The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-24
STEVE LOWERY SHOT.
Three Farmers Surprise the Remnant
Chief at a WhiSkey Camp.
His Remains Carried in Tri-
-.
umph to LumbertOn.
LOCAL REJOICINGs.
Drowning Result Of the
Herald's Expose.

Drowning hOSuIC Oh inc
Eerald's Expose.
Moss NECK DEPOT. Robson County, N. C.,(
Feb. 23, 1874 ]
Stephen Lowery. the last and probably the worst
Of the Carolina swamp Angels who riotea in blood
and held such high carnival or crime in North
Carolina for so many years, was killed at about
hali-past four O'Clock this morning in the scufie-
town region by three young white men, all farm
ers named David Holcombe, Thomas button and
McNein Patterson. The scene Of the tragedy Is To-
Gated about two miles from Red Banks, on the Car.
DINA Central Railway about sixteen miles west OF
LumbertOn, the county seat of Robson county, and
six miles from this point. 1t was also on the plan
tatiOn and not far from the house OF Mr.. John
McNalr, gentleman who has repeatedly been
robbed by the outlaws
THE OUTLAW CARoUsING AT A wnIsKEy CAMP.
The three young men above mentioned had been
out searching for the outlaw for several weeks
past. They were ON this mission together ON Sun
day, and at about midnight approached whskey
camp on MIR. McNair's place. where there were
two wagons containing whiskey and tobacco, be-
longing to man named Burns. Of Randolph
county. Here there was quite crowd Of negroes
and few white men drinking and carousnR to.
gether. Among the number was Steve Lowery
who seemed to have been imblbing pretty freely
The young men approached the outlaw and began
to converse with him. He made many boasts of
what he had done and what he could do and said
that he could show more gold than any other man
In Robson county.
WAITING FOR A SHOT.
After while the young men arose and babe
Steve good night saying that they were
going home After getting well OUT OF the
range Of the camp, however. they made
detouv and crept up to within twenty
yards Of the outlaw. Here they remained
quiet for long time, waiting for shot, but were
deferred Tor more than an hour by the fact that
there were others him. Finally they all sepa-
rated and Steve picked up banjo and began
drumming ON 1t for the amusement of his friends.
One colored individual kept near to him, but the
young men were determined not to lose this op-
portunity, and SO at given signal they all three
fred.
THE TYRANT SLAIN.
There was but one report from the three guns.
The outlaw jumped from his seat and Immediately
afterward fell to the ground dead. The negro who
was near him had his ears slightly scratched by
the shot, but was reOiced to find that he. too. was
not killed. The youag men then. reloaded their
guns and advanced TO the dead body, which they
secuted and bore away. cart was hired and the
body placed Oh it and taken to LumbertoD where
1t arrived this morning at about nine O'Clock. 1t
was then taken to the Court House and placed on
table in the Snerirs office.
LUMBERTON WILD WITH JOY.
Immediately there was q wild commotion in the
town, and the streets were soon filed with an ex.
cited crowd discussing the tragedy, and all re-
joicing that the last OF the outlaws had been
killed. The body was perfectly riddied with balls
and buckshot. Tho head was perforated in several
places, and there were three large wounds tn the
heart, any one OF which would have proved fatal
There were found the body but very few articles
among which were a bunch OF keys and q copy OF
the Wilmington weekly Post This latter, which Is
now before me as 1 write, is perforated through
with hole almost large enough to have been
made by Mimic ball. and In another place the
paper Is torn, it is thought BY second ball.
LowERY WALKING ARSENAL.
The outlaw was armed to the teeth, there being
found on his person when he was killed, Henry
rifle three pistols and knife with blade about
twelve inches in length. He was only about
twenty-eight or twentynine years Of age. Like all
the rest OF the outlaws, his earthly career has
been cut short before he had reached the prime OF
life. He is said to have been the most cowardly,
and at the same time the most treacherous and
vindictive, OF them all
MRS. "RHoDY' ALSO JUBILANT.
sRhodyn Lowery the widow OF the defunct
chief. Henry Berry Lowery. was among the crowd
at Lumperton to-day. 1t is said that she seemed
actually reioced TO learn that the last OF the gang
had gone TO his long account. 1t is understood
that Rhody wanted to marry again, but that Steve
had threatened to kill her II she did so. There are
many persistent persons who believe that Henry
Berry Lowery is not yet dead; 1t is even asserted
that he has recently been seen in New York city.
THE REWARDS
for the killing Of Steve Lowcry amount in all to
$1,000, and this amount will be paid over to the
three young men who killed him. The dead out.
law is said to have Deen recently but the ghost OF
dis former self. He was formerly stout ana ro-
bust, but had become pale ana thin OF late. Since
the killing OF Tom Lowery he has Kept pretty close
to the swamps: but the music OF 0 tobacco and