Major Edward A. Burke


 
     Edward Burke was a confederate veteran from Louisiana, who had developed an interest in
 
mining over the years. Burke partially hosted the 1884 Worlds Industrial cotton centenial

Exposition where he first met Luis Bogran, the president of Honduras. Burke developed an interest

in the potential of mining in Central America, joined by prospectors from the United States,

England, France and Germany. Burke was described by a tourist guide in 1885 as a "predestined

leader with a combative instinct and affable winning manners." (pg. 42)
 
     Burke left to London to recieve financial aid for his planned endeavors in Honduras, and

recieved a great deal of scrutiny for it in his home region. In 1890, the daily newspaper in New

Orleans wrote, "Burke is a scoundrel who left the country penniless," (pg 43) but now with the

support of London, "poses a threat as he is promoting two mining colleges, two agricultural colleges,

and two flour mills." The press thought that Burke would lose money in this campaign.
 
     Nonethess Burke succedded in making his undertakings succeed in Honduras. Former

confederates joined Burke, including Fred Budde, Joseph Milner, and Frank Imboden, and Herbert

Jeffries.  As Americans (or "noteamericanos" as referred to by the natives), Burke and his closest

men attracted the local Honduran military officials. Their cooperation with Domingo Velasquez, a

Honduran military leader, definitely helped him make progress. In 1887 Jeffries helped lead a

"meaningless" attack on El Salvador for his loyal Hondurans, which grabbed the attention of

Honduran president Bogran. Then, Burke and his men were granted further concessions. That

really represented the initial action of Major Burke as a mercenary leader in Central America.