“The Ashland Tragedy (II)”
Description
Three robbers break into the Gibbons house. Fanny Gibbons, a friend, and Bobby Gibbons are killed. The robbers (fail in an) attempt to burn the house. One is lynched, the others sentenced to hang. Three locals are killed by soldiers guarding the robbers
Notes
It's not clear to me why Laws accords this full status as a traditional ballad; as with The Ashland Tragedy (III), the only source is Thomas. Her text begins,
Come dear people from far and wide
And lend a willing ear to me
While I relate the cruel facts
Of Ashland's greatest tragedy. - RBW
Historical references
- 1881 - Ellis Craft and William Neal hung for their part on the "Ashland Tragedy" (the third robber, George Ellis, had earlier been lynched)
Cross references
- cf. "The Ashland Tragedy (I)" [Laws F25]
- cf. "The Ashland Tragedy (III)" [Laws F27]
References
- Laws F26, "The Ashland Tragedy II"
- Thomas-Makin', pp. 156-158, "The Ashland Tragedy" (1 text)
- DT 806, ASHLAND2
- BI, LF26