Author Looks at Oxfords Only Mass Murder

Friday, 28 August 2015 14:08

A local author tackles Oxford County's only mass murder in a new book.

BEACHVILLE - A brutal murder that happened over 140 years ago is being explored in a new book written by Beachville native Adam Fawcett. Dark Cloud of Oxford: The Topping Massacre is now available to the public that took the 22 year old over a year to compile all of the information needed. The author spoke to Heart FM about what exactly happened just south of Woodstock 4 days before Christmas over a century ago. ''The book is mainly a recollection of the event that took place out in Sweaburg in 1873, when Timothy Topping murdered his wife and 4 youngest children and then attempted to kill himself. Before getting into the book I was working on a short film entitled Critter's Lane, I was always wanting to figure out who Timothy Topping was because I found out a lot about him." The first concession of the 43rd line off Highway 2, or known as Critters Lane by some, had been rumoured to be where the Topping residence was located that was later proven untrue.

Fawcett explains who inspired him to begin writing and what he hopes comes from the book. ''My Grandfather was also a historian, Charles Reeves, who also wrote a book himself about a place in Beachville and he was definitely the biggest inspiration for it he was actually from Beachville. I am hoping this will encourage people to look further into the local history, and go out there and learn more about events that took place hundreds of years ago and learn about what our forefathers have done."

Dark Cloud of Oxford: The Topping Massacre explains why Timothy murdered members of his own family and Fawcett is looking forward to moving on with his writing career. "I'm hoping to do a couple more history books I just haven't picked the right subject yet, and hopefully at some point get back to that movie I was trying to film. I'm so amazed at the support I have received from people from Oxford, and I haven't heard a bad thing yet. After he had started an auction business he felt that creditors would foreclose on him and that he and his family would become homeless, it was almost like a major case of depression." After sentenced to death by hanging he attacked a prison guard in London where he was killed leaving behind 4 remaining children . You can pick up your own copy of Adam's book at the Beachville Museum.