The Lowry War

Robeson County and the Lowry War:

Robeson Country expands 951 Square Miles (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004), making it the largest county in the state of North Carolina. It is home to the Lumbee Indian Tribe of North Carolina, the Black Swamp, Lumberton (the county seat), 29 townships, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the Lumber River (parts of the river are also known as "Drowning Creek,") expansive corn fields, former tobacco fields, it was the home of former Revolutionary Colonel Thomas Robeson, as well as the stage for the Lowry War .

The Lowry War, a seven year localized war of violance, most notably thefts and raids, was ignited by the execution of father and son, Allen and William Lowry. Allen and William Lowry were executed on the grounds that they were "guilty of theft."

Soon after the Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in 1861, the Confederate Army began expanding, including the establishment of Fort Fisher. The Confederate Army was instructed to round up Lumbee Indians living in Robeson Country, and have them "aid" in the erection of Fort Fisher. However, the "aid" was forced labor, which sent many Lumbee Indians to "lay out" in the swamps of Robeson county, as to avoid slavery.

In 1864, four of the Lowry brothers, enraged by economic and political tensions, stole a couple of hogs from a neighboring slaveholder, James P. Barnes.

Barnes caught wind of the Lowry actions, and attempted to "capture" them, but ended up being murdered at the hands of a gang including two Lowry brothers.

In 1865, the Lowry's also killed J. Brantly Harriss, who had murdered 3 of their cousins.

The Lowry's raided the Robeson County Courthouse, and on March 3, 1865, the day of execution, the "Home Guard" raided Allen Lowry's home, where they found "guns and clothes."

The "Home Guard" therein created a "sham" court, where they later executed William and Allen Lowry at their home.

After the Civil War, the raids continued because of Henry Berry, son of Allen Lowry, who witnessed the execution of his father and brother first hand. He became the organizer of the "Swamp Outlaws," known for attacking local law enforcement and raiding plantations.

On February 16, 1872, Henry Berry Lowry escaped with a chuck of change after raiding Lumberton, and was never seen again.

"The Daily Arkansas Gazette describes the gang’s activities in July, 1871: "In portions of North Carolina, band of negro outlaws—real ku-klux—are murdering the people, robbing stores and houses, and openly defying the authorities. Lowry, their leader, is a well-known radical politician. He can be arrested by the Federal officers at any time they please, and yet he is suffered to go at large, and murder white men at his pleasure..." In "Portions of North Carolina, bands of negro outlaws.” Daily Arkansas Gazette. 26 July 1871.

A question for further consideration: What happened to the Lumbee Indians??


Credits:

"The Swamp Outlaws, or, The North Carolina Bandits: Being a complete history of the modern Rob Roys and Robin Hoods. Circa 1872.

Jenny McElroy, "March 1865 — Executions Spark the Lowry War," This Month in North Carolina History, March 2008.

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-civilwar/4595, LearnNC.com Access Date: 12/11/2011
Provided by UNC Libraries / North Carolina Collection.

http://www.co.robeson.nc.us/hist.htm; Robeson County Home Page: Access Date 12/11/2011