12 Crimes of Christmas: Tragic Traditions

On Christmas day 1929, the Lawson family was getting ready for Christmas in Stokes County, North Carolina. They were a family of 9 with the father, Charlie, age 43, Fannie, the mom, age 37, 17 year old Marie, 16 year old Arthur, 12 year old Carrie, 7 year old Maybell, 4 year old James, 2 year old Raymond, and a baby, Mary Lou.

The family had been up and about on Christmas morning, tending to the farm, baking a holiday cake, and getting ready for the annual tradition of rabbit hunting. 16 year old Arthur had been sent into town to buy shotgun shells to go hunting with his dad. Charlie, the dad, then went out to the barn where two of his daughters, 12 year old Carrie and 7 year old Maybell were likely doing chores.

While in the barn, Charlie shot and bludgeoned his two daughters. The sound of the gunshots did not alert the rest of the family or the neighbors at first, because hunting was a big family tradition for farmers in this area on Christmas day. After killing two of his daughters, Charlie shot his wife, who was sitting on the porch of their house. It’s possible his other children saw this happen, but at the very least they heard the gunshot and tried to get away and hide.

Charlie next found 17 year old Marie, who had just finished baking a cake in the kitchen, and shot her. The two little boys, 4 year old James and 2 year old Raymond were hiding, but Charlie found them and shot them as well. Lastly, he found baby Mary Lou and bludgeoned her to death. He then positioned all of their heads with pillows or rocks, and crossed their arms in a funeral position.

Charlie ran off into the woods as neighbors and the police began to arrive at the house. Charlie paced around and began to write two notes, one that said, “Nobody to blame but” and the other said “Troubles can cause.” He then shot himself in the woods.