Charles Lockwood

Charles Lockwood ( – July 25, 1886), was an American criminal, known for his 1886 murder of Mattie Randall, and the conspiracies of his death following the event.

Early life Lockwood was born around 1851 in Sharon, Litchfield County, to William Lockwood, Esq., and his first wife Harriet Lockwood (née Birdsill). His mother died in 1860, when he was 8, and his father remarried soon afterwards to Eunice Wardwell.

Murder of Mattie Randall

Background The Randall family, consisting of Calvert M. Randall, his wife, Emily Castle Randall, and their two daughters, Mattie and Gertrude, came to Morris from Brooklyn in early 1886. Mrs. Randall had been in poor health since the death of their one-year-old daughter in 1879, and it was thought that the change would do her some good. The family made a delightful first impression on the small town, being devoted members of the church, and fitting right in with the community. Mr. Randall's eldest daughter, Mattie, became almost an instant town favorite. She was beautiful and charming, and came with a quick wit, sharp mind, and supportive personality. As was described in The Morning Journal-Courier, she "gave promise of ideal womanhood," "with not an enemy anywhere." It was a pleasant spot, and one the family was excited to call their own. Most of the money the family had been saving for years was put into this property, leaving them will little left for necessary improvements. However, each member of the family was ready to pull in their work. Mattie got a job teaching the spring term at the Mill School just north of their home, and assisted her mother with her work indoors, as well as helping her father with his work around the farm when needed. Lockwood then picked up his double-barrel shotgun, saying he would see if he could shoot a bird or two since he didn't feel like working, and started off to the field. Mattie, who had been sweeping the chambers in the upper level of the house, was called by her mother. Upon being informed on what Lockwood had said, a white pigeon landed on her shoulder, (they'd kept pigeons on the farm as pets,) causing Mattie to exclaim: "Mama, what does this mean? Are you or I going to be taken away;" having had other recent encounters with deathly symbols, Mattie felt some uneasiness, but her mother thought she'd better go. So Mattie grabbed her hat, and started north up the road alone.

Following his exit to the field, Lockwood (who supposedly must've planned this for some time) filled each barrel with a charge consisting of small stones, gravel, and fragments of lead. He then made several proposals to her, which she dismissed, causing him to lose his temper. Seeing red, Lockwood raised his gun and pointed it at the girl, who was on her knees. The gun was then discharged, sending a heavy shot through her right breast, near the nipple, shattering three ribs and tearing a hole through the left of her spinal column. Mattie died instantly, collapsing to the ground as blood spurted out of the wound in her breast.

Lockwood, in distress, fired the second round at his left breast. However, the wound was not fatal enough to kill him. Throwing down his gun, he proceeded to drag the mutilated body of the girl to the corner of the field, resting it out of sight of the cart path, near the fence. In his haste he failed to notice his hat, that had fallen from his head.

Hurrying to remove himself from the scene, Lockwood returned to the farmhouse, and without saying anything to any of the family, made his way upstairs, quickly changing some of his clothes, then fled.

Aftermath His description was published in the front page of the New York Times:

"Wanted for the murder of Mattie Randall, of Morris, Conn., July 22, Charles Lockwood, farmhand, 35 years old, 5 feet 8 inches high; weight, 190 pounds; has heavy sandy mustache; wore, when last seen, a black coat and overalls, but has probably changed them since."

Death Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 25, 1886, Henry Cooke and Edgar Benedict started a search of their own on the east side of the section. While on their hunt, they came across a trail containing footprints and broken underbrush. Following this path they came upon Lockwood's dead body, hanging from a tree and still warm. This discovery was located approximately 330 feet east of George Johnston's homestead, and only half a mile east of where the girl was murdered. A gunshot wound was found in his breast (which was determined to be self-inflicted), as well as a slit on his throat. The cut had been made with a broken blade, which was the type of knife Lockwood owned. The coroner deemed his death a suicide, but it is widely believed he was lynched.