Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-11-22

OF Ms exPlh's may record 1t, not as mat
ter of merit, perhlps, but for the slke Of hist i.
cal truth, that the yonh'il blndt was never
known to perpetrute any dee d Of murder for the
purpose Of plumber, though he did several times
avoid arrest AT last the rumor Of his darn
felones ceased sudde dg. an | n awithstanlinga
reward OF $4,000 WIS offered Tor his apprphen-
sion BY The governor of the State, he was heard
Of no more IN North Carona.
AT the first settlement Of the fertile Delta,
BORDERING On the st Francis, there came aa EN-.
igrant, who lied himself John Hill. and who
soon succeede in acquiring universal POPULAR.
ty. Although of moderate means, he was sober.
industrious, generous and hrspitable; and such
continued to be his character in the new country
OF hls ad"ptoin, for twelve successive years.
During all that long period. ha nAua-, - -
soHui 0iTnculty o. .la~sl ..si- t'y human hclng
and yet every body was satisfied that such
peaceful life, singular for that latitude, was no,
owing to want courage, or deficiency in pow.
er to perform good service, in any battle field;
for Of all bcar-hunters that ever pierced the Jun
giles ofcane in " the great swarnps," or descend
ed by torch light into the dark caves Of the O.
lark Mountains, he was celebrated as the most
fearless.
He was repeatedly elected to the Territorial
Legislature, where he distinguished himself by
strong, impnssioned eoquente, as a chief lead
or in the democratic ranks. lie was next, as we
have already seem member of the convention
that formed the State Constitution; and was {.
leced again the ensuing year to represent the
COUNT in which he lived, in the Senate of Ar.
kansas.
At this period commenced his second series of
misiortunes. Hills nearest neighbors were the
Suong';, four brothers Of considerable wealth,
more ambition, and, if we may borrow the phrase
Of the country, "falnous fighters" Notwith.
standing their character was dissinilar from that
Of the pacific bear,hunter, Il close and cordial
intimacy grew up between them; and Hill, in
an unguarded moment, made the eldest brother,
George. a confident as to the secret of his pre-.
yiuu5 history. Ithappened that this same George
conceived violent desire for political distinc-
ton and requested Hill to resign his seat in tie
Senate in the illiberaI friends favor. Hill re
fused, and the Srong's conspired for terrible re
yengc. Writing back to Carol ma they procnrada
copy of the reward offered for The arrest of Nixon
Curry, the far famed robber; and then collect
ing party Of a dozen men, they attempted to
capture Hill in his own house. The latter had
always gone armed, with his enormous double.
bareled shotgun, two long rifle pistols, and
kle so heavy, that few hands besides his own
could weld it. The assault Of the Strong prov
ed horrible to themselves Hill killed two. Of the
btothers, and dangerously wounded five ofthcir
friends, escaping himself unhurt Though more
thar twenty rounds of ball and buckshot were
aimed at his breast.
The excitement resulting from the nffar was
boundless. A requistion came on from the ex-
ecutiSe Of Carolina, demanding the surrender Of
Nixon Curry The governor Of Arkansas pub
lished an additional reward for the arrest of John
Hill and thus betwxI the two fires, the victims
chance seemed perfectly hopeless.
Hills conduct in the crisis was as prompt and
fearless as ever. Packing up hastily, he set out
with his wife and children, in common moving
wagon, for Uppcr Arkansas, where he knew of
a band of desperadoes that he believed would
protect him. lie was ovrrhauled at Conway
Court House by two hundred men in pursuit, all
thoroughly armed, and some OF them renowned
fighters" Hill saw their approach on the prai-
RE, and with his dreadful double barlel-that
sure jealh dealer to either man or beast, within
the range of two hundred yards, instantly march
ed TO meet his foes This incredible bravery,
joined to the fear befoe inspired by his despe.
ration, affected the advancing troops With such
an unaccountable panic, that the whole two
hundred sought safety i'll a disgracefuly rapid
flight.
Several other attempts were made to capture
the dangerous outlaw, all alike ending in either
ludlcrous or bloody failures. In the meantime
Hills character and conduct underwent com.
plete change. Forced to be always on tho Look.
out, and, therefore, unable to follow any STEADY
business in order to support his family, he resor.
ted to the gambling table. He learned also tc
indulge in the fiery stimulus Of ardent drink, ant
his disposition, necessarily soured by recent c
vents, became quareSolne in the extreme. Per
haps there never was man, excepting onythat
Napoleon of duelsts J',Incs Bowie, who was Sc
heartily dreaded. have myself seen persons o
undoubted courage turn pale merely at the ap
pcarance of Hills gigantic form, broadly helteC
and bristling with pistols. He was waylaid am
shot at number of times, yet still escaped with
out scar But this could be considered NJ
wonder; for even brave mems hands shook whe
they saw him, and, shaking hands generally max
very pour shots.
During the September term. (l943,) Of III
Circuit Court for Pope county, in which Hill re
sided, he got out of bed one morning uncom
monty gloomy, and, while at the breakfast table
suddenly burst into tears.
"What is the matter, my dear ?" asked Luc,
that beautiful Lucy, who had formerly left he
wealthy home in North Carolina, Cor the robber
cave.
II have had dreadful dream,n said the hu.
band shuddering at the recellection-"I sa,
George Strong in my sleep, and he kissed m
with his pale lips, that burned like FIRE, an
smelled of sulphur. am sure shall die befor
sunset"
"Then do notgo to court to day" said his wifi
in ascents ofearncst entreuty.
3 " But wfi'," replied The husband firmly
u "When mans time is come, he cannot hi,
from death; besides it would be the net Of