Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-07-04

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going eastward on horseback. and that
| Lewis and two associates were on the
lookout for him, ready to make an at
tempt at securing the rich prize when>
ever it should come within their reach.
From some cause or other. however.
that individuals departure was delayed
but about the time designated by Lewis
spy, Mr.. McCIelland. merchant in
Pittsburg, started for Philadelphia to
purchase goods. travelling on horseback
and having in his saddlebags some two
thousand dollars in5silyer. He had got
to Nycum's on Saturday evening. where
he remained until Sunday morning, and
then early prosecuted his journey think
ing to breakfast at Reamers'. AS he
was walking his horse up the mountain.
and when he had preceded several miles
he espied some distance ahead man
who wore slouched hat and an ILL
fitting, somewhat tattered coat, walking
rather awkwardly. his body inclined for
ward, now shooting diagonally across
the road. and then. taking up and bal
ancing himself, moving on again in a
straight line. AS McClelland neared
him, the man once or twice looked
around, exhibiting pair Of blackened
eyes. as if he had been recently engaged
in fight and Nc Clelland inferred from
his whole conduct and appearance that he
had been in company drinking and got
himself handsomely pummeled. without
having been sobered by the operation.
AS they approached the summit. Me-
Clellan gained upon the fellow, until
at the point which we have been eu-
deavoring to describe, he was about pass
ing him but at that moment. and before
he suspected any danger, he found him
self dragged from his horse; the drunken
man, as he had taken him to be, having
sprung upon him in single bound, while
in the same instant man with a cooked
pistol jumped up from either side of the
road, the one seizing the horses bride
and the other coming to the assistance of
their leader, who was no other than Lew
is himself, and who had assumed this dis
guise to prevent suspicion. The two who
had been lying in wait were Conner and
Counely-and there can be no doubt
but some one Of the gang had seen Nc
Clelland the day or evening before, and
that they had prepared themselves du-
ring the night TO attack him in the morn.
4AaN IlC LdIlICu " YUM uuGLl itbGOA ItI
the day and perchance. got some company
he would most likely have been permitted
to pass unmolested, and the counterfeit
drunkard, who. with.painted eyes. and tat
tered garments. had been struggling along
the road would scarcely had been thought
Of again.
The spot was well chosen by the rob-
bers for the complishment of their pur-
pose. On the north side of the road, for
distance Of at least quarter of mile,
where the woods were more open here
than at any other point of the mountain;
and whilst McClelland was hurried off by
TWO of the men among the thickets, his
horse was galloped at full speed through
the open space. SO rs to be out of sight.
should any person chance to come along
the road. Having commanded McClel-
land to observe silence if he did not wish
to have his brains blown out, they led
him onward for several miles the other
man with the horse bringing up the rear.
until they reached the robbers hut, which
had been constructed of light logs and
covered with bark. where they halted and
forthwith entered upon an examination
Of their booty. After assertaining the
amount. he turned to McClelland and
smiIngly said be was /" not the bird they
had been waiting for. nevertheless these
were pretty rich pickings," and he and
his associates were amply compensated
thereby for their trouble. Conner and
Connolly then proposed they should put
McClelland to death. alleging as a rea-
reason that if he were set at liberty he
would inform on them and might cause
their arrest /; against which Lewis stout
! ly protested and at the same time handed
to McClelland his watch and ten dollars,
saying that would carry him back TO his
family and friends.
This done preparation was made by
the robbers to start with the money ta>
ken from Nc Clelland to some place where
they would deposit it for greater security,
and he was told that if he offered to move
from the spot before their return, his life
should be the forfeit of his temerity.-
That they intended to return has always
been doubted, and it has been Judged,
and with very good reason, that their OBJ
iect was to induce him to remain there
during part Of the day whereby they
would have gained ample time to get out
OF harms way before he could give the
alarm and start anybody in pursuit. In
order to make sure work, however. they
produced pint flask filed with whiskey,
and ordered him to drink freely, thinking
no doubt, that by so doing, he man un-
accustomed to strong drink would fall
asleep and might not awake for many
hours. McCIelland thought the liquor
contained some deadly poison. and the
robbers were taking this method to get
rid of him; and knowing he was in their
power and that if his death had been re.
solved on all his pleading for life would
be unavailable, he concluded to die with
as little main as nnssihla and therafnra fr