Hello,
I love the old songs of KY and VA. Here is some history and the words to "Poor Goins". The Boggs-Church-Goins-and Hall families also lived in Letcher and Pike Co. KY.
We still do not know who or why Alexander Goins was killed.
Alexander Goins was killed in 1844 by thieves in Wise Co. Goins was ambushed by robber George Hall and others hiding along the trail, but he escaped to the house of Ely Boggs. Unfortunately for Goins, Boggs was in league with the highwaymen. Saying that he could show Goins another route out of the area, Boggs led Goins to where Hall's men were hiding, and Goins was shot and killed. Another version of the tale has it that Goins himself was an evil man and he was shot by settlers.
The song is attributed to Gabriel Church of Wise Co. VA.
Does anyone know anymore of the history of Alexander Goins?
Thanks,
Ramona

~~~Poor Goins~~~
"Come all you young people,
That live far and near,
I'll tell of a murder
That was done on the Nine Mile Spur.

They surrounded Poor Goins,
But Goins got away.
He went to Ely Boggs.
He went there to stay.

Ely Boggs, he foreknew him.
His life he did betray,
Saying, "Come and go with me,
And I'll show you a nigh way."

They started up Nine Mile Spur, boys.
They made no delay,
'Till they came across the crossroads,
Where Goins they did slay.

When they got in hearing,
They were lying mighty still.
"Your money's what we're after,
And Goins we will kill."

When they got in gunshot
They did bid him for to stand.
"Your money's what we're after.
Your life is in our hands."

Sweet heaven, Sweet heaven,
How loud he did cry,
"To think of my companion,
And now I have to die."

When the gun did fire,
It caused his horse to run.
The bullet failed to kill him.
George struck him with his gun.

After they had killed him,
With him they would not stay.
They drank up all his whiskey,
and then they rode away.

His wife, she was sent for.
She made no delay.
She found his grave dug
Along by the way.

"Go kill a man for riches
Or any such thing.
I pray the Lord have mercy
Till judgement kills the stings."

Sweet heaven, sweet heaven,
We heard her poor mourns.
"Here lies his poor body.
Where is his poor soul?"