The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-12-18
DAVID LEWIS.
The Noted IIighwayman and
Couuterfeiter.

to prisoners in our condition, [
determined to escape, and accord
ingly put the convicts and pris-
oners, who were confined with
me, on a plan to get off, which
succeeded to my full expectation.
We let out all the prisoners that
would go, excepting an ordinary
fellow, that had robbed a poor
widow, and who, | was determin-
ed, should be left behind to take
care of the Jailer and his family,
whom we had locked up in the
same apartment lately occupied
by us.
Connolly and myself proceeded
along the mountain to Dublin Gap
in umberland county, where we
came across an old acquaintance,
and remained there few days,
and then went to Petersburg in
Adams county, where we pro
cured some clothing aud other
necessafies, having left Bedford
in a very destitute condition.
After we had refreshed ourselves
and recovered from our fatigue,
we crossed over to the Couewago
hills in York county, and
having committed several petty
robberies and depredations, we
directed our course into East
Pennsboro, one of the most popu-
lous and wealthy German settle
ments in Cumberland county,
with the view Of robbing some of
the rich farmers in that.neighbor-
hood. Hearing that Jones Roop
was about to build new mill, and
had gathered a good deal of mon.
ey for that purpose, we lurked
about in the vicinity for sometime
but could not meet with favorable
opportunity to accomplish our
end.
We next visited Kreitzer tav-
ern, and Judging from the large
ness of his bar, the size of his
purse, we expected to be more
fortunate with him than we had
been at Roop's, but we were again
disappointed. While in his bar
room, we heard some of the
neighbors talk in the absence OF
Mr.. Kreitzer of his not having
one cent for every dollar in the
possession of Mr.. Beshore, who
was represented as having more
ready money than all the rest OF
his neighbors put together. We
Immediately laid our plains for
an attack on his house, and would
certainly have succeeded, but for
the presence of mind and bravery
displayed by his wife who blew
horn to alarm the neighborhood
displaying as much courage
on the occasion as some men,
and more resolution than any
other woman | ever met with.
1t was not long before mum
ber of the neighbors came to hen
assistance, and Connolly snatch
ing up rifle which stood in the
house made off, while |, who fol
he first time in the last five years
being intoxicated to excess, was
taken prisoner, and after being
we'll secured and fastened, som,
cowardly fellow came up anC
struck me in my defenceless con
dition. / was then taken to Car
llsle jail ana put IN very strons
room, out of which ] saw but lit
tle chance of escape, but to m.
great joy and satisfaction sool
heard that the Sheriff of Bedfor'
county Jail had come down to de
mand me. was the more please'
with the prospect of all exchang
OF prisons from the dislike | too
TO the jailor, who seemed to be
Very surly fellow, and Away
looked as il he begrudged tn
prisoners the common Jail allow
ance. The Sheriff was not sue
cessiul in his application, but uI
on Alexander, Mahon and Williar
hamsay, Esqs., swearing that tn
oarllsle Jail was not sufficient
strong to hold me, was ordere
70 oe taken to Cham mbersburg b
oherlif Ritner, thick heade
lump of fellow, whom l had r,
membered to have seen befor,
La l. n