The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-11-09

1t was also the boast of Lewis
that he took only from the rich
and gave to the poor-"that he
was not a robber but an equaliz-
er." There are instances relat-
ed of his generosity TO the needy;
sympathy for the distressed and
of his responding to the claims of
friendship and of gratitude.
Lewis has been compared to
Rob Roy, the great Scottish out
law, out of whose deeds and life
Sir Walter Scott has woven such
an interesting story. This com
parison is not without force.
Physically they possessed the
same characteristic which lends
color to the doctrine of predesti-
nation. AS they were destined
to be robbers a long reach would
be an advantage and it is related
that standing erect, the arms of
each were so long that the hands
reached to the knees. Rob Roy
also avoided cruelty and unnec-
essary bloodshcd. 1t is said of
him that che was a kind and gen
tie robber, and while he took from
the rich was liberal in relieving
the poor" This character gave
him the sympathy and aid of
many of the HighlandcrS. Know
ing perfectly the region in which
he operated, when pursued Roy
would retreatintothe inextricable
passes, morasses and natural
strengths of the Highlands, where
he could not be followed.
Lewis carried on his operations
in much the same manner. He
was not only a robber but a sue
cessful counterfeiter as well
While he pursued his advoca-
ton for a short time in New York
City and State and stopped a few
days at Princeton College to
breathe in that classical atmos-
phere and fill out his purse, the
greater part of his operations
were confined to the Cumberland
Valley, and the territory lying
between and including Somerset,
Centre and Mifflin counties. This
was mountainous region,
sparsely settled, wild and rugged
and with its caves, rocks, dense
thickets and underbrush abound
ed il hiding places
Lewis knew intimately this
whole region, and his favorite
hiding places in the mountain
Businesses and was on terms of
intimacy with many of the sim
ple-minded mountaineers, who
looked upon him as their friend
and entitled to their protection.
They warned him when danger
threatened and the officers of the
law were hot upon his trail and
fed him when in hiding.
Lewis was of athletic build,
muscular and possessed of great
agility; was skilled in woodcraft,
shrewd, quick-witted and re-
sourceful; was Injured to danger,
hardship and exposure and, ac-
cuStomed to being hunted, his
faculties and senses were trained
to battle his pursuers. Possess
ing these traits, combined with a
wonderful endurance, it was a
difficult matter to run him down
when he once entered the noun
tains to escape pursuit. His cap
ture was effected several times
but when he was entirely off his
guard, except ON the occasion of
his last capture.
The history of Lewis is frag-
mentary in character. 1t is com
posed Of tradition and his own
confession and both are unsatis-
factory. Tradition lacks authen-
ticityand his confession was made |
while lying in Jail awaiting death,
from wound he had received a /
few days before, in the attempt |
to escape from being captured.
OF necessity, the confession was
made hurriedly and under the
constraint and fear of death. I'm
der these conditions his memory
would forget many things and in
cidents and his confession there |
fore lacks fullness and complete