Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-12
The Kentucky Tragedy.

life at the hand, Of mob, has been publish
cd. The Louisville Courier publishes brief
history of the affair, which is Il, terrible as
any in the bloody record of kentucky. Ct
cero Maxwell, the Prosecuting Attorney, had
refused Il challenge from Lowe, and had al
50 refused to maine the arms and place for IA
street fight. The Courier says:
in short time, Lowe, with three pistols N
his left arm and one in his right hand, APP
preached the crowd, which was near the court
house, and in loud voice said: IF Cicero
Maxwell is in the crowd, or in the sound OF
my voice, let him come forth. He has stated
that AIN political juggler. In return, !
pronounce him liar, caumniator, coward.
and son Of Il W. This he repeated
several times. The denunciatiOn was con-
vcyed to Maxwell. or heard by him, and III II
few minutes he made his appearance i'll the
street with double barrel shot gun, and ac-
companied bya Mr. Harris and Morton, ut
Hartford, Judge Mayhall, and Thos. Wlthr"w
of llawcSyile. and others. When within
about - yards of Lowe. who faced his Toe,
Maxwell discharged one barrel of his gun.
which was loaded with buck shot the con-
tents striking the left breast of Lowe. who
staggered. bu, instantly recovered his posi-
ton. a coat Of mail saving him, as alleged
lie returned the fire. but missed and seeing
the mob present arms. took refuge in the
crowd, and Guiding pursuit for the time, got
into the house of Il widow lady.
Maxwell and his friends discovering where
he was, surrounded the house and threaten
ed To tear it down if Lowe was not given up.
The lady implorcd them 10 dcsiSt. and SAID 1t
was true Lowe was there. but size had no
power to bring him out. \ parlcy took p ACE
and three friends OF Maxwell entered the
building Lowe asked that his life might
be spared They assured him he should not
be mole>ted provided he would disarm him.
self, and accompanied by them he rc-appear-
ed on the street The sight Of him only
added fuel to the flame. and he was again
fired upon Mr. Harris. one of the gentle
men who gave assurance Of protection. said,
"Mr. Lowe, | cannot risk my life longer 10
save yOu," and Mr.. Lowe brokeand ran, fol-
lowed by the mob Mr.. Aldridge, the only
friend Lowe seems to have had, fired at the
mob, and as he turned to fly was killed by n
ball from rife. \ great number OF shots
were fired al Lowe in his flight. He was
wounded i'll several places, and his clothes
riddled with balls. He ran as far as the
bank of the river, his foes still firing at him
in his flight, and there fell apparently cx-
hausted. One Thos. Withrow also cut at him
with his bowie knife while he was running,
but the coat of mail which it is said he Wore.
prevented his being hurt.
Mr.. Harris went 10 him where he lay, and
one of the mob ran up and swore he would
kill him anyhow, and put pistol TO Lowe :
head. Harris knocked the weapon up, and
it was discharged without inuring any on"
The crowd then gathered around Lowe. and
Maxwell then asked him il he would make II
rctraction. Lowe replied that he retrartcd
everything he had said. that he was Il cow
ard and had disgra"ed himself. Maxwell
it is said begged his friends not TO hurt his
fallen foe. as he had done all he required
Lowe was then taken back 10 the court house
and delivered to Judge Stuart. Some Of the
mob manifesting a wish to Lynch Lowe
Judge Stuart rose and said he was i'll the
hands of the law, which should be honoE"d,
and Lowe should not be injured until the
mob passed over his dead body. His speech
prolongued loves term of life at least for Il
few hours, and after his wounds were dressed
in the court house, accompanied by Judge
Stuart, he was taken to Jail. The Judge re-
NAMED with him until a late hour i'll the
night, when it vas thought the excitement
was at an end. and the prisoner safe from
the fury Of those who had sought his life.
On Wednesday morning Low" sent for
Harris. and thanked him for saving his life
on the previous day, but expressed fears the
mob would hang him, and solicited his visi-
tor to intercedc for his life in behalf of his
wife and children. Harris left, and about
that time report was started that Lowe
told Harris that he only asked protection
then for revenge that would follow, and
when he was released from Jail he would kill
the last one of them. This again reused his
vindictivc enemies. but no violence was done
openly. In very short time. however. two
men. DR.. Davidson and John Withrow, went
TO Oldham. the jailor, and demanded the keys
of the prison. The presentation Of pistols ut
the head of the officer was potent. and the
two men thus reached the room where the
unfortunate Lowe was confined. lie was ~
ing on bed, PROSTATE from his wounds, and
excitement and suspense. As soon as he SAW
them, dyining their purpose. he asked them
TO snare his life. but the cruel and relentless
men were there to slay. not 10 spare.
Withrow first fired, then Davidson, both
balls entering loves breast, and killing him
instantly. The assassins then went out of
the cell, but fearful the bloody deed was not
vet done. returned and fired four more balls
into the lfeless corpse. Five of the balls
entered his breast, the sixth entering the
heard above the eyes The damnable muir
der having been executed To their satisfaction.
they then retired