Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-26

On ascending the mountain from the west,
one sees now on the south side Of the turnpike
a patch of cultivated ground, embracing sew
eral acres, which has been cleared for a num-
Der of years, but was dense forest at the time
to which our story has reference. 1t was here,
Immediately opposite the cleared field, that
Lewis performed one of his most daring ex-
ploits, and which led to his arrest and subse-
quently cost him his life.
Itappeared from what transpired afterwards,
that Lewis had received intelligence from some
of his gang, of an individual carrying large
sum of money going eastward on horseback,
and that Lewis and two of his associates were
on the lookout fer him, ready to make an at
tempt at securing the rich prize whenever it
should come within reach. From some cause
or other, however, that individuals departure
was delayed; but about the time designated by
Lewis spy, Mr.. McClelland, a merchant in
Pit.sburg, started for Philadelphia to purchase
goods, travelling on horseback and having in
his saddlebags some two thousand dollars in
silver. He had got to Nycum's on Saturday
evening, where he remained until Sunday NOR
ming, and then early prosecuted his journey,
thinking to breakfast at Reamer's. As he was
walking his horse up the mountain and when
he had proceeded several miles, he espied,
some distance ahead, a man, who wore sloch-
ed hat and an ill-ftting, somewhat tattered
coat, walking rather awkwardly, his body in
clined forward, now shooting diagonaIly across
the road, and then, taking up and balancing
himself, moving on again in a straight line.-
AS McClelland neared him, the once or
twice looked around, exhibiting apair of black
ened eyes, as if he had been recently engaged
in fight; and McCleland 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 approach
ed the summit, McClelland gained upon the
fellow, until at the point which we have been
endeayoring to describe he was about passing
him but at that moment, and before he sus-
pected any danger, he found himself dragged
from his horse, the drunken man, as he had ta-
ken him to be, having sprang upon him at
single bound, while in the same instant a man
with 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 Lewis
himself and who had assumed this disguise to
prevent suspicion. The two men who had been
lying in wait were Conner and Connelly-and
there can be no doubt but some one of the
gang had seen McClelland the day or evening
before, and that they had prepared themselves
during the night to attack him in the morning.
Had he tarried at Nycum's until later in the
day and perchance got some company he would
most likely have been permitted to pass unmo-
Tested, and the counterfeit drunkard, who.
with painted eyes and tattered garments, had
been seen staggering along the road would
scarcely have been thought Of again.
The spot was well chosen by the robbers for
the accomplishment Of their purpose. On tho
north side of the road, for distance of at least
quarter of mile, the woods were more open
here than at any other point on 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 as to be out of sight, should any person
chance to come along the road. Having COM
manded M'Clelland 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
ascertaining the amount, Lewis turned to Nc
Clelland and smilngly said he was ssnot the
bird they had been watching for, nevertheless
these were pretty rich pickings' and he and
his associates were amply compensated there
by for their trouble. Conner and Connolly
then proposed they should put McClelland to
death alleging as a reason that if he were set
at liberty he would inform on them and might
cause their arrest against which Lewis stoutly
protested and at the same time handed to Nc
Clelland his watch and ten dollars, saying that
would carry him back to his family and friends.
This done preparations were made by the
robbers to start with the money taken from
McClelland 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 pay the forfeit of
his temerity. That they intended to return
has always been doubted, and it has been judg
ed, and with very good reason, that their OBJ
ject was to induce him to remain there during
part of the day, whereby they would have gain
ed 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, howey-
er, they produced pint flask filed with whis-
KEY and ordered him to drink freely, thinking
no doubt that by SO doing he, man unaccus-
toned to strong drink, would soon fall asleep