The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-02-03
RALEIGH, N. G.. WEDNESDAY,, FEB RUARY s. 1862 A.
CRIME.
Terrible Affair at Kinston-Five men
taken from Jail and Murdered-No are

Terrible Affair at Kinston-Five men
taken from Jail and Murdered-No are.
rests. a a4b.:,s.f he5 .--, 7..,isf, 5s-' ~ s
We are called upon this morning to chron-
icle one of the most revolving and diabolical
crimes ever heard of in North Carolina. We
CLEAN from che New Berne papers as follows:
Some time during last week the tomb of Col.
Williams, (who died some 1S years ago)
about seven miles from Kinston, was broken
open and the remains spirited away. Four
colored men and white man were arrested,
charged with the crime. and committed to
Kinston Jail. On Saturday night last, about
~ o'clock, some thirty or forty citizens pro-
ceeded to the Jail, presented pistol to the
jailor, and demanded the keysto the cells.
He gave them up, whereupon they entered,
selected five men from the whole number
there and took them away threatening re-
venge The next day, all that was left to
tell the horrible tale of crime, were pools of
near the bridge, about mile and half
South of the village. Hp- t4ss
If these men were guilty of the offence
with which they were charged, they should
have been punished, hut when citizens take
the law into their own hands and deprive
men of life there is but one name for the
crime and that is MURDER. 1t matters net
how guilty the accused were-the law of the
land guarantees every criminal fair trial,
and in the sight of high Heaven the citizens
who cut the throats of these men and threw
them into the river, are as guilty of murder
as if they had taken their lives before any
charge was brought against them. ~ ~.
We learn that no arrests have been made,
and great excitement exists in and around
the town in consequence of this atrocious
outrage on civilization and law.
Shocking Tragedy in Robson County
A band of outlaws murder the Sheriff
and rob his house-A visitor also NOR
tally wounded. sE.t sE f
We some time since published an account
of the operations of band of desperadoes
in Robeson county in this State, and His Ex-
cellency Governor Holden gave stringent
orders for their capture and punishment.
They have not been apprehcnded, and we
copy the following account of their hellish
| deeds from the Wilmington Journal: I'D
| LUMBERToN, Jan. 25 1869.
Tnv-
| the scene of unusual excitement, in consequence
| of most dastardiy attempt at murder and rob-
berry, under the following circumstances
On Saturday evening last, Reuben King, who
for 20 years has been Sheriff of this county, lett
town for bis place of residence, about two miles
distant. He arrived about dark, and had been
| home but few moments when he was attacked
at his tireside by gang of robbers in disguise,
| (and six in number) The first ntimation he had
of their presence was q man in the door with a
| gun pointed at him and the demand tor his gold
| and silver. Mr.. King jumped from his seat and
| succeeded in knocking down the muzzle of this
| fellows gun, when the load was discharged in
| the floor, going entirely through. While en-
| gagged with this scoundre, Mr.. K. was shot in
! the back with pistol, which caused him to fall
| helpless to the floor
Mr. E. B. Ward, who was also present, was
| shot twice, both taking effect, from which he
| will probablyd die. a1a1i i..f .s1t
The doctor in attendauc, has no hope of the
| recovery of Mr.. King. t..r
The robbers then proceeded to ransack the
| house, getting only about $500 from the pocket
of the latter. They then made good their es-
| cape, before any assistance could be had from
| town. fua. t ......-s s.-.. .t..5 IN -I 8
| This is one of the boldest and most outrageous
cases OF murder and robbery it has ever been our
| sad lot to record. Times are getting much worse
| in this county and must continue to do so until
| the punishment is adequate to the crimes COM
| mitted who at present is mere mockery of any,
| thing like justice. No man is safe who is sup
| posed to have little money.
| Gov. Holden ordered the Sheriff of Robson
| some time ago to capture the robbers and mur-
| derers at all hazards, but his order was never
| obeyed. Now let us see what they will do when
| it comes so near their own doors. The ring
| leader of this band, Fl. B. Lowry, was in Jail
recently. hut owing to the negligence OF Sheriff
| aud Jalor. he soon got out. They are all sup
| posed to be free mulattoes except one or two.
This entire community deeply feel for Sheriff
King and family, as also with Mr.. Ward, in their
great affection, as they were both peaceable and
| good citizens, and the loss of such man as Mr..
| King will be mourned by very many to whom he
has been a friend in time of need. ,....-.- u
School HOUSE BURNED-bTr. jackson
Jetfreys, colored minister, living in Bar
toms Creek District, Wake county, called on
US yesterday and stated that the colored
school house, which he had erected some
time ago, was destroyed by fire on Saturday
| night last The fire was the work of an in
| cendiary, and so colored children ire thus
deprived of a school room. The house was
also used as coIored church. The colored