The New York herald., 1871-10-20
THE LiWlET LOWRBYS.
Exploits Of the Most Extraordinary Gang
Of Outlaws Known to Crime.
Robcson County, North Caro-
lina, in Anarchy.
o.x,saxn q ssats and National Troops Against
- Lovrsys-Iis Uttn Failurs-Ths Troops
vrAdrsvn-rhe Gang Propose Treaty
os Pesoe"-Descripton Of the Outlaws


RALElGH. n. @, Oct Is 1871.
Tue vigorous measures which wcre instituted
nearly three months since on the part OF both the
State and national Gevernmenss against Henry
Berry Lowrey, the notorious outlaw, and hts law
sss gang. in Robson county, have just been
brought 70 . most inglorlous and unsuccessful
pose. eAa
The readers OF the HKRALD are already familiar
with the history OF these desDeradoes who have SO
ong outraged the OF the state aud upon each OF
whose heads prics had bee set by the State gov
srnmenL They were outlawcd by Governor Holden
md large rewards offered both by the State and
oounty for Their arrest but this did not deter
them from commltpna the most daring, bloody and
INHUxAN DEEDS
on record For q period OF over eight years. CON-
mencing In 1883, the Lowreys and their associates.
the oxendines and others, who are mixture OF
Indian negro and Caucasian held high carnival
Of crime IN Robson and the adjacent counties.
They became terror to all law abiding and peace
full citizens and every EFFORT 70 capture them proved
unsuccessful In the inmost recesses OF an almost
impenetraoe swamp their headquarters are estab-
hsned and from ih,s they emerged only when their
necessities required. or when they desired to wrcak
vengeance on some person or persons who had
made themselves prominent in endeavoring TO
aud assassinations they committed Is most start
ing and fearful exhibit. Since the close OF the war
they have murdered some twenty-five citizens In
their houses and on the highway, ami
ALL IN COLD BLOOD.
except recently, when two citizels were killed be-
longing to q party organized to capture them.
Lowrey and his gang ambusned the party, and q
volley KILLED two, wounded several and put the re.
mander 70 hight Such expeditions against them
49, thnsvu
ous and have invariably resulted In similar d,sas-
rous escapades. When their supplies Of provisions
required replenishing LQNrey and hls gang, armed
70 the teeth, made raid on some country store or
farm mouse, quilted It, and retired back to the
swamp triumphant On these occasions if resist.
ance was offered they bound the owners OF toe prop
srty they taking to trees or fences Ad cut on
their ears, and II tney were too unruy shot them
down on the spot Added to these henous crimes
was that Of rape, which during tine past ave years
has frequently been committed by this lawless and
eesperate gang. In shoit, H..s
THEY DEFIED ALL AUTHORITY. HtM
1egpiscd the efforts OF the local 0.clals TO effect
their arrest and inspired such terror among the
citizens that few would be foolhardy enough TO at
tempt to make one Of party TO capture them, and
they roamed the country living monuments Of Q
feeble and miseraby conducted government, and
menace to ali peaceably disposed citizens. II q
better evidence OF the utter contempt In which they
held the local authorities were wanting than the
following 1t Is hard to say how 1t would be found
One OF the gang, for whom reward OF $4oo had
been offered one day presented himself TO a citizen,
and Stipulated that the latter might arrest him aui
todgc him the county jail at Lumberton cond /.
non that he would share the reward equally with
him in two week from the date Of arrest. The citi-
zen agreed, and the outlaw was delivered 10 the
Bberil, who had him
MANAcLso AND sHAcKLsD
In the most thorough aud approved manner and
then cnained 20 The 1oor In addition to these pre-
cautions bolts bars and the most ponderous sort Of
cell IN the outlaw was secured but also
ene outer doors OF the JAIL SO that there was no
Ssrste% until f'' ios EXPIRATION neu Of fqua me ipr spu
lated two weeks, and few days after;
icrthcominG he disappeared Que -' bright u meon o
light night Into the very midst OF the town OF
ses ang S% ss broke
themselves with tools, went 70 the jail, made short
work q me locks and bars and bolts and liberated
sneir fellow outlaw. Soon afterwards the cIlzen
who made the arrest left the county.
Every one Of tue numerous expeditions by the
citizens against the LOwreys, usually gotten up
during the excitement attendant upon one OF their
murders or outrages, sgnally failed and generally
70 the would-be captors. Al length the county was
becoming depopulated owing 70 the fear and IN
time the Lowreys were becoming more daring. ana,
possible,
MORE ArEocrocs AND oPgy
10 the commission OF their outrages Under these
circumstances Unllee states troops were sent 70
kooeson 10 a1s-a LIss protection TO lie prop
erty which the S-sS4 sEinoriues had failed in
dong. Tue troops -nx1ed there nearly the entire
year Of 1879, during which the Lowreys were as
active rs ever and 10 show how little they cared for
troops they shot aud Killed IN broad daylight
after these troops we're Withdrawn the commun,ty
were again startled by the announcement or an
saner noIroe I'M murder rae oy ,ne L9wreys and again
against the outlaws IL was on this occasion that
Ixw % Va nnpp Ia.
nance Of the county authorities and sucn wholesale
sasrsee o. is ana property BY I,,, the OUTLAWS Cover
supplied them with arms and ammunition, and
placed then
under the command Of AdJ uiant General German.
of the state forces. Large numbers or United
and suppression oi the ku Klux klan. tue Governor
sppieo Ior TWO companies 10 assist Ia
furnished ordered 10 Robeson, snd with the militia
we're placed IN the leld some three months ago
annihiiating tue outlaws. Since then me EXPLOITS
Of the Lonreys Lave been characterized by greater
NOVELTY ~ NOT DARfsG,
than ever. No murders have been heard Of but tho
outlaw nave repeatedly shown themselves Ia the
most pnpiic places, and once they nred upon tTatn
on the wilmington Charlotte and Rutherford Rail.
road Again, Lowrey himself invaded the militia
camp IN The night time. cut MS name on The stock OF
Gorman stating that MS inspection or the carnp
was most satisfactory and the discipline
. squad Of United states soldiers on
road. They were unarmed. but Iowrey,
besldes a, ,douDie-bsrreed shot gun, had several
loaded revolyers IN his belt lie passed the soldiers
who stared Al nim Ia smazement. and he soon dis.
appeared 10 the woods. HIS next appearance was
N bafteau Ia Lumber river, witnessed by a dc.
acnmeni of United states troops, wno fired at him.
The outlaw lad down in the boat, careened II 30
enAt The bottom protected his BODY until out OF
danger, AND tnen NJ padded away without even
mucn az returning the IRE. These were the only
ghmpses obtained oi Lowrey by the military forces
sent 10 capture him during their campaign OF three
months and IKE the seminole Indians in Florida,
she outlaws stil remain unconQuored and masters
OF the situation FiDding the oper MS or the mill
0ry-a glorious inactlvty-were rather too expcu.
eve, while they but afforded amuseInent for the
outlaws, they withdrawn bu, prior 10 their re-
mova Lowrey, through messenger, proposed
A PLAG OF TRUCE
and personal meeting with General German tina