“Lula Viers”
Description
John Coyer weighs his fiancee Lula Viers down with metal and throws her into the river. The body is not discovered for several months. Coyer is arrested, but is handed over to the army before going on trial
Notes
Laws was able to verify the basic facts of this ballad from the records of Floyd County, Kentucky (learning in the process that she was pregnant); see his notes in NAB, p. 65. - RBW
Historical references
- Oct 1917 - Murder of Lula Viers by John Coyer. Viers was pregnant by Coyer, and he apparently preferred murder to marriage
References
- Laws F10, "Lula Viers" (sample text in NAB, pp. 62-64)
- Thomas-Makin', pp. 144-146, "Lula Vires" (1 text)
- McNeil-SFB2, pp. 79-81, "Lula Viers" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Darling-NAS, pp. 203-204, "Lula Viers" (1 text)
- DT 804, LULAVIER
- Roud #1933
- BI, LF10