She had been shot through the heart. Much of the story is based on supposition and contradictory accounts. It tells the story from the point of view of the condemned man and it was allegedly written by DeGraff himself. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. Poor Ellen Smith Become a Fan Remove Fan. The crowd hushed when DeGraff indicated that he wished to make a statement, and the gasped when he said: He said he loved Ellen Smith and had intended ot marry her.DeGraff gave no reason for the murder except that he was drunk at the time. 38 The newspapers speculated that DeGraff had not been arrested because he had more knowledge of, “…extraordinary settlement of other cases, than the Sheriff would like to have divulged.” And wondered “…why persons charged with murder are thus permitted to strut about the country in broad daylight while our officers timidly keep out of their way.”. The party mood continued as the noose was placed around DeGraff’s neck but many in the crowd joined in as DeGraff sang the hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”. I grew up in Winston-Salem and have lots of relatives around the area...maybe we are related? It tells the story from the point of view of the condemned man and it was allegedly written by DeGraff himself. Shot through the heart, lying cold on the ground Her curves were all matted, her clothes scattered around Blood marked the spot where old Ellen was found They picked up her body and off they did go To the lonesome graveyard, I'll see her no more They picked up their rifles, running me down Poor Ellen Smith. The trial lasted three days and the jury deliberated for twelve hours before returning a verdict of guilty. I agree, it would be helpful if everyone listed thier sources. It was that last public hanging in Forsyth County. The song is based on real events in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Become a Fan Remove Fan. 57 ), ( Welcome to the Jim Mills Banjo Online Store! This song sample … DeGraff was charged with murder in the first degree and he pled not guilty. She had been shot through the heart. It is a good song as well. This is unlikely; the same claim was made in the cases of Frankie Silver and Tom Dula. On poor Ellen's grave pretty flowers I'll sow, I've been in this prison for twenty long years Lived in Winston for 22 years and never heard this story. (Arranged By Lynn Davis). The story comes from the sources listed above, particularly the book _Death in North Carolina's Piedmont_. Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground 9: Country Boy. A fella by the name of Peter DeGraff was fooling around with a young woman by the name of Ellen Smith until she eventually got pregnant. Poor Ellen Smith (2) (Peter Degraph?) The song usually occurs as Poor Ellen Smith but the titles Ellen Smith, Poor Little Ellen, The Fate of Ellen Smith or similar also occur. How was she found? Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found? Gracias. We apologize for any inconvenience, but are no longer able to process orders outside of the US. It is the stuff of Victorian cautionary literature and mountain murder ballads. 49 He claimed he did not murder Ellen Smith, but when he took the stand DeGraff said he returned to the scene of the crime because he heard an old saying that if a person who committed a murder returned to the scene and spoke the right words, the victim would appear—exactly what he was seen doing the day of his arrest. ), ( Caroline, do you remember the other source? 4 ), ( ), ( Various artists. My great-grandmother was a DeGraff and my dad (who is now deceased) always told us we were related to the infamous Peter DeGraff. The last link, to the MySpace Account, is no longer valid. To enjoy Prime Music, go to Your Music Library and transfer your account to Amazon.com (US). He became the prime suspect and warrant was issued for his arrest. Such is the problem with stories like this, where many of the facts have been lost. It's true I'm in jail, a prisoner now, But … Poor Ellen Smith Lyrics: Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found? 51 © Copyright 2009-2020 Robert Wilhelm All Rights Reserved. Poor Ellen Smith is a murder ballad based around actual events that occurred in Mt. Atom To enjoy Prime Music, go to Your Music Library and transfer your account to Amazon.com (US). Excellent. Interesting story for a movie. I'll have to dig out the book to verify, but it must have come from _Death in North Carolina's Piedmont: Tales of Murder, Suicide and Causes Unknown _ by Frances Harding Casstevens. I'm sure I have it on my favorites.Ah, here we go.http://compvid101.blogspot.com/2010/11/murder-most-foul-poor-ellen-smith.htmlI'm not exactly sure where this person got that information. It's of poor Ellen Smith and how she was found, A ball in her heart, lyin' cold on the ground. 5 24 ), ( ), ( ), ( Now it is possible to use your credit card to shop for your favorite Jim Mills items. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see where you got that. Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground. 47 Poor Ellen Smith how she was found On February 8, 1894, people came from all over North Carolina to see Peter DeGraff hang. Countryband uit het noorden. Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found Shot through the heart lying cold on the ground Her body was mangled, and all cast around And blood marks the…. The 1880 census for Yadkin County lists Ellen Smith, age six, mulatto. To go to her grave near theat old willow tree, My days in this prison are ending at last Her body was mangled and all cast around And 'X' marks the spot where poor Ellen was found. Perhaps he has gone on to Face Book or can be found on Ancestry? Here, I have available my CDs, T-Shirts, Premium Leather Banjo Straps, my instructional DVDs that can come to you personally … Some day I'll go home and say when I go From the Album Murder Ballads & Country Outlaws April 15, 2016 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. I could probably find it. The true facts are unclear, but her lover and fellow worker at the hotel, Peter DeGraff, was charged with her murder and was hanged on February 8th, 1894. Poor Ellen Smith Come all kind people, my story to hear, What happen'd to me in June of last year. She was probably dark-skinned, but mulatto was a catch-all category in 1880—she could have been part American Indian or. Thank you for visiting. ), ( He had been arrested and jailed for carrying a gun but managed to escape and flee to Virginia. [Chorus] Poor Ellen Smith. POOR ELLEN SMITH The old “Ballad of Poor Ellen Smith” is based on a true event which took place in North Carolina in the 1890s. Thanks for the information. Shot through the heart lyin' dead on the ground. How was she found? The first is generally set to the tune of the hymn “ How Firm a Foundation ” (“Protection”), and is a more extended ballad. His relationship with Ellen Smith followed much the same course. The morning of July 21, 1892, the body of Ellen Smith was found behind the Zinzendorf Hotel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. DeGraff had many run-ins with the law and was arrested at least once. Her clothers were all scattered and thrown on the ground Peter DeGraff was known to be Ellen Smith’s lover and he had not been seen since the murder. Shot through the heart lyin' dead on the ground Her body was mangled and all cast around and X marks the spot where poor Ellen was found The body was found in the woods behind the hotel the next morning after an unknown man told several people where to look. Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found? Airy, North Carolina back in the year 1894. On July 20, 1892, Ellen Smith was fatally shot by Peter DeGraff near the Zinzendorf Hotel in Winston-Salem. Shot thru the heart lying cold on the ground Blood began to fly, blood began to run They shot my poor sweetheart with a 44 gun Saw her on a Monday before than sad day They found her poor body and took it away Who had the heart, who had the face To murder my sweetheart in this lonely place Oh I stayed out six months and prayed all … The Kingston Trio - Poor Ellen Smith / [Intro] E / [Chorus] E Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found? ), ( Watch the video for Poor Ellen Smith from The Country Gentlemen's Country Songs, Old and New for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Poor Ellen Smith MP3 Song by Molly O'Day from the album Classic Country & Western Vol. Ellen was pregnant in July 1892 and she may have already borne DeGraff a child that had died in infancy. Very enjoyable I've just recently started learning the ballad of Poor Ellen Smith. I am older than you of course--just turning 65. Poor Ellen Smith is a late 19th-century murder ballad recounting the shooting death of one Ellen Smith, and the trial and execution of her murderer. The murder became the subject of a popular turn-of … 9: Country Boy Poor Ellen Smith song offline. ", Peter DeGraff handed his Bible to his brother Lee, the hood was pulled down over his face and moments later he was swinging lifeless before the crowd. Nummers van June Carter, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris en The Little Willies passeren de … There were powder burns on her apron and dress indicating that she was shot with a pistol at close range. He sent officers to DeGraff’s parents’ house and other places he was known to frequent. Find a Teacher. The ballad “Poor Ellen Smith” appeared soon after the execution. Email Newsletter. The warden just told me that soon I'll be free Issued on SINGLE Columbia 20629 B.
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