The Stamper Outlaws

MILTON STAMPER GONE TO MEET "BOSS" TWEED. — At least, long ere this, he is beyond the reach of extradition laws — in the mountain fastnesses of Alleghany. He broke jail here Sunday night. He is one of the Stamper brothers charged with the murder of Wagner in Alleghany county, and was (foolishly) removed to this county from Wilkes for safe keeping. More at another time.

Escaped From Jail by an Artifice.

We have had occasion to refer several times to the notorious Stamper brothers, who, about a year, murdered a man in Alleghany county, and had their cases removed. They were known as bold, bad, wily fellows, and Solicitor Cowles knowing that it would not do to allow them to be confined in the same jail, sent one to Statesville and the other to Lenoir. About three weeks ago we mentioned the escape of the one who was confined in Statesville jail; he sawed a bar out of the window and swung to the ground by means of his blanket, which he tore in strips and tied together.

Now we have information by a gentleman just from Lenoir, of the escape of the other, by an artifice which is not new, and which is too often successful. He had a wife who was very much devoted to him, and who visited him frequently in prison and was always allowed access to his cell. A few mornings ago, she called at the jail before daylight and told the jailor that she was about starting over to Alleghany; that the journey was a long one and she had started very early because of this, and begged to be allowed to see her husband before she should go. The kind-hearted jailor admitted her unseasonable as the hour was, and she was allowed a few moments' private conversation with her husband. She presently emerged from the cell, her face covered with her handkerchief, and weeping piteously. The door was closed behind her, and she got in the vehicle which was waiting, and drove away.

At the usual breakfast hour, the jailor ascended the steps to Stamper's cell, for the purpose of carrying him his breakfast. Arriving there, he looked in, and found to his utter consternation, that Stamper had escaped and that his wife remained, in his stead. There was no mystery about it. They had changed clothing during the short time allowed them together, and it was the murderer who had passed weepingly from the door, in the garb of his wife. The flown bird has not been re-captured.

We learn from the Concord Sun that one of the Stamper brothers who was confined in jail at Lenoir, made his escape last week in this way: His wife went to see him about day break and told the jailor that she was going to Alleghany, and begged him to let her see her husband before she left. Her entreaties were too much for him, and he allowed her to go to the cell where her husband was confined for murder. After about 15 minutes she (as supposed) returned weeping bitterly, with face covered with a handkerchief, entered a carriage and rapidly drove away. When the jailor went to give Stamper his breakfast he saw that the bird had flown, and in his place, in the cell, was Stamper's wife. They had changed clothing and thus the wife freed her condemned husband who is now basking in liberty and laughing at cells.

The Stamper brothers, who recently escaped from jail, one from Statesville and the other from Lenoir, are said to have returned to their old stamping ground, near Sparta, Alleghany county, and, as a correspondent writes the Raleigh News from Statesville, at last accounts were walking the streets of the town defying the sheriff to arrest them at the peril of his life.

STATESVILLE, N. C. Feb. 19.

Editors of the News:

Ever since the close of the war the people in the mountain section of North Carolina have been kept in continual fear of the Stamper brothers, Troy and Milton, who were always committing various crimes of the basest and most cold-blooded nature. They were of good parentage, but in moderate circumstances, their father being a well-to-do farmer and liked and respected by all who knew him.

THE OUTLAW BROTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH.

The Stamper brothers deserted the Confederate army in 1863, and organized a band of raiders, who plundered the mountainous sections of North Carolina, stealing, burning and murdering wherever they went. They remained fugitives from justice about six months, when they were captured and tried, and sentenced to death for desertion. They staid in prison some time awaiting the execution of their sentence. The prison was closely guarded night and day, and the Stampers were chained to the floor of their cell. The night before they were to be shot the prisoners in the cell where they were confined infested the air with loud whooping, and singing, and praying, but as this was not unusual, the guard didn't notice it, thinking the doomed men were preparing to face the bar of God on the morrow. But during the tumult the Stampers, in some way, got off their chains, and cutting a hole in the floor of their cell they made their escape to the mountains, where they remained to the close of the war, living and plundering with their old band of raiders.

TROY STAMPER RAPES HIS STEP-DAUGHTER.

At the close of the war the raiders were disbanded and the Stampers returned to their home near Sparta in Alleghany county in this State, and both married. Troy married a widow of good standing, who had a daughter of twelve summers and who was said to have been very beautiful and enchanting. Troy had been married about a year when he became enamoured with his step-daughter, who refusing to comply with his villainous requests, was, as she said, raped by her step-father. She informed the officers of the law and Troy Stamper was arrested and confined in the Alleghany county jail. But by some agreement between the mother and daughter the prosecution was not represented and the man again escaped death. He then retired to his farm where he lived in solitude till about a year ago when he and Milton in cold blood

MURDERED WILLIAM WAGONER,

a well-to-do farmer and peaceable man who was beloved by all who knew him. Wagoner was on his way home from the village of Sparta when he was met by Troy and Milton Stamper who began at once to try and "frisk a fuss" with him. In the midst of the dispute they pulled him off his horse and stamped him into a jelly. The man plead for mercy, but the blood thirsty outlaws heeded not his appeals, but with renewed vigor stamped him in the abdomen until he was lifeless. The Stampers were again arrested and confined in the Alleghany county jail, but soon effected their escape. Emboldened by such success they armed themselves and dared any one to attempt to arrest them which no one was bold enough to do for several weeks. Finally the Sheriff of the county, with a posse of men, secured them again, and at the request of the district solicitor, Milton Stamper was confined in the Iredell county jail, and Troy in the jail in Caldwell county.

THEY BOTH ESCAPE — THE WIDOW TROY MARRIED TRUE TO HER LOVE.

About three months ago Milton Stamper by the aid of accomplice outside made his escape from the Iredell jail by cutting an iron bar out of one of the windows and descending by rope blankets. When he was down about half way, say twenty feet, the blanket broke and Milton fell to the ground. The sound of the fall aroused the jail guard who reached the spot just in time to get a shot at Milton as he fled in the darkness but it is thought the shot missed him. Troy escaped from the Caldwell jail in a different way. His wife still very much devoted to him was allowed to visit him in his cell. About three months since she called at the jail just before daylight and told the jailer she was about starting to Alleghany and begged to see her husband before she went. The kind hearted jailer admitted her and allowed her a few minutes interview with her beloved Troy. She presently emerged from the cell weeping piteously. The door was closed behind her and she got in a vehicle waiting for her and drove off. When the jailer that morning carried breakfast to Troy's cell he was amazed to find the wife dressed up in her husband's clothes and Troy Stamper out and gone. In that few minutes time allowed them she had changed clothes with her husband. The Stampers returned to their old tramping ground near Sparta and at last accounts were walking the streets of the town defying the sheriff to arrest them at the peril of his life.   STATESVILLE.