Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-09-02
EVENING STAR.
THE ROBBERS CAVE: LEWIS, THE no.
T0RIOUS ROBBER.

THE ROBBERS CAVE: LEWIS, THE no.
TORI0US R0BBER.
DOUBLING GAP. Pa, August "A
favorite and highly interesting feature
among the amusements here is to ascend
the mountain and obtain view from Flat
Rock. On Monday last party consist
ing Of several ladies and gentlemen, in
cluding myself, made the ascent. All
equipped and prepared in suitable cos
tune, we set out about eight in the morn
ing. Starting ere the sun had cast his
golden beams across the towering sum-
nit, we soon penetrated thick woods,
shrubbery and rocks, following q narrow
pathway, excelsior like, upward and on
ward.
After journeying half mile or more,
following leader who at atintervals sounded
his bugle, which answered back in echo
from neighboring cliffs, We reached the
celebrated Robbers Cave" or lurking
place of Lewis, the notorious robber and
counterfeiter;; who, with his companion
Connolly, and another bandit, hid them
selves and prowled in this region. The
cave opens under large rock, which pro.
jects several yards from its bed, and over.
hangs a yawning precipice. In former
times it was artificially embellished and
suited to the purposes of its inmates,
with a rough wall built by them thirty
years ago; Immediately in front is beau
tiful spring of water gushing forth, pure
as crystal and cold as ice, from its bed
of rocks, murmuring down the wild
ravine in limpid beauty. How long this
streamlet has made music in solitude to
the wildneSs of nature is not for man to
know, but we tasted Of its waters-they
were sweet, refreshing and grateful to us
wearied pilgrims. The place seems to
be Just such one as bandits would Sc
lect to hide from justice and plan deeds
Of darkness.
Lewis, the enotoi'ious robber, from whom
this cave takes its name, was the master
spirit of his confederateS. At one time his
name and fame spread far and wide,
whilst he was terror to the whole Cum
berland valley and mountain region round
about. Accomplished and successful in
his profession, yet he possessed traits of
character which, as they stood out isola-
ted, were noble even in depravity. He
was reputed to be the handsomest and
most perfectly formed man that had been
seen-tall, majestic, possessing strength
and agility unequalled. In single COM
bat none could withstand his physical
powers. Having been small boy myself
at the time of his career, a resident, too,
of the neighborhood, [ we'll remember
the fearful stories of his exploits, and can
attest to his handsome, manly appear
ance from once accidentally seeing him
as he passed by the home of my boy
hood. He measured full "a inches across
the shoulders, was over six feet in height,
and altogether Of full proportions, yet his
hands and feet so small and delicate that
the securest irons or shackles could be
slipped over them. Owing to this pecu-
liarity, he so often escaped from prison.
1t is said of him that he never committed
murder, nor allowed it to be done by his
companions.
On one occasion, after perpetrating
robbery, his friend Connolly proposed to
kill the victim, alleging that dead men
tell no tales" Lewis demonstrated, and
Connolly persisted. Finally, when the
bloody deed was about being consumma-
ted, Lewis seized his rifle, commanding
Connolly to desist, or his life should in
stantly paw the forfeit. He did so cow
eringly, and the man escaped with thank
fulness, minus only filthy lucre. On
another occasion he went to a country
house for the purpose of plunder. Find
ing it inhabited by an elderly widow
lady, he told her his business. She said
she was poor, had no money, and expect
ed soon to have her property sold for
rent. Looking out he saw the officer
then coming. Lewis asked the amount
of Indebtedness. She informed him, and
he presented it to her, with an injunction
to make no disclosures. He then went
out and waited in retired spot until the
constable returned. Stepping up, be de-
manded the money or his life. The
former was given, including the amount
received from the old lady for rent, and
fifty dollars additional.
Numerous similar incidents are told of
him. When in prison at one time, q
beautiful young lady, friend ofthe jailor's
daughter, fell in love with him. lie broke
Jail they ran of together, and were mar
ried. So distinguished and varied has
been the character of this man, that he
was made the hero of romance, written
and published many years ago by well
known gentleman of your city. II his
eyes chance to fall upon this letter. he
will, no doubt, stir up the musty archives
and bring it forth. The career of Lewis
ended in his being shot in the wrist, and
captured by party who went in pursuit.
He was put in prison, mortlfcatlon en-
sued, and he died from the effects tort
night after. Connolly and the other COM
panions were shot at the same time, NOR
tally wounded, and died in a few hours.
The spot where they were captured in
the mountains is still marked out as one
of interest. The report that large sams
of money had been buried near the cave
has caused persons to displacs rocks in
the vicinity and dig for the treasure, but
u;fhout cuccpSS