THE BALLAD OF THE LAWSON FAMILY

My buddy Mildred from Baldwin Florida, asked me about this song several months ago. I found Mac Wiseman's version, and like it. This is my first attempt at it on the tube. Hope you like it!

Charlie Lawson's parents, Augustus and Nancy, lived in the unincorporated community known as Lawsonville, located ten miles from Danbury, the Stokes county seat. He was born there and, in 1911, married Fannie Manring. They had eight children, but the third, William, born in 1914, died of an illness in 1920. In 1918, following the move of his younger brothers, Marion and Elijah, to the Germanton area, Lawson followed suit with his family. The Lawsons worked as sharecroppers, saving enough money by 1927 to buy their own farm on Brook Cove Road.

In 1929, shortly before Christmas, Charlie Lawson took his family (37-year-old wife Fannie and their children: Marie, 17; Arthur, 16; Carrie, 12; Maybell; 7, James, 4; Raymond, 2; and Mary Lou, 4 months) into town to buy new clothes and to have a family portrait taken. Since they were far from wealthy, this seemed unusual. The new clothes ultimately became burial outfits. On that day he began the slaughter with his daughters, Carrie and Maybell, who were setting out to their uncle and aunt's house. Lawson waited for them by the tobacco barn; when they were in range, he shot them with a shotgun, then ensured that they were dead by bludgeoning them. He then placed the bodies in the tobacco barn.

Afterwards, he returned to the house and shot Fannie, who was on the porch. As soon as the gun was fired, Marie, who was inside, screamed, while the two small boys, James and Raymond, attempted to find a hiding place. Lawson shot Marie and then found and shot the two boys. Lastly, he killed the baby, Mary Lou. After the murders, he went into the nearby woods and, a few hours later, shot himself. The only survivor was his eldest son, 16 year-old Arthur, whom he had sent on an errand just before starting his deadly work. The bodies of the family members were found with their arms crossed and pillows under their heads. The gunshot signaling Charlie Lawson's own suicide was heard by the many people who learned of the gruesome event on the property and had already gathered there. Some rushed towards the direction of the sound and found Charlie Lawson dead, with his two dogs by their master's side. There were footprints, indicating he had been walking in a small circle for hours.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BALLAD
• CHARLIE
• LAWSON
• FAMILY
• NORHT
• CAROLINA
• MURDER

[Shirrymad]

This song is Not the right one because he killed the 2 children in the tobacco barn first See the trailer for the movie

[GRASSROOTSGOSPEL]

@Shirrymad it's the only song about it I've ever heard, and no ide of a movie, just maybe the movie embellished it a bit. I don't know, just saying sometimes hollywood does that. Thanks for watching.

[mmw453]

Oh! wow,didnt expect to hear this song on you tube.this tragedy happened here many years ago.1929. it is still not known for sure why it happened.

[GRASSROOTSGOSPEL]

I did a little checking on it. See the details (more info) heard Mac Wiseman do it. Love these old story songs.

[searchwiser]

Great Job Bud

[GRASSROOTSGOSPEL]

Hey man! Good to hear from you. How's truckin' treatin' you?

[starbugster]

"Oh, papa won't you spare our lives? We are too young to die." That line choked me up.

[fillywhodances]

My Grandma was THERE

[susans721]

Your a very good singer,I have been reading about this for years.All of your songs are good.

[buster541]

Nic Singin My Friend!

5 STARS!

Thank's!

Curt

[lenalu2061]

great job as always keep it up

[mmw453]

i love these old story songs to. especially this one as it happened here in this area.