Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-10
The Burke-MadisOn Tragedy - Facts
About Burke's Family.

JASPER, FLA, July 6.-Editor Morning
Nelcs: In your issue of 9th (probablv)
Ult. is communication from Live Oak.
dated June 4th, in reference to the killing
of Madison by Granville Burke near New
BranfOrd, Fla. The killing actually oc-
CURED, but it seems that your correspond
ent was disposed to convict Burke with
out a trial and to brand him be-
fore the world as "foul mur-
derer." While it is the duty and
privilege of all good citizens to con-
denim crime, yet it is best to withhold
our opinions until a legal investigation
has disclosed the facts. If. how
legal investigation, that Burke is really
guilty, then all are at liberty
to say what they please. In many in
stances where crime is committed a legal
investigation shows that the party ac-
cused is innocent. 1t is well known,
however, particularly by lawyers, that
every killing is not murder, for often the
evidence on the trial disclOses- a lesser
grade Of homicide. We ought then to
be careful how we s'pre-iudge," not
so much for the sake of him who commits
the act as for the sake of others who may
be deeply interested in him. Take the
Burke case, for instance. Burke has
mother and two sisters, whose hearts
were already overlooking with grief on
account of the act of their loved one: for
whether he was right or wrong, their grief
was great. 1t was cruel to cause them
fresh sorrow by writing the cOmmuni-
cation alluded to.
This article is not written with the
view of justifying Burke. nor is it written
by way OF apology for the act, nor vet is
1t in any way intended as a defense for
him.
The writer hereof, however. will take
occasion to say that he has known young
Burke from his earliest infancy, and can
truthfully say that he was by no means
naturally bad man, but unfortunately
for himself and family he was led astrav
and became addicted to drink. When tree
from liquor, he has quiet, gentlemanlv
young man, hOspitable and generous to A
fault, which is characteristic of the entire
family. But why say he was son of the
''Old cOunterfeiter of Mexican dollars =,
where was the necessity for alIuding to
that: Ii his father was ever engaged in
the counterfeit business at all (Which
was very questionable J, ii was years be-
fore this young man was born.
Captain Burke, his father, was years
ago wealthy, was a kentuckian, and for
several years was engaged in bringing
large drOves Of horses from Kentucky and
da. On one of those occasions. il was
said, he brought a large amount of Mexi-
can silver dollars, which were alleged to
be counterfeit; Burke, instead of DENYING
the story, humOred it as a huge Joke, in
timating publicly that they were counter
felt.
There may have been few counterfeit
dollars among them, and some of the
cOunterfeits may have actually gone into
circulation. 1t is true that the people be-
came excited over the sO-called sBurke
money" and some parties went so far as
to prosecute him in the United States
Court, and he may have been convicted
for passing counterfeit money, but for
cOunterfeiting, never.
Capt. Burke was for many years
after the prosecution a worthy citi-
zen Of this community. Received
and respected by everybody, he lived
an honest life, was kind hearted, exceed
ing lyhOspitable, and charitable. manifest
ing friendship for all. Your correspondent
alludes to him as an ''Old cOunterfeiter"
seemingly TO bring his innocent family
into public infamy, scOrn, etc. Suppose
Burke's father had been an ''Old counter
feiter' it would have been, even Justice
for him to have continued bv
saying his mother was one of the very
best Of old ladies, and a pure Christian
woman Again, his mother is a sister of
Major l.. W. SOlOmOns. formerly of Saw
annah. where doubtless are still many of
his old friends and associates who can
testify to his high standing.
This article Is not written with intent
to wound the feelings of your correspond
ent. 1t is written only for the purpose of
doing justice to the family of Burke, his
mother and sisters, his father being dead.
JUSTICE.