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The Fife Free Press, Saturday August 7, 1886

Death notice: At Coupmyhorn, Kennoway, on the 2nd inst.,  Alexander Burgess, teacher of dancing.

Article:

CASE OF DETERMINED SUICIDE BY “POUTE” OF THE People’s Journal

No little stir, excitement, confusion and perplexity were called into action here and round this neighbourhood on Monday last, when it became known that Alex Burgess - well known as “Poute” of the People’s Journal - had left home without his coat, and not at all in dress for appearing publicly. The excitement grew stronger concerning the case as hours passed, and still he was amissing.  He resided with a daughter - the youngest of his family - and her care for her father was great. Naturally, her feelings grew into grief’s lowest point when the well-known sound of her father’s footstep did not break the silence of the evening.  Time passed on, and still he was absent.  The worst fears were realised on Wednesday afternoon, when, on dredging an old, water-filled quarry on the farm of Newton of Markinch, near Star, his lifeless body was recovered.  So determined had he been to extinguish the vital spark that a large heavy stone was attached to the body by means of a rope, thus effectually carrying out the suicide’s intentions.  Throughout Fife the name of “Sandy Burgess” had been a popular reference in connection with the unique rhymes of “Poute” and equally so as teacher of dancing.  Many of his pupils will read this sad and melancholy record of his demise with regret.  He had been in a desponding state of mind for several weeks.  He was in his 80th year.  How rash at such an age!

The Fife Advertiser, Saturday August 7, 1886

SAD DEATH OF A FIFE POET

On Monday afternoon Alexander Burgess a teacher of music and dancing, residing at Coupmyhorn, Baintown, Kennoway, went out and not returning his friends became uneasy, gave the alarm, and a search party was instituted, who traced him to the neighbourhood of Whin’s Quarry, near Newton of Markinch, which is filled with water.  It was thought advisable to have the quarry dragged, and the body was brought to the surface.  On examining the body it was found that a violin bag filled with stones, was securely tied to the neck with a cord. Nothing unusual was observed in the conduct of the deceased.  It may be mentioned that Mr. Burgess has contributed to the local journals for a number of years, under the names of “Poute” and “Droner”.

Another account say’s:- He went amissing on Monday; but his daughter who kept house for him, and assisted him in conducting his dancing classes, noticed nothing wrong that morning. He seemed happy and cheerful and humorous, as usual, up to almost the time when he left the house.  She observed him go into the garden, as was his custom on fine days, to enjoy a smoke.  About an hour afterwards he was found to have left the garden; but it was hoped that he would soon turn up.  But as evening came and next morning dawned without any appearance or knowledge of him, it was felt that something was amiss, and a search was at once instituted.  Inquiries were made for miles all around, with the result above stated.  We need not say that much sympathy is felt for his family, and especially for Miss C.N. Burgess, who has been his comfort and stay ever since the death of his wife some years ago - all the other members of the family having left for other parts of the country or got married.  Mr Burgess was one of the oldest teachers of dancing in Fife, and for fully half a century has conducted classes in various villages in the country.  He was to have begun a class in East Wemyss on the very afternoon of the very day he disappeared and had the prospect of meeting many of his old friends there.  In the different villages where he taught, he was a great favourite, and his services were often obtained, and freely rendered, to enliven some social meeting either with his violin, or by reciting or singing some original and mirth-provoking composition of his own.  Being an excellent violinist, he was frequently engaged to supply dance music at house-balls in many of the country mansions, where also he was often employed to give private lessons in dancing to the younger members of the families.  To the local newspapers he was for many years a frequent contributor - generally of grotesquely humorous poetry, and sometimes of prose.  A volume of his productions was published a number of years ago.  It forms a remarkable example of self-taught native talent, and is brimful of broad, quaint fun.  The days of his pilgrimage were nearly fourscore years - certainly a remarkable age for one who was still able to pursue the profession of a teacher of dancing.  His remains were buried yesterday in Kennoway Churchyard.  

The Scotsman, Friday August 6, 1886, Pg 5

SUICIDE OF "POUTE" AT KENNOWAY

Mr. Alexander Burgess, dancing master, who lived at Kennoway (Fifeshire), and was well-known as a contributor to the People's Journal under the nom de plume of "Poute," has committed suicide under somewhat extraordinary circumstances. He had been in a disponding state of mind for some time, and on Monday he left his residence without his coat, and without saying where he was going. He did not return, and nothing was heard of him until Wednesday evening, when his lifeless body was found in a pool of water in Whins Quarry, on the farm of Newton of Markinch. He had by means of a rope attached a large stone to his neck, apparantly to ensure self-destruction. Burgess was a widower, 80 years of age, and lived with one of his daughters.   (Thanks to Colin Harrower for Scotsman article.)