This past week, the Superior Telegram released its 21st episode of Archive Dive.
For this month’s episode, we dip into a true crime, discussing the unsolved 1897 murder of Joseph Blackburn. It is titled "Gold, a coffin and an unsolved murder near Gordon."
An eccentric and a recluse, Blackburn became wealthy providing supplies to lumbermen in the timber-rich area near Gordon. Not one to trust in banks, he was rumored to keep a chest of gold. When he was killed by a blow from behind, robbery was the suspected reason. Searches for the fabled treasure went on for years and even led a judge to exhume the body of Blackburn’s wife Mary, who had been buried in a glass-lidded coffin. But gold was never found.
Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by Doug MacDonald as well as Brian Finstad, both of the Gordon-Wascott Historical Society, as they explore Blackburn’s life, death and possible suspects, including one who was acquitted and another who gained infamy out west.
You can find that episode at superiortelegram.com or wherever you also get this podcast.
In case you missed last month’s episode, we are re-sharing it here. For part two of our two-part series about the legendardy Bud Grant, Maria and long time sportscaster and current communicating arts senior lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Superior, Tom Hansen discussed Grant’s life in sports.
Thanks for listening!