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We have all heard the story of the Medieval outlaw Robin Hood. A folk hero of sorts, a highly admired rebel who was out to "even the score" between those of wealth and those who were poor. He was always outrunning the law and is credited with always treating women, the poor and the downtrodden with respect and courtesy. What you might not have known, is that there was an infamous "Robin Hood" of Pennsylvania, David Lewis, whose stories made him larger than life and his travels led him through the Juniata River Valley.
He was born in Carlisle in 1790, and at the age of 10, moved to Bellefonte. He found himself on the wrong side of the law at a young age as a counterfeiter, and by the time he reached his early 20s, was well established in a life of crime. Locally, he could be found in the Lewistown Narrows commanding travelers to "stand and deliver." Lewis believed, as did his predecessor, Robin Hood, that it was his destiny to become an equalizer, robbing from those who had, such as tax collectors, landowners, and merchants to give to those had not such as farmers and settlers who were struggling. He traveled throughout the region including the Seven Mountains and utilized these mountains as well as caves to hide his stolen loot and to lay low when necessary. Indian Caverns in Spruce Creek is believed to be one of these caves.
Fact or fiction, I am unsure, but the following Lewis stories reportedly took place within Mifflin County. As recounted by the publisher of the Altoona Tribune, a very well-known local spot used by Lewis and his side-kick Connelly (a giant of a man with a "low grade intellect" whom Lewis met during one of his several incarcerations) to rob travelers, was the Stone Arch Bridge in Lewistown. Supposedly the two would hide under the bridge and rob the stage as it traveled through Lewistown on its way from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.
Another Mifflin County event occurred when a posse rode up to a well-dressed lone horseman. They asked if he had seen the outlaw, Lewis. Replying that he had not, he offered to assist by joining the search. After the search turned up nothing, the arrogant Lewis sent a letter to the leader of the posse saying, "You have been traveling with Lewis. Did you find him an agreeable companion?" I am sure the posse never suspected it was Lewis since he was described as tall, slim, well made (whatever that means), with sandy colored hair, and very polite and mannerly.
Also, while in Mifflin County, after a string of failed attempts to rob some wealthy farmers, he found himself running low on cash. He approached a very large stately looking house and knocked on the door. To determine if the elderly widow who answered the door had a substantial amount of cash on hand, he asked her if she could give him change for a five-dollar bill. She replied that she could not since she didn't have even a dollar to her name. To make matters worse, at that very moment she looked out her window and observed the constable coming through the woods to take her cow as payment for her overdue rent. Lewis then asked her how much she owed, and she replied $20. Discovering that she had no one she could ask for help, he took the amount needed from his pocket and gave it to her. As if that isn't story enough, allegedly Lewis then stopped the constable on road and proceeded to retrieve his invested $20 as well as an additional $40. He was quoted as saying it was the best investment he ever made!
Not surprisingly, Lewis's luck eventually ran out (he successfully escaped from jail on several occasions and avoided capture on even more) and he died at the young age of 30. After one final robbery attempt in the Seven Mountains, he was surrounded by a posse and refused to surrender. He was then shot, as was his partner in crime, Connelly, who died that night. Lewis was captured but rapidly declined and died in a Bellefonte jail.
Rumors have swirled for decades that stashes of gold were hidden by Lewis all over Central Pennsylvania, with many treasure hunters hoping to find it. One story even suggests that $10,000 was hidden in a small cave along the Juniata River near Lewistown. We will never know for sure since he took his secrets to the grave.
Pennsylvania's Robin Hood: urban legend, historical fiction, or the gospel truth, that is for you to decide. What we do know for sure is that this type of folklore is an integral part of our unique local history. If you listen closely, you may still here the echoing words of mothers living during the time of David Lewis, as they threatened their disobedient children, "Robber Lewis will get you if you don't watch out!"
If you want to read more about David Lewis stop by the Historic Courthouse in downtown Lewistown and pick up "It Happened in Mifflin County" Book 3, by Forest K. Fisher.
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Rhonda S. Kelley is executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.