At half past 3 o'clock on the morning of October 18,1854, Governor
Francis Burt died. It may well be said
that dying he exerted a greater
influence on the future of Nebraska than could have had he lived.
Bellevue would, in all probability, would
have retained the capital, and
the long line of events stretching
from that location would have made
totally different history.
Early in 1854, Governor Burt received his appointment, and started with
his friends for the newly opened Territory.
Reaching the limestone region of Tennessee in his overland journey to
Louisville, Ky., he was taken seriously ill,
and, on reaching Bellevue, was confined to his bed from which he never rose.
About an hour before his death he
called to his side his intimate friend, Mr. Doyle, who had accompanied him from
South Carolina, and intrusted to
him the directions for the management of his private affairs, and then, after a brief conference with Rev. William
Hamilton, passed quietly away.
Governor Burt was born in Pendleton, S. C. and was at the time of his death about forty-five years of age.
In many points he was the type of the Southern gentleman, affable and unostentatious in manner, affectionate in
disposition, a friend to his friends.
He left a wife, two sons and four daughters. Of theses, only one son, Armstead, was with him at the time of his
death.
The remains were conveyed to South Carolina in charge of his son and four pall-bearers, leaving Bellevue on
October 20, 1854.