Song of the Day: Tom Dooley

Welcome to The Sports Chief and our Saturday version of the Song of the Day! Today, I wanted to feature a “local” legend story about Tom Dula and the nationally publicized murder story that happened in Wilkes County, North Carolina around 1866. It involved 3 people, Tom of course, Laura Foster and Anne Melton. Laura was found dead in the mountains as a traveler was passing through the area and a horse refused to go across the ground…the traveler was curious, so he dug around the area and found a dead body. Authorities found Tom Dula heading towards Tennessee for a “job opportunity” and Anne Melton was said to be going with him at a later time. Of course, there was a romantic interest involved and Laura and Anne happened to be cousins. There are many versions of the story that exist out there and you should do your own research on what you believe happened. It really is an great mystery and could easily be a great movie (I know a movie came out in 1959 with Michael Landon) but a new version would be pretty cool. A Governor of North Carolina served as Tom’s attorney and one question is why would Zebulon Vance take on this case? His practice was in Charlotte, NC at the time…which is pretty far from Wilkes County and Iredell County…where Vance would have the trial moved. Iredell is fairly close for him at the time and Statesville was the town in which Vance was arrested for treason years previously and being you know…the CSA Governor of North Carolina. Tom Dula was hanged for the murder of Laura Foster on May, 1st 1868…Also, 155 years ago on May the 1st, 1868…Tom was hanged for the murder of Laura Foster…Anne Melton was released. Feel free to check out this blog post from UNC-Chapel Hill on the story!

The song, “Tom Dooley” has been performed by many folk artists over the years and today I wanted to feauture Doc Watson’s version, who was from Deep Gap, NC which is a neighboring town to Wilkes. It wouldn’t be complete without a Billy Strings version as well! In other news, if you are in the Wilkes County area, stop by the Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro, NC where you can find more about the story of Tom Dula and other legends of the historic county…also, MerleFest will be happening until April 30th, so get your tickets to see great folk artists nationally and locally owned! Have a great April weekend everyone and enjoy the weather!