Murder of the Lawson family

Charles Davis Lawson (May 10 1886 – December 25 1929) was an American tobacco farmer of Stokes County, North Carolina remembered as having committed one of the most notorious mass murders in the state's history.

Speculation and rumors

There were rumors as to why Charlie Lawson would take the lives of himself and his family and it was speculated that Charlie didn't murder his family at all, that it was staged to look as though Charlie had committed suicide. One of these explanations was that Charlie had witnessed an organized crime incident, and had been found out, and he and his family murdered for it. Another involves a black man Charlie had started a fight with. Neither of these rumors seemed plausible, or could fit with the facts. All signs obviously pointed to a murder/suicide.

Some surmised it was his head injury that caused him to be able to commit the murders. However this was debunked, after an autopsy of his brain revealed there was no significant damage to change him in such a way. Although it is rumored that some have said they noticed a difference in his behavior, his closest family – including Stella Lawson – claimed there was no change in him.

The strongest rumor was a shocking one; it was that Charlie had raped his daughter Marie, and that she had become pregnant as a result. Many facts point strongly to this being true.

Neighbors had heard loud fights, and shouting from the Lawson home in the weeks before the murders. It is said that Charlie would be out of control, and that Arthur would have to restrain him. This may be why he sent Arthur away on Christmas Day, fearing Arthur may be able to stop him.

Incest theory

It wasn't until the book "White Christmas, Bloody Christmas", was published in 1990 that a strong claim surfaced. On interviewing many people regarding the Lawson family murder, the book's authors, M. Bruce Jones and Trudy J. Smith found that several people recounted rumors, and stories regarding Charlie, Marie, and incest. In 1989 the authors had received a call from an anonymous woman. She said she had gone on a tour of the Lawson home shortly after the murders, and the tour guide had told about the incest rumor, which he stated as fact. The day before the book was to be published the authors received a phone call from Stella Lawson, daughter of Marion Lawson, and cousin to the Lawson children. They had already interviewed her for the book. On this occasion she told them she knew the truth as to why Charlie did it. Stella said at the funeral for the Lawsons, she overheard Fannie's sisters-in-law, her aunts discussing this. Fannie Lawson had confided in her sisters-in-law, including Stella's mother Jettie Lawson. Fannie had apparently been concerned about Charlie, and Marie. Jettie died in early 1928, meaning Fannie had been suspicious of the incest at least that long before the murders in late 1929. A few years later it was revealed to Stella by an aunt that it was indeed true, and not to talk about it. She told her that Fannie had discovered Marie's pregnancy sometime before the murders in December, and that Fannie continuously pressed her on the matter, asking who the father was. Eventually Marie told her the truth, and after that the family started falling apart. She said it was a secret that was supposed to be kept, and that it has burdened her for all those years since she learned the truth, but that she believed it was time people knew the truth behind the murders.

Another story by an anonymous source claims that workers that handled the bodies at the funeral home noticed Marie's obvious pregnancy.

Another shocking and compelling testimony was revealed in a second book about the murders "The Meaning of our Tears" by Trudy J. Smith. The testimony is from Ella May Johnson, a good friend of Marie Lawson. At the time of the interview in 1993, Ella May was unaware of the book, and unaware that Stella Lawson had spoken of the incest. She said that Marie had stayed at her house in December 1929 just weeks before the murders. She said she noticed Marie looking heavier in the stomach. Later at night after they were in bed, Ella May said Marie was acting differently, and that she was quieter than usual, and she mentioned this to Marie. Marie then confided in her, first saying she was pregnant, then that it was her own father that was the father of her child. Marie told Ella May to promise not to say anything, that she was afraid of what her father might do. Ella May inquired as to whether Marie's parents knew; Marie said they did and that Charlie had threatened Marie and her family if this was told to anyone.

Trivia

Shortly before Christmas 1929, Charlie took his whole family into town to buy new clothes and have a family portrait taken. This was unusual and Charlie was not a wealthy man.

All the Lawsons were buried in their new clothes.

Charlie had apparently told Fannie he had a "surprise" for his family for Christmas.

Shortly after the murders, Charlie's brother, Marion Lawson, opened the home on Brook Cove Road as a tourist attraction. It was torn down in the early 90s.

Wood from the home was used to build a memorial bridge in the area.

A cake that Marie Lawson had baked on Christmas Day was displayed on the tour. Because people began to pick at the raisins on the cake to take as souvenirs, it was covered with a glass top and was preserved for many years.

The folk song "The Murder of the Lawson Family" was written about the event.

References

• Smith, Trudy J. The Meaning of our Tears

The Meaning of our Tears at www.themeaningofourtears.com