Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-25

mas since given rise to the name of one of the
most thriving and productive agricultural set
Elements in the county. Here lie labored with
his hands. gaining his bread sin the sweat of
his face" and only visiting the sick bed when
his services were deemed Indispensable. In
the earlier part of his career, he was never
known to use profane language, and inYaria-
bly, reproved the use of il by Others He
led single lite, and died at the early age of
forty years, on his farm, where it was his re-
quest to be buried in the middle Of large
feld,-habited in his best suit of clothes, in
cluding hat, boots and spurs,-without stone
to mark his resting place, and where the plow
might ever after move over his remains.
For few years, there were no roads known
In the county, the River being the only source
of communication. About the year 1900. an
Indian path, leading from Chinchaclamoose to
Miiesburg was discovered, and this brought
the settlers in closer connection with civil
lied community, from whom they could get
their necessary supplies. Paths served for
few years for the only means Of land transpor-
tation then known-packing on the backs of
horses. Travelling along this path, Mrs Lew
is, known by the later settlers as ssGranny
Lathers," found her way to the bank of the
Susquehanna, where she settled at a place af-
forwards used by y. B. Reed, Esq. for a
spring house, which was destroyed by fire in
1856. Granny Lathers was probably the third
or fourth settler. She is represented as mild
and kind old lady, who had seen better days,
and was respectfully connected in Cumberland
county, from whence she originally emigra-
ted. She remained here until about the time
of the war, when she went to Bellefonte, there
married her third husband, named Stevens,
and removed to the Sinnemahoning, where she
died. Mrs. Lewis was the mother of one well
known in the annals OF crime. Her son, Da-
vid Lewis, after committing many de, reda-
tions, became the terror of those who travelled
on the thoroughfares leading from Eastern to
Western Pennsy ivania. Clearfield county was
not the scene of any of his exploits but it is
said that whilst remaining here, sheltered by
the paternal roof, he displayed that disposi-
ton, which led him on to ruin. His mother
and neighbor, Mrs. Collins, had prepared
some stores of dried fruit. which were intend
cd for winter consumption, and locked them in
ar old-fashioncd sea chest which had double
spring-lock, and the key Of which was placed
in the custody of Mrs. Collins. When the
season had arrived, in which it was thought
that the use of the fruit would add zest to
the meal, the o.d chest was unlocked and, to
the utter amazement of the DANES, not ghost
of plum was to be seen. How they had dis
appeared, remained a mystery until Mrs. Lew
iS nd in ba pf dan,
key, which upon trial unlocked the chest.
The last exploit of Lewis, on the Seven
Mountains, in 1920, in company with Connolly
and Mcguire, which led to his capture and
death, was that of robbing the wagons of
Hammond & Page, merchants of Belefonte.
Steps were Immediately taken to go in pur
suit of Lewis and his companions, who were
then supposed to be making their way to the
domfcil of lewis mother, on the Sinnemaho-
ming. James McGhee, who afterwards settled
near Chest creek in this county, and was the
owner of the we'll known property, ''McGhee's
Mills,'' headed party, which consisted of
John Hammond, VIM. Armor, Paul Lebo, Pc
ter Dysell and Joseph Butler, citizens of Belle
fonte. They stopped the first night at Kart
haus, where they obtained as guide, candy
Walker,'' the great hunter of Bald Eagle.
William Hanna Joined them at Karthaus, and
on starting the next morning, their company
was increased to eleven by the accession of
John Koons, Samuel Karnell and Peter Bodey.
On the 29th July, McGhee's party lost its way,
and during the night had to encamp; or, rath-
er, roost, as they took to the trees. The next
morning, striking Trout Run, which emptIes
into Bennet's Branch, they followed it. Walk
or and Karnell started ahead of the rest TO see
if Lewis had made his appearance at his mo-
theirs, and finding that he had not, they re-
joined the party, crossed Driftwood Branch
that evening, opposite to Shepherds, and
found upon inquiry that two men, answering
the description OF Lewis and Connolly, had
breakfastcd there. The party, accompanied
by Shepherd, proceeded up the Driftwood
Branch about miles, when, not being salts
fed that they were on the right track, the ma
iority proposed going further down and Dla-
king inquiry of any one whom they might
meet. About five miles below, they fell III
with man named Brooks, who was engaged at
eipging, and who informed them that Lewis
and another man had passed that way. Ihey
again ascended the Branch, in company with
Brooks, until they came within hearing OF the
robbers, who were then engaged shooting al a
mark. Brooks took the party to an emlnence,
where, unobserved, they had view OF what
was going on. Finding it useless to remain
secreted. McGhee and his followers approach
ed the worthy pair, who, when asked TO sur
render, replied, ssshoot ana be id, we VIII re-
so >, / Ieryis was shot twice, bro't