The True Story of Tom Dooley: From Western North Carolina Mystery to Folk Legend

by John Edward Fletcher, Edith Marie Ferguson Carter (Foreword)

The crime that shocked post-Civil War America and inspired the folk song that became The Kingston Trio’s hit, “Tom Dooley.”   At the conclusion of the Civil War, Wilkes County, North Carolina, was the site of the nation’s first nationally publicized crime of passion. In the wake of a tumultuous love affair and a mysterious chain of events, Tom Dooley was tried, convicted and hanged for the murder of Laura Foster. This notorious crime became an inspiration for musicians, writers and storytellers ever since, creating a mystery of mythic proportions. Through newspaper articles, trial documents and public records, Dr. John E. Fletcher brings this dramatic case to life, providing the long-awaited factual account of the legendary murder. Join the investigation into one of the country’s most enduring thrillers.   “Fletcher has spent a great deal of time researching almost all of the characters involved with the Foster homicide and has gone further than any researcher I know in establishing the relationships—blood, marriage and social—between the major actors in the tragedy.”—Statesville Record & Landmark

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2013

Reviews

[Nell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be pretty interesting to descendants of the families involved or residents of the area, of whom the author is one. As for me, I was glad to learn the basics of the story behind the song, but it was more than I wanted to know, detailed and somewhat repetitive. It took place shortly after the Civil War. A bit disconcerting that, as far as can be pieced together from incomplete evidence, Tom Dula committed the murder of Laura Foster out of revenge for her having given him syphilis, and he in turn passed it to a married woman with whom he was having a relationship. it was premeditated and cold-blooded on his part. These are the kinds of folks who give hillbillies a bad name. Though, in fairness, they aren't any different from anybody else. One has to be grateful for antibiotics and other treatments that would have presumably prevented this murder.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I must admit that I knew very little about Tom Dooley before I read this book. I do remember the song, but didn't realize there was a real life inspiration behind it. This book reads like many mathematical writers do when they author a book, it's a very factual, and fairly boring read. I think with a good edit and a more literary focus, this would be a great read.

"Lovers that were never meant to be, disease, hatred, and a hastily hidden body" don't that sound more interesting? I do give the author respect for well documented research, but it read like a mathematics textbook. This story was too good to be bogged down and sunk by numbers.

[Jimmy Makinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, written concisely

I found the subject interesting owing to growing up in North Carolina and my grandfather's ransom references to the story when I was young. While it was well written I found it a bit dull for a salacious murder mystery. It works better as a utilitarian conveyance of information than a "fun" read. However, I would recommend it to anyone interested in North Carolina history, especially reconstruction era.

[Steven Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the story of Tom Dula, better known as Tom Dooley, and the murder of Laura Foster. Also provides fascinating info about the true stories, how the legends and myths developed over time, and how they inspired the popular ballads that have emerged since then. Those with an interest in history and American folklore and legend will find much to enjoy in this book. Grade: B+

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary of the case

This book provided a very good overview of an old case that still captures the imagination. A family tree might have been helpful to keep everyone straight, but it's probably impossible! The history of the famous song was interesting as well.

[Cliff Rhodes]

Great story with mysterious ending. How did they get 3000 people into downtown Statesville attending the trial?

[Erik Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about Tom Dooley(Dula).

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

The song. "Tom Dooley" is actually about an Appalachian hill resident named Tom Dula. The dialect of the locals makes the name sound like 'Dooley.' Tom was a former Confederate soldier who grew up in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Three families lived near each other, including the Dulas, the Meltons, and the Fosters. Tom was the youngest male of three sons and three daughters (Eliza, Sarah, & Ann) in the Dula family.

Tom was quite the ladies' man; Ann Foster's mother caught Ann (aged 14) and Tom (aged 12) in bed together. Ann also had two cousins, Laura and Pauline. Early in 1962, Tom volunteered for service with the Confederates, even though he was only seventeen. He was captured and released from a prisoner-of-war camp in April 1865. Both of Tom's brothers died in the conflict, and Tom received various non-lethal wounds. Ann Foster married an older man, James Melton, a farmer and cobbler. Melton also fought in the Civil War (particularly the Battle of Gettysburg) and was captured and sent to a prisoner camp until the war's end.

When Tom returned home, he re-established his intimate relationship with Ann. He also started personal relationships with Laura and Pauline. It was proven that Ann had relations with Tom while her husband and child were asleep in other rooms of the house. Folklore says that Laura became pregnant, and she and Tom were eloping to get married when Laura disappeared on Mary 25, 1866. Laura told neighbors that she was leaving the area with Tom on the 25th.

This author's story is that Tom was angry with Laura for giving him a venereal disease. However, Tom,  Ann, Pauline, and Laura all had to be treated for venereal disease (syphilis). Since Pauline was the first treated, she possibly gave it to Tom, and he shared it with the other Foster cousins. However, Tom's view was that he got syphilis from Laura and was angry.

When Laura couldn't be found, locals started saying that Tom had killed Laura. So, Tom left the area and worked for Colonel James Grayson just across the state line in Trade, Tennessee. Grayson's name was mentioned in the song, which led to the myth that Grayson had been Dula's rival for Laura. However, Grayson had no connection to Laura and only employed Tom for a week. After Laura's body was found (about three months after her death), Tom was arrested for murder. Ann Melton was also arrested for aiding and abetting.

Laura had been stabbed once. Because of the lover's triangle (Laura, Tom, and Ann Melton) and the rumors, this unusual story captured the public's interest. It was the first nationally publicized crime of passion in America. Tom was tried first, and their trials were separated. Tom was found guilty, but there were errors in the case,  and a new trial was called. Tom was found guilty again, and he stated that no one aided him. He also said he did not kill Laura (just before he was hanged).

Ann was tried and found not guilty. Folks thought she'd suffered enough. However, looking at the facts, it appears that Ann may have been the murderer, and Tom took the wrap for her. Some think Ann was jealous that Tom was intimate with Laura and thus killed her. Ann was also the person who knew where the body was. Ann was known to be promiscuous, and having relations with another man while her husband was in the house took some gall.

I think this book was poorly written.  The writer was a British-Australian and probably wrote the book from the newspaper, court, and legal briefs gathered online. The author also went into great detail about all the myths and folktales told about the lover's triangle, which seemed unnecessary. This book needed an editor and proofreader. However, it is an interesting view into the thinking and lives of people in Appalachia in the 1860s.

[Rachel Anders · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Dula cousin, I read everything I can about my 1 cousin 6 times removed. I am just not sure how a mathematical writer can use false information to help destroy a family. There is so much false information in this book, it most certainly is not the true story of Tom Dula (Dooley). There are various branches of the Dula family, and no way that family legend can be tied to create a story. That doesn’t mean the entire book is false; there is some truth in this book, however, it is too bogged down in textbook format to really hold the attention of casual readers.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! I was fascinated with the documented facts behind what we always called the Legend of Tom Dooley. All of these events transpired about an hour from where I grew up and now live. Everyone, including myself, always assumed we knew the identity of the killer. But the author makes a strong case for the actual killer. I love how this is written; facts presented as historical fiction. It was impossible to put down. Well-written and beautifully done!

[Tricia Huskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jumbled

This book went on and on rehashing the same few bits of information. Then threw in stuff about the singers of the ballads about the case. The book was 165 pages and that was probably 100 pages too long.

[Jaime Tang · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. The true story? yes. Fascinating reading? not really. This could have been summed up in a short story or novella and would have been a good read. As is, it’s more like a book you’d use for research.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Story

It’s a good story, but with all the details, it’s a bit too long; unless your personally interested in all the people who were involved as witnesses, authorities, or family members, or neighbors. The actual trial notes, documents, and greater details are a bit much.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been on a ballad/true crime/folk tale kick for a while. I need a better name for it. This little book is an attempt to get to the closest thing to the truth of Laura Foster's death and Tom Dula's guilt or innocence. The author did a thorough job even as he grossed me out a bit.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Very repetitive.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting story

Wish there had been a direct thread and then presented possible alternatives. Too much back and forth early on. Improved after midpoint.