Indians Seize Hostages at Paper

LUMBERTON, N.C. — Heavily armed American Indians protesting what they called unfair law enforcement in Robeson County held nine newspaper employees hostage today and demanded to talk to the governor, authorities and witnesses said.

Eight of the 17 hostages seized initially by two Indians at The Robesonian had been released by early afternoon, according to Police Chief A. L. Carroll. No injuries or violence were reported during the takeover, but one hostage said two of the released hostages had complained of heart problems. The captors took over the newsroom and chained the doors shut, according to Editor Bob Horne, who was reached by Cable News Network in the newsroom. A reporter said the newspaper’s managing editor, Donna Pipes, was released in exchange for 15 hamburgers. Pipes had no comment.