Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-03-17
The Kentucky Tragedy.
Unparalleled sAtrocity in Christian
Community. #i
THE FRIGHrFUL DETAILS


THE FRIGHTFUL DETAILS.
The brief facts that a personal quarrel
at hawesViie, Ky. between Thos. S. Lowe,
a merchant OF that place, and Cicero Max
well, Prosecuting Attorney in the third In
dicial District, had resulted in a stree, 70.
contre, the killing of one man and ,vour5 :
ing of others and the subsequent lvpcSina
and murder of Lowe by mob-tbesse
facts have all been Stated. But the de.
tails are extraordinary, and we give them
as illustrating the "style" of personal war
fare in Kentucky, and mode Of vindicatiug
personal ''honor" The difficulty, it may
be stated, arose out of political controver-
sy at the time Of MaxweIrs election. The
Louisville Courier says:
Mr.. Lowe considered himself aggrieved
al Mr.. MaxwelPs denouncing a paper Of
which he was the author, as political Jug
gle, etc. He demanded of Maxwell an
apology, or the satisfaction which one gen-
tleman had a right TO ask of another
Mr.. Maxwell refused TO apologize, or to re-
ceive note from him. Mr.. Lowe then
threatened to horse whip him on sight, but
afterwards offered to withdraw the threat
if Mr.. Maxwell would indicate his willing
ness to apologize for the original insult,
or even TO enter into negotiations through
mutual friends for satisfactory adjustment
of the difficulty between them. Up to a
very short time previous to- the opening of
the Circuit Court at Hawesville, last Mon
day, if not to the very day itself, when Mr..
Maxwell was to be there in his official capac-
ity as Commonwealth Attorney, the
friends of Mr.. Lowe were at work, with
his sanction, if not under his direction, try
ing to adjust the difficulty so as to prevent
a collision. The terms upon which Mr.. L.
was willing to settle the matter were ap-
proved by the mutual friends of both par
ties, and it was believed by those mutual
friends that the difficulty would be AMIGA
bly, arranged. The affair, however, has
had differnt termination Ths parties
met at Hawesville last Monday, ard terri
bic was the tragedy that ensued.
THE TRAGEDY.
On Tuesday, Lowe sent word to Cicero
to remain at his room until he re-
ceived a note from him, which be did
loves note, which was delivered subse-
quntly, inquired if Maxwell desired to
challenge him; if not, whether he would
accept a challenge. Maxwell refused to
by note. loves friend, as
instructed, told Maxwell street fight was
tie alternative, and asked if be would use
long or short arms. Maxwell replied that
he would appear when he pleased, and as
it suited him; and would afford no other
....... ....
In short time, Lowe, with three pistols
in his left arm and one in his right hand,
the crowd, which was near the
Court House, and in loud voice said -
HIf Cicero Maxwell is in the crowd, or
within the sound of my voice, let him come
forth. He has stated that am political
uggler. In return l pronounce him liar,
coward, and son of a W
This he repeated several times. The de-
was conveyed to Maxwell, or
heard by him, and in few minutes be
made his appearance in the street with
louble brrrel shot gun, and accompanied
y Mr.. Harris and Morton. of Hartford,
Judge Mayhall, and Thos. With,ow, of
and others. When within
bout SO yards of Lowe, who faced bis foe,
daxwell discharged one barrel of his gun,
which was loaded with buck-shot, the con-
ents striking the left breast of Lowe, who
but instantly recovered bis posi-
ion, IA coat of mail saving him as al
eyed
He returned the fire, but missed, and see
ng the mob present arms, took refuge in
he crowd, and eluding pursuit for the time,
.ot into the house of q widow lady. Max |
Sell's frieads, discovering where he was,
the louise and threatened to
ear it down if Lowe was not given up.
The lady implored them to desist, and said
was true Lowe was there, but she had
10 power to bring him out. A parley took
lace, and three friends of Maxwell enter
he building. Lowe asked that his life
night be spared. They assured him he
hould Eot be molested provided he would
isarm himself, and, accompanied by them,
q re-appeared On the street. The sight |
f him only added fuel to the flame, and |
e was again fired upon.
Mr.. Harris one of the gentlemen who
ave assurance of protection, said: "Mr.
'owe, l cannot risk my life longer to save
ou," and Lowe broke and ran, followed
y the mob. Mr.. Aldricb, tho only friend
owe seems to have had, fired at the mob,
nd as he turned to fly, was killed by a
all from rifle. A great number of shots
ere fired at Lowe in his flight. He was
ounded in several places, and his clothes
ddled with balls. He ran as far as the
ank of the river, his foes still firing at
i'm in his flight, and there fell, apparent
; exhausted. One Thomas Withrow also
1t at him with his bowie knife while he
as running, but the coat of mail which
is said he wore prevented his being hurt
Mr.. Harris went to him where be Law,
I'd one of the mob run up and swore he
ould kill him anyhow, and put pistol
loves head. Harris knocked the weap-
| up, and it was discharged without in
ring any one. The crowd then gathered
ound Lowe, and Maxwell asked him if ]
J would make retraction. Lowe replied {
at he retracted everything he had said ,
at he was a coward, and had discraced 6
mself. Maxwell, it is said, begged his 8
ends not to hurt his fallen foe, as be had |
me all he required. Lowe was then Ia {
n to the court house, and delivered to G
dge Stuart. Some of the mop mauifes- /