R Published Kacli Thursday Since January IK. l!?7:>
iliXHlCDILHXYiX x\y IPi CiVOr ~ yqmDIE I
N.C. "Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Betting Robeson County
James C. Oxendine, a '38 graduate
of what is now Pembroke State
University, displays a German flag
his outfit captured during World War
II. Members of Co. Bof the 630th ank
Destroyer Battalion signed their
names on the flag. The Nasi flag uas
captured at Cobnar in France
Feb. 3, 1945. Oxendine was a
communications sergeant. His outfit
plans its 15th biannual reunion June
22-34 at Coriele, Go., south of
Atlanta. A staff sergeant, Orendrne
uas expert at firing the rifle and both
the 30-calibre and 50-calibre Thomp
son machine gun. He uku also
amarksman uith the pistol. He took
part in five major battles in Europe
during World War D. Oxendine lives
at Mint Hill, near Charlotte.
Robeson County Indians and the
- "Trait of Tears"
UY ELISHA tOt'KI EAR
Many years ago, as a child, I remember hearing
(lie Elders talk about the old folks. My first
knowledge of "Granny Khody" as she was called,
came as I listened to my grandmother's sister
Rosette Brooks Mcurer and her brother Colon
Brooks talk about what they had learned about
her. As near as we can (ell, Rhoda was born about
1780 or about the high point in the American
Resolution. She was the daughter of Samuel
Locklear. She supposedly married a James
(Cricket) Locklear, although on every ledeial
Census Rhoda is listed, which would lead one to
believe that she was "Head of Household."
Rhoda's son Aaron Locklear was listed as being
born in 1800 and married a woman named Sabta
Ann Manuel, who was born in Sampson County
in I80J. Rhoda also had other childien; Peggy was
lite mother of Elizabeth l.ocklcai whose lalliet
was John Brooks. |-|i/al>vth was bom in 1X45 ami
later was to marry a man named Neal Jones.
Aaron and Sabra Ann had seveinl children:
Josiah, Sib anus, Beady, and Palsy. Stories were
told to us as children about our people going up to
the mountains, or up north, and it aroused great
wonder in me. I have had the opportunity to
peruse the 1X50 I edetal Census of Robeson Coun
ty and observe that it listed Burke County, NC as
lite birthplace of Josiah or "Big Joe" as he came
to be known. Sometimes we question what we see
lor one reason or anollrcr. and I admit that I did
have several i|ucstions that just wouldn't go a\\a\.
After the Creek Indian Wars ended, the Creeks
were scattered in many different directions; those
who were not driven west or those Muskogee
Ctcck who did not go dossil into I loiida ami
liecome Seminole were in many cases absoi bed in
to other populations tluoughout the U.S. when
ever tltey were welcomed. One such wuudctct was
a man named Nathan Walsh in.
Nathan Walsliin, a Creek Italian, lalhcictl a
child let l.ovcdy Ihooks, slaughlei ot John Brooks
(who seised iii the American Resolution) in 1X20.
l.ovcdy died three days alter the child ssas boin.
J he child was named John Jr. (Jack) Brooks in
honor of his grandfather. In the late IK20's and
early I830's the U.S. Government under Jackson
(Jacksa Chulu llurjo as the Creek called him, said
to mean "lire Devil") and others began what was
to become the "Indian Removal Policy." I his
statement may be mixed with some speculation,
but I am of lire opinion that when Jackson's
force* came South and East down the road that
would later be corrupted with his name, I believe
that glowing stories were told uboul the laud,
money and horses that the U.S. Covetnineni was
giving to those Indians who voluntarily resettled in
the West. It seems that maybe Nathan Waldtin
was Mill around and invited tire family or his
future daughter-in-law to go west with him and see
if the stories were true. Whutcver the motive or the
speculation, we know that according to family
history "Big Joe" was boin in a rail pen, a pen us
ed to gather Indians together into a large gioup
before lite march was to begin. They were being
held prior to moving out on the march west which
would be named the " I rail of I eats." But destiny
was not to allow the Locklear family to In- among
\ the five thousand that would she along that bloody
i trail. Aaron, Sabra Ann, Rhoda and their family
would be able to slip away and return to Drowning
Creek and take up abode again in the swamps that
I I
had for so long shcildcd llicni from numerous
dangers. I hey buili a small log house just 10 the
west of Dear Swamp beside which in a few short
years tire Wilmington and Ruthcrfordion Railroad
would build a track from Last to West (1854), I he
questions of Cherokee ancestry might arise
because of this excursion, but Aaron's family
trace their genealogy Northeast to Roanoke River.
Sabra Ann was born in Sampson County, NC.
crossed the Cape l-'ear at Indian Wells and came
into Robeson County.
According to family tradition, this branch ol
the family can also be traced to the Roanoke area.
Included in this article I have inserted a photo of
Lli/abclh Locklcar, a first cousin of "Dig Joe."
She is the daughter of Peggy l.ocklcar and John
Drooks. I also have endeavored to inset I a pictmc
of Palsy l.ocklcar, who is seen with Iter husband
Levi Locklcar. Patsy is a sister of "Dig Joe"
Locklcar. I feel at this point that I need to say that
Josiah married a woman named Polly Ann
Strickland who was one year younger than Joe
I hey lived just liast of Dear Swamp and reared a
large family. It is highly unlikely that many
families in the Robeson County area Indian com
munity are not related to this family in some way.
either near or far.
One |H>inl I fell worth making was the fact that
Robeson County Indians had been affected by the
Indian Removal Policy of the U.S. Ciovctmnciii.
I hey were intimidated. I hey saw Indian women
shot with .5(1 caliber musket balls while using to
act as a shcild to save the lives of then childien.
I hey could relate to the Creek Indians whose skins
furnished harness leather for Jackson's Cavalry.
1 hey could remember the snow, icc and wind that
made Cranny Rhoda's bones hurt and long for the
lowlands and pleasant winters along Drowning
Creek.
Finally, there has been much speculation regar
ding the Indian community in Robeson County,
its origin, etc. I was privileged to hear a beautiful
person make the following statement: "We in the
Indian community are fully capable of writing our
own history." When we have respect for our
Lldcrs and accept their oral history, I believe that
there are ways in which we can verily and even in
some instances add to the beauty of the lives of
(hose whose voices might come to us in the
whispcr of the wind or in the voice of the whippor
will as lie laments the loss of his mq|c.
ELIZABETH (BETSY) JONES
t
Outlaw or "Robin Hood",
coloring book tells tale
by Tom Davis
"The Spirit of Henry Berry
Lowry", a unique coloring book
and a story book about a fabled
character in Lumbcc Indian
folklore, has been produced by
Garry Lewis Barton, an employee
of the Marlboro Herald-Advocate.
Complete with artwork by Dee
Gunsalus, of Clio. Barton's
coloring book relates the exploits
of a Robeson County Indian who
was rejected by the Confederates
when he sought to volunteer during
the Civil War.
Instead, Lowry was hunted
down by the Home Guard and sent
to Wilmington to work on Fort
Fisher with other conscript labor.
Legends written by Barton
beneath Dee Gunsalus' sketches
relate Lowry's life in swamps of
Robeson County after his return
from Fort Fisher.
From that beginning sprang the
Lowry Gang, which in time
became a legend of national repute.
After the Civil War, federal forces
viewed the Lowry Gang as outlaws
and sought to arrest than.
A variety of events in the
Scuffletown area arc depicted and
described as Lowry's fame grew as
a "Robin Hood" of the Lumbccs.
Lowry disappeared from North
Carolina never to be heard from
again after the Lumbcrton Bank
and the Sheriff's Office were
rubbed February 16, 1871.
Garry Barton's account of
Lowry's life ends in this manner:
What we do know for certain is ^
that Henry Berry Lowry was an
extraordinary man. He lived during
extraordinary times. And he left
behind an extraordinary legacy."
"Did Henry Berry Lowry plan
the Lumbcrton robberies in order
to get money to leave the area?
"No one will probably ever
know for certain. But evidence *
strongly suggests that he did.
Garry Barton's coloring book,
which the newspaperman made up ^
and printed himself, already has
caught the eye of school officials
of Robeson County, who have I
purchased 2,500 copies of the \
book.
"I was almost grown before 1
learned very much about Henry
Berry Lowry, who is a pan of our
heritage," Banon observed.
"I wanted to help teach children
about our Indian heritage and fell a
coloring book would help
accomplish that," he said.
Garry Barton setting type on a VDTjj
.-"LEVI & PATSY LOCKLEAR
1 ^Uo <^SutjiCiL(j?. dci[[:|
1 fg 1 9)52 i-2826 )
KRISTY WOODS, MISS PSU
Miss 'Jjd> V/ to '/cW?'/m' Cipecia/
tS<v;r/ Off to 9/1 ns ! Yo/ ih (jaro/inci
hi/ (>rne H'om w
A* the first reigning "Miss Pembroke Stale
University" Ui N officially entered in the "Miss North
Carolina" pageant as I'SU s representative. 21 war old
Krisly Ann Woods will receive a special scndoff al PSU
Friday. Juno 22. for the state event whose finals will he
held at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium on Saturday. June
30. Evaryone la welcome.
1>?e send off will begin at 5 p.m. in l"SU*s Chavts
Center when" Miss Woods will displa. Vr wardrobe for
state.! competition and perform the inusiral number
which will ho hoi talent entry in the state pageant.
Miss Woods is the 5 foot 5, 12S pound daughter of Mr.
and Mr*. Ihtnald Woods of Route 3, Maxton. She is a
rising senior mayinng in romputer science at PSU.
She will be singing a "country" musical selection
entitled "Girl's Night Out." written by the Judds. It was
rhotesigraphod by Karen Jenkins, a former "Miss PSU."
the sound track was purchased by Riley (lxendine of
Pembroke
For the stale pageant. Miss Woods will be wearing a
white awimsuit mther than the royal blue one she wore in
winning the "Miss I'SU" pageant last November. She
was advised to do this by those preparing her for the
pageant. However, for the evening gown competition she
will he wearing the same one with which she won "Miss ,
I'SU." It is a straight turquoise bugle headed evening
gown with an open hark. ,
Die "Miss North Carolina" pageant includes talent,
swimsuit and evening gown competition plus an |
interview. Winner of the pageant wins a $7,500
scholarship and an opportunity to compete for "Miss (
America" in September at Atlantic City. NJ.
Only former "Miss I*Slf* to win "Miss North
Carolina" was Franceses Adler of Fayettevillc in 1984,
However, she was entered not as "Miss PSll" which she
won in 1981, but as "Miss Fayetteville." Miss Woods is
$
the first official "Miss INI" to wear that banner in
entering the stale pageant because INI' purchased a
franchise in the state pageant last fall.
Dr. Diane Jones. I "SI' director of student activities who
was involved in INC's acquiring this state franchise, will
he M iss Woods' official chapcionc in the slate pageant.
Among those advising Miss Woods are Florence Ransom,
who was "Chaperone director of every 'Miss lumber' for
20 years." says Miss Woods; lirigette Cummings.
another former "Miss INlr"; Mrs. Jenkins; and Dr.
Jones.
In preparing herself for the pageant, Miss Woods has
been running three miles a day around the INI' outdoor
track. She has also been on a special program in INfs
weight lifting room. In addition to these, she has been
going to a suntan salon and a toning establishment. I've
kist a few pounds since winning 'Miss INVshe say*.
Miss Woods is delighted about the sendoff she is
receiving from INI'. "I think it is a wonderful idea
because it will provide a kit of people an opportunity to
see what I'll be doing in the pageant, my talent, and my
wardrobe there," she said. "Many of these people may
not he able to go up for the pageant."
Miss Woods says she is "escited" ?bout the
opportunity to compete. "It would be wonderful to be
among the 10 finalists or win hut either way. it is going In
be fun to participate and to k<arn," she said, adding that
next year she can help advise the next "Miss I NIT' for
the pageant.
The past eight months since winning Miss INI' have
been busy ones for Miss Woods. She has attended 15
pageants and performed at events like the Indian Unity
Conference in Greensboro and the Women's State
Democratic Convention in Raleigh.
Now the INI' coed who was PSfa Miss Homecoming
in 1988. Miss INI' in 1989. and little Miss Lumber as a
five year old is on the countdown to her biggest beauty
pageant ever.
U