PEMBROKE — One of the most compelling stories in Robeson County history, the legend of Henry Berry Lowrie, will be the topic of a panel discussion at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke on Thursday.

The Robeson County Arts Council will hold its second annual River Voices program beginning at 6 p.m. in the Museum of the Southeast Indian in UNCP’s Old Main. There will be music by Lumbee blues guitarist Lakota John until the program begins at 7 p.m. in Moore Hall.

The panel discussion focuses on historian William McKee Evans’ book on Lowrie, “To Die Game: The Story of the Lowry Band; Indian Guerrillas of the Reconstruction.” Expect a lively discussion, said Arts Council President Mary Ann Masters.

“River Voices celebrates famous Robeson authors, and Evans is a St. Pauls native,” Masters said. “’To Die Game’ is often cited as the most comprehensive and accurate historical study of the life and times of outlaw-hero Henry Berry Lowrie.”

The program’s moderator is Lawrence Locklear, a published author on a variety of Lumbee Indian topics. He wrote the definitive history of UNCP, “Hail to UNCP.”

One of the panelists will be UNCP historian Jaime Martinez, whose recent book, “Confederated Slave Impressment in the Upper South,” covers the origins of the Lowrie War as Lumbee Indians were being forced to work to build Fort Fisher.

Also on the panel are journalist Jim Pate from Fairmont; Steven Byrd, who teaches English at Robeson Community College; and Kenneth Clark, ­­­­­­­­­cultural enrichment specialist at the Public Schools of Robeson County’s Indian Education Resource Center.

Henry Berry Lowrie and his band left a deadly trail through Robeson County. There were daring escapes, unbelievable shootouts, romance and mystery. Evans confirms many of the legendary stories about the hero of the Lumbee.

But was Lowrie a murderous criminal?

In a talk on UNCP’s campus several years ago, Evans said history has come to favor Lowrie over the years. Find out why on Thursday.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Lowrie-book_1.jpg

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Evans-mug_1.jpg

Staff Report