MURDERS
Backwoods Justice
(1874)
(1874)
It has often been said that in late 1874, a group of boys were roaming through a remote area near the Youghiogheny River Valley when they came upon the body of a man hanging from a noose in the tree. Because the body was badly decomposed at the time of its discovery, the victim's identity was never determined. As the news of the murder spread, many speculated that members of the Ku Klux Klan were involved even though they were not prevalent to the region during that time. Eventually, the incident was rumored to be a simple case of backwoods justice and the names of those responsible for the heinous crime would forever remain a mystery. Despite its lack of detail, this is one of the most popular stories told of Dead Man's Hollow. In fact, many area residents believe that this puzzling event was the very reason behind the hollow's ominous name.
The Shootout
(1881)
(1881)
When shopkeeper Robert 'George' McClure arrived at his McKeesport dry goods store one morning in 1881, he surely never suspected that it would be for the very last time. As he prepared to open for business, the proprietor discovered that a large quantity of merchandise was missing from the shelves. Realizing that he had been robbed during the night, McClure frantically 'rounded up' a few men to help him track down the thieves. By following the fresh wagon tracks left in the dirt outside of the store, a posse of about twenty men began the pursuit. Within an hour, the armed men on horseback had tracked the wagon to Dead Man's Hollow. McClure lead his group into the woods. As the men climbed the hill, gunshots rang out from the bluff. McClure's men raced for cover behind tree trunks and large rocks before returning fire. McClure, on the other hand, charged up the hillside with his revolver leading the way. The sound of the gunfire echoed throughout the hollow. Bullets grazed back and forth across the rugged terrain; shearing tree bark and ricocheting off rocks. One of the bullets put a stop to McClure's daring charge and sent him tumbling backwards down the hill. A thin cloud of gun smoke filled the hollow as the battle raged on. Finally, after realizing that they were outnumbered, the thieves retreated. By the time the men reached him, McClure's life had already ended.
Shortly after the last gunshot rang out, the majority of McClure's merchandise had been recovered and one of the men involved in the shooting was apprehended by local lawmen. The man is custody was quickly identified as an infamous gang leader named Ward McConkey. Even though he proclaimed his innocence, McConkey was convicted of McClure's murder and met his demise on the gallows in the city of Pittsburgh seven years later.
Shortly after the last gunshot rang out, the majority of McClure's merchandise had been recovered and one of the men involved in the shooting was apprehended by local lawmen. The man is custody was quickly identified as an infamous gang leader named Ward McConkey. Even though he proclaimed his innocence, McConkey was convicted of McClure's murder and met his demise on the gallows in the city of Pittsburgh seven years later.
The Great Streetcar Robbery
(1908)
(1908)
Late one Saturday night in May of 1908, a streetcar travelling from McKeesport to Elizabeth stopped in Boston to pick up two men who were standing side by side. When the men boarded the car, their behavior became very suspicious. One of the men positioned himself at the front of the car next to the motorman. The other stood silently at the opposite end close to the conductor. Within seconds, the streetcar was moving along the tracks again. As it rounded the bend near an isolated section of the rail line, the shifty fellow standing next to the operator drew a revolver. With the barrel of a gun pointed at his side, the motorman displayed no sign of resistance and was quick to follow the gunman's instructions. Some of the passengers were shaken when the man standing on the rear platform brandished his gun and forcefully pushed the conductor forward. Once the car was at a standstill, the two bandits carried out their scheme. They quickly worked their way through the car and ordered the passengers to surrender their money and jewelry. It didn't take long for the bandits to collect the loot. Moments later, one of the men fired two rounds into the night air to scare those seated on the streetcar. As some of the passengers panicked, the duo disappeared into the woods next to the rail line. It was later reported that the two men made their getaway on horses stolen from Wiley's Livery in Elizabeth.
The following morning, an Allegheny County detective named John Englert arrived at the scene of the crime. After combing the area, Englert determined that one of the stolen horses was missing a shoe. He made a note of his discovery and proceeded to conduct the investigation. For the next two weeks, the lawman dedicated himself to tracking down the robbery suspects. Even with all of the information that had been collected during that period, Englert continued to dwell on thoughts of the distinct tracks of a horse with a missing shoe. Upon returning to the scene of the crime, the lone detective attempted to trace the bandit's escape route using tracks preserved in the dried soil. Englert's inquest carried him to Dead Man's Hollow. From there, he was able to follow the perpetrators' trail along the edge of Dead Man's Run to Belle Bridge Hill. The tracks led the seasoned lawman directly to a dilapidated house on the ridge. Englert was confident that he had found the suspects' hideout. Knowing that he could not proceed without help, Englert quietly slipped away to gather his forces.
It wasn't long before the detective returned to the house on Belle Bridge Hill. This time, he was joined by a Constable named Stephen Jones. For additional assistance, the officers deputized the employees of a construction crew and their supervisor, Henry Altman. As Englert's posse carefully approached the house, the men noticed the silhouette of a person standing next to a window. Once the individual inside the house spotted the advancing lawmen, he or she disappeared from view. Moments later, the front door opened and a young man charged outside with revolvers in each hand. A hail of gunfire exploded along the ridge as the bandit advanced on the group. One of the bullets struck Englert in his right arm. The lawman returned fire. Five bullets from his weapon met the intended target with sheer accuracy. The bandit staggered backwards into the open doorway of the home before collapsing onto the threshold. Englert took cover as the rest of his men surrounded the house. Next came the sound of gravel being crushed beneath the tires of an automobile that was rolling onto the scene. Once the occupants of the hideout realized that reinforcements had arrived, the ordeal ended without further bloodshed. The second bandit, along with his wife and infant child, surrendered peacefully. A third man was also taken into custody without incident. Upon entering the house, Constable Jones recovered a pocket watch and the rest of the stolen goods from the streetcar robbery.
Shortly after their apprehension, the local newspaper identified the bandits as Thomas Manning and John Patterson. Manning was taken to the hospital where he would later die from the injuries that he sustained during the raid. Patterson was later convicted and sentence to time in jail. The other individuals that were taken into custody were not charged with the crime and eventually released.
The following morning, an Allegheny County detective named John Englert arrived at the scene of the crime. After combing the area, Englert determined that one of the stolen horses was missing a shoe. He made a note of his discovery and proceeded to conduct the investigation. For the next two weeks, the lawman dedicated himself to tracking down the robbery suspects. Even with all of the information that had been collected during that period, Englert continued to dwell on thoughts of the distinct tracks of a horse with a missing shoe. Upon returning to the scene of the crime, the lone detective attempted to trace the bandit's escape route using tracks preserved in the dried soil. Englert's inquest carried him to Dead Man's Hollow. From there, he was able to follow the perpetrators' trail along the edge of Dead Man's Run to Belle Bridge Hill. The tracks led the seasoned lawman directly to a dilapidated house on the ridge. Englert was confident that he had found the suspects' hideout. Knowing that he could not proceed without help, Englert quietly slipped away to gather his forces.
It wasn't long before the detective returned to the house on Belle Bridge Hill. This time, he was joined by a Constable named Stephen Jones. For additional assistance, the officers deputized the employees of a construction crew and their supervisor, Henry Altman. As Englert's posse carefully approached the house, the men noticed the silhouette of a person standing next to a window. Once the individual inside the house spotted the advancing lawmen, he or she disappeared from view. Moments later, the front door opened and a young man charged outside with revolvers in each hand. A hail of gunfire exploded along the ridge as the bandit advanced on the group. One of the bullets struck Englert in his right arm. The lawman returned fire. Five bullets from his weapon met the intended target with sheer accuracy. The bandit staggered backwards into the open doorway of the home before collapsing onto the threshold. Englert took cover as the rest of his men surrounded the house. Next came the sound of gravel being crushed beneath the tires of an automobile that was rolling onto the scene. Once the occupants of the hideout realized that reinforcements had arrived, the ordeal ended without further bloodshed. The second bandit, along with his wife and infant child, surrendered peacefully. A third man was also taken into custody without incident. Upon entering the house, Constable Jones recovered a pocket watch and the rest of the stolen goods from the streetcar robbery.
Shortly after their apprehension, the local newspaper identified the bandits as Thomas Manning and John Patterson. Manning was taken to the hospital where he would later die from the injuries that he sustained during the raid. Patterson was later convicted and sentence to time in jail. The other individuals that were taken into custody were not charged with the crime and eventually released.
The Daily News
Saturday, June 6, 1908
The story of the Great Streetcar Robbery of 1908 can also be found in McKeesport Trolleys by Ronald L. Beal and Gangs and Outlaws Of Western Pennsylvania by Thomas White.