June 28 1921
Insane Farmer Slew Mayfield Victims, Belief
Fragments Of Eleven Bodies, Recovered
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After incendiary fire, are buried in one coffin
Officials puzzled by many angles of case.
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True Story Of Tragedy May Never Be Known
Several Theories Exploded.
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Mayfielf, Ky., June 27 1921
Mystery continues to envelop the tragedy in the farm house of Ernest Lawrence, near here, in which eleven persons were slain Saturday night, and their bodies practically incinerated in the dwelling, which apparently had been saturated with oil. Funerals of the dead were held this afternoon, only fragments of the bodies were found in the ruins of the house. They were places in one coffin and interred in Maplewood Cemetery. Prior to the funeral the fragments were examined bu Sheriff Marion McCain, and coroner O. M. Merritt, and both reported that they were unable to determine the nature of wounds which caused death. An axe and firearms were found in the embers of the dwelling, which led the officers to believe that some of them might have been killed with the axe, and others shot.
SHERIFF STANDS BY INSANITY THEORY
Sheriff McCain announced late today that he had learned nothing to change his theory, that Lawrence had developed a fit of insanity and in a frenzy had killed his wife, their three children, and the guests. Otis Drew, Mrs. Drew, her three children, and Drews brother. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Drew were sisters, and neighbors said, had long been accustomed to exchanging visits over the week-end. The indications are, the sheriff said, that Lawrence saturated the room in which the bodies were found with oil, touched a match to it and killed himself. One report today had it that Lawrence had been roughly handled by policemen in Mayfield a number of years ago and that in the course of the struggle had been struck on the head. Since then, the story ran. Lawrence had periodlically suffered from illness which had affected his mind. Sheriff McCain said he had been unable to verify the story.
ANOTHER THEORY EXPLODED
Another theory which the county authorities investigated and exploded was that Drew and Lawrence had testified before a grand jury. Several months ago about burning of a tobacco chute here. The structure was destroyed at a time when tobacco growers were incensed over low prices. The authorities today announced, however that neither Lawrence nor Drew had been a witness in the case. Sheriff McCain said today that he frankly was puzzled by some features of the case. He found it difficult to believe that one man could have attacked ten persons, at least three of them adults, in full possession of their faculties, without some of them escaping. He listened to theories which ranged from premeditated murder by unknown persons to accident, but in the end held to his own theory, that Lawrence suddenly had become insane and run amuck.
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I check the death records and got the names of the people killed on June 26 1921 Graves County Kentucky
Ernest Lawrence 36
Ola Lawrence 27
Fred Lawrence 4
Ethelyn Lawrence 3
Ralph Lawrence U/1
Ottis Drew 25
Lora Drew 21
Harry K Drew 4
Adell Drew 1
Madine Drew U/1
Delmer Drew 12
