Carr\Kurtain Timeline
The story of my Gt-Gt-Grandfather Samuel Murray Carr (aka Henry Wade Kurtain) is summarised in the timeline below.
Note: Most of the graphics have links underneath them (in very small type) that will take you to the original online document sources.
Timeline of Samuel Murray Carr (1834-1909).
[Updated with corrections and new material 15 August 2026]
New Resource: Historian Jim Perkins of the New London Historical Society researched a talk on Samuel Murray Carr which he presented to the Society in 2017.
His presentation slides can be seen here: Presentation on Samuel Murray Carr 2017
Online Sources
The following links will enable you to read for yourself the sources for new-found information about Samuel Murray Carr (then sometimes known as Henry Carr).
Please note: The tone of the reporting is often strongly partisan against Carr. This needs to be borne in mind when evaluating the material. The sequence of articles should also be read as a whole and in date order if possible, because the Chronicle is reporting on a developing investigation.
SF Chronicle 23 April 1887: “Among the Fallen”
http://www.newspapers.com/clip/226238/18870423_among_the_fallensamuel/
SF Chronicle 24 April 1887: “Carr Unmasked”
http://www.newspapers.com/clip/226230/18870424_carr_unmaskedsamuel_murray/
SF Chronicle 25 April 1887 “Old Man Carr – More of his Misdeeds”
http://www.newspapers.com/clip/226259/18870425_old_man_carrsamuel_murray/
SF Chronicle 28 April 1887. “A reeking Record. Bad Man Carr’s Terrible Career”
http://www.newspapers.com/image/#27519435
SF Chronicle 5 May 1887: Alice Burrows – Freed from Magdelan Asylum” (including a statement given to the Chronicle by Mary Jane Burpee/Curtain)
http://www.newspapers.com/clip/226272/18870503_alice_burrows_free_from_the/
A version of the story was published in the New York Herald:
New York Herald 1 May 1887 “Old Scandals Revived”
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/New%20York%20NY%20Herald/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201887/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201887%20-%201608.pdf
A much earlier story from ten years before in 1877 told of Eunice (Keller) Carr’s fruitless attempt to find her husband and children.
SF Chronicle 19 March 1877 “A Sorrowing Mother”
http://www.newspapers.com/clip/82319/1877_eunice_carr_in_san_francisco/
Really enjoyed the storyline, well set out, easy to follow. Does not place Samuel Carr in good light. Reminds Rachel of her older brother. Some of the newspaper clippings were small and hard to read. Polly Greeley must have had Nancy when she was 14 years old. Can we have more information on the Kellers and Greeleys.
Is there anyway of getting further back on the David Elder line.
Great work Ron, it shows a lot of work. …
It was good to see you and Ivan- he is looking well.
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Thanks Russell.
Regarding the hard-to-read issue – the graphics are intended just as illustrations so I aimed to get a headline or a major point only. Did you try the links under the clipping pictures ? They look like a caption and they are in very small type but they should redirect you to the original online source in a new window\tab.
Ron
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