Earll Family Murders
Family Mass Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Welsh, Louisiana
TIME PERIOD
February 14, 1902
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
On February 14, 1902, six members of the Earll family were discovered murdered in their cabin near Welsh, Louisiana, with evidence indicating they had been shot, bludgeoned, and had their throats cut. The primary suspect, Albert Edwin Batson, an itinerant farm worker who had been employed by the family, was tried twice and ultimately executed by hanging on August 15, 1903, despite ongoing controversy regarding his guilt. The Earll family included L.S. Earll, his wife, and their five children, with the last known sighting of Ward Earll occurring on February 11, 1902. The case garnered significant media attention and has been the subject of various cultural references, including a murder ballad, while recent literature has raised questions about the certainty of Batson's conviction.
Albert Edwin Batson's guilt in the Earll family murders remains controversial, with some believing he may have been wrongfully convicted. There is speculation that the Earll family had made enemies in the community, leading to theories that the murders could have been motivated by personal vendettas rather than Batson's actions alone. Additionally, local gossip suggested that the family had fled Iowa due to unresolved conflicts, raising questions about their past and potential motives for their murder.
The Earll Family Murders: A Tale of Tragedy and Controversy
The Gruesome Discovery
On the morning of February 14, 1902, a chilling fog hung over Welsh, Louisiana, as the gruesome discovery of the Earll family murders came to light. Six members of the Earll family lay dead in their cabin, victims of a brutal massacre that would forever haunt the small town. The suspect? Albert Edwin Batson, a transient farm laborer with a troubled past. Despite multiple trials and a controversial verdict, the truth behind this heinous crime remains shrouded in mystery.
A Family in Transition
The Earll family had moved from Iowa to Louisiana around 1890, seeking prosperity through rice farming. Their journey was fraught with challenges, including failed crops that forced L.S. Earll to open a store in Welsh. By 1900, they returned to farming, determined to succeed. The family patriarch, L.S. Earll, along with his wife and children, lived on the farm three miles southeast of Welsh. Notably, Ward and Fred Earll lived separately, with Ward's house rumored to be haunted due to its eerie appearance and tragic history.
Albert Edwin "Ed" Batson entered this narrative in 1901. Born in Spickard, Missouri, to a divorced mother, Batson had worked various jobs, including as a railroad hand. His arrival in Welsh marked the beginning of his association with the Earll family, as he worked on their rice farm and shared quarters with Ward. However, Ward Earll was last seen alive on the night of February 11, 1902, setting the stage for an unfolding tragedy.
The Murders and Investigation
The discovery of the crime scene was nothing short of horrifying. The victims were shot or bludgeoned to death, their throats gruesomely cut, and their bodies wrapped in cloth. Decomposition indicated they had been dead for several days. Fred and Maude Earll, absent during the massacre, were spared the grim fate that befell their family.
The investigation took a peculiar turn when a man impersonating Ward Earll appeared in Lake Charles, attempting to sell livestock before visiting a gun store and watch repair shop. Identified later as Albert Batson, he left behind Ward's shotgun and watch, arousing suspicion. His distinctive scar marked him as the man seen, and his actions led to the discovery of the bodies when Maude Earll was notified of the family's absence.
A pivotal piece of evidence emerged when investigators found a letter in Ward's buggy, signed by Batson, ominously ending with "ha ha bye bye I’m gone." This "Ha-Ha letter" became a focal point in the investigation. Before authorities could act, Batson fled to Missouri, but his escape was short-lived. Deputy Isaac Fontenot arrested him in Princeton, Missouri, and Batson was returned to Louisiana, charged with the murders.
Trial and Execution
The courtroom drama that followed captivated Louisiana. Presiding Judge E.D. Miller oversaw the trials, where Batson steadfastly maintained his innocence, never testifying in his defense. His demeanor earned him a reputation as a polite prisoner, casting doubt on his guilt. Yet, the trial became a cause célèbre, dividing public opinion.
Defense attorneys Paul Sompayrac and Winston Overton argued that Batson lacked motive and that the evidence was circumstantial. They pointed to two strangers, one with a similar scar, as potential perpetrators with a grudge against the Earlls. Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by District Attorney Joseph Moore, painted Batson as a thief who murdered for profit and fled.
Despite the defense's efforts, Batson was found guilty in April 1902 and sentenced to death. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court ordered a retrial due to a technicality. In March 1903, Batson faced the court again, receiving another death sentence. Legal maneuvering led to a fourth and final sentencing after Batson proclaimed his innocence.
In a final attempt to save Batson, the Louisiana State Pardon Board recommended commuting his sentence. Governor William Wright Heard sought Judge Miller's counsel, which was declined. On August 15, 1903, Batson met his fate on the gallows at the Lake Charles jail.
Legacy of a Controversial Case
The Earll family murders left an indelible mark on Louisiana's history, inspiring blues musician Wilson Jones, also known as Stavin' Chain, to pen the murder ballad "Batson." The song, a haunting 12-minute epic, explored the prelude to the crime and its aftermath, intertwining with the likes of "Frankie and Albert" and "Lamkin." Interpretations of the ballad varied, with some seeing Batson as an innocent victim of circumstance.
The case faded into obscurity until 2014 when the book "Until You Are Dead, Dead, Dead: The Hanging of Albert Edwin Batson" reignited interest. The book examined the certainty of Batson's guilt, sparking renewed debate and critical acclaim. As time passes, the Earll family murders remain a poignant reminder of a century-old mystery, echoing through history in ballads and books alike.
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Earll Family Found Dead
Six members of the Earll family were discovered murdered in their cabin, shot and bludgeoned to death.
Suspect Identified
Albert Edwin Batson, a former farm worker for the Earlls, becomes the prime suspect in the murders.
Bodies Discovered
Maude Earll returns to the family home and finds the bodies of her family members, leading to an investigation.
Ha-Ha Letter Found
A letter signed by Batson is discovered, raising suspicions about his involvement in the murders.
Batson Arrested
Batson is arrested in Princeton, Missouri, the same day the bodies are found, and is charged with the murders.
First Trial Verdict
Batson is found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death, but the verdict is later overturned.
Second Trial Conviction
Batson is convicted again in a second trial and sentenced to death for the Earll family murders.
Batson Executed
Albert Edwin Batson is executed by hanging at the Lake Charles jail after multiple trials and appeals.
On February 14, 1902, six members of the Earll family were discovered murdered in their cabin near Welsh, Louisiana, with evidence indicating they had been shot, bludgeoned, and had their throats cut. The primary suspect, Albert Edwin Batson, an itinerant farm worker who had been employed by the family, was tried twice and ultimately executed by hanging on August 15, 1903, despite ongoing controversy regarding his guilt. The Earll family included L.S. Earll, his wife, and their five children, with the last known sighting of Ward Earll occurring on February 11, 1902. The case garnered significant media attention and has been the subject of various cultural references, including a murder ballad, while recent literature has raised questions about the certainty of Batson's conviction.
Albert Edwin Batson's guilt in the Earll family murders remains controversial, with some believing he may have been wrongfully convicted. There is speculation that the Earll family had made enemies in the community, leading to theories that the murders could have been motivated by personal vendettas rather than Batson's actions alone. Additionally, local gossip suggested that the family had fled Iowa due to unresolved conflicts, raising questions about their past and potential motives for their murder.
The Earll Family Murders: A Tale of Tragedy and Controversy
The Gruesome Discovery
On the morning of February 14, 1902, a chilling fog hung over Welsh, Louisiana, as the gruesome discovery of the Earll family murders came to light. Six members of the Earll family lay dead in their cabin, victims of a brutal massacre that would forever haunt the small town. The suspect? Albert Edwin Batson, a transient farm laborer with a troubled past. Despite multiple trials and a controversial verdict, the truth behind this heinous crime remains shrouded in mystery.
A Family in Transition
The Earll family had moved from Iowa to Louisiana around 1890, seeking prosperity through rice farming. Their journey was fraught with challenges, including failed crops that forced L.S. Earll to open a store in Welsh. By 1900, they returned to farming, determined to succeed. The family patriarch, L.S. Earll, along with his wife and children, lived on the farm three miles southeast of Welsh. Notably, Ward and Fred Earll lived separately, with Ward's house rumored to be haunted due to its eerie appearance and tragic history.
Albert Edwin "Ed" Batson entered this narrative in 1901. Born in Spickard, Missouri, to a divorced mother, Batson had worked various jobs, including as a railroad hand. His arrival in Welsh marked the beginning of his association with the Earll family, as he worked on their rice farm and shared quarters with Ward. However, Ward Earll was last seen alive on the night of February 11, 1902, setting the stage for an unfolding tragedy.
The Murders and Investigation
The discovery of the crime scene was nothing short of horrifying. The victims were shot or bludgeoned to death, their throats gruesomely cut, and their bodies wrapped in cloth. Decomposition indicated they had been dead for several days. Fred and Maude Earll, absent during the massacre, were spared the grim fate that befell their family.
The investigation took a peculiar turn when a man impersonating Ward Earll appeared in Lake Charles, attempting to sell livestock before visiting a gun store and watch repair shop. Identified later as Albert Batson, he left behind Ward's shotgun and watch, arousing suspicion. His distinctive scar marked him as the man seen, and his actions led to the discovery of the bodies when Maude Earll was notified of the family's absence.
A pivotal piece of evidence emerged when investigators found a letter in Ward's buggy, signed by Batson, ominously ending with "ha ha bye bye I’m gone." This "Ha-Ha letter" became a focal point in the investigation. Before authorities could act, Batson fled to Missouri, but his escape was short-lived. Deputy Isaac Fontenot arrested him in Princeton, Missouri, and Batson was returned to Louisiana, charged with the murders.
Trial and Execution
The courtroom drama that followed captivated Louisiana. Presiding Judge E.D. Miller oversaw the trials, where Batson steadfastly maintained his innocence, never testifying in his defense. His demeanor earned him a reputation as a polite prisoner, casting doubt on his guilt. Yet, the trial became a cause célèbre, dividing public opinion.
Defense attorneys Paul Sompayrac and Winston Overton argued that Batson lacked motive and that the evidence was circumstantial. They pointed to two strangers, one with a similar scar, as potential perpetrators with a grudge against the Earlls. Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by District Attorney Joseph Moore, painted Batson as a thief who murdered for profit and fled.
Despite the defense's efforts, Batson was found guilty in April 1902 and sentenced to death. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court ordered a retrial due to a technicality. In March 1903, Batson faced the court again, receiving another death sentence. Legal maneuvering led to a fourth and final sentencing after Batson proclaimed his innocence.
In a final attempt to save Batson, the Louisiana State Pardon Board recommended commuting his sentence. Governor William Wright Heard sought Judge Miller's counsel, which was declined. On August 15, 1903, Batson met his fate on the gallows at the Lake Charles jail.
Legacy of a Controversial Case
The Earll family murders left an indelible mark on Louisiana's history, inspiring blues musician Wilson Jones, also known as Stavin' Chain, to pen the murder ballad "Batson." The song, a haunting 12-minute epic, explored the prelude to the crime and its aftermath, intertwining with the likes of "Frankie and Albert" and "Lamkin." Interpretations of the ballad varied, with some seeing Batson as an innocent victim of circumstance.
The case faded into obscurity until 2014 when the book "Until You Are Dead, Dead, Dead: The Hanging of Albert Edwin Batson" reignited interest. The book examined the certainty of Batson's guilt, sparking renewed debate and critical acclaim. As time passes, the Earll family murders remain a poignant reminder of a century-old mystery, echoing through history in ballads and books alike.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Earll Family Found Dead
Six members of the Earll family were discovered murdered in their cabin, shot and bludgeoned to death.
Suspect Identified
Albert Edwin Batson, a former farm worker for the Earlls, becomes the prime suspect in the murders.
Bodies Discovered
Maude Earll returns to the family home and finds the bodies of her family members, leading to an investigation.
Ha-Ha Letter Found
A letter signed by Batson is discovered, raising suspicions about his involvement in the murders.
Batson Arrested
Batson is arrested in Princeton, Missouri, the same day the bodies are found, and is charged with the murders.
First Trial Verdict
Batson is found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death, but the verdict is later overturned.
Second Trial Conviction
Batson is convicted again in a second trial and sentenced to death for the Earll family murders.
Batson Executed
Albert Edwin Batson is executed by hanging at the Lake Charles jail after multiple trials and appeals.