The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-11-04

OF his 0peratl0nS.f Dc uumDtI anu
security of bis strongholds and
hiding places, the dash and brilliance
Of bis exploits. bis popularity and
influence with the people OF his en-
tire district, {exiending from the
Delaware 10 The Ohio, but chiefly If
mot exclusively csnined TO the c,un.
ties on our southern border, occasion
ally raiding into Maryland aud Vir-
ginia where he had many shrewd
and active parlisaps) he bears the
IbeU among them ID. He became known
to fame shortly after the close of the
War of 1912 aud the consequent un-
settled condition Of the country large
lly aided his schemes and protected
him from punishment, though that
was doubtless owing to the wonder
ful rapidity of his motions, which
rendered him seemingly ubiquitous
and gave the ignorant faith in his
supernatural powers The wide
spread perfection Of his arrangements
for securing information and prompt
ness of action made him dreaded
and dangerous foe to the business
men and authorities His wild aud
reckless daring, his many acts of
kindness and generosity, purposely
exaggerated by his partisans, speedily
raised him to the summit of populari-
4 ty among the poorer people of the
mountains, who would have regarded
his arrest as calamity aud his pun
ishment as oppression.
Many of our old citizens can tell
anecdotes Of him and many of them
when young searched for his buried
treasure when supposed to be hunting
for berries or chestnuts.
In those days men were compelled
to travel in coaches or on horseback.
Bills of exchange if known were not
10 use in the South and West, and it
was no triaing undertaking to con.
vey large sum in gold or silver to
the East, through a country where
the inhabitants were all unjustly sus-
peeted of being robbers or in sympa-
thy with them. 1t was the general
practice to carry what was then con-
sidered very large sums, concealed
about the person or in the old fash
ioned Saddle-Bags, an indispensable
portion of travelling outfit. Mer-
chants and drovers especially were
the objects of the lawless gangs, the
merchants took money east with
them but the droyers carried money
to the west and were waited for on
their return from the city.
Sometimes companies of them
would unite and travel together Civ
ing confidence and protection, when
this could not be done disguises were
adopted. Many men from choice or
necessity travelled alone and they
were the special objects of the gangs
who had timely notice Of their de-
parture, with a suggestion as to the
amount carried. Lewis was himself
expert in disguises aud sufficiently
good actor to sustain any of the char
acters adopted in his search for infor-
nation or opportunities 10 plunder.
Having in his pay the Landlord,
Hostler, Cook or some one at nearly
ell the principal stopping places on
the different rontes, he generally had
correct and minute Information
that enabled him to lay his plans so
carefully as to ensure success. The
writer has been shown the place
where be perpetrated one of his most
I noted robberies, on a man known to
be brave, prompt and fully alive to
the risks he was running in crossing
the mountains. His coming with a
| co nsiderable sum Of money was
known 10 Lewis, but how he would
travel and by what particular route
he had successfully concealed. His
shrewdness, well-known courage and
watchfulness made the robber special
ly anxious to rob him, his vanity and
cupidity were equally excited. Hav-
ing perfected his arrangements as
far as possible and posted his men
60 that the traveller avoiding one
would be almost sure to be caught
by another party, Lewis started in
search of information, anxious TO meet
Itbis redoubtable hero and rob him
unaided and alone. Leaving some OF
his gang near Stoyestown he travel
led leisurely along towards Greens
burg; hearing nothing Of his man be
crossed over to Connelsyille, where be
spent several days passing himself of
for farmer near Shippinsburg, who
bad bought some and wished to buy
more land in Fayette County. He
even got letter of introduction TO
one of the leading lawyers in Union
town where be was well received and
spent some days very pleasantly ex-
aiming the historic spots and natu-
raj beauty of that region. Feeling
assured his man would take that
route be passed on down the National
road not caring to stay too long about
Uniontown for fear of being recog-
nized. At Somerfeld be passed
for a contractor from Virginia who
was engaged in building bridges and
wished to examine the bridge across
the Youghiogheny particularly
| while there be made the acquaintance
E Of all the leading men and was vel
coined as visitor to many houses
He also visited Petersburg on the
invitation of one OF the citizens and
: party was rIised 10 show the stran
yer Fort Hin and the Three River.
where Confluence now stands. Ill
was delighted with the country e.
pecially With the Ream farm and
tried or pretended to try TO buy it
saying it was equal TO their best land:
: in the celebrated Shenandoah Valley
and he would move there and greatly
: improve it, (even If be bad purchased
it be would hardly have made Al
much Of change as did. w. j. Baer-
lie afterwards said be was so mucl
E pleased with this trip and so heartily
! enjoyed being treated as an homes
man, that be felt more real regret an'
: sorrow for his past life and conduc
{ than lie ever had before Woul'
r gladly have changed places with tn
: poorest, most ignorant and overwork
{ ed man in the country If be could hav
: blotted out his past career of rapin
, and uinuda- and lfrad fraa frar