Blue Moon: The Murder of Theodore Hopson

Early Life

Theodore, (sister) Medalia, & niece Emma

When Theodore Roosevelt Hopson was born on July 10, 1904, in Jenkins, Kentucky, his father, John C. Hopson, was 35 and his mother, Eliza Robinette, was 20. He would be 5-years-old before his parents' marriage certificate was officially filed and they were legally married. Theodore was the second son to be born to the couple, following Marshall. His father was a farmer from Wise, Virginia who raised his kids on the land and taught them to live from the fruits of their own labor. John died while Theodore was still young. On the 1920 census, Theodore is shown living with his mother and siblings in the home of his step-father, Basil Lester. He never attended school, yet he could read and write. At only 15 years-old, he was listed as working in the coal mine.

Married Life

On the Right: Marriage License of Theodore Hopson and Pearl Daniels

He married Pearl May Daniels on April 20, 1922, in Glen Alum, West Virginia. They had 12 children in 20 years: Robert Pleasant, Harmon Lee (the Huttonsville fugitive), Vada Virginia, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Gene, Floyd Talmage, George, John Eugene, Shirley Temple, Sylvia, and Jerrell & Geraldine who were twins. He first took care of his growing brood by working as a car dropper in the coal industry. By 1940, Theodore had begun working for the Norfolk & Western railroad. He was listed on the census that year as working the "section railroad." The cost of his home was estimated at $10 at that time.

Later In Life

Theodore Roosevelt Hopson Sr.

Pearl and Theodore didn't exactly have a romance written in the stars. Both liked to drink and both liked to quarrel, equally quick to a trigger. Their grandson, Harmon Jr., recalled that Pearl was rather vulgar for a lady. He told tales of her drinking moonshine, chewing tobacco, drawing guns on her own children, and even urinating in the garden standing up. Other family members often commented on how grouchy she was. Whether her over-the-top attitude was the cause of Theodore's infidelity or the symptom, it is understandable that she gave little toward keeping his attention at home. Eventually, Theodore's eyes began to wonder.

In the late 1950s, Theodore and Pearl's son George married the love of his life. It was upon her mother, Myrtle, whom Theodore's eyes fell. He was smitten by Myrt and by the 1960s, the two were known to live together and operate a restaurant bar called the Blue Moon, which was also referred to as Myrtle's Place. It was a jumping little joint that stayed busy. Myrtle had a personable personality that simply attracted people. All who knew her adored her. But don't be mistaken. Myrtle was a mountain-girl the same as Pearl and mountain-girls don't put up with much. She could be a best friend or a disciplinarian but she believed in loyalty and, for better or worse, she meant what she said. People knew where they stood with Myrt and they respected her for that.

Harmon Jr. (baby), Sylvia, Theodore Sr., Harmon Sr.

Even though he traded the lady in his life for another, much her opposite, Theodore didn't change. The same dirt he brought to the table with Pearl, he brought with Myrtle. When you add alcohol to heated discussions over life's differences, especially in the old gun-toting West Virginia mountains, things are rarely going to turn out well.

Red Blood and the Blue Moon

On Sunday night, March 31, 1963, Theodore and Myrtle were at the diner at the top of the mountain going about their days as they usually did. At some course over the night, their discussion became heated. According to an article written in the local newspaper, it was an argument taking place that would lead one of them dead.

Four times, Myrtle pulled the trigger, landing all four bullets into his chest. Theodore died there in the drive-in parking lot. He was 58-years-old.

Theodore Hopson's Death Certificate

Facing Life

Myrtle was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. She bonded out and waived her rights to a preliminary hearing. At the court hearing, which occurred three months later, the jury deliberated. After an hour, they returned to the courtroom and read the verdict: Innocent. Myrtle was acquitted for the crime and freed.