Unearthing a Dark Chapter of Davidson’s History
If you ever wander through the charming streets of Davidson, North Carolina, you might notice a quaint two-story Victorian home with a wraparound porch. It’s an inviting sight, but beneath its picturesque exterior lies a story that sent shock waves through this small town over a hundred years ago. A tale of jealousy, tragedy, and a murder that would remain a hush-hush topic in Davidson for decades.
A Casual Revelation
It all started in 2002 when I signed the papers to buy that charming house. The seller, Dorothy Beam, an 87-year-old widow, casually mentioned, “You know, there was a murder.” My ears perked up instantly. I needed to know more, and so began my quest to unravel the history that had long been buried.
The Shocking Event
On a February morning in 1914, residents of Davidson woke up to front-page headlines that read like something out of a gripping novel. Prominent figures in the community, Monroe Jetton and Dr. W.H. Wooten, were at the center of a sensational murder case. Monroe, a local pharmacist, was accused of fatally shooting his friend and business partner Dr. Wooten. The motive? A suspected affair involving Dr. Wooten and Monroe’s new wife, Josie Shipp Jetton.
Small Town Drama
The situation was juicy gossip for the time. Both families were considered the “who’s who” of Davidson society, making the scandal especially riveting. According to the Charlotte Daily Observer, the case captured the imagination of many across the South, though it seemed like an unwritten rule existed in Davidson: this was not a topic for polite conversation.
“It seems like there was a tacit understanding that we just don’t talk about it,” shared Jan Blodgett, a local historian. Even decades later, it was an undercurrent of community whispers rather than open discussions.
The Trial
The trial of Monroe Jetton quickly became one of the most sensational events in Davidson. The courtroom was filled to the brim with townsfolk eager to witness the drama unfold. Local newspapers captured the atmosphere, calling it “a distressing affair,” and reporting there had “never been a trial” that attracted such interest.
As each side presented their arguments, witnesses painted Dr. Wooten as both a talented physician and a possible predator, while Monroe Jetton’s defense pushed the narrative of a husband driven to the brink by jealousy. Who was telling the truth? Did Dr. Wooten’s visit to the Jetton home have ulterior motives?
A Day of Reckoning
Monroe recounted how, after seeing the two men together, jealousy swelled. He grabbed his pistol and followed Dr. Wooten to the Jettona’ cottage. In a twist of events, he claimed he walked in on Wooten attempting to assault Josie.
The fallout from this event was swift and brutal. The jury took only thirty minutes before they found Jetton not guilty, and in that instant, the courtroom erupted into cheers. “It was regarded as a pronouncement in favor of the unwritten law,” many concluded.
Life After the Trial
The acquittal didn’t mean that life went back to normal for either family involved. Jetton faced backlash, including a vandalization of his home, and he eventually left Davidson with his wife, Josie. Wooten’s wife and daughter were left with a life steeped in tragedy following his shocking death.
Reflections on History
Fast-forward to present-day Davidson, and the story may have faded from regular conversations, but it hasn’t disappeared entirely. The historic home where the drama played out now sits at the center of community interest, and events like the Ghosts of Davidson tour are a nod to the legacy of the past.
As for my own family, we delight in living in a house filled with stories. It serves as a reminder that every home, no matter how welcoming, might hold echoes of darker times. “It makes the house a little more colorful and interesting,” my wife often says when we share this story with friends.
In a town that prides itself on its small-town charm, this chilling tale reminds us that beneath the surface, every community has secrets waiting to be unveiled.
