At the outbreak of the Civil War one William Lawson represented Washington County in the Missouri legislature. It was after moving to Carter County and being made that county's representative in the general assembly that he was chased from Carter County in 1872 by what were said to be the Ku Klux Klan thugs who had severely beaten his son, Thomas Lawson. In a New York Times article describing the incident the elder Lawson was identified as Col. William Lawson. In trying to learn why he was given the title I came upon the name in Historical Register & Dictionary of the U.S. Army, which identified one William Lawson as the commanding colonel of the 68th Regiment, Missouri Enrolled Militia. Was he the one who at one time resided in Washington and Carter counties and had a son named Thomas? The son at the outbreak of war resided in Ripley County, but he returned to Washington County to volunteer for service in the 12th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia. Any information about Col. William Lawson will be appreciated. I suspect Lawson's Station near Old Mines in Washington County took its name from this William Lawson, a native of Pennsylvania. Cletis R. Ellinghouse.