Public Ledger

THE SWAMP ANGELS.

Capture of George Applewhite, the Last of the Lowry Gang—A Desperate Struggle with a Desperate Man.

[Goldsboro, N. C. Correspondence of the New York Herald.]

Since 1871, a stalwart mulatto, passing under the assumed name of Bill Jackson, has been living in this locality, following the vocation of a plasterer and brick-mason. It seems that Jackson and another negro, whose name escapes my memory, for some time have been suitors for the hand of the same woman, and that this contest engendered the most bitter hostility between them. They had hitherto been warm friends, and it was during this period of intimacy between them Jackson divulged to him the ghastly secrets of his former life with the robber chief, Henry Berry Lowry, in Robeson county. Jackson's rival betrayed him, and acting upon information received from him, certain parties here addressed a letter to Mr. McMillan, the Sheriff of Robeson county, asking for a minute description of Geo. Applewhite. A photograph of the bandit was the response, and led to the apprehension of Bill Jackson as the escaped freebooter. Applewhite was standing, engaged in conversation, upon one of our principal streets to-day, when he was approached by William Freeman and Bryant Copps, who commanded him to surrender. Upon his refusing the summons, the officers clinched him when

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE ensued. Though wholly unarmed Applewhite did effective execution with his brawny fists, knocking Freeman into chaos and out of time in the first round. This giving him a momentary freedom, he ran rapidly down James street toward the market-house, but was soon overtaken by his fleeter pursuers and beaten into submission. He was terribly cut and bruised by the batons of the police, both in the temple and back of his head. The officials here are positive as to his identity since coming into possession of the photograph. It will be remembered that George Applewhite murdered Mr. King, a former sheriff of Robeson county, and for which felony, in conjunction with others of no less magnitude, he was

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

However, with the assistance of his confederates, he escaped, and has been at large ever since until now. He was considered one of the most daring, brutal and devilish of the "swamp angels," and his name alone suggested murder. There is a standing reward of $5000 for his body, dead or alive. To-night a strong guard will be placed around the jail in which he is imprisoned, to prevent any possible attempt at rescue. Intense excitement prevails here consequent upon his capture, and knots of citizens upon the various street corners have been discussing the event the entire afternoon. Robeson county is only distant about eighty miles from this point, and it is a little remarkable that an outlaw of George Applewhite's reputed sagacity should expose himself so near the theater of his many depredations.