Davey 'Robber' Lewis, the Robin Hood of central PA
By Andy Hagerty
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Name: Davey 'Robber ' Lewis
Location: Central PA Year Established: N/a Activity Start: 1807 Activity current: NO Notes: More images of location : |
Sometimes fact is more outrageous than fiction. In the central part of Pa in the early 1800’s we had our own version of Robin Hood running amok, stealing from the rich, assisting the poor and escaping the clutches of the law. Although in his brief career he ranged as far as Canada and New York City ( where he fleeced the famous Astor family) he stayed mostly in the mountains of central Pa using various cave complexes as hideouts.
Davey ‘robber’Lewis was born in Carlisle pa on March 4th, 1790. He first got into trouble and became outlaw at the tender age of 17. Davey joined the military and quickly realized it wasn't for him so he deserted. Davey felt bad about this, so he re-enlisted. An officer of this first regiment remembered him and had him arrested. Facing the prospect of a firing squad, he then escaped captivity and fled to Centre county to his widowed mother’s house. He started his career as a counterfeiter, conman and general jack of all trades in the underworld. He settled on being a highwayman about 1816 and that was his primary occupation till 1820 when his career came to an end. Many times the Lewistown Narrows echoed with his command to ‘stand and deliver’. He saw himself as an equalizer, robbing from the wealthier members of society and using his gains to assist the hardscrabble farmers and such of this frontier lands.
Davey ‘robber’Lewis was born in Carlisle pa on March 4th, 1790. He first got into trouble and became outlaw at the tender age of 17. Davey joined the military and quickly realized it wasn't for him so he deserted. Davey felt bad about this, so he re-enlisted. An officer of this first regiment remembered him and had him arrested. Facing the prospect of a firing squad, he then escaped captivity and fled to Centre county to his widowed mother’s house. He started his career as a counterfeiter, conman and general jack of all trades in the underworld. He settled on being a highwayman about 1816 and that was his primary occupation till 1820 when his career came to an end. Many times the Lewistown Narrows echoed with his command to ‘stand and deliver’. He saw himself as an equalizer, robbing from the wealthier members of society and using his gains to assist the hardscrabble farmers and such of this frontier lands.
A story that was printed in 1853 goes as follows:
Coming across a house that promised security from molestation, he called at the door, and was admitted by an elderly female, of respectable appearance. Lewis, to ascertain where her money was kept, asked her to change a five-dollar note. “That unfortunately I am unable to do,” replied the woman, “for I have not a dollar in the house; and what is worse,” she added despondently, as she caught a glimpse of a man coming through the woods some distance from the house, “there comes the constable to take my cow for the last half-year’s rent. I don’t know what to do without her.” “How much is due?” inquired Lewis hurriedly. “Twenty dollars, sir.” “Have you no one to help you?” “No one,” she replied. “Then I will,” replied the robber as he drew from his pocket the exact sum, and threw it upon the table. “Pay that fellow his demand, and take his receipt, but don’t say anything about me.”
Lewis had just time to make good his escape unobserved, when the worthy official arrived. He was proceeding without more ado to drive away the cow, when the woman came forward, paid him the money and took his receipt. He immediately set out on his return, but had not proceeded far, when Lewis bounded into the road and accosted him with “How d’ye do, stranger. Got any spare change about you?” “No!” simpered the frightened constable. “Come, shell out old fellow, or I’ll save you the trouble,” returned Lewis as he presented a pistol at him. This argument convinced the constable that the fellow was up to his business, and he handed over the money as quickly as possible. Lewis got his own twenty dollars back, and forty dollars in addition. He often boasted that the loan of the twenty dollars was one of the best investments he had ever made.
Coming across a house that promised security from molestation, he called at the door, and was admitted by an elderly female, of respectable appearance. Lewis, to ascertain where her money was kept, asked her to change a five-dollar note. “That unfortunately I am unable to do,” replied the woman, “for I have not a dollar in the house; and what is worse,” she added despondently, as she caught a glimpse of a man coming through the woods some distance from the house, “there comes the constable to take my cow for the last half-year’s rent. I don’t know what to do without her.” “How much is due?” inquired Lewis hurriedly. “Twenty dollars, sir.” “Have you no one to help you?” “No one,” she replied. “Then I will,” replied the robber as he drew from his pocket the exact sum, and threw it upon the table. “Pay that fellow his demand, and take his receipt, but don’t say anything about me.”
Lewis had just time to make good his escape unobserved, when the worthy official arrived. He was proceeding without more ado to drive away the cow, when the woman came forward, paid him the money and took his receipt. He immediately set out on his return, but had not proceeded far, when Lewis bounded into the road and accosted him with “How d’ye do, stranger. Got any spare change about you?” “No!” simpered the frightened constable. “Come, shell out old fellow, or I’ll save you the trouble,” returned Lewis as he presented a pistol at him. This argument convinced the constable that the fellow was up to his business, and he handed over the money as quickly as possible. Lewis got his own twenty dollars back, and forty dollars in addition. He often boasted that the loan of the twenty dollars was one of the best investments he had ever made.
Another story about his exploits goes as follows, a man named Simmons was traveling between Bellefonte and Lock Haven. With night falling, he approached a farmhouse seeking shelter:
Nervously rapping at the home's front entrance, Simmons was relieved when a smiling, muscular man came to the door. "Come on in, stranger," the man told Simmons, and offered him a cup of tea and a game of cards. Now relaxed, Simmons told his handsome host he had been afraid of running into the notorious Robber Lewis in these parts, especially since he was carrying $200 in cash with him, the equivalent of about $4,000 today.
The men went to bed, slept through the night and, as Simmons was preparing to get back on the road the following morning, his host escorted him to the door and said, "Tell your friends that you spent the night as the guest of Lewis, the Robber."
Nervously rapping at the home's front entrance, Simmons was relieved when a smiling, muscular man came to the door. "Come on in, stranger," the man told Simmons, and offered him a cup of tea and a game of cards. Now relaxed, Simmons told his handsome host he had been afraid of running into the notorious Robber Lewis in these parts, especially since he was carrying $200 in cash with him, the equivalent of about $4,000 today.
The men went to bed, slept through the night and, as Simmons was preparing to get back on the road the following morning, his host escorted him to the door and said, "Tell your friends that you spent the night as the guest of Lewis, the Robber."
While travelling between hideouts, Davey came across a posse looking for him. Thinking quickly, he joined the Posse in searching for himself. They were unable to track him down and left in disappointment. A few days later Lewis sent the sheriff a letter in which he stated :
"I trust you did not find Lewis, the Robber, to be such a bad companion after all."
"I trust you did not find Lewis, the Robber, to be such a bad companion after all."
Of course the official record has other things to say about this notable. In the history of Centre and Clinton Counties, John Blair Linn wrote:
"Lewis and Conly were two notorious desperate characters who infested this region of the country at an early day, Their deeds of daring lawlessness were numerous, and to such an extent had their robberies been carried on, that the government offered a reward of six hundred dollars for their bodies, dead or alive."
"Lewis and Conly were two notorious desperate characters who infested this region of the country at an early day, Their deeds of daring lawlessness were numerous, and to such an extent had their robberies been carried on, that the government offered a reward of six hundred dollars for their bodies, dead or alive."
He was not prone to violence, but seemed to be slightly careless to covering his tracks. He was arrested 4 to 8 times over his final 6 years of activities, however he managed to escape each and every time, once taking the jailers daughter with him as they ‘eloped’.
Just like his namesake ‘Robin Hood’ he had a gang of ‘Merry Men and they enjoyed life to the fullest. Instead of living in Sherwood forest, they used a series of caves and caverns throughout the area as their bases. He would bury cashes of treasure around, almost every local for profit cave in the area has buried treasure tales. A one-time member of the Lewis gang described one such cave and the lifestyle of the bandits:
When Lewis was here he generally concealed himself in the cave up the gap. ... I frequently visited, and sometimes stayed with him at the cave. We had the stream running from the spring brought to the mouth of the cave. Everything was so comfortably arranged in and about the cave, that it was quite a comfortable home. ... A friend named K------- lived in the hollow at the sulphur spring, in a small house that he built, and which we called our tavern. We could see his door from the cave; and having an understanding with "our host," we could always tell when there was any danger, as on such occasions he would hang out a red flag. If all was clear, and it was considered safe to come down, a white flag was hung out. ...
Lewis was a great favorite with the ladies. Some of them used to furnish us with the comforts of life, and several times visited us at the cave. We had a number of little parties at the tavern, and had great times. A number of the mountain ladies would come, and some of the men, and we would every now and then have a dance. This was the way we carried on whenever Lewis was here.
The cave was neatly fitted up, and would accommodate five of us comfortably; there was just that number of us acting together that stayed at the cave. We did not rob in the neighborhood of the gap, except to get such things as were necessary for us to live on. We lived on what we got in this way, and what was brought to us. I shall not forget the kindness of the people.
Just like his namesake ‘Robin Hood’ he had a gang of ‘Merry Men and they enjoyed life to the fullest. Instead of living in Sherwood forest, they used a series of caves and caverns throughout the area as their bases. He would bury cashes of treasure around, almost every local for profit cave in the area has buried treasure tales. A one-time member of the Lewis gang described one such cave and the lifestyle of the bandits:
When Lewis was here he generally concealed himself in the cave up the gap. ... I frequently visited, and sometimes stayed with him at the cave. We had the stream running from the spring brought to the mouth of the cave. Everything was so comfortably arranged in and about the cave, that it was quite a comfortable home. ... A friend named K------- lived in the hollow at the sulphur spring, in a small house that he built, and which we called our tavern. We could see his door from the cave; and having an understanding with "our host," we could always tell when there was any danger, as on such occasions he would hang out a red flag. If all was clear, and it was considered safe to come down, a white flag was hung out. ...
Lewis was a great favorite with the ladies. Some of them used to furnish us with the comforts of life, and several times visited us at the cave. We had a number of little parties at the tavern, and had great times. A number of the mountain ladies would come, and some of the men, and we would every now and then have a dance. This was the way we carried on whenever Lewis was here.
The cave was neatly fitted up, and would accommodate five of us comfortably; there was just that number of us acting together that stayed at the cave. We did not rob in the neighborhood of the gap, except to get such things as were necessary for us to live on. We lived on what we got in this way, and what was brought to us. I shall not forget the kindness of the people.
Davey was seen as an amazing man. He seemed to have a quick wit, good looks and a dazzling personality. Wrote the Bellefonte Republicain in 1877:
David Lewis was a remarkable man, Very pleasant and agreeable in social conversation and manners, of fine figure and physique, his features regular and beautiful, quite an Adonis..."
David Lewis was a remarkable man, Very pleasant and agreeable in social conversation and manners, of fine figure and physique, his features regular and beautiful, quite an Adonis..."
However his main man Connelly was less beloved. His first name was either Peter or Joe, and the same Republicain reported :
"Connelly was vicious, savage and vindictive." One indecent, the duo was almost caught by a man named Paul Lebo. Connelly managed to turn the tables on him and get him into a choke-hold. He had such a good hold that he nearly had him choked to death, only Davey imploring him to spare the man stopped Connelly from committing murder.
"Connelly was vicious, savage and vindictive." One indecent, the duo was almost caught by a man named Paul Lebo. Connelly managed to turn the tables on him and get him into a choke-hold. He had such a good hold that he nearly had him choked to death, only Davey imploring him to spare the man stopped Connelly from committing murder.
From his military misadventures he retired to Centre county to work as a counterfeiter. He was doing well at that trade when a Military officer noted the fakes during an exchange over a horse. Connely escaped the jail and relocated. In Troy New York he met the love of his life, Melinda. Again he needed to flee from the law after being implicated in various nefarious schemes.
He appears to have run a gang in Vermont near the Canadian border during the war of 1812. After a while doing that he appears to have returned to New York, this time in Albany. It was here that he rubbed elbows with the elites of society. He had his good looks, charm and plenty of counterfeit cash to make an impact. One of those charmed by him was a distinguished war General, Erastus Root. Wrote about this time:
"General Erastus Root, hero of the recently concluded war, found the young man utterly charming, A gifted conversationalist, a generous and open-hearted man, and a dancer of unusual ability, Lewis captivated Albany society. None were smitten like the gallant soldier."
A close call with the local law involving counterfeiting, he fled to New York City. While riding in General Root's carriage a local sheriff stopped them while searching for counterfeiters. There had been a series of robberies in the area as well. Lewis had been behind both crime sprees and had a sizable stash of counterfeit cash in a satchel with him. Lewis dropped the bag, exited the carriage and drew the sheriff aside. Davey informed the Sheriff that Root was a two-faced thief who used his unimpeachable reputation and highbrow connections to perpetuate a crime wave. The sheriff believed him, searched the carriage and found the bag of fake currency. He arrested Root, and was impressed that Davey wanted to take no public accolades for his action. Davey did put in for the reward for apprehending the criminal.
With the reward money and the valuables he plundered from Albany, he headed for Manhattan next. His obvious wealth, his charm and good looks were al reasons he fell into the same social circles as the famous Astor family. At a benefit auction in 1815 Sarah Astor was conducting in New York City he informed the assembled guests that there was a plot by a gag to rob everyone. Davey advised the group to give him their money and jewelry for safe keeping. Davey left New York for Central Pa a very, very rich man.
He appears to have run a gang in Vermont near the Canadian border during the war of 1812. After a while doing that he appears to have returned to New York, this time in Albany. It was here that he rubbed elbows with the elites of society. He had his good looks, charm and plenty of counterfeit cash to make an impact. One of those charmed by him was a distinguished war General, Erastus Root. Wrote about this time:
"General Erastus Root, hero of the recently concluded war, found the young man utterly charming, A gifted conversationalist, a generous and open-hearted man, and a dancer of unusual ability, Lewis captivated Albany society. None were smitten like the gallant soldier."
A close call with the local law involving counterfeiting, he fled to New York City. While riding in General Root's carriage a local sheriff stopped them while searching for counterfeiters. There had been a series of robberies in the area as well. Lewis had been behind both crime sprees and had a sizable stash of counterfeit cash in a satchel with him. Lewis dropped the bag, exited the carriage and drew the sheriff aside. Davey informed the Sheriff that Root was a two-faced thief who used his unimpeachable reputation and highbrow connections to perpetuate a crime wave. The sheriff believed him, searched the carriage and found the bag of fake currency. He arrested Root, and was impressed that Davey wanted to take no public accolades for his action. Davey did put in for the reward for apprehending the criminal.
With the reward money and the valuables he plundered from Albany, he headed for Manhattan next. His obvious wealth, his charm and good looks were al reasons he fell into the same social circles as the famous Astor family. At a benefit auction in 1815 Sarah Astor was conducting in New York City he informed the assembled guests that there was a plot by a gag to rob everyone. Davey advised the group to give him their money and jewelry for safe keeping. Davey left New York for Central Pa a very, very rich man.
On his way home he relived a Bellefonte doctor of $13,000
in cash ( $227,000 today). He seems to at this point went fully into highwayman mode and spent the rest of his days robbing the rich and giving to the poor sort of thing. He was unique in using the cave systems in the mountains as his hideouts. Maybe his time with the richest people in the country in Manhattan caused him to reject the moneyed class. Most of the folklore regarding him is from this time period.
The burning incident occurred at this time. While operating in the Bald Eagle Valley, the duo robbed a peddler. They took their spoils and set off. They carried all the loot for a ways, to near a cemetery near Flemington. Realizing they had too much to conveniently carry, they set fire to all they could not carry. The location of this fire is reported to be where the Arby's on Bellefonte ave stands. The fire drew the local posse like moths, as they knew the duo was operation in the area. The efforts to apprehend the pair came to no avail.
All good things come to an end. Lewis’s end came in 1820. A posse from Centre County chased them down after they held up a wagon train in the Seven Mountains area that was Bellefonte bound. The posse cornered them, and instead of just apprehending them, they shot up the house where the Gang had hunkered down. Perhaps they were looking to claim the $600 dollar reward (worth $10k in today’s money) for both Davey and his right hand man, Connelly. Poor Connelly died of his gut shot the next morning, but Davey lingered in a Bellfonte Gaol. He refused to have his arm amputated, and gangrene set in. Seeing the end was approaching he wrote a long autobiographical confession of his crimes. While bedridden, he was repeated asked where his loot was hidden. Finally he rolled over, peered out the window and said, "Some of my money is buried within sight of this jail, and is within easy walking distance of this spot." He would reveal no more and died with the money never being found. After his death on July 13, 1820 he was taken to Milesburg and buried.
Connelly was buried in Lock Haven, reportedly in Piper Park. However, not all of him resides there today. Due to his violent nature and temperament there was interest n his skull. Phrenologists, who in an earlier era believed personality
traits could be divined from the shape of the skull, wanted to see why he was so violent. In a common but outlawed practice, his body was dug up by body snatchers and his head removed. His head was used by researchers to discover what was different between his head and the heads of normal people.
