The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-08
Outlaw Zach Mclaughlin Shot by
an Impressed Outlaw.
THE BLACK MEME SIS.

LUMBERrON. N. c., Feb. q, 1872.
In two previous letters have described the per.
sons OF the Lowreys and some OF their associates,
and given the origin OF the local feud which has
run into an extended career OF outlawry ana
crimes. This letter will recaprulate the leading
crimes on both Sides as derived from the best In
formation.
THE TWO ARRESTS AND JAIL-BREAKINGs OF LOwERY.
Although Henry Berry Lowery swore an oath OF
revenge for the murder OF his father ana brother
1865 he was not yet entirely given up to outlawry.
and the republican politicians and advisers OF the
people OF Scufnetown felt some sympathy Tor him
and sought TO save him. These looked upon the
murders OF Harris and Barnes as partly justified,
In the former by the monstrous character OF the
man, in the latter by motives OF seldefence ana
the collisions OF the races in the war.
The old slavehOldlng element OF The county. how
ever, unaware OF the scourge OF humanity they
were creating ana the talent as an outlaw leader
he was to develop. resolved to have and to hang
him at all hazards.
They found that ne was to be married to Rh0dy
Strong, the most beautiful girl In Scuinetown, and,
surrounding the house on the night OF the cere-
mOny. they took him from the side of his bride-one
A. J. McNair accomplishing his capture. The jail
at LumbertOn was then In asnes, and the county
without safe receptacle for
THE YOUNG MURDERER AND BRIDEGROOM
then only twenty years of age He was therefore
conveyed In irons to the Jail whitesviie, Column
bus county, twenty nine miles from Lumbert0n.
Here the desperate young husband filed his way
out ~ the grated iron window bars, escaped to the
woods and made his way back to his wife. ThIs
was in 1866.
In the interrupted enjoyment OF family happiness
Henry Berry Lowery expressed desire to quit the
swalnps and return TO his carpenters trade ana
peaceful society. His republican friends labored
proclamation OF oblivion FOR offences committed
during the war, issued by the federal department.
commanders throughout the South. Dr. Thomas,
Freedmen's Bureau Agent at Scunierown. arranged
with the Sheriff, d. A. Howell that II Lowery freely
gave himself up he should be well fed, not DC put
irons, and protected from violence by the mob
United states troops at that time were quartered
throughout North carolina and the rebel element
was discouraged.
The Sheriff and Dr. Thomas called for Lowery at
his own cabin, near AsDury church, ana brought
him into Lumoerton IN buggy. A new jail had
meantime ls6s been erected in the outskirts OF the
town, constructed entirely Of hewed timber.
Lowery was for time tractable quiet and confd-
ing In his advisers. The
sULLEN HOSTILITY OF THE TowNsPEoPLE-
natural enough, no doubt toward the muir.
derer Of two citzens-soon began to develop,
and complaints were made that Lowery had three
meals day, and not two, like the otner prison.
ers. He was fed from the outside by q shoemaker,
VINO also acted as jaier, and this good treatment,
added TO reports OF his proud and unintimidated
bearing, led TO Il puolic cry tnat he ought TO be
ironed and put on hard iare. 1t Is charged also
and the story was told by three different per-
sons living widely apart-that some OF the towns.
people, hearing OF the line OF defence be assumed
for the prisoner mad resolved TO drag him from JAIL
and drown him.in the river at the foot OF the jail
yard hill. At any rate Lowery grew suspicious ana
uneasy, and perhaps chafed at confinement. one
evening, as the Ja.ler appeared with MS 1000 ne
presented knife and cooked repeater, anu
said:-
"Look here, I'm tirei OF this Open that door
and stand ASIDE If you leave the place for fifteen
minutes YOU will be shot as you come out p
He then walked out OF the jail, turned down the
river bank avoiding the town, stopped at q house
and helped himself to some crackers and, cross
,no the BRIDGE was never again seen IN LumDerton.
THE BAD CHARACTER COMING OUT
From that day TO this ne has led the precarious
life Of hunted man and robber, killing some
times for plumber. sometimes for revenge, some
times for defence. lie n8 refused to trust any per-
son except those who by boodshed put themselves
ont of tine pale OF society ike himself. AMI he has
collected pack OF murderers whom he absolutely
commands, and VINO have finally diminished to nve,l
the rest being sent on unworthy, useless or un.
congenia.
"My band Is big enough" he said last week!
.srhey are all true men and could not be as safe
with more. We mean to 1--we as long as we can, to
kill anybody who hunts us, from the sheriff down.
and az last, II we must aie, 10 die game"
To another person he said. I'VE are NOT alloweU