citronelle, AL.
William Seward Burroughs moved to Citronelle, Alabama in April, 1897 when he retired. He was in very poor health and Citronelle was known as a very healthy place. He lived in this cottage until his death in 1898. (This picture was provided by the kindness of Alma Johnson of the Citronelle, AL. Historical Preservation Society)
The Burroughs publication called the "Burroughs B-Line" published an article in 1956 about the last days of William Seward Burroughs in Citronelle, Alabama. The following is part of that document:
"William Seward Burroughs, according to historical record, was not a well man when he moved to St. Louis from New York in 1882. Despite his serious case of tuberculosis, however, he was determined to perfect his "dream" machine. Ignoring the advise of doctors, he secured employment in a machine shop. Burroughs finally achieved success with his "new fangled adding contraption" in 1886, and the American Arithmometer Company was founded. After many early hardships and set-backs, the company began to prosper. With his dream a reality, Burroughs retired on April 22, 1897.
At this time, the town of Citronelle, Alabama, had become quite well-known as a health center. It was 320 feet above sea leval, and had water reputed to be 99.6% pure. The fame of a certain Dr. Michael, particularly, and his sucesses with tuberculosis patients, had attracted the attention of Burroughs, He decided to retire to this warm, sleepy little village, and place himself under the care of Dr. Michaels. So in 1897, Burroughs, his wife, - who was also very ill with tuberculosis - and his daughter moved into a little home near the doctor's hospital. Sometime during the following year his first wife died of the disease. Eventually, Burroughs married his nurse.
Judge Edington reports that he remembers, as a little boy of 12, how he used to walk around town with Mr. Burroughs, and loved to hear him tell stories of his life. According to the judge, all the town loved and respected Mr. Burroughs, and the entire family regularly attended the First Presbyterian Church, long before the present building was completed. Although Burroughs was not considered a wealthy man, he was known to have contributed heavily to the building fund for the new church building, which was completed sometime around the turn of the century.
Apparently after Mr. Burroughs dies on September 14, 1898, the church congregation decided to perpetuate his name. When the new building was completed, they installed a stained glass window in tribute to him, including the Bible verse known to be Mr. Burroughs' favorite. The window, incidentally, is the only memorial window in the church.
Records later indicate that the body of Mr. Burroughs was returned to St. Louis - the home of his parents, and site of his invention. He is buried in beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery there. A tall marble shaft erected by his associates stands to the day, marking the spot where he rests."
"William Seward Burroughs, according to historical record, was not a well man when he moved to St. Louis from New York in 1882. Despite his serious case of tuberculosis, however, he was determined to perfect his "dream" machine. Ignoring the advise of doctors, he secured employment in a machine shop. Burroughs finally achieved success with his "new fangled adding contraption" in 1886, and the American Arithmometer Company was founded. After many early hardships and set-backs, the company began to prosper. With his dream a reality, Burroughs retired on April 22, 1897.
At this time, the town of Citronelle, Alabama, had become quite well-known as a health center. It was 320 feet above sea leval, and had water reputed to be 99.6% pure. The fame of a certain Dr. Michael, particularly, and his sucesses with tuberculosis patients, had attracted the attention of Burroughs, He decided to retire to this warm, sleepy little village, and place himself under the care of Dr. Michaels. So in 1897, Burroughs, his wife, - who was also very ill with tuberculosis - and his daughter moved into a little home near the doctor's hospital. Sometime during the following year his first wife died of the disease. Eventually, Burroughs married his nurse.
Judge Edington reports that he remembers, as a little boy of 12, how he used to walk around town with Mr. Burroughs, and loved to hear him tell stories of his life. According to the judge, all the town loved and respected Mr. Burroughs, and the entire family regularly attended the First Presbyterian Church, long before the present building was completed. Although Burroughs was not considered a wealthy man, he was known to have contributed heavily to the building fund for the new church building, which was completed sometime around the turn of the century.
Apparently after Mr. Burroughs dies on September 14, 1898, the church congregation decided to perpetuate his name. When the new building was completed, they installed a stained glass window in tribute to him, including the Bible verse known to be Mr. Burroughs' favorite. The window, incidentally, is the only memorial window in the church.
Records later indicate that the body of Mr. Burroughs was returned to St. Louis - the home of his parents, and site of his invention. He is buried in beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery there. A tall marble shaft erected by his associates stands to the day, marking the spot where he rests."
