A nondrinker and nonsmoker, Burns stayed on the good side of Chicago manager Cap Anson because of his tame lifestyle.

[5] Transitioning into a player-manager role, Burns led a talented Pittsburgh Pirates team.

[8] In 1898, the Chicago Orphans initially denied that Burns was being hired to replace Anson.

According to newspaper accounts at the time, Burns showed impressive knowledge of the game but was too nice to his players, often failing to control his team off the field.

[8] Burns's brother John was hired as a National League umpire in 1884, but he was fired in August of that year.

On a mid-March trip to that area, he became ill. Patrick T. Powers, the president of the Eastern League, invited Burns to his home to rest.

Burns said that he felt better on the evening of March 18, but he was found dead in bed at Powers's home the next morning.