The night of September 4, 1876 was very tragic for Lydia and her family as her husband, Jesse Jasper McLain, was shot and killed on the front porch of their home on the outskirts of Ava, Missouri, by Lydia's brother James P. Stockton. It seemed that James did not like some gossip he heard Margaret McLain, Lydia's daughter and his niece, had said about him so James went to Lydia and Jesse's home and demanded that Jesse let him talk to Margaret. Jesse refused his brother-in-law's request so James Stockton pulled out his gun and shot and killed Jesse McLain on the front porch of his own home on the outskirts of Ava, Missouri. Lydia & Jesse's son, Newton Jasper "Newt" McLain, who was 16 years old at the time, joined the posse who was search for his Uncle James who had ran and hid in the fields. The next day, Newt, found him hiding and shot and killed his Uncle James. It seems from the stories told among the McLain and Stockton families that James Stockton had been drinking the night of the shootings.
With her husband deceased, Lydia Jane had to sell the farm and moved into the town of Ava, Missouri, where she apparently lived out her life.
The night of September 4, 1876 was very tragic for Lydia and her family as her husband, Jesse Jasper McLain, was shot and killed on the front porch of their home on the outskirts of Ava, Missouri, by Lydia's brother James P. Stockton. It seemed that James did not like some gossip he heard Margaret McLain, Lydia's daughter and his niece, had said about him so James went to Lydia and Jesse's home and demanded that Jesse let him talk to Margaret. Jesse refused his brother-in-law's request so James Stockton pulled out his gun and shot and killed Jesse McLain on the front porch of his own home on the outskirts of Ava, Missouri. Lydia & Jesse's son, Newton Jasper "Newt" McLain, who was 16 years old at the time, joined the posse who was search for his Uncle James who had ran and hid in the fields. The next day, Newt, found him hiding and shot and killed his Uncle James. It seems from the stories told among the McLain and Stockton families that James Stockton had been drinking the night of the shootings.
With her husband deceased, Lydia Jane had to sell the farm and moved into the town of Ava, Missouri, where she apparently lived out her life.
Gravesite Details
Unmarked Grave
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement