Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-16
THE GAP OUTLAWS.


says:-If is well known in this county and
throughout the State, that regularly organ
lied band of villains under the name of the
ssGap Outlaws" has long been aa 'institution'
in the beautiful Pequea Valley. Their celeb
rity has not, however, been confined to this
State or any section-they are known over the
whole country, and have their different stations
and depots throughout the union. The leader
of the gang is an old man about seventy
smooth, sleek-tongued rascal, who is as slip
perry as an eel, who has grown old in wicked
ness and crime, and whose history, could it be
written, would present greater variety and
generally successful practice of villainy than
the records of the most notorious olives of
criminals that have ever been published.
For over forty years has he had the reputation
of being prime mover and instigator in every
act of lawessness and infamy in the county
of being an adept in crime-a perfect Esprince
of devils"-prime imp of Satan and agent of
the powers of darkness. Assisted by aids who
do justice to their commander, he has long
held the neighborhood of the Gap under sub
lection. If one attempted to have any of his
band answer the powers that be, for some
criminal act, anonymous letters threatening
the burning of their property and death, were
received by the prosecutors almost mmedi-
ately, and when arson was threatened it was
almost invariably followed by the reality
Their depredations have not been confined to
a single crime; they stole everything from the
copper on a dead mans eyes to the most val
liable silver plate, horses, &c. Counterfeiting
they carried on extensively, manufacturing
money to meet their demands. Barn burning,
poisoning animals or injuring them so as TO
render it merciful to kill them, &C., &C., have
been the frequent acts of the Gap outlaws.
When brought into court, which was very
rarely, they could prove aHbi at sight, and
perjury was among their least crimes.
We are happy to believe that process of
determination has been at last commenced a.
s~i-~.--i.;- ir.fs,a@., h.-i, which is likely to
result in its breaking up. Several Of the ring
leaders, Bill Bear, young Clemson and others
are now in the hands Of justice, and we trust
it will be meted to them in full. The cause
OF these arrests, was the stealing Of two valu-
able horses from Jacob Sheeler, of Warwick
township, Chester county, some two or three
weeks ago. Inc ne1SnOOrnOou was arouSeu
and suspicion was directed towards the Gap.
Upon the arrival of the pursuing party in that
neighborhood, the citizens of ofPenningtonville,
Christiana and the surrounding country, join
ed in an endeavor to arrest the thieves, and
followed them to Baltimore and Washington.
Their efforts were fruitless, but we have heard
that the horses have been recovered and are
in the hands of the officers of Washington city.
Among the gang arrested is man named
Young, who has peached, and his story has
led to the discovery of caves, metal for coun-
terfeiting, goods of all kinds. &c, evidencing
the guilt of many usually thought to belong to
the ssGap outlaws as we'll as several respec-
table men in the vicinity who have never been
suspected of connection with them. We trust
the officers will perform their full duty, and
not stop until every man, no difference what
his station, who has had any lot or part in this
matter, is brought to answer at the bar of JUS
tice. The Gap gang has long been reproach
to Lancaster county it has been terror TO
many honest people, and it is high time these
disgraceful and criminal outlaws should suffer.