The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-10-19
Robson County.


1t is with the most painful feelings that
we are compelled to SAY, that reliable infor-
maticn shows that Robson is in the hands
of an armed mol. -1''
This gang Of maraudcrs is gathered from
Robson, the counties adjoining and from
South Carolina. Under the pretense OF ar
resting robbers and outlaws, these rufians
are numbering innocent colored people and
committing other outrases of gross and
barbarous character ti"' ~
James Oxendinc, member of the Repub-
liean Executive Committee of the 3rd Con-
gressional District, lately a County Commits
sioner, a man of property and highly es-
teemed bv the good people of his County,
proverbially law-abiding citizen, was on
Saturday night last driven from his house
at the point of the bayonet, by large
crowd of armed men, who took possession
Of the dwelling. Mr. oxendine and his
family, including several women and chill
dren, were ordered to leave the premises.
The gang asscverated that they intended to
take his life before morning He. was not
allowed to take hat to cover his head, and
thus bare headed, partly dressed and bare
footed, with several members of his family,
was marched the distance of five miles, to-
wards Moss Neck-a dreary, agonlzing mid
night march-for aught he knew a march
to death, and as the sequel will show, it was
well nigh death march. e eiP u
His son, Floyd Oxendine, was suffering
from painful wound, which he had re-
ceived the night before; nevertheless, he
was marched re-headed and without pro-
lection for his feet g L--llza -
Mr. Oxendine, the elder. frequently de-
manded to be told the cause of theitarrest,
what charge was made against tliem hewas
not conscious of having violated any law Of
of even having any difficulty with any citi
zen, and had no connection withsthe robbers
who had been committing dcpredations in
the County. He could obtain no satisfac
tory reply, only that he would know soor
enough, and "we'll have you in hell before
morning" The order of march was such
that the persons who were very likely tc
be recognized by the prisoners, were in tht
rear After marching a quarter of a mile
or so the gang held council to determine
the fate of Mr.. Oxendine and his com
panions. The motion was, as Mr.. o. wa
informed, to shoot them. This motion wa
lost by majority of one cote.
Having reached Moss Neck, the gang or
dered their prisoners to leave-"run," Say
ing that they were the wrong persons, bu
Mr.. Oxendine declined until he should b
formally discharged. "There was som
man in authority, let him issue the dis
charge,"--but no, he must go off, and finall
he and his company walked away home
Mr. o. recognized one of these parties.
Arrived at his dwelling he found tina. tn
house had been ransacked- broke
open-a pair of boots, a shot gun, re
volver and some small sums OF money an
DR.. Gilbirt's saddleb bags had been take
away--evidently the clothing in the hous
had been searched for money.
Mention has been made of the woundin
of Floyd Oxendine, son of James. Thi
was the result of deadly assault, made th
night previous. Late in the evening tw
men came to the gate and halloed. At Ii
fathers request Floyd stepped to the doc
when he was fired upon. A ball passe
through book which he held in his hand
another ball passed through the palm {
one hand and wounded a finger on the othe
Undoubtedly it was the intention Of thes
men to kill Mr. James Oxendine at this tim
but having failed, the outrage of the nel
night was committed ''s 1'
In the company that was seized an
marched away was young man, Albert
Mclean, who had been Confederate soldi'
through the war. He fortunately recognize
several persons in the gang, one especial
as a comrade in the army, and compelle
him to acknowledge the recognition. Wit
two exceptions the men of this gang we
white. Hence If the authorities of ii
County are disposed to do their duty, Il
way is open H-Hi 'I'- s't
The proper afidavits have been mao
and the facts stated are matter of recor
Why is not the Sheriff of the County aler
!, A warfare is evidently waging against IL
colored people of the County. Some a
robbed and obliged to flee for their lives
, Others are murdered outright and the
bodies left to the vutures See the ca
, of Malcom Sanderson, seized. told to b
, his childien farewell as he would never 8
. them again, and then shotlhrough the hes
and side, and his body lett for two da
| mburied and unprotected. 90 fsazs
Andrew Strong, who had been acquitt,
of CONNECTION with the "robbcrs," upon
: fair trial at the Superior Court, was selz'
4 AID bound at the same time with Sanderso
. The last fine seen he suppOsed that i