Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-26
THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTLAWS.
A Herald Reporter in the Clutches OF
the Lowerys.

| "a AVAoAu AsOpVIscI lu tu6 GlULcQeS OF
the Lowerys.
The ~ 7. Herald recently sent George Al
fred Townsend to Robson county to interview
Henry Berry Lowery. Mr.. Townsend rode
and wrote all around and about Lowery, but
came away without-daring to visit the lion in
his den. The Herald. bent upon having an in
terview with the notorious outlaw, and sur.
passing all its contemporaries in newspaper en-
terprise, followed Townsend up by sending a
more adventurous reporter, named Henderson,
with orders to see Lowery, and "come back,
dead or alive
1t will be seen by the statement we publish
below, from Wilmington paper, that Hen
derson has found the Lowerys, and is a priso-
ner, or at least pretends to be such in their
hands.
The Wilmington Star says:
when the train on the Wilmington, Char
!otte and Rutherford railroad passed Moss
Neck yesterday, the passengers were regaled
with sight of two of the gang of outlaws,
Stephen Lowery and Andrew Strong. They
had with them, as a prisoner of war. CORES
pondent of the New York Herald, by the
name of A. B. Henderson This ambitious
knight of the quill left this city for the ''seat
OF war on Monday last. He went to Moss
Neck and from there to Shoe Heel He left
the latter place on Tuesday, when the train
passed, and was put off at Eureka" sta
tlon In the immediate neigbborhood of Scuffle-
town, the headquarters of the outlaws. saying
that he intended to interview them if it cost
him his life. This purpose he seems to have
ooo bod 70 Ofao hox r,tb
them at Moss Neck yesterday and displayed no
fear or anxiety in consequence. He had in his
possession rifle belonging to one OF the gang
and deported himself 10 manner that indica-
ted perfect ease as to the matter of his per-
sonal safety.
We learn as one Of the results of Hender-
sons interviews with the outlaws that since his
meeting with them he has neither seen or
heard any mention of Henry Berry Lowery,
which would tend to confirm the rumor that
he has escaped from the county, or that he
was killed or drowned, as he has been re-
ported.
One of the passengers on the train yesterday
furnished US with three dispatches which.were
to be forwarded from this place, one to the
New York Herald. and one to the wife of the
correspondent. Henderson, and the other to a
clergyman In New Jersey, probably relative
of Henderson, which were given to the con-
ductor by one of the outlaws.
The first Of these dispatches, purportiDg to
be signed by the marks of Stephen LoWery
and Andrew Strougs reads
WILMINGTON. N. c., March I6, 1872.-
We have captured your correspondent. Will
not hurt him, but will keep him week.
Boss IS not dead
with the Lowerys, perfectly safe. The third:
L am in no danger whatever.
CLERICAL MORALITY. 1t is understood that
the ecclesiastical investigation of the Huston
case will be conducted in Baltimore. To the
meantime, it is reported that DIR. Huston has
brought suit against the Baltimore american
for libel. If that is the fact. there will be a
double process of investigation which cannot
fail to elicit the truth
In the meantime, it is painful TO see the graft
ication which some journals appear to take in
stories duplicating the morality of the clergy
Even where these stories are true, they prove
nothing against religion or the church. No
one can deny that the Gospel teaches purity, as
we'll as every other virtue, and it is rather ab-
surd to hold it responsible because men will not
| obey it. As to the Church, unless it is omnip-
otent, how can it keep bad men out of either its
communion orit pulpit? IF there are wretches
so depraved and deceitful as to put on ''the
| livery of heaven to serve the devil in" the
Church cannot help it, and ought not to be
condemned for it. 1t is only when the Church
keeps such men in their positions, after good
reason to doubt their character that it makes
itself responsible. In that case it loses public
confidence and is false not only to man, but to
it's Divine Master No Church can stand that
fails not only to avoid evil, but the very ap-
| pearance of evil. Having said this much, we
rejoice to express our believe that the clergy OF
! the country, and of this age, are, as general
rule, the most exemplary and deserving class oil
men in the world. With bu little in the way
of earthly reward, they devote their lives to the
| promotonof human virtue and happiness, and
of every good work. They have done more fol
education also than any other class. Tue oc
casonal lapsing of some of them into evil, nc
more indicates that the others are false thar
shooting stars prove that all the rest of the
heavenly host are alike holowand unstable. =
Lynch. Ne,os.