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

Lewis was the master spirit of a gang
Of high>waymen who lived by robbing
travellers and committing depredations
upon residents, chiefly between Cham
bersburg and Bedford, where they har-
bored in the forest of the mountains.-
They were terror to the community,
aud western merchants who travelled
on horseback, generally armed them,
selves when going TO the east, SO as to
be prepared TO repel an attack. and for
greater securities sometimes went in COM
panies. 1t was understood or at least
believed that some of Lewis band were
stationed in Pittsburg. where. by mixing
in genteel society. and being unsupported,
they would inform themselves of the
time when the merchants from that city
and from parts farther west Intended ma
king their sem-annual trips to Philadel-
phia, and would then find the means
to convey the intelligence to their accom-
pIices along the road.
Lewis was a young man of handsome
appearance and agreeable address, and
it was said he supported his mother and
sister upon the traits of his unlawful pur-
suit. His more immediate associates
were Conner and Connolly, who, at the
time of which we are speaking, kept
among the gorges of Sideling I1lll
where at the distance OF several miles
from the public road, they had erected
shanty which was we'll supplied with
provisions and other comforts. to which
Lewis, after remaining about Bedford
and Bloody Run as long as he could do
so without exciting suspicion. or until he
had received letters which he had expect
ed would resort and remain for days and
weeks, concocting measures for rObbing
some unsuspecting traveller or of obtain
ing booty in some other way.
Persons who have travelled the turn
pike between McConnellsburg and the
Crossings of the Juniata will remember
Resmer's tavern. on the eastern slope OF
the mountain, and Nycum's on the west
ern. the intervening distance being about
eight miles, which formerly presented
little else to the eye than scrub oak
thickets, interspersed with rocks and fall
len timber, with here and there a slight
opening. through which the cattle feed
ing during the summer had trodden paths
which served the hunter as q guide and
passage when following the game along
the mountain range in winter. 1t was,
indeed, gloomy road, with nothing to
break the monotony, save perhaps, the
cawing of the crow as he lowered over
head. or the sudden bound of the deer
aroused from his lair by the noise of ap-
preaching footsters-and the lonely trav.
eler, as he Wended his way slowly up the
steep ascent. uow urged his jaded steed
to greater effort. and now relieving it by
leaping from the saddle and walking BY
its side, would long to gain the su mmit,
where he might proceed more speedily
and with more comfort to himself and his
animal.
On ascending the mountain from the
west, one sees now on the south side ot
the turnpike patch of cultivated ground
embracing several acres. which has beer
cleared for a number of years. but was 6
denseNorest at the time our story has re-
ference. 1t was here, Immediately oppo
site the cleared field, that Lewis perform
ed one of his most daring exploits, ant
which led to his arrest and consequently
cost him his life.
1t appeared from what transpired af
tergards, that Lewis had received intel
'ligencs from some of his gang of an in