Shocking Affair: The Fatal Stabbing of Robert Martin

The following transcriptions of 3 newspaper articles regarding the murder of Robert Martin were provided by Jeanie Smith Zadach.

Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia)
Saturday, January 16, 1864, Page 2
"SHOCKING AFFAIR - About 6 o'clock last evening, ROBERT MARTIN of this city was fatally stabbed, on 3rd street in front of Mrs. Sullivan's by JAMES BURNS of Twiggs county. The parties had been in each others' company the greater part of the day, in the course of which some trifling dispute arose, but which, after a few words appeared to be settled. Subsequently the affair was renewed when Burn cut Martin, inflicting a desperate gash below the right arm, the knife ranging in between the lungs and liver. Another blow severed the main artery in the left arm, near the shoulder, and in fact, nearly cut the limb entirely off. This last cut was the immediate cause of his death, although the first would, in all probability, have killed him. Martin as soon as cut, staggered forward exclaiming: "He has killed me," until he reached Mr. Jaughsteter's, a few doors distant, where he turned in and expired in a short time.

We were unable to learn what resistance, if any, Martin made. At all events Burn [sic] made his escape and had not been arrested up to a late hour last night."

Macon Telegraph
Monday Morning, January 18, 1864, Page 2
"James C. Burns who killed Martin on Friday night about dusk, was arrested by the Sheriff about eight o'clock the same evening. He was examined and committed yesterday, and will be tried at the adjourned session of the Superior Court, which commences on Monday the 25th."

Georgia Journal & Messenger
Wednesday, January 20, 1864, Page 2, Column 4
"HOMICIDE
A shocking affair occurred in this city, on Third street, about six o'clock on Friday evening last, between ROBERT MARTIN of this city and JAMES BURNS of Twiggs county, in which Martin was killed. It appears that a short time previous, there had been some difficulty between them of a trivial character, at which time Martin drew a pistol on Burns, who, it would appear, was then unarmed, and the affair seemed to be quieted. They soon after met again on the the side walk, on Third street, when Martin received five or six very severe cuts and stabs, of which he died in a few minutes. Of what occurred at this second meeting it would be improper to speak of particularly, as it will probably be duly investigated before the Superior Court of this county, which convenes again on the 25th. A brother of Burns was present, and the facts were noticed only by one or two other persons although it occurred in a public place. Burns immediately fled, but was soon captured. The case was examined into before Justices Grannias, Wyche and Hughes on Saturday, by whom he was committed for trial on the charge of murder.

Burns is a man of respectable standing at home, and came here as a member of a company of State Troops on their way to Savannah; but now has a more fearful ordeal to pass through than that of facing any enemy in the field he would have been likely to have met about Savannah."

Ms. Zadach also provided this entry from Record of Interments for Rose Hill Cemetery of Bibb County, Georgia 1840 to 1871: "ROBERT MARTIN - Date of Interment: Jan 15, 1864; Age: 32; Male; Residence: Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, CSA; Cause of Death: Stabbed; Lot: 5; Block: 1; Page Number 63 in Interment Book."

Robert Martin was a son of John and Eliza Martin. According to the Historic Rose Hill Cemetery website, Robert is buried in the same lot as his parents and sister, Elizabeth Leora Griffin Martin (d. 1842). This was 3/4 of lot 5 in block 1 of the Central Avenue District, purchased by John Martin in 1841. John was the first burial in April 1842, followed by Elizabeth Leora a month later. When I visited the Martin family plot, I was unable to find a marker for Robert. I did find his parents and sister, however. I also noticed an unmarked brick slab beside Elizabeth Leora. Could this be Robert?

Photos © 2012 S. Lincecum
(You may need to click to enlarge.)

Death Summons John Pate Stetson

Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
7 September 1921
(Viewed online at GenealogyBank.)

John Pate Stetson
Son of J. D. & E. S. Stetson
Oct 12, 1874
Sep 6, 1921

I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
Unto The Hills From
Whence Cometh My Help.

Photo © 2012 S. Lincecum

"DEATH SUMMONS J. PEYT. STETSON

Report of Death In Asheville Received Last Night.

FORMERLY MACON RESIDENT

Message Brief, Merely Stating His Demise Was Sudden

News was received last night of the death of John Pate Stetson in Asheville, N.C. He was 47 years of age.

Mr. Stetson was formerly a resident of this city, but moved about three years ago to Asheville, where he was engaged in the automobile accessory business.

The message received by friends here last night was brief, simply stating that Mr. Stetson died suddenly. The Telegraph received the information that he was walking along the street in the early past of the evening, when he was stricken.

Visited Macon Recently
Mr. Stetson was married in 191[3?] to Miss Virginia Davis, of Athens. He was for a number of years connected with the Massee Brick Company of this city, but he went to Asheville to become associated with his brother, Jim Stetson. The latter recently went to Miami, Fla.

Mr. Stetson was here in Macon less than a week ago and appeared to be in good health, notwithstanding the fact that he had undergone a serious operation.

Besides his wife Mr. Stetson is survived by two brothers and one sister, Mrs. S. T. Coleman of this city; Eugene W. Stetson, vice president of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York, and Jim Stetson."

John Pate Stetson was a son of James Daniel Stetson (1846-1901) and Eugenia Sophia Pate (1852-1906). All rest in the Stetson family plot in the Central Avenue District of Rose Hill Cemetery.

Samuel Dunlap, Macon Hardware Man, Succumbs

Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
2 July 1928

SAMUEL DUNLAP, MACON HARDWARE MAN, SUCCUMBS
Macon, Ga., July 1 -- (AP) -- Samuel Scott Dunlap, 53, president of the Dunlap Hardware company and one of the best-known men in middle Georgia, died at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon of angina pectoris. The attack came on suddenly.

Mr. Dunlap was unmarried. He is survived by five sisters, Mrs. W. B. Wortham and Mrs. L. O. Stevens, of this city; Mrs. Ashton Starke, of Richmond, Va.; Mrs. C. M. Badgerly, of Middleburg, N.Y., and Mrs. John D. Little, of Atlanta.

Samuel Dunlap was son of Samuel Scott Dunlap, Sr. and sister to Ilah Dunlap Jordan Little. All rest in the Dunlap Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Note: The Burges and Dunlaps figure prominently in this book --

Of Strong Stock was John D. Little

From Men of Mark in Georgia, published 1912.

JOHN D. LITTLE, of Atlanta, though a young man, is easily one of the foremost lawyers of the city and State. Mr. Little is of mixed Scottish and French Huguenot descent. He was born in Talbotton, Georgia, on April 17, 1871, son of Judge William A. and Sarah Virginia (Dozier) Little...About 1830 Mr. Little's grandfather, William G. Little, came to Georgia and settled in Wilkinson county. He was a man of mark in his day and served several years in the State Senate...

John D. Little fairly inherits the legal ability of his father, who ranked as one of the best lawyers in the State and also as one of its most honorable citizens...

John D. Little, though born in Talbotton, was reared chiefly in Columbus, to which place his father removed when he was a very small boy. He...entered the University of Georgia and was graduated in 1888, with the degree of A.B., and in 1890, with the degree of B.L. In October, 1890, he engaged in Columbus in the practice of law in connection with his father, and January 1, 1902, moved to Atlanta and became a partner of the law firm of King, Spalding and Little...

Mr. Little through life has been a Democrat and has always contributed his share to the public service, having been for seven years one of the Representatives from Muscogee county in the General Assembly, and for four of these years, 1898-1901, Speaker of the House.

...His religious affiliation is with the Episcopal Church.

...In social life he has a most excellent partner in his wife, who at the time of his marriage was Mrs. Ilah Dunlap Jordan, of Macon, a daughter of Captain S. S. Dunlap, one of the oldest merchants of Macon, with a record of forty-five years in business, and the founder of the largest hardware firm in that city...

John Dozier Little died 25 February 1934. He rests in the Dunlap Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.