Lowry War facts for kids

The Lowry War was a conflict that happened in and around Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. It lasted from 1864 to 1874. This conflict was between a group of mostly Native American outlaws and local, state, and federal authorities. The war is named after Henry Berry Lowry, a Lumbee man. He led a group of American Indian, white, and Black men. This group robbed farms and fought against public officials who tried to stop them.

Why Did the Lowry War Start?

Trouble in Robeson County began during the later parts of the American Civil War. Many free persons of color hid in local swamps. They did this to avoid being forced to work for the war effort. They also stole food to survive.

In 1864 and 1865, local Confederate officials had problems with the important Lumbee Lowry family. Two officials lost their lives. A group called the Confederate Home Guard then put two Lowrys to death. They were accused of having stolen goods. Henry Berry Lowry was also arrested for serious accusations.

Henry Berry Lowry and His Gang

Henry Berry Lowry later broke out of jail. He avoided the authorities by hiding in swamps. He gathered a group of friends, and they became known as the Lowry Gang. This gang was a changing group of American Indian, white, and Black men. Many of its main members were related to Lowry.

After the Civil War, during the Reconstruction period, new public officials arrived. At first, they tried to find a peaceful way to solve the problem. But this effort ended in 1868. The gang fought against a former sheriff during a robbery, and the sheriff died.

What Happened During the Conflict?

Over the next few years, the gang carried out many robberies. They often targeted large farms. The state government declared them outlaws. Groups of law enforcement and local soldiers chased them. The gang usually escaped by hiding in the swamps. Some of their pursuers also lost their lives.

Some gang members were caught but managed to escape. The state of North Carolina eventually offered large rewards for the main gang members. A reward of $12,000 was offered for Henry Berry Lowry's capture or death. Soldiers from the 4th Regiment U.S. Artillery were sent several times to help the local authorities.

The End of the War

After a big robbery in Lumberton in February 1872, Lowry disappeared. His fate is still unknown. Over the next two years, bounty hunters tracked down the remaining active gang members.

During the conflict, the Lowry Gang was connected to the deaths of 22 people. One of its members was arrested and put to death. Several others lost their lives. The conflict gained a lot of attention from newspapers across the region and the country.

The Legacy of the Lowry War

Henry Berry Lowry became a folk hero for the Lumbee people. His story is an important part of Lumbee history and traditions. Even in the 1930s, some Lumbees believed he was still alive. They thought he lived far away in Florida, Arizona, or Oklahoma. They also believed he would sometimes visit Robeson County.

Historian Malinda Maynor Lowery said that for Robeson County Indians, the end of the Lowry War was a very important moment. It showed that their community would continue to exist. It also showed they would be more connected to state and federal authority. The war helped the Lumbee people keep their unique identity. It also helped them gain recognition for their self-governance in the years that followed.

How the Lowry War is Remembered

The story of the Lowry War was shared in many books and newspapers in the late 1800s. This helped create the modern "mythic narrative" in the Lumbee community. It became a story of "Native American resistance to white supremacy".

The Lumbee Tribe gives out the Henry Berry Lowry Award every year. This award honors someone for their great community service.

The life of Henry Berry Lowry and the events of the war have been shown in several books and plays. In 1976, a play called Strike At The Wind was created. It told the story of Lowry's life. This play was performed every year in the 1970s and 1980s in Pembroke. It was also performed at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2007, North Carolina put up a historical marker in Pembroke to remember Lowry.