The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-11-16

Princeton students and that his
brain was befuddled by liquor.
He was evidently addicted to it's
use. Hewas compelled to ask en-
ployment of rich farmer and he
was hired as u teamster. The
team was soon pressed into the
United States service and Lewis
drove it to the army. There he
/ plundered officers and men. IL
was not long until the campaign
ended and the team was given to
him to be returned to it's owner.
Instead of justifying the conf
dence Of his benefactor by return
ing the team, he started with it
for the Allegheny mountains, in
Pennsylvania, where he disposed
Of it and kept the money. He at
tributed this uugrateful act,
which for u long time occasioned
him many u pang, to the strong
desire he had to crafty his appe
tites. He then lied to Il cave, and
from this time dates the begin
ling of his career as q roober and
counterfeiter in this section OF
Pennsylvania. Itcoyers the per
iod from about 1914 to his death
in 1920
Lewis found in this region un-
usual opportunities for exercising
mis- two great accomplishments,
that of counterfeiting and high
way robbery. He manufactured
counterfeit bills and passed them
with apparent ease. The Pitts
burg pike threaded its way
through these mountain passes,
full Of traffic and travellers, and
as it was d common custom in
those days 20 carry money on the
person, it afforded ii veritable bo-
nanza to the highway robber.
Lewis and his band lowered a.
round this pike as sea gulls follow
Il vessel and it was the scene of
most of his operations and gave to
him many rich prize.
Lewis was Il born leader among
the criminal class. He was al
ways at the head of his band, sug-
gested and planned their opera
tions and directed their move
mentS.
His exploits and cleverness as
Il criminal made his lame famous
and Lewis the Robbcr was soon
known throughout this whole
region
| copy the following account Of
him: "In 1918 a band Of brig
ands infested Pennsylvania, oper-
ating in all parts Of the state.
One of the most daring bands was
commanded by u desperate,
known as Robber Lewis. Ho
was daring fellow, but was uey-
CT known to shed blood, although
his followers Connolly and Mag
uire--were ready at any time to
take life. 1t seems ROt Der Lew
is did not deserve all the con
demnatory reports in circulation
about him. Many instances OF
kindness and Il disposition TO help
the needy and distressed by con
tributing to their wants, charac-
tori2ed his career. "
Lewis began his career in Penn
sylvania by gathering together q
counterfeiting band in Somerset
county He came over the noun
tains to ChambersburS, to buy
suitable paper for ball1 bills
from John Shryock, Q paper
manufacturer, but Shryoch for
some reason, declined to sell him
any, Lewis believing that he aus-
pected the use that was intcnled
to be made OF it. When ShryocE
turned his back to speak 30 u
party, after refusing the paper.
Lewis picked up sample Of the
kind he wanted and went into
Virginia and obtained it. Re
turning to Somerset they manu-
factured different bank notes and
dividing up what they had made,
started out to pass it, separating
and going into different states,
Lewis however remaining in this
region.
Lewis, on a later occasion,
erected a hut along the South