The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-01-22
VOLUME 4.
DAVID LEWIS.
The Noted Highwayman and
COunterfeiter.

(Continued from last week)
Before the separation of my
companions, we had previously
agreed upon meeting together at
the Bald Eagle. l found them
there waiting for me with impa-
tient anxiety, and after account
ing for my detention we stole a
canoe and proceeded in it until
within short distance of the Big
Island. Here we put to shore,
and wearied with carrying our
stolen burthens, we burned a part
of the goods of Messrs. Hammond
& Page. The smell drawing some
persons to the spot, a discovery
took place, which ended it the ar
rest of M'Guire. Connolly and l
now separated to wander in the
adjacent hills, each taking his rife
and fixing plan of firing and
whistling, as the signal for find
ling one another. The next morn
ing we crossed the river, got our
breakfast, and run some bullets
at q house close by; we now start
ed for the Sinna- mahoning; and
reached the junction of Bennetts
and the Driftwood branch, we ar
rived in the afternoon at the house
of Samuel Smith, and stopped to
.shoot at a mark, with some who
happened to be there; whilst en-
gagged in this sport, a number of
persons hoved in sight, and recog-
nizing Connolly and me, they de-
manded our Immediately surren-
der, observing that if we surren.
dered peaceably, we should be
we'll used. Connolly swore ter
rible oath, that sooner than do so
he would blow them all to he'll
Having determined never to de-
prive a fellow being of life except
in necessary defence, I was to the
painful alternative of being over
powered by numbers, or shoot at
them to save myself. Selling a
gun l snapped it twice, firing at
random, but luckily it did not go
off. At the same moment Con-
nelly fired his, aiming point blank
at one of the party In pursuit.
Having procured another gun, 1
fired it also, without aiming at
any one in particular. The fire
was quickly returned by the par
ty, when another request was
made for our surrender We now
perceived, that all hopes of escape
were cut off, and actuated by a
false spirit of revenge, we uttered
the most improper threats of de-
tiance, and called aloud for them
to fire away; discharging our
guns at the same time. The fire
was Immediately answered with
volley from the assailants: Con
nelly escaped the shots, but I was
wounded in the right arm, little
above the wrist, and fell. Con-
nelly started aud run, but as he
retreated through grain field
over the creek, he was fired at,
and afterwards found hid in a
tree top, with severe wound in
his groin, immediately below the
belly, the bullet penetrating the
left side and descending, had come
out at the outside of the right
thigh.
Having dressed our wounds
with all the skill and care they
were capable of, the party who
took us purchased canoe, and
proposed to move us down the
river, and on Sunday, the 3D. OF
July, landed near the Big Island
in Lycoming county. We were
then taken to Carskadden's s tavern
and attended by three physicians
and minister of the gospel. My
unhappy companion, received nc
assistance from medical aid and
no comfort from the ministerial
officer of religion, died that night
in gloomv sullennass. Peace to
his ashes; though the period al
lowed for repentance was short,
may the mercy of God be greater
than his repentance, and forgive
all his sins aud all his crimes.
/ was removed to this place as
soon as my wound permitted, and
with as much tenderness and hu
mauitv az tho natura of tho oas