Post by Brian on May 31, 2014 16:09:13 GMT -5
01/10/07 at 09:30 PM
epdj
I think I am right in saying that Arthur lived with his uncle after everything happened. Which Uncle? Also didn't I read that some of the family rented the house for a while. So when did they tear down the house? Esther Johnson
epdj
01/10/07 at 09:41 PM
Maria
Hi Esther,
Arthur lived with a number of different relatives after the tragic events of that Christmas day. He stayed for a short while with first one and then another. He ws pretty much adrift there for a while. And one of his uncles did stay at the cabin for a while. 1 believe it was his uncle Elijah. Then Arthur and his wife lived Nina in it for awhile. The cabin was torn down around 1981 or there abouts.
Maria
01/10/07 at 09:43 PM
ladebug
I am still wondering about reading Arthur built a home on the property for himself and family?
Ladebug
01/10/07 at 09:46 PM
Maria
I'm working on that one Ladebug. give me a few.
Maria
01/10/07 at 09:49 PM
Hymes
It seems like ! read that Arthur built a house near or on the property. I also read that he lost the farm for some reason. Does anyone know if this is true, & why he lost it?
Hymes
01/10/07 at 10:32 PM
Maria
Hello Hymes..Arthur did indeed build a house. It was a white 2 story frame house and he and Nina lived there for a short while. He lost the house and sold it to a Mr. Gordon who in 1941 rented out the house to Hillary and Sadie Hampton, good friends of Charlie and Fannie Lawson. After Arthur lost the house he then moved into the family cabin where his family was murdered. It was not the farm he lost but rather the house he built. I don't know for sure why he lost it but if I had to guess I would say it had to do with his drinking problem. At the time of his death in 1945 he and his wife and children were still living in the old Lawson family Cabin. I got this info from a woman a few minutes ago who is a daughter of Hillary and Sadie Hampton. She said she remembered moving into that house in 1941 when she was 4 years old. In fact her mother Sadie Hampton is still living. She is 97 years old
Maria
01/10/07 at 10:32 PM
Hymes
The book said that Arthur built a house within walking distance of the farm a that Hill Hampton bought the house several years after the tragedy.
Hymes
01/10/07 at 10:35 PM
Maria
Hill did not buy the house. He rented it. I just spoke with his daughter. The book had a number of errors in it.
Maria
01/19/07 at 09:40 AM
sissy
After the murder did Arthur own all the land and the house? Or did Charlie's brothers own it?
sissy
01/19/07 at 11:00 AM
Maria
According to the auction sale on January 28, 1930, there were 125 items sold at auction but these items did not include the household and kitchen furniture or personal belongings such as the clock or clothing, etc. It lists the 114 acres of land Charlie owned as being worth $2, 500.00 and the 24 acres of bottom land as being worth $750.00 but it does not show it as being sold at the auction. From what I've been told Charlie Lawson still owed a considerable sum of money on the house and land at the time of the murders and that his brother Marion Lawson gave Arthur all of the money made from the tours of the cabin which went a long way towards paying off his father's debts but didn't go ALL the way. Arthur was living in the Lawson cabin with his wife and children at the time he died but I do not know if he or another relative owned it. After the auction all of the personal items such as the clock, the guns, the furniture etc. were given to different relatives according to who wanted what. I'm fairly certain if I put my mind to it I can find what happened to at least some of those things. The items sold at the auction were things such as his truck.his mules, jersey cows, harnesses, hay, wood, plows, etc. and a lot of food such as barrels of corn, beans, sides of ham, jars of jams, peaches, tomatoes, that sort of thing.
Maria
01/21/07 at 05:46 PM
douglasboulding
hi maria I just wanted to know if you ever found out if the barn is still standing at the old home? and one other question i would like to ask: do you think charlie lawson waited to kill himself because he was waiting for Arthur to come home?
Thanks A lot
Doug
keneth d boulding
01/21/07 at 06:20 PM
Maria
Hi Doug,
What a wonderful addition you are to our message forum. Yes I believe that Charlie Lawson was indeed waiting for Arthur to come home so he could ambush and kill him. But a chain of unexpected events occurred that Charlie could not have foreseen and it was that sequence of events that prevented Charlie from being able to kill Arthur. As for the barn still being there I have heard from some people that it is and from others that it isn't. If I had to guess I would say probably not but I hope I am wrong.
Your Friend
Maria
01/21/07 at 11:08 PM
douglasboulding
thanks maria you feel like a part of my family i am so glad i got to know you., doug
keneth d boulding
01/22/07 at 01: 34 AM
nancy1935
My parents and grandparents lived near the Lawson's when the tragedy happened. My dad was at the scene after the murders while they looked for Charlie. I grew up hearing the story many times and found a few things in the book. White Christmas Bloody Christmas that wasn't like what my family had always said. My parents were gone when the book was released. One thing that bothered me was in the book it said there was no Christmas tree that year at the Lawson's. When I was a child in school we made a chain from paper to hang on the Christmas tree. When I showed it to Daddy, he made the remark "There was one of those on Charlie Lawson's Christmas tree ." Why would there not have been a tree that year for the children? This was back when we cut cedar trees in the woods and there were plenty available. I question this and a few more lines in the book.
Does anyone know more about this?
I am waiting to watch the CD since we just heard about it.
nancy1935
01/22/07 at 08:03 AM
Maria
Hi Nancy and welcome to our message forum. We're glad to have you join us here. You've brought up a very interesting question and one that hasn't been asked in this group before. The book does indeed say there was no Christmas tree or decorations of any kind at the Lawson home that year and that other than the new set of clothes Charlie Lawson bought for his wife and children and the family portrait there were no other Christmas gifts that day. And as most of have seen in the photo of the room where most of the killings were done there is no Christmas tree or decorations or gifts strewn about. BUT........I've always thought that the photo didn't show the entire room, that the person who took the photo only shot (no pun intended) the section of the room where the evidence of the murders were. There may well have been one at the other end of the room. Secondly, we don't know when that photo was taken although it was probably taken fairly soon afterwards so it might well be that the decorations had been removed by the time the photo was taken. I also read in one of the newspaper accounts (I can't recall off the top of my head which one it was) that Christmas gifts were strewn around the floor with some of them splattered with blood. That particular article also stated the a Christmas card was found lying on the ground near the barn where Maybell and Carrie were shot and that it too was coated with blood. And a lady we interviewed for our documentary said that she and her friend Marie Lawson had gone together into the woods near the Lawson cabin a few days before Christmas and gathered leaves and branches and red berries to take home and decorate with for Christmas. Although this lady was 94 years old her memory of their trip through the woods was very clear and certain. When you think about it Nancy unless Fannie Lawson knew that her husband planned on killing her and their children on Christmas day (and we can dang well know for certain she didn't) what could possibly have prompted them not to have decorated that year when they had always done so. And last but not least, even if Charlie and Fannie bought no other gifts for their children and each other, other than the clothes and portrait, what about gifts other family members would have given them? They had a big family...Charlie's mother, Fannie's parents, and Charlie's brothers and sisters (he had 8 of them) and Fannie's sisters and brothers (she also had 8 of them). So I too question the validity of there being no gifts and no decorations that year.
Maria
01/22/07 at 09:57 AM
sissy
I have to agree with the both of you. Even in the poorest times we always had a tree and a little gift. I always found it funny that there was no tree. I certainly don't think that know matter how crazy Charlie may had been acting he did not tell his family by the way we ain't having Christmas this year cause I'm gonna kill y'all on Christmas Day. I feel like they decorated just like they did every year. They were probably preparing their Christmas meal like they did every year. Charlie was planning to kill his family, but I don't think he was planning to do it on Christmas Day it just happened that way. That just proves we can't believe everything we read. And we need to go on more than some boo!':., arid listen to other opinions.
sissy
01/22/07 at 10:08 AM
ladebug
You are right Sissy, if they could not afford gifts even then families baked for each other or made preserves. Marie gave her beau a card (which she mailed to him)! would guess a few old timers could remember more details of that day now. Lets hear it from anyone who remembers or had folks who talked about this.
Ladebug
01/23/07 at 01:18 AM
cephus
the covered bridge that was built out of the logs from the Lawson house just curious if it is on the same land as the house was on.
cephus
01/23/07 at 03:17 AM
noneofyourbusiness1
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things...
You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either!
I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
noneofyourbusiness1
01/23/07 at 07:41 AM
jackhammer
Quote:
Originally Posted by noneofyourbusinessl
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things...
You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either!
I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
End quote.
Would you like to elaborate here, or is it "none-of-our-business"?
I felt that the film didn't present this story as "these are the facts", but it was told through the recollections of others, whether they were first-hand memories or had been passed down.
ETA: By the way, I'm curious about the nickname, "noneofyourbusinessl". Is it meant to tell us that the Lawson Murders are not our business? To me, all history is our business, be it the assasinations of Lincoln and Kennedy, or the Lindbergh kidnapping, etc. The saying goes: "If you don't learn from history, you're doomed to repeat it" (paraphrasing). There are things that can be learned from this story that may prevent something like this from happening again.
JMO.
jackhammer
01/23/07 at 08:46 AM
Maria
Hi jackhammer,
You brought up some good points here in your response to "none of your business." But I have just one question: Does this mean this is none of our business or does it mean it is none of my business or does it mean it
is none of your business? I'm really confused here. <£j And of course I want to make sure I have my "facts" right before I get into something that is "none of your business's business.
Maria
01/23/07 at 09:36 AM
sissy
Since "none of your business" seems to be a expert maybe you could enlighten the rest of us. Or is that none of our business.
You should really not come into a message forum and start spitting out such negative remarks the first thing it is very rude. The people who made this film worked very hard on it. I am related to the Lawson family and I thought they told the story fine. Being a relative of the family if I did not have a problem with it I don't see how anyone else could either. And that is my business.
sissy
01/23/07 at 09:47 AM
jackhammer
I find the name "noneofyourbusiness1" to be a little confrontational. Not sure what would motivate someone to choose a name like that, then to come here and make a first post like that, unless he/she was just trying to stir up some trouble.
By the way, adding the number "1" at the end of "noneofyourbusiness" is kind of interesting. One can only assume that he/she wants everyone to know that he/she was the first one here, and to not be confused with any subsequent "noneofyourbusybodys".
jackhammer
01/23/07 at 09:51 AM
ladebug
Dear None of your business.
The very fact you are using a name like "none of your business" says are you already hostile to the message board from get go..Not sure why that would be as we are all pretty friendly here. Please let us all in on what you feel is not accurate in the DVD. I believe the documentary was heartfelt in trying to bring the story to light with the actual interviews on camera. This is an open forum but if you post something so negative you should be able to give your reasons as well.
Ladebug
01/23/07 at 11:33 AM
douglasboulding
TO: noneofyourbusinessl,
I happen to think that the dvd was done in very good taste. I also think its very wise that people look back in past histories so that they will not make the same mistakes again, perhaps you should look back into your past so that you will not make a stupid mistake like this again. I think I know a lot more about the Lawson tragedy than you because I've lived with it all my life, being Charlie was my great uncle and I have lived in Stokes County with his brother George Lawson. People do need to discuss this topic in hopes that it may help other families so they don't have to live through this kind of tragedy.
keneth d boulding
01/23/07 at 03:39 PM
tarheel
to those who asked and to others wanting to know...
the time right now is 2:24PM,EST,and i just returned from the LAWSON'S property and the BARN....is not there anymore! nor is the woodpile! what a disappointment too! anyway,it took a litte doing to drive up the gravel drive way, because the road has washed away due to recent rains,snow and ice,and if one is not careful ,you can mess up the underside of your car trying toi drive up there! i did take a couple of photos where the barn and woodpile once stood and i will send them to anyone asking!(just request them to: (chuckhemrick(gVahoo,com) but for now,they are not there anymore!
dang Maria,I was sure looking forward to being the one to give you the GOOD NEWS!!!!... Again.it was nice meeting you all again at MOCKSVILLE showing! looking forward to getting together again at another showing soon!
tarheel...
01/23/07 at 11:30 PM
tarheel
and...my pin name is TARHEEL,but i am not ashamed to print my real name tool
chuck hemrick!
so noneofourbusiness, what is your real name?
tarheel
01/24/07 at 01:37 PM
BobbyWayne
HaHaHa you guys crack me up
this DVD is not about the truth it's about people's
opinions and opinons are like xxx'es every one has one. I just told what I knew from hear say and memory of what my family and friends told me it happened ten years before I was bom people make mistakes in what they say and see. there was a lot of mistakes in the first book and also in the new one.and in my OPINION that is the reason a lot of the Lawson and Manring Familys are mad about and say it's all just a bunch of Lies. enoughfornowbr549
BobbyWayne
01/24/07 at 01:50 PM
BobbyWayne
Hey tarheel that was my CB call name twenty years ago tarheel cowboy breaker breaker good buddy got your ears on,I heard that the Watts family sold the land a while back for one million dollars and moved in a retirement home, do you or anyone know about this. Got to go 10/100 over and out
tarheel cowboy
BobbyWayne
01/24/07 at 04:52 PM
tarheel
sorry bobby!
check your email status here!
as far as i know,i do not know you...nor the Watts Family,but would love to be filled in about you and them!
warm regards,
tarheel_
01/24/07 at 04:57 PM
Maria
Hi Bobby,
I heard George Lee Watts sold his house and that they are building a new one close to where their daughter lives. I didn't hear a million but still a rather large sum was asked for it. To my knowledge they did not move into a rest home.
Maria
01/24/07 at 05:38 PM
THANKS TARHEEL I WAS WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT THE BARN.
BEST WISHES DOUG
keneth d boulding
01/24/07 at 05:57 PM
sissy
Has that property just recently sold? Mom was down there not long ago and she said for sale signs were still up.
sissy
01/24/07 at 06:08 PM
Hymes
The Stokes County tax records show that George Lee Watts owns the property at 2890 Brookcove Road. There are 4 parcels at this address. Buildings are valued at $334,300 a 35.22 acres of land are worth $60,200.
Hymes
01/24/07 at 10:25 PM
BobbyWayne
George Lee And his wife Sylvia owned the house of charlie Lawson.he must be the one that tore the house down.because he built a covered bridge out of part of the cabin or house which ever you want to call it,and sorry Maria I did not say rest home I said retirement home,tarheel I am in the DVD and my name is Bobby Wayne Manring, Fannie was my Great Aunt.I had a couple of people tell me that george sold the land.hear say do not know if it is fact
BobbyWayne
01/26/07 at 06:01 PM
iluvnumber3
If there is ever a location of the clock, please email me. I am very interested in the where abouts.
iluvnumber3
01/30/07 at 12:12 PM
cephus
I have been to the grave site many times over the years but that is as far down brook cove road that i have been how far from the grave site is it to where the house was and is there anything there to let you know this is where house was at?
cephus
01/30/07 at 12:21 PM
Maria
Hi Cephus,
The place where charlie Lawson's cabin once stood is about half a mile away from the cemetery. There is no sign or marker anywhere to tell you where the house once stood.
Maria
01/30/07 at 12:35 PM
cephus
Would you think a North Carolina state road marker would be a good idea?
cephus
01/30/07 at 01:01 PM
Maria
The problem is that the place where the cabin once stood is on private property now and the owners of the property do not welcome sight seers or curiosity seekers at all. I went to see the cabin in 1979 before it was torn down and I am so glad I did now.
Maria
01/16/08 at 09:54 AM
laurie1125
Did the cabin have indoor plumbing? And if not where was the outhouse located. And can you image if you have to go.....and it's cold outside and forget me cleaning out those chamber pots
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 10:05 AM
Maria
There was no indoor plumbing in the Lawson house and I've not heard of an outhouse there. Only the chamber pots.
Maria
01/16/08 at 10:10 AM
Angel71242
In The meaning of our tears Trudy Smith tells about Fannie Lawson going outside one morning to empty the chamber pot. Why she thought that was note worthy enough to write about is beyond me. Who told her that anyway...Fannie?
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 10:16 AM
Maria
You got me Angel. I know I'm not putting a photo of a chamber pot in my Scrapbook!!!!!!!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 10:18 AM
laurie1125
What did Fannie do, empty the chamber pot over on the side of the porch. Can you image the smell
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 10:20 AM
Angel71242
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria
I know I'm not putting a photo of a chamber pot in my Scrapbook!!!!!!!!!
End quote.
You might as well!! You got everything else in there!!
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 10:26 AM
Maria
Nope, still not going there. In my opinion that kind of activity is too private, too personal. It doesn't belong in the
public eye.
Maria
01/16/08 at 11:45 AM
Angel71242
Quote:
Originally Posted by laurie1125
What did Fannie do, empty the chamber pot over on the side of the porch. Can you image the smell
End quote.
What I can't imagine is someone emptying their chamber pot right outside their door. I don't believe Fannie would have done that - nor anyone else.
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 12:11 PM
BobbyWayne
Quote:
Originally Posted by noneofyourbusinessl
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things... You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either! I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
End quote.
How in heaven's name do you know fact's when the family on both side's do not know the facts each member has different memories of the events every thing in the dvd is from people's memory of what the were told or overheard.the book was written as facts but most were lies.made up stuff
even news paper's printed stuff that in my opinion was wrong so please post what you think are facts,I as the great nephew of Fannie would really like to know
BobbyWayne
01/16/08 at 01:21 PM
Maria
Thank you Bobby Wayne!! That woman, noneofyourbusinessl is long gone from here thank goodness!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 01:36 PM
Angel71242
You're right Maria. That woman is long gone and I for one am glad also. And you are right BobbyWayne, what everybody in the documentary said is what was presented. By videotaping it, Matt and Eric could not reword or change, put words in their mouths, make assumptions, or alter what the people said one iota. So what you hear and see in the documentary is what the people there remember as they remembered it. If any of their facts were wrong, it was because their memories were faulty rather than because the producer and director wanted it to fit their own agenda.
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 06:03 PM
laurie1125
Can you image living in a house without electricity, plumbing, etc
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 06:06 PM
Maria
No t.v. No phone. No computer. No Mickey D. No Bojangles. No Taco Bell. No K.F.C. No Walmart. No thank you!!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 06:07 PM
Laurie1125
What would we do without Wal-mart. But I still miss my Woolworth stores.
laurie1125
01/17/08 at 02:49 PM
Angel71242
No Lawson forum either!
Angel71242
01/17/08 at 03:14 PM
Maria
Don't even think THAT Angel. That is too scary!!!
Maria
01/17/08 at 04:00 PM
laurie1125
A tourist from the Atlanta area was hiking through the mountains of North Georgia when he came upon the tiniest cabin he had ever seen in his life.
Intrigued, he went up and knocked on the door.
"Anybody home?" he asked.
"Yep," came a kid's voice through the door.
"Is your father there?" asked the tourist.
"Pa? Nope, he left afore Ma came in," said the kid.
"Well, is your mother there?" persisted the tourist.
"Ma? Nope, she left just afore I got here," said the kid.
"But," protested the city slicker, "are you never together as a family?"
"Sure, but not here," said the kid through the door. "This is the outhouse!"
laurie1125
01/17/08 at 04:15 PM
Maria
That is too funny but so appropriate since you asked in an earlier post about whether the Lawson's had an outhouse. Perfect!!
Maria
epdj
I think I am right in saying that Arthur lived with his uncle after everything happened. Which Uncle? Also didn't I read that some of the family rented the house for a while. So when did they tear down the house? Esther Johnson
epdj
01/10/07 at 09:41 PM
Maria
Hi Esther,
Arthur lived with a number of different relatives after the tragic events of that Christmas day. He stayed for a short while with first one and then another. He ws pretty much adrift there for a while. And one of his uncles did stay at the cabin for a while. 1 believe it was his uncle Elijah. Then Arthur and his wife lived Nina in it for awhile. The cabin was torn down around 1981 or there abouts.
Maria
01/10/07 at 09:43 PM
ladebug
I am still wondering about reading Arthur built a home on the property for himself and family?
Ladebug
01/10/07 at 09:46 PM
Maria
I'm working on that one Ladebug. give me a few.
Maria
01/10/07 at 09:49 PM
Hymes
It seems like ! read that Arthur built a house near or on the property. I also read that he lost the farm for some reason. Does anyone know if this is true, & why he lost it?
Hymes
01/10/07 at 10:32 PM
Maria
Hello Hymes..Arthur did indeed build a house. It was a white 2 story frame house and he and Nina lived there for a short while. He lost the house and sold it to a Mr. Gordon who in 1941 rented out the house to Hillary and Sadie Hampton, good friends of Charlie and Fannie Lawson. After Arthur lost the house he then moved into the family cabin where his family was murdered. It was not the farm he lost but rather the house he built. I don't know for sure why he lost it but if I had to guess I would say it had to do with his drinking problem. At the time of his death in 1945 he and his wife and children were still living in the old Lawson family Cabin. I got this info from a woman a few minutes ago who is a daughter of Hillary and Sadie Hampton. She said she remembered moving into that house in 1941 when she was 4 years old. In fact her mother Sadie Hampton is still living. She is 97 years old
Maria
01/10/07 at 10:32 PM
Hymes
The book said that Arthur built a house within walking distance of the farm a that Hill Hampton bought the house several years after the tragedy.
Hymes
01/10/07 at 10:35 PM
Maria
Hill did not buy the house. He rented it. I just spoke with his daughter. The book had a number of errors in it.
Maria
01/19/07 at 09:40 AM
sissy
After the murder did Arthur own all the land and the house? Or did Charlie's brothers own it?
sissy
01/19/07 at 11:00 AM
Maria
According to the auction sale on January 28, 1930, there were 125 items sold at auction but these items did not include the household and kitchen furniture or personal belongings such as the clock or clothing, etc. It lists the 114 acres of land Charlie owned as being worth $2, 500.00 and the 24 acres of bottom land as being worth $750.00 but it does not show it as being sold at the auction. From what I've been told Charlie Lawson still owed a considerable sum of money on the house and land at the time of the murders and that his brother Marion Lawson gave Arthur all of the money made from the tours of the cabin which went a long way towards paying off his father's debts but didn't go ALL the way. Arthur was living in the Lawson cabin with his wife and children at the time he died but I do not know if he or another relative owned it. After the auction all of the personal items such as the clock, the guns, the furniture etc. were given to different relatives according to who wanted what. I'm fairly certain if I put my mind to it I can find what happened to at least some of those things. The items sold at the auction were things such as his truck.his mules, jersey cows, harnesses, hay, wood, plows, etc. and a lot of food such as barrels of corn, beans, sides of ham, jars of jams, peaches, tomatoes, that sort of thing.
Maria
01/21/07 at 05:46 PM
douglasboulding
hi maria I just wanted to know if you ever found out if the barn is still standing at the old home? and one other question i would like to ask: do you think charlie lawson waited to kill himself because he was waiting for Arthur to come home?
Thanks A lot
Doug
keneth d boulding
01/21/07 at 06:20 PM
Maria
Hi Doug,
What a wonderful addition you are to our message forum. Yes I believe that Charlie Lawson was indeed waiting for Arthur to come home so he could ambush and kill him. But a chain of unexpected events occurred that Charlie could not have foreseen and it was that sequence of events that prevented Charlie from being able to kill Arthur. As for the barn still being there I have heard from some people that it is and from others that it isn't. If I had to guess I would say probably not but I hope I am wrong.
Your Friend
Maria
01/21/07 at 11:08 PM
douglasboulding
thanks maria you feel like a part of my family i am so glad i got to know you., doug
keneth d boulding
01/22/07 at 01: 34 AM
nancy1935
My parents and grandparents lived near the Lawson's when the tragedy happened. My dad was at the scene after the murders while they looked for Charlie. I grew up hearing the story many times and found a few things in the book. White Christmas Bloody Christmas that wasn't like what my family had always said. My parents were gone when the book was released. One thing that bothered me was in the book it said there was no Christmas tree that year at the Lawson's. When I was a child in school we made a chain from paper to hang on the Christmas tree. When I showed it to Daddy, he made the remark "There was one of those on Charlie Lawson's Christmas tree ." Why would there not have been a tree that year for the children? This was back when we cut cedar trees in the woods and there were plenty available. I question this and a few more lines in the book.
Does anyone know more about this?
I am waiting to watch the CD since we just heard about it.
nancy1935
01/22/07 at 08:03 AM
Maria
Hi Nancy and welcome to our message forum. We're glad to have you join us here. You've brought up a very interesting question and one that hasn't been asked in this group before. The book does indeed say there was no Christmas tree or decorations of any kind at the Lawson home that year and that other than the new set of clothes Charlie Lawson bought for his wife and children and the family portrait there were no other Christmas gifts that day. And as most of have seen in the photo of the room where most of the killings were done there is no Christmas tree or decorations or gifts strewn about. BUT........I've always thought that the photo didn't show the entire room, that the person who took the photo only shot (no pun intended) the section of the room where the evidence of the murders were. There may well have been one at the other end of the room. Secondly, we don't know when that photo was taken although it was probably taken fairly soon afterwards so it might well be that the decorations had been removed by the time the photo was taken. I also read in one of the newspaper accounts (I can't recall off the top of my head which one it was) that Christmas gifts were strewn around the floor with some of them splattered with blood. That particular article also stated the a Christmas card was found lying on the ground near the barn where Maybell and Carrie were shot and that it too was coated with blood. And a lady we interviewed for our documentary said that she and her friend Marie Lawson had gone together into the woods near the Lawson cabin a few days before Christmas and gathered leaves and branches and red berries to take home and decorate with for Christmas. Although this lady was 94 years old her memory of their trip through the woods was very clear and certain. When you think about it Nancy unless Fannie Lawson knew that her husband planned on killing her and their children on Christmas day (and we can dang well know for certain she didn't) what could possibly have prompted them not to have decorated that year when they had always done so. And last but not least, even if Charlie and Fannie bought no other gifts for their children and each other, other than the clothes and portrait, what about gifts other family members would have given them? They had a big family...Charlie's mother, Fannie's parents, and Charlie's brothers and sisters (he had 8 of them) and Fannie's sisters and brothers (she also had 8 of them). So I too question the validity of there being no gifts and no decorations that year.
Maria
01/22/07 at 09:57 AM
sissy
I have to agree with the both of you. Even in the poorest times we always had a tree and a little gift. I always found it funny that there was no tree. I certainly don't think that know matter how crazy Charlie may had been acting he did not tell his family by the way we ain't having Christmas this year cause I'm gonna kill y'all on Christmas Day. I feel like they decorated just like they did every year. They were probably preparing their Christmas meal like they did every year. Charlie was planning to kill his family, but I don't think he was planning to do it on Christmas Day it just happened that way. That just proves we can't believe everything we read. And we need to go on more than some boo!':., arid listen to other opinions.
sissy
01/22/07 at 10:08 AM
ladebug
You are right Sissy, if they could not afford gifts even then families baked for each other or made preserves. Marie gave her beau a card (which she mailed to him)! would guess a few old timers could remember more details of that day now. Lets hear it from anyone who remembers or had folks who talked about this.
Ladebug
01/23/07 at 01:18 AM
cephus
the covered bridge that was built out of the logs from the Lawson house just curious if it is on the same land as the house was on.
cephus
01/23/07 at 03:17 AM
noneofyourbusiness1
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things...
You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either!
I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
noneofyourbusiness1
01/23/07 at 07:41 AM
jackhammer
Quote:
Originally Posted by noneofyourbusinessl
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things...
You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either!
I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
End quote.
Would you like to elaborate here, or is it "none-of-our-business"?
I felt that the film didn't present this story as "these are the facts", but it was told through the recollections of others, whether they were first-hand memories or had been passed down.
ETA: By the way, I'm curious about the nickname, "noneofyourbusinessl". Is it meant to tell us that the Lawson Murders are not our business? To me, all history is our business, be it the assasinations of Lincoln and Kennedy, or the Lindbergh kidnapping, etc. The saying goes: "If you don't learn from history, you're doomed to repeat it" (paraphrasing). There are things that can be learned from this story that may prevent something like this from happening again.
JMO.
jackhammer
01/23/07 at 08:46 AM
Maria
Hi jackhammer,
You brought up some good points here in your response to "none of your business." But I have just one question: Does this mean this is none of our business or does it mean it is none of my business or does it mean it
is none of your business? I'm really confused here. <£j And of course I want to make sure I have my "facts" right before I get into something that is "none of your business's business.
Maria
01/23/07 at 09:36 AM
sissy
Since "none of your business" seems to be a expert maybe you could enlighten the rest of us. Or is that none of our business.
You should really not come into a message forum and start spitting out such negative remarks the first thing it is very rude. The people who made this film worked very hard on it. I am related to the Lawson family and I thought they told the story fine. Being a relative of the family if I did not have a problem with it I don't see how anyone else could either. And that is my business.
sissy
01/23/07 at 09:47 AM
jackhammer
I find the name "noneofyourbusiness1" to be a little confrontational. Not sure what would motivate someone to choose a name like that, then to come here and make a first post like that, unless he/she was just trying to stir up some trouble.
By the way, adding the number "1" at the end of "noneofyourbusiness" is kind of interesting. One can only assume that he/she wants everyone to know that he/she was the first one here, and to not be confused with any subsequent "noneofyourbusybodys".
jackhammer
01/23/07 at 09:51 AM
ladebug
Dear None of your business.
The very fact you are using a name like "none of your business" says are you already hostile to the message board from get go..Not sure why that would be as we are all pretty friendly here. Please let us all in on what you feel is not accurate in the DVD. I believe the documentary was heartfelt in trying to bring the story to light with the actual interviews on camera. This is an open forum but if you post something so negative you should be able to give your reasons as well.
Ladebug
01/23/07 at 11:33 AM
douglasboulding
TO: noneofyourbusinessl,
I happen to think that the dvd was done in very good taste. I also think its very wise that people look back in past histories so that they will not make the same mistakes again, perhaps you should look back into your past so that you will not make a stupid mistake like this again. I think I know a lot more about the Lawson tragedy than you because I've lived with it all my life, being Charlie was my great uncle and I have lived in Stokes County with his brother George Lawson. People do need to discuss this topic in hopes that it may help other families so they don't have to live through this kind of tragedy.
keneth d boulding
01/23/07 at 03:39 PM
tarheel
to those who asked and to others wanting to know...
the time right now is 2:24PM,EST,and i just returned from the LAWSON'S property and the BARN....is not there anymore! nor is the woodpile! what a disappointment too! anyway,it took a litte doing to drive up the gravel drive way, because the road has washed away due to recent rains,snow and ice,and if one is not careful ,you can mess up the underside of your car trying toi drive up there! i did take a couple of photos where the barn and woodpile once stood and i will send them to anyone asking!(just request them to: (chuckhemrick(gVahoo,com) but for now,they are not there anymore!
dang Maria,I was sure looking forward to being the one to give you the GOOD NEWS!!!!... Again.it was nice meeting you all again at MOCKSVILLE showing! looking forward to getting together again at another showing soon!
tarheel...
01/23/07 at 11:30 PM
tarheel
and...my pin name is TARHEEL,but i am not ashamed to print my real name tool
chuck hemrick!
so noneofourbusiness, what is your real name?
tarheel
01/24/07 at 01:37 PM
BobbyWayne
HaHaHa you guys crack me up
this DVD is not about the truth it's about people's
opinions and opinons are like xxx'es every one has one. I just told what I knew from hear say and memory of what my family and friends told me it happened ten years before I was bom people make mistakes in what they say and see. there was a lot of mistakes in the first book and also in the new one.and in my OPINION that is the reason a lot of the Lawson and Manring Familys are mad about and say it's all just a bunch of Lies. enoughfornowbr549
BobbyWayne
01/24/07 at 01:50 PM
BobbyWayne
Hey tarheel that was my CB call name twenty years ago tarheel cowboy breaker breaker good buddy got your ears on,I heard that the Watts family sold the land a while back for one million dollars and moved in a retirement home, do you or anyone know about this. Got to go 10/100 over and out
tarheel cowboy
BobbyWayne
01/24/07 at 04:52 PM
tarheel
sorry bobby!
check your email status here!
as far as i know,i do not know you...nor the Watts Family,but would love to be filled in about you and them!
warm regards,
tarheel_
01/24/07 at 04:57 PM
Maria
Hi Bobby,
I heard George Lee Watts sold his house and that they are building a new one close to where their daughter lives. I didn't hear a million but still a rather large sum was asked for it. To my knowledge they did not move into a rest home.
Maria
01/24/07 at 05:38 PM
THANKS TARHEEL I WAS WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT THE BARN.
BEST WISHES DOUG
keneth d boulding
01/24/07 at 05:57 PM
sissy
Has that property just recently sold? Mom was down there not long ago and she said for sale signs were still up.
sissy
01/24/07 at 06:08 PM
Hymes
The Stokes County tax records show that George Lee Watts owns the property at 2890 Brookcove Road. There are 4 parcels at this address. Buildings are valued at $334,300 a 35.22 acres of land are worth $60,200.
Hymes
01/24/07 at 10:25 PM
BobbyWayne
George Lee And his wife Sylvia owned the house of charlie Lawson.he must be the one that tore the house down.because he built a covered bridge out of part of the cabin or house which ever you want to call it,and sorry Maria I did not say rest home I said retirement home,tarheel I am in the DVD and my name is Bobby Wayne Manring, Fannie was my Great Aunt.I had a couple of people tell me that george sold the land.hear say do not know if it is fact
BobbyWayne
01/26/07 at 06:01 PM
iluvnumber3
If there is ever a location of the clock, please email me. I am very interested in the where abouts.
iluvnumber3
01/30/07 at 12:12 PM
cephus
I have been to the grave site many times over the years but that is as far down brook cove road that i have been how far from the grave site is it to where the house was and is there anything there to let you know this is where house was at?
cephus
01/30/07 at 12:21 PM
Maria
Hi Cephus,
The place where charlie Lawson's cabin once stood is about half a mile away from the cemetery. There is no sign or marker anywhere to tell you where the house once stood.
Maria
01/30/07 at 12:35 PM
cephus
Would you think a North Carolina state road marker would be a good idea?
cephus
01/30/07 at 01:01 PM
Maria
The problem is that the place where the cabin once stood is on private property now and the owners of the property do not welcome sight seers or curiosity seekers at all. I went to see the cabin in 1979 before it was torn down and I am so glad I did now.
Maria
01/16/08 at 09:54 AM
laurie1125
Did the cabin have indoor plumbing? And if not where was the outhouse located. And can you image if you have to go.....and it's cold outside and forget me cleaning out those chamber pots
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 10:05 AM
Maria
There was no indoor plumbing in the Lawson house and I've not heard of an outhouse there. Only the chamber pots.
Maria
01/16/08 at 10:10 AM
Angel71242
In The meaning of our tears Trudy Smith tells about Fannie Lawson going outside one morning to empty the chamber pot. Why she thought that was note worthy enough to write about is beyond me. Who told her that anyway...Fannie?
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 10:16 AM
Maria
You got me Angel. I know I'm not putting a photo of a chamber pot in my Scrapbook!!!!!!!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 10:18 AM
laurie1125
What did Fannie do, empty the chamber pot over on the side of the porch. Can you image the smell
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 10:20 AM
Angel71242
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria
I know I'm not putting a photo of a chamber pot in my Scrapbook!!!!!!!!!
End quote.
You might as well!! You got everything else in there!!
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 10:26 AM
Maria
Nope, still not going there. In my opinion that kind of activity is too private, too personal. It doesn't belong in the
public eye.
Maria
01/16/08 at 11:45 AM
Angel71242
Quote:
Originally Posted by laurie1125
What did Fannie do, empty the chamber pot over on the side of the porch. Can you image the smell
End quote.
What I can't imagine is someone emptying their chamber pot right outside their door. I don't believe Fannie would have done that - nor anyone else.
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 12:11 PM
BobbyWayne
Quote:
Originally Posted by noneofyourbusinessl
Speaking of not believing everything you read and being incorrect on things... You can not believe everything you see on a DVD either! I know for a fact some of the interviews of so-called "Facts" are very wrong.
End quote.
How in heaven's name do you know fact's when the family on both side's do not know the facts each member has different memories of the events every thing in the dvd is from people's memory of what the were told or overheard.the book was written as facts but most were lies.made up stuff
even news paper's printed stuff that in my opinion was wrong so please post what you think are facts,I as the great nephew of Fannie would really like to know
BobbyWayne
01/16/08 at 01:21 PM
Maria
Thank you Bobby Wayne!! That woman, noneofyourbusinessl is long gone from here thank goodness!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 01:36 PM
Angel71242
You're right Maria. That woman is long gone and I for one am glad also. And you are right BobbyWayne, what everybody in the documentary said is what was presented. By videotaping it, Matt and Eric could not reword or change, put words in their mouths, make assumptions, or alter what the people said one iota. So what you hear and see in the documentary is what the people there remember as they remembered it. If any of their facts were wrong, it was because their memories were faulty rather than because the producer and director wanted it to fit their own agenda.
Angel71242
01/16/08 at 06:03 PM
laurie1125
Can you image living in a house without electricity, plumbing, etc
laurie1125
01/16/08 at 06:06 PM
Maria
No t.v. No phone. No computer. No Mickey D. No Bojangles. No Taco Bell. No K.F.C. No Walmart. No thank you!!!!
Maria
01/16/08 at 06:07 PM
Laurie1125
What would we do without Wal-mart. But I still miss my Woolworth stores.
laurie1125
01/17/08 at 02:49 PM
Angel71242
No Lawson forum either!
Angel71242
01/17/08 at 03:14 PM
Maria
Don't even think THAT Angel. That is too scary!!!
Maria
01/17/08 at 04:00 PM
laurie1125
A tourist from the Atlanta area was hiking through the mountains of North Georgia when he came upon the tiniest cabin he had ever seen in his life.
Intrigued, he went up and knocked on the door.
"Anybody home?" he asked.
"Yep," came a kid's voice through the door.
"Is your father there?" asked the tourist.
"Pa? Nope, he left afore Ma came in," said the kid.
"Well, is your mother there?" persisted the tourist.
"Ma? Nope, she left just afore I got here," said the kid.
"But," protested the city slicker, "are you never together as a family?"
"Sure, but not here," said the kid through the door. "This is the outhouse!"
laurie1125
01/17/08 at 04:15 PM
Maria
That is too funny but so appropriate since you asked in an earlier post about whether the Lawson's had an outhouse. Perfect!!
Maria
