From Nevada (MO) to Yakima: A Family History Trip: January 2019

My grandfather, Roy Peterson married Bertha Ellen Lawson in Texas County, Missouri. Bertha

Lawson was the daughter of JOHN FRANKLIN LAWSON and Nora Mezo. The Lawson family wasn't originally from Texas County, Missouri, but were from the neighboring counties of Phelps and Pulaski.

In late 1896 to early 1897, John Lawson (mentioned above) was in the middle of a murder trial where his mother and uncles were accused of murdering one of John's playmates.

To help follow the names mentioned in the tale, refer to the family on the right.

William Hamilton Lawson (called "Hamilton" or "Ham" Lawson)
Martha Alexander Lawson
Jacob Lawson (called Jake)
Andrew Lawson (called Andy)
Rack Lawson (son of Andrew Lawson)

The details of the murder and trial was reported by the Rolla Herald (Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri) over a two year period.

1896

6 Aug. 1896: A Brutal Murder: An 11-year-old Boy's Throat Cut and His Body Thrown in a Pond.

The neighborhood about midway between Relfe and Spring Creek, in the southwestern part of Phelps county was greatly excited last Tuesday when the body of little 11-year-old Frank Wade, son of William Wade, was found in a small pond about 250 yards from the home of Hamilton Lawson, a neighbor, lacerated, nude and cold in death. The throat was cut from ear to ear.
Frank Wade and an older brother went to Ham. Lawson's on the Sunday before to play with the Lawson boys. Frank then went to Andy Lawson's to get his son Rack, aged about 10 years, to come over and play with them. This was in the morning. Rack and Frank after a time left the other boys and went into an old thrown-out pasture. When called to dinner all put in an appearance but Frank Wade. Rack Lawson, on being questioned, said Frank had gone up the ravine singing and laughing.

After Rack had eaten his dinner he stayed around Hamilton Lawson's until about 4 o'clock, when he went home with his father. Frank Wade was never again seen alive.
When Rack returned home to supper he still claimed that Frank had gone up the ravine singing and laughing, or at least his mother says he did.
Frank's older brother on reaching home that evening was surprised in not finding him there and the parents became greatly worried and gave the alarm.
Searching parties were formed among the neighbors-and everybody volunteered to search but

Missouri County Plat Maps, 1930
Source: Missouri Digital Heritage

Andy Lawson, father of Rack. Rack did not take much interest in the matter one way or the other. On Tuesday evening the body was found as above stated.
A coroner's inquest was held by Squire J. N. Vance, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney Thos. M. Jones, of Rolla. The details were closely inquired into, and the jury returned a verdict holding Andrew Lawson and his son, Rack, responsible for the murder.
The prisoners were brought in Thursday night by deputy sheriff John McMasters, constable John Brown and a posse of eight men, and placed in the jail in this city. The feelings against the accused were at a high tension, and for a time all that was needed for a lynching was a hot-headed leader. The rope was already on the ground, but better judgment prevailed.
A report has reached here that very early Monday morning Andrew Lawson borrowed a saddle from a neighbor and rode over into Pulaski county and bought a pair of pants and shoes for himself, when he could get the same things at Pillman's store or at Relfe, only a mile or two away.
The clothing belonging to the murdered boy have not as yet been found.

My Personal thoughts about the report given above: It looks like the paper reported the facts (that were known) but also added a little flavor. For example, "Rack did not take much interest in the matter one way or the other." This sounds like something someone voiced and the paper ran with it. The paragraph about Andrew Lawson riding over to Pulaski County didn't seem relevant. The neighborhood borders Pulaski County to the West-Spring Creek is actually closer to the Pulaski County border than it is to Relfe (see map.)

11 Nov. 1896: Jail Cost

The following piece of information comes from the Rolla Herald (Phelps Co., MO.) Andy and Rack Lawson were arrested back in August of 1896 for the murder of Frank Wade. I am trying to imagine what jail might have been like for a 10 year old boy in 1896.

26 Nov. 1896 (Rolla Herald): Indictment for Father & Son

10 Dec. 1896: Trial Time

The State had four months to prepare the case to this point.

19 Dec. 1896 (Rolla New Era): A close call?

26 Dec. 1896, (Rolla New Era): Off to St. Louis

This article gives us some details that we didn't have before. Andy Lawson is being charged with concealing the body and Rack Lawson (age 10) is being charged with murder.

Here are a couple of images of the Phelps County Jail. https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/90000766.pdf gives a lot of details about the history of the Phelps County Jail (application for National Register of Historical Places.)