Curious Events in Wilkesboro
A small town in North Carolina makes national news17 total reviews
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Jim,
this was a highly entertaining post and one worthy of a six in my opinion, but it's Friday, and of course I'm long since out. Perhaps Dula figured he deserved to die because he was such a lust filled jackass, I don't know. It's probably a good thing he died by hanging, as VD would be a most unpleasant way to pass. Well done.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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Hello Jim,
this was a highly entertaining post and one worthy of a six in my opinion, but it's Friday, and of course I'm long since out. Perhaps Dula figured he deserved to die because he was such a lust filled jackass, I don't know. It's probably a good thing he died by hanging, as VD would be a most unpleasant way to pass. Well done.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hey Jim. I enjoyed your historic story of Tom Dula. (Dooley) I remember listening to The Kingston Trio singing Tom Dooley when I was in Jr. high. You did a fine job putting all of the events together in a short space. I agree this story is a little convoluted but they make some of the best stories. It was an entertaining read. I didn't know if you were aware, but the Wilkesboro track is open again. I remember seeing the weeds growing up through the track the last 25 years. I have just returned to FS after a three-year hiatus. This is an entertaining read.
Z
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Hey Jim. I enjoyed your historic story of Tom Dula. (Dooley) I remember listening to The Kingston Trio singing Tom Dooley when I was in Jr. high. You did a fine job putting all of the events together in a short space. I agree this story is a little convoluted but they make some of the best stories. It was an entertaining read. I didn't know if you were aware, but the Wilkesboro track is open again. I remember seeing the weeds growing up through the track the last 25 years. I have just returned to FS after a three-year hiatus. This is an entertaining read.
Z
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
Comment from LJbutterfly
I always seem to go to the music first. I remembered the song immediately. As a kid, I used to sing along with the chorus, trying to harmonize, and never paid attention to the details of the verse.
Thank you for the fascinating backstory for Tom Dooley. I never realized it was based on actual events.
Remember the song Frankie and Johnny? It was another murder ballad based on real life.
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I always seem to go to the music first. I remembered the song immediately. As a kid, I used to sing along with the chorus, trying to harmonize, and never paid attention to the details of the verse.
Thank you for the fascinating backstory for Tom Dooley. I never realized it was based on actual events.
Remember the song Frankie and Johnny? It was another murder ballad based on real life.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
Comment from lancellot
Impressive history lesson. When I first saw the picture, I thought, 'Who was that lucky stud?' I guess, it proves that old saying about the fury of a woman scorned. Unless Pauline left a tell-all diary, we may never know all the facts.
Great work.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Impressive history lesson. When I first saw the picture, I thought, 'Who was that lucky stud?' I guess, it proves that old saying about the fury of a woman scorned. Unless Pauline left a tell-all diary, we may never know all the facts.
Great work.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Thanks very much, Lance. Folks have been debating this story for years, and no one really knows exactly what happened. We probably never will know, but it's fun to speculate. Except for getting syphilis, Dula kind of had it made there for a while.
Comment from royowen
Yes I certainly remember the song, and could well be the conclusion that this song certainly was the inspiration for this Particular song, an excellent work Jim, yes it seems that your story confirms it, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Yes I certainly remember the song, and could well be the conclusion that this song certainly was the inspiration for this Particular song, an excellent work Jim, yes it seems that your story confirms it, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Thanks, Roy. So, I guess the song made it to Australia too. It is kind of a catchy tune and a pleasant one for such a terrible story.
Comment from patcelaw
This is very well written, and I enjoyed very much listening to it. I wish you the very best with your writing. I remember the song. I wish you the very best for the evening and for the weekend. Patricia.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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This is very well written, and I enjoyed very much listening to it. I wish you the very best with your writing. I remember the song. I wish you the very best for the evening and for the weekend. Patricia.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Thank you very much, Patricia. Kind of a catchy song, isn't it?
Comment from Wendy G
What an amazing story! I like the way you gave the story first, and then brought it around to a song with which we are all familiar (yes, in Australia as well). I didn't realise it was based on real life, thought it was just a fictional ballad. I tend to agree with your thoughts about the maid being guilty, but perhaps he felt he deserved to be punished for having so many lovers and not being faithful to any.
Wendy
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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What an amazing story! I like the way you gave the story first, and then brought it around to a song with which we are all familiar (yes, in Australia as well). I didn't realise it was based on real life, thought it was just a fictional ballad. I tend to agree with your thoughts about the maid being guilty, but perhaps he felt he deserved to be punished for having so many lovers and not being faithful to any.
Wendy
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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I've known for some time the song was based on a true story, though I don't remember exactly how I knew that. But it wasn't until recently I decided to look up what the exact story was. When I found out it took place just 50 miles from where I live, it took on extra significance to me, and I decided to write about it. It's one of those truth is stranger than fiction tales.
Comment from jmdg1954
Wow. I cannot even venture a guess as to the last time I heard that song. But as soon as I played it back it was like I last heard it yesterday.
I never knew the story behind the song (honest that I didn't know there was one).
Thanks for sharing that with us, Jim. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
John
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Wow. I cannot even venture a guess as to the last time I heard that song. But as soon as I played it back it was like I last heard it yesterday.
I never knew the story behind the song (honest that I didn't know there was one).
Thanks for sharing that with us, Jim. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
John
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Such a catchy tune, isn't it? I always liked it. So glad you enjoyed the story, John, and thanks for the great review and 6 stars.
Comment from lyenochka
Well, thank you for telling us the backstory of this song which always sounded so pleasant considering that awful story. Thank you, also, for not writing the book based on the story!
I guess that "sweetheart murder ballads" originally started in England because I remember Garfunkel song with that same theme with a lilting melody.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Well, thank you for telling us the backstory of this song which always sounded so pleasant considering that awful story. Thank you, also, for not writing the book based on the story!
I guess that "sweetheart murder ballads" originally started in England because I remember Garfunkel song with that same theme with a lilting melody.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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I know. Such a pleasant tune that you just want to hum or whistle. A lot of folk songs are the same way. I'm reminded of "Polly Von" by Peter, Paul, and Mary, about a guy who mistakenly kills his fiance by shooting her with an arrow, thinking she was a swan he was firing at in the gloaming. Such a sweet tune about a horrible event.
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It's so incongruous!
Comment from Sharon Elwell
You're right that the story is too ugly and disheartening to want to read over a novel. But it is so much fun to get to the point where Grayson first comes into it, and you think, "Wait a minute..." Having always wondered about the origins of the song, this explanation is very welcome!
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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You're right that the story is too ugly and disheartening to want to read over a novel. But it is so much fun to get to the point where Grayson first comes into it, and you think, "Wait a minute..." Having always wondered about the origins of the song, this explanation is very welcome!
Comment Written 20-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2024
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Yes, definitely not my style of novel. So, it sounds like you recognized where it was going before we got to the explanation. Good for you, Sharon.
