The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-09-08
.Ibanr From the Depocratic Rsvlsw; " :,
JOHN HILL, alias NIXON CURRY
THE VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES


THE VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES
TRUE SKETCH OF LIFE IN ARKANSAS
..Amonp the truest friends Of the people, OF all
!, -. nr.sent Convention, may be named Johh
H;ll. Of St. Francis. His energy ei'quehcs' a,'u
courage, fully entitle him to the proud place hs
hold. and. as we trust, will long retaln--that o.
,,sdsr Of the Arkansas Democracy --A'f'te Hoe"
Gaxette, in the days Of the Convention q.
4 sloodu Afiay.-"A desperate renccontre occur.
rad last week in St Francis. Two distinguished
citizens were killed, and three others dangerously
wounded. The difficulty resulted from an al
tempt to arrest John Hill, member Of the last
,..i..ture, and formerly of the State ConVenll'p'
who, il is alleged, i'the notorious roope'' MAUI
Carry. that committed such atrocities hiteen years
-. :, an. Mountains Of Carolina LILLE Rock
Gazette of May, ls4o. ..be.l"fa1
We have given theprevious extracts rom :
the Oldest and most respectable journal OIL
Arkansas, in order to satisfy every reader
that the following narrative, extraordinary
az some of its incidents may appear, is no
t;ss,,e Of fiction. Indeed, while relating
oen,,ine events, and painting true scenes,
we have been especially careful to avoid all
vivid colors. Should this short sketch, by
hv anv chance, reach the forests OF Arkan-
sas, the people there will deem its descnP-
tions tame in comparison with the deeus
of the man. The writer, who has reslded
LONG on the frontier, has no use Tor fancy
in, nortraying its exciting life. Simple
memory will serve him very well. ,
About fifty years ago there lived in Ire
dan county, North Carolina, a Presbyterian
preacher, by the name of Curry. tie was
man in easy circumstances, oiirreProach'
able character, and having large family
ofpromising sons and daughters. Among
these the fayorite was Nixon, distinguish.
ed when boy for his fearless courage and
tho tenderness of his heart alike. lie
seems. from several anecdotes of his early
davs. to have been child of impulse and
intense earnestness and passion. When
nnlv six wears of age, he had combat a
school with bully Of the playground
nearly twice his own weight, and alter sui
ferinr dreadfully, at last achieved victory
due almost entirely to the sheer power o
his endurance. :, :,
From the time he was six years old, tina
;sto saw. from the first session he attended
;nrthe country school-house, had NixoI
Curry been in love. His idol was littl'
o;rl of the same age, andunder the tuition
ocfthe same master. The attachment ap
n..rs To have been mutual from the com
mencement. They stood up in one class
and always managed to stand toge'hel
During the hours of recess, when the 9th
erg;impsnilcs were amusing themselves wit
boisterous sports, the precocious lover
wauld wander amidst leafy groves, or b
the messy. margins of silver riils. Fo
eyes. to eternity, and whenever the SO
spell Of first love comes, it brings with
the bright spirit ofpoetry, scattering thicl
starred dreams and divine visions ofbea'
tvloysr all things9 Even then they e.
changed pledges, and discoursed in swe'
s;nless whispers of their future bridal
And thus they grew up into one delicio'
IDENTITY Of fancy and Of feeling. The
biaS Ef each others society, while en-
dTsn6. caused foparticular remark. Su.
,.,tachments are common between u
voSitA Of opposite sexes inthe country, a.
asnsiiai.a terminate abrubty, on arrival
,Ss1t,fMe wears Far different, howevt
.;ss M case with Nixon Curry and Lu'
Gofdoh. Their passion become rns4S 50 e, e,
ds6f.. al fifteen, that. all further intercour
WAS wausslfo forbidden BY her parents among 7
waalfhiest aristnc cfacy Of Carolina. In