Biography
Frank Burke was a Socialist conscientious objector from Chicago who was court-martialed after the armistice ending World War I was signed. His death sentence was later commuted to fifteen years in prison. Originally, his prison experiences were typical of other militant Socialists similarly court-martialed: He took part in hunger strikes at Camp Funston, he protested at Fort Leavenworth and was placed in "the hole" on bread and water, and he was subjected to water torture when guards turned powerful fire hoses onto sleeping objectors at Leavenworth. In July 1919, he was transferred from Leavenworth to Fort Douglas. According to contemporary press accounts, Burke was already very sick when he arrived at Fort Douglas on July 10, 1919. Hereported to sick call, sleepless and constipated, but was denied hospitalization until July 25, when his pains reportedly became unbearable. Shortly thereafter a friend visited Burke in the hospital and reported: I found him in pain and unable to retain any food. He had had his stomach pumped out before being moved. I heard from a corps man that Frank had been calling for dope... [An] orderly told me not to bother about Frank's numerous desires, especially his request for a specialist from Salt Lake City.... [Frank] begged me to get a specialist so I went up to see Lieutenant Colonel Graham about getting the services of Major Beer.... Major Beer replied that Frank was suffering, but was in no serious condition and that I could see him the next morning about a specialist. On July 30, 1919, the following day, Frank Burke was dead.
Frank J. Burke was a conscientious objector from Illinois imprisoned during World War I. Court-martialed for refusing military service, he was held at Fort Leavenworth; Fort Douglas. He died in custody in 1919. Sentenced to death. (Documented in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection's World War I Conscientious Objectors database.) Archival note: registered for draft on June 5, 1917, as a C.O.; interviewed by Bd. in July 1918 at Leavenworth, & on Feb. 14, at the Disciplinary Barracks ; classed by Bd. as 1A (later as 6?); charged with disobedience of orders; court-martialed after the armistice was already signed; …
