Tom Dula (pronounced "Dooley"), a Civil War veteran, was an infamous character in Wilkes County before the events occurred that would immortalize his name. Dula was known for an active lifestyle with the women of his immediate neighborhood. One of Dula's intimates was Laura Foster. The exact motive for the tragedy may never be known, but a web of romatic intrigue, jealousy, and spite emerged between Dula, Ann Melton - a married woman with whom Dula was also involved, and Pauline Foster who was yet another Dula intimate.
The activities of this web came to a conclusion early in 1866. Laura Foster was wakened by Dula near dawn. He told Foster that he planned to marry her that day. Laura Foster gathered her best clothes and her father's horse and left for her rendezvous with Dula who had supposedly gone to meet the justice of the peace. Foster disappeared, and Dula fled to Tennessee. After a prolonged search, the murdered body of Laura Foster was found.
Tom Dula was tracked down in Tennessee, arrested, and eventually charged with the murder of Laura Foster. In the coming trial, Zebulon Vance, ex-Governor of North Carolina and Civil War hero, volunteered to represent Dula whom he may have known during the war. After a much publicized trial and appeal Dula was found guilty. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Statesville, North Carolina.
Tom Dula's story became legend in a folk song shortly after his execution. A version of this song was made popular in the early 1960's in The Kingston Trio song "Tom Dooley." The grave of Tom Dula may be found in Wilkes County, North Carolina and Laura Foster's grave is located in Caldwell County, North Carolina.