Watauga Democrat

D. R. Dougherty, Editor
R. C. Rivers, Publisher
Thursday Oct. 26, 1893.

Lenoir Topic: Maj. Harper, who returned from Watauga court Saturday evening tells us that there is a regular band of robbers over in Watauga—a Jesse James gang—who have been carrying on their business there for a considerable time. Eight of them are in jail in Boone, but a great many of them are still at large. They take an oath putting both hands on the Bible, getting down on their knees and swearing that they will steal, rob, lie, and not give away any of their members.

The above statements are true as to public opinion and demonstrations had at our last term of court would go to prove such facts. Our people have believed for a year or more that there was such a band as above stated. We very much regret that the fair fame of good old Watauga has been defamed by such rumors. The roguish acts of two or three individuals have given rise to all kinds of wild reports. There has been money stolen; there has been houses entered at night, but we very much doubt if there is now, or has been, any organized band for the purpose of perpetrating such outlandish crimes. Facts are developing and will further develop that will give the public a better understanding in regard to this whole affair. We are not alarmed by any means: A double-barrelled shot-gun may be a convenient and persuasive argument when these rogues who are stealing on their own hook comes around and a few such arguments, well applied, will effectually close all operations of this kind. There is as little danger of bands of robbers in Watauga as any place in North Carolina. This is our humble opinion, however, and we think we know whereof we speak. Perhaps we have our share of thieves like other christian countries.