The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-28
A FAMOUS H1GHwAYMAN.
"Reminiscences of David Lewis, Penn
sylvania's Claude Duval.

-
sylvania's Claude Duval.
From the Philadelphia Times.
The name Of David Lewis. the celebrated
highwayman, is familiar one in many
households of rural Pennsylvania, New
York and Maryland, in each of which
states ne operated extensively. OF the
deeds of Lewis many traditions, nay, even
memories, still exist, for there are those yet
living by whom his exploits are remem-
bered. He was associated with two despera-
does, Conley and Mcguire, at various times,
and he and Conley were captured together.
Lewis was the leader of daring band of
road agents, and was one of the most pol
ished and gentlemanly chiefs that ever held
up a rich ironmaster or merchant in this
state
Tradition, that fruitful source of much
alleged history, throws about the robber
chief certain halo of glory, and in the re-
gions which he once terrorized by the very
force of his name may yet be heard, "He
robbed from the rich to give to the poor. y
'He was the friend to tie poor" etc. This
was to- many a mantle of charity large
| enough to cover all his sins.
David Lewis was the youngest of a
family of eight children-seven sons and
one daughter His father was Lewis Lewis.
a surveyor for the Pennsylyanians pror to
| the revolution. He was an Oxonian. of
| good family, and his coat-of-arms, which
| was on some o. the earthly possessions that
| he brought with him from England, were
| long shown by the family of one his sons as
matters Of curiosity rather than pride OF
the sons one settled In Elk county, where
| the name is still found. Another located at
| Duncannon, third went to Natchez, a
| fourth to New Orleans, a fifth to Louisville,
| and a sixth to GAINESVILLE, o.
| David Lewis comes of remarkable stock,
his mother having been one of the most ex-
pert horsewomen of her time. At the age
OF 80 years, in company with her old black
woman, she made a journey from Center
| county, Pennsylvania, to Louisville KY, to
visit one of her sons, whom she had not
seen in many years.
| All the Lewis men were over six feet in
hight, David being magnificent specimen
| OF humanity, and beau ideal robber. OF
his early life little is known until in 1914 he
| figured as a deserter from the United States
army in New York. He was lodged in iail
at Albany. He assigned as his reason for
deserving the ''cruel and tyrannical conduct
OF his officers" but perhaps the real reason
was his own restless disposition and the dis
like OF discipline. At Albany, according to
every rule of romance the jailers daughter
fell in love with the handsome young de-
serter, planned his escape, successfully car
| rleu IL cut ana ned Win MIN TO New York.
where they were married
The trip from Albany to the metrop oils
gave Lewis great concern, and aroused all
that was chivalrous in his nature His fair
deliverer was young beautiful, innocent and
confidiug. To betray her confidence was
not in him. To attempt marriage in the
the country which was aroused by the flight
of the prisoner and his companion would
simply be to throw both into the hands of
their enemies. Pursuit was hot and the
read had to be abandoned. Passage for
himself and sister was secured some miles
below Albany on a market boat to New
| York, and on their arrival there they were
married
Lewis began in New York his career as
highwayman, having there joined an oath
bound" band, "who signed with their own
blood their names.n He was very successful
Tin the business" and, after time, became
captain. He dressed in the best clothes and
style and was enabled, by his gentlemanly
appearance aud manners, to rob in an 'auc-
ton st ore where pictures were sold,n the
wife of the rich merchant, Astor
Lewis became disguised with the proceed
ings Of the band, VINO quarreled over the
spoils, aud deserted, taking his wife to Phila,
delphia. How long he remained in Phila-
delphia does not appear, but hero were born
10 him two daughters. 1t is probable that
the life he had been leading Ia New York
only became known to his wife about the