Tom Dula: Ferguson, NC (2020) #TomDooley #BrandonKirk #Ferguson #NC #Appalachia #history #crime #Appalachianhistory #photos

Reading Sharyn McCrumb’s masterpiece “The Ballad of Tom Dooley” sent us down to find historical sites in Ferguson, Wilkes County, NC. 7 January 2020. Most anyone will remember this 1958 mega-hit by the Kingston Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhXuO4Gz3Wo

Tom Dula (1845-1868), a Confederate veteran and fiddler, lived in the vicinity when it was known as Elkville. Few sites remain from his…

4:47 AM EDT August 19, 2022:

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - "Tom Dula" From the album Americana (June 5, 2012)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

A Twelve-Pack of Great NY Songs (with Crazy Horse)

Listed in Chronological Order

“The Ballad of Tom Dooley” is one of the most well-known folk ballads to come out of Appalachia but it’s based on a real murder. Tom Dula was a Confederate soldier and rumored ladies man who had a fling with his neighbor Anne when he was only 12. 

After the war, he met Anne’s cousin Laura and began a relationship with her. She got pregnant and they made plans to elope. In 1866, Laura was found stabbed in the chest. Dula fled the state before being captured. 

He was held in the Wilkes County Jail, pictured above, leading up to his trial. The former governor Zebulon Vance represented him pro bono and maintained that Dula was innocent. But Dula was ultimately convicted and executed two years later. The curious can now visit the cell where he was held and his grave nearby.

There are a few theories about what truly happened including Laura being killed by a jealous Anne. Another claims that Dula killed Laura for giving him syphilis. Whatever the case, the events inspired the song, which was recorded by The Kingston Trio in 1958. 

Tom Dooley by The Kingston Trio, Songfacts

10:25 PM EST December 6, 2017:

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - "Tom Dula\" From the album Americana (June 5, 2012)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last\.fm

A Twelve-Pack of Great NY Songs (with Crazy Horse)

Listed in Chronological Order

3:14 AM EST November 1, 2017:

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - "Tom Dula\" From the album Americana (June 5, 2012)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last\.fm

A Twelve-Pack of Great NY Songs (with Crazy Horse)

Listed in Chronological Order

On October 21, 1866, Tom Dula was convicted of the murder of Laura Foster.  It was at daybreak that the jury returned the verdict in the Iredell County Courthouse, where it had been moved from Wilkes County.  The jury had not received their orders from the judge until about midnight the night before. They deliberated during the night.  The defense moved for an arrest of judgment, which was overruled and the judge pronounced sentence: that Thomas Dula be hanged by the neck until dead on November 9, 1866.  Former Governor Zebulon B. Vance represented Dula pro bono.

Speculation abounded as to Vance’s reasons for taking the case, one of the few he ever lost before a jury.  Regardless of his motives, he gave a spirited defense and succeeded in twice taking the case to the North Carolina Supreme Court.  The crowds of spectators and reporters that appeared in the courtroom were as likely there to see the charismatic Vance as they were to hear the sensational testimony.  Ultimately, however, the High Court upheld the conviction and Dula was hanged for the crime in May 1868.