The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-02-03
lFiam he Franklin Republican July IS, 1S2o. J
TEE ROBBERS TAKEN.
CapiG-e or E.ewis aud Connolly, and
gbe Death OF Ihc latter.

In cur last We gave a brief state
meGt Of the travels Of Lewis, Con-
nelly and M'Gujre, within the bounds
. + ofib,s country. We then left them
jourleying on The road (or rather oD
the mountains leading from this to
the Big Island. Since that we have
been enabled to proceed in our voca-
lion, and shall uoA close their trav-
els in manner which we are per-
suaded VIII rejoice the hearts of every
honest, well meaning member Of
society.
1t appears, tbat after reachibg
Bald Eagle creek, they stole a canoe,
and proceeded down the same until
within a short distance Of the Big
Island. Leaving the creek they en-
campcd near the great road, aud it
is supposed, being wearied with car
rying their burdens, consisting of
the goods taken out Of the wagon be-
longing to Hammond and Page, they
resolved Jo burn portion of them,
at least The smell having drawn
! some persons to the spot, discovery
took place, which ended in the taking
OF M'Guire lie did Eot tell his
name until after he was committed
/ 10 prison; be tben acknowledged 10
it-said that he had escaped from
/. Cbambersburg prison with Lewis
refused to give any Information about
I his companions, other tran that they
v ere actually Lewis and Connolly,
with others. a quantity Of goods
were found near the road, distant
short space from those burning, the
same day, and among them was
check shirt, seen On MGuire the day
1 before, which gave the clue to his
certainly being one Of the robbers.
That night some guns were heard to
( go of, ia the adjacent hills and loud
whistles were repeatedly heard
This no doub., was the concerted
! plan in case Of separation, to find
one another again. The next morn
ing, Wednesday, June 28th, Lewis
and Connolly crossed the river, and
at house close by, got their break
fast and run some bullets.
On Monday night, the 26th of
june, word reached this town, that
Ion the preceding day Sunday !
three men were seen ON the top of
Muncy mountain supposed to be the
same who had committed the robbery. /
Rightly judging, it was supposed
that were any Of them Lewis, Of
which there was no certainty, be
wouid steer for Sinnemahpning aud /.
pu lie ,p i lie n ex:ue few reso-
luye, courageous and patrlUtic men de- 1
termined to have them il they were
ia Terra FiFma. 1t was determined |
in the Grst place, 10 20 to Sinnema-
honiEg, by The highest route where
Lewis's mother lives and if posi- /
bic, reach that before them Accord
ingly the following persons from this
town, all well armed, started on the
meriJorious expedition
James N'Gee, coroner Of the coun-
ty-Joseph Butler, John Hammond,
part owner of the pluudered wagon,
Wm. Armer, Powell Lebo and Peter
DeiseI Ga the way they were
joiued by Andrew Walker, Samuel .
Carmel, Vm Hannah, Joha Kuhns
and Peter Roder
On Tuesday night the reached .
karthaus Wednesday night they
encampcd in the wilderness, the earth !
their bed and the heavens their Gov
ering. On Thursday evening they
arrived a5 Lewis's mothers. Some .
Of the posse called with the old lady
to try il they could Gud out anything
Of the robbers but they discovered +
nothing. That night they lodged .
about four miles below Lewis's
mothers, on Bonnet's branch Of Sim
nemahoniug, having determined to
rotasa hy Tie way Of the Big Island.
Friday, at noon, they reached the
junction # Bonnets and the Drift
wood branch of the Sinnemahouing.
and crossing the latter, about five
miles down they received Information
which led them to believe that they
had at last got on the right trail, of
at least two Of them, answering he
description Of Lewis and Connolly.
They Immediately wheeled and pur-
saed with redoubled ardor, up the
OrIftWOOd branch having ascertain
ed that to be the course, and about I
one hour before sunset came up with
the object Of their pursuit. There
were two Of them at a mans house,
by the name Of Samuel Smith, bust
" engaged shooting alta mark with
some persons present The posse
received the first information of the
pursued from a man by the name OF
Brooks Him they took along as
guide, and be being well acquainted
with the country, led the posse
around the house on the top of
steep bank, where theT could easily
overlook the others, without being
noticed themselves. Prompted by
humanity, the posse requested Mr.
Brooks 10 20 back aud give notice to
a man whom they espied some short
distance from the house, to proceed
TO the house, and secretly cause the
women and children to retire within
doors This mans name was Shep-l
ard and ,rban fold hv HrooEs no