Person:Elizabeth Andrews (96)

Lizzie Shaw's headstone at Clapp Cemetary in Houston County (Photo courtesy of Guy Davis)

The Family legend contends that Willie and Lizzie's son Virgil was "Lazy" and didn't want to do the work on the farm, so one hot summer night, while he and his father lay out on the porch, Willie Shaw (His Father) shot him.

During the ensuing trial, Willie protested his innocence, saying that he had heard a noise and fired in the direction of the noise, only to accidentally shoot his son.

He claimed that he threw the gun, then, down the well at the end of the property. The well was dredged, but no sign of the weapon could be found.

During the trial, Willie was found innocent and released.

The following year, Lizzie became more and more aware of the true nature of Willie's crime. Willie then developed an even more devious plan. He lured Lizzie down the path the the chicken coups, claiming that a chickenhawk was in the coups. Willie grabbed his rifle and they walked to the coups. Seeing no chickenhawk in the coup, they returned to the house, Willie following Lizzie. Somewhere along the line, Willie's shotgun discharged, killing Lizzie outright.

Again a jury aquitted Willie of the crime, calling it accidental.

While that may be the story that was passed down, there is no evidence to support this tall tale. Virgil's death certificate says the cause of Virgil's death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Additionally, Willie C. was never on trial for Virgil's death. Lizzie's death, on the other hand, was said to be an accident when Willie C. sat the gun on a table on the porch, and it went off. Lizzie's death was investigated and a grand jury found it to have been an accident.

Birth and death dates from tombstone. Reads "Wife of W.C. Shaw"

Murdered by her husband.

Listed in the 1910 Houston County, Texas Census as Lizzie Shaw, age 20, married once for 1 year (even though they have a son aged 1 4/12). Had 1 child, born TX, parents born TX. With husband and son.

Listed in the 1920 Houston County, Texas Census as Lizzie Shaw, age 31, can read and write, born TX, parents born TX. With husband, 3 children, sister Ella McChaill (?), age 23, widowed, Mildred McChaill, age 1 6/12, Joe McChaill, age 8/12.

New clipping of Lizzie's death