Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-10-30
Hd-risburgh. PENN. Oct. 90.
THE ROBBIE RY.

A minute detail at the capture OF the ceIebfa-
| tel Dsvih Lewis and his two associates,
the supposed robbers of Mr. James Mac
Cie!!,nd
( In our last week. paper we stated the
robbery of Mr.. John ,l'CieIlsnd, ofth- house
OF MCleIIand and Martin, of Pit,s5urg. near
the forks Of the road on 81 elinghili, in this
country. We are now happily enabled, thro'
the highly praise worthy and brave efforts
some OF the citizens of this county and The
counties of Mlflin and Huntington, TO inform
the public, that three men (one OF whom is
the notorious David Lewis supposed to he
the robbers, have been appIenended, and
are now in Bedford jail.
On the evening the robbery was Onmit-
ted, Mr.. Thomas T. Cromwell, of Hunting
don county, was returning from meeting
held in his neighborhood, and passed three
men, who gave him the ordinary sa!utation
OF strangers. and passed on Mr.. is. Lock-
art, of this county, having heard the news of
the robbery. came on to Mr. Richard Ash.
mau's, on foot. Early on Monday morning
Mr.. Richard Ashman set Out on horseback
and came TO M. CromwelPs. He and Mr..
Thomas T. Cromwell set out in the direction
of Lewistown- Mr.. Lockart being on foot
could not keep up with them. At Shireys-
burgh they were Joined by Mr.. Patrick Mac.
Carey and Mr. James Ramsey, also on horse
back In Mlfiin county, Mr. Ephraim En-
ser and Mr. William Price, of Waynesburg,
Joined them. These gentlemen pursued the
trails of the three men whom they supposed
+ to be robbers, and who bad robbed one or
two spring houses in the course Of the prece-
ding night. At small tavern or dramshop,
one mile and half OF two miles below Lew
robbery, it was ascertaned that three men
had taken lodgings for the night. Some Of
them guarded the house, and others rushed
in, and before the supposed robbers were
completely awaked, they were secured. No
doub there would have been bloody work,
had the three robbers had their pistols and
knives at command, which it doe. not seem
they had, though all three were well armed,
when travelling, there being found in their
| sleeping room. two large Lighthouse pistols,
| a small one, and two very efficient carving or
butcher knives, which it IS believed, were
stolen by Lewis and one OF his companions,
out Of Mr.. Sniyely's tavern, at the Snake
Spring, few days previous TO the robbery.
After the robbers were brought TO Lewis
town. and in the act of taking supper, which
the pursuers had ordered, Lewis perceiving
that pistol had been inadvertently placed
on side table near where he was sitting,
suddenly jumped up, seized the pistol, and
made for the door. In the entry he knocked
down one man, pushed another aside, and
ran up the street. He was pursued by Mr.
Price and Mr. Enser On overtaking him,
Mr.. Price seized him-but Lewis being too
strong for him, threw him IF, and in the act
of commencing his race, be was laid hold of
by Mr.. Enser, who told the editor that if he
had not thought himself able TO manage Lew
is, he would have shot him. Mr. Enser at.
tempted to throw him, but failed-and Lew
in finding himself matched, turned his hand
round and snapped his pistol at the breat OF
Enser; which fortunately did not 60 off. At
this moment Mr.. Enser brought Lewis to the
ground with horri crash-where he lay for
about minute apparently lfeless. He and
hi companions were then ironed and lodged
in the Jail of Lewistown for the night.
On Friday last these three men. one of
whom we know to be David Lewis. the other
two calling the. selves John { Connelly,
and James Hsnson. were brought to Bedford,
by the above name gentlemen. ard are now
as well secured as the state of cur Jail will
admit. The pursu-rs found on the prisoners
eighteen hundred dollars and clnathine an
swering to The description of that lost by
Mr. MarClel!and
As a small testimony of the high respect
with which the citizens of this place viewed
the conduct OF the captors Of Lewis and his
associates, an elegant supper was given TO
them at Mr.. Diiion's hotel, and number OF
the gentlemen 81 the borough, and its vicini
ty, Dn the evening after the robbers were
lodged in prison.
Let legislatures vote soldiers thanks and
swords, the names Of those brave md worthy
men will be perp"tua!Sd and the action " i'll