The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-15
THE OUTLAW MURDER.
Sheriff Reuben Kings
A Assassination.
Trial and Acquittal of Cal
vim Oxendine.
A SWAMP ANGEL VISITATION.
JOHN DihLL, THE BANDITS, EVIDENCE
An Abb and Good Character
Sworn To.
JOHN DlALl, THE BANDITS, EVIDENCE
THE MOTHER OF THE OXENDINEs
SMITHvlLLE, Brunswick County, n. G.,

springlik and not single ripple disturbed the
placid waters of blue Cape Fear. The air was laden
with perfume of fruit trees in blossom, and
vocal with the music Of myriads OF happy birds cele
brating the return OF spring Perhaps the bright
ness of the day brought renewed hope to the bosom
Of the poor prisoner who has
THREE LONG YEARS
been hedged In by prison walls.
At halfpast ten precisely Court was called, His
Honor Judge Russell presiding. Never since the
recollection OF the writer has there been such
general turning out OF the people OF good old Bruins
wick-not men alone, but by far the greater and
most respectable portion of
THE LADIES or sMITHvILLE
Even the schools were closed for the day. and the
teachers were observed listening eagerly 10 the
trial.
The ladies occupied the seats TO the right OF the
jury. In a few moments the prisoner brought
in, accompanied by his mother, ana those who
saw him three years ago say that he is not changed
in any particular, and looks well the first day
he entered the prison walls. After the usual pre-
lminaries-s shouting OF the Sheriff for sience-the
trial began. The prosecuting counsel were William
s. NorInant, or Robson; Colonel Neal A. Mclean,
OF Robson, and G. Roland. For the defence, Mars
den Bethany, of Brunswick and Daniel French, Of
RObeson The first witness for the State was John
DIAL, outlaw and murderer,
TURNED STATES EVIDENCE.
more Misunderstanding rascal it has never
been my fortune TO SET eyes upon.
EVIDENCE or JOHN DALI.
am about nineteen years old: in January, 1869,
latter part, Henry Berry l.owery, George Apple
white Boss Strong, Calvin OXendne, Henderson
Oxendine and ] got together Friday night, about
eleven O'Clock, at the upper end OF Thompson's
lane; went the night TO back Of Kings
all those mentioned were there; stopped AT the
bay, low Nat land; stayed there until Saturday
evening, good dusk about half mile from the
place
BLAcKED OUR FACES WITH SMUT,
tied handkerchics on our heads lhere witness
produced a handkerchief and placed il on his head
that night, and then George Applewhite cut
him Stick a black gum sick; we then went TO
Kings house; King sitting before the fire read
ing newspaper: another gentleman was IN the
house; Calvin went TO the house with u pistol
Calvin, George Appewhite and Henry Berry LOwcry
then went into the house; when they went in
Henry Berry
TOLD KING TO SURRENDER:
King came forward to Henry Berry Lowery. caught
the gun in his hand and pushed il down
they got tangled somehow and Henry Berry's
gun went of: George Applewhite and Cal
win had pistols, and George Applewhite fired
FELL fell out of the house into the piazza the piazza
IL at the back part Of the house: part of the body
Berry's gun went or too and the load into the
noOr didn't see the hole in the noor; King called
for God TO have mercy on him; Boss Strong said If
he did not hush he would
BUST HIS HEAD OPEN
with the butt Of his gun; Calvin had his
Berry searched his pockets and found a few
dollars in gold and few dollars IN sil-
yuhi
clothes, one shotgun and pistol saw them after
wards have a watch that they did not have before;
believe they got IL them it was single case silver
watch; they put the trunk into the yard-not many
steps from the door--not far from the well; Boss
Strong
BROKE THE TRUNK OPEN:
don't know II they took anything from the trunk:
King was lying this time about the same place; Cal
vim joined MS, about eleven O'Clock, with George
Applewhite and Henry Berry at Thompsons lane;
went into the woods near ear, the bay above
Kings after King had been wounded
she went to where King was lying
and stad with King until we left; saw the place
where the stick was cut in January after: Ben
Howell, Mr.. Brown and some other men went with
me to the place where we camped that night; went
to show them where the camp was: found where
the fire had been, and where the stick was cut
(lIere the stick
A MOST MuRDERous LOOKING WEAPON,
was produced.) Stayed the first time nearly day:
no inducements has been offered me TO tell this
was not put up to this by others: IN wilmington
jaiI, Calvin Oxendinc, Henderson ONendine, Steve
Loweiy and George Applewhite tried to make me
say that you (meaning COUNSEL put me up TO what
told: lswear that never put up to it
threats were used: none made III Lumberton jail
by magistrates or any one.
THE CROSS EXAMINATION.
Have been In Jail for three years: ann a state wit
ness; | was induced to go with the outlaws TO
Kings to rob him: also an outlaw NJ that time;
10 make confessions at Lumberton JAIL don't
know who shot Ward: don't know who put the
pistol to Miss Penny Joey; had no conversation
with Strickland about 1t at all; don't know
whether this swearing win hurt me or not: Ben
Howell and talked about it; don't think Strck-
land heard me; he was in Jail ~ the same time.
The Court adjourned ut this stage until half.past
three when the trial was resumed.
MRS. KING,
the widow OF the murdered SherD, was next called.
She is a woman about sixty years Of age-a mild
mothery sort OF person--wth much sorrow i'm,
printed on her lace. Her mar y snow White. She
dppOsed rs folows:-
/ am the widow Of Reuben King: IN The latter
psrt Of January 1869. heard noise ana then three
shots fired IN quick succession; heard some one say
surrender ana give Up You, money! ran ann IN from
three men standing over him. he was
BEGGING FOR HIS LIFE
don't know how many men there was did not rccog-
nizc them; IL was bright moonlight niHhl. NJ.
Edward Ware, was in the house with my husband ~
The time: he died on the 18th Of March, 1869 missed
oui OF the house silver watch. single case, pistol
aud shot gun, also two counerpanes; my trunk
WAS In the yard, broken open, a Few steps rom iue
well: there was large hole III the hoor' Nafu
was lying near the fire. shot; he seemed 10 DC ~
much pain. and feeble: stick was left Ia the
house there il produced, AMI sworn TO a. the
Samel-l was to0 indt II cOlHlcfDdHt Ol mine Was
found afterwards.
TESTIMONY or PENNY iyEy
Twas NJ Reuben Kings, in the county Of Robson,
al the same time II was growing dusk; Mrs King
and were IN the kitchen: heard dhrec guns IRE;
heard some say, surrender and give up your
money! ran in; saw King lying on the piazza
end men standing over INN: he begged me TO raise
him and
GIVE HIM SOME WATER;
asked one OF the men to assist me 10 raise hun
he told me If didn't hush he would Kill me; saw
That they bad their faces blackened and heads
tied up; did not recognize them; when they reached
1p for the watch the shirt slipped back and saw
the white skin on the arm also the white on the
neck thcfc was large hole In the floor made by
the gun.
BENJAMIN HOWELL,
formerly Shcrir OF EObcsou county, was next sum
moned; know John DIAL; ! was Sherif Of Robe
con ~ That time; John Dian said he was OF the
robbers; said so voluntarily; told John n he knew
anything about II he had better tell: Lohn DIAL
showed me The stamp whore the ssick was cut and