The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.7 Issue 2

Published by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History CBIRH Newsletter : Vol. 7 No.2 Amil Burnett was born in Wisconsin on August 13, 1865. He worked the Colorado mines through his early adulthood becoming a very knowledgeable miner. In Feb- ruary of 1899, at the age of 33, he married Kentucky born Nancy Disney in Spokane, WA. The couple soon relocated to Rossland, BC, where Amil worked at Josie Mine (Le Roi Mine #2) for the British America Corporation (BAC). On January 16, 1900, not long after their arrival in Rossland, the couple welcomed their first child, Frederick “Fred” Burnett. In August of the following year Amey Rebecca Burnett was born. Five years later on October 13, 1906, Harold “Buster” Disney Burnett was also born in Rossland. In 1900, BAC built a home, specifically for the Josie Mine Superintendent. During his tenure with the compa- ny Amil was the second Superintendent to live in the house. He and his young family were photographed in front of the prestigious home located on a bench just north of the mine shaft. The photo was taken some time before August in 1910, when the children were 11, 9, and 4. As was common at the time, Amil, better known as “Kid” Burnett, had a considerable weakness for liquor; he was notorious for being in the mines while intoxicated. His safety became a concern for his family. In an effort to monitor his wellbeing, the family enlisted the help of others to keep an eye on him. On the Satur- day morning of September 16 th , 1916 at 5 a.m. Amil dis- appeared from his home never to be seen or heard from again. There was speculation he reported to work that morning but was not found after searching the mines and open pits in the surrounding hills. It was never ascer- tained if he had met with foul play, did away with him- self, or simply left the country. The Rossland City Police department issued a formal “Missing Person” poster on September 29, 1916. Four years following Amil’s disappearance Nancy Bur- nett and her three children – Fred, Amey, and Harold – reportedly left Rossland to establish roots in Seattle, Washington. All four family members remained in the King County area for the remainder of their lives. Nancy Burnett passed in 1940 at the age of 65, outliving her daughter Amey, who died six years previously at the age of 33. Harold “Buster” Burnett, the youngest, lived to be 56 and Frederick “Fred” passed at 84. 2040.0003 Missing Person—City of Rossland — 2365.0024 Amil "Kid" Burnett and family in front of superin- tendent’s house c. 1904 2293.0012 In June of 2019 the East Kootenay District Labour Council is celebrating its 50 th Anniversary. The Co- lumbia Basin Institute of Regional History is assisting them by compiling the his- tory of the Labour Council. We are looking for pictures, memorabilia, and any docu- ments that you may have that would help us tell the story of the council and the history of the labour move- ment in the East Kootenay. Everything that is collected will be scanned or photo- graphed and then returned to the owner. If you do have anything please con- tact us at: info@basininstitute.org Labour History Request!