February 27, 1872
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Horrible Murder in Wilkinson County
We received, yesterday, the following details of a horrible murder, perpetrated last Sunday night, in Wilkinson county, and of which brief mention was made in our local columns yesterday. Our correspondent writes:
Joel Burke, a young man in Wilkinson county, owned a plantation, and on it he had a store about one mile from his father's, Mr. Nimrod Burke. He boarded with his father and slept at his store. Last Sunday night, about seven o'clock, he left for his store, but, Monday morning, he did not come to his breakfast. His brother went to hunt him, but returned at twelve o'clock and reported the store closed, and that he saw no sign where Joel had come out and gone off or into the plantation. His father and several of the family went and broke the store open, but he was not in it. Diligent search was then made, and he was found near Providence Church about half way between his father's and his store, murdered in the most shocking and brutal manner. His skull was broken and being in pieces on one side of his head, his throat cut open and his purse, money and knife taken, as were the store and iron safe keys also. On breaking open the store, it was found that the iron safe had been robbed and the money drawer cleared of change, and also about a dozen pair small size ladies' shoes, two bolts of calico and some other goods taken, the murderer carrying the keys off with him. It is not known how much money the murderer got but it is thought some $40 or $50 - about $4 in silver and $1 in gold, and the most of the other in greenbacks.
Joel Burke was regular in his habits and went to his store every night; and being a cripple having but one leg-the one that killed him had not much to contend with, as he was weakly and small. Young Burke served during the whole of the late war and was twice wounded, losing his leg in the last battle around Richmond. He was quiet and attentive to his business, and is the last man that I would have expected to be killed. W. Twiggs County,. February 21, 1872.