The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-09-08
Vol. VI.

h
r;vai and one DC, of the proud Gordons dead |
IN the spot, and then escaped with his
bride, although hotly chased by more men,
and found an asylum in the Alleghany
Mountains. near the sources Of the Cataw-
ba. Here, under the plea Of necessity, ne
embraced the profession OF a rocbber, ana
rendered his name famous by the number
and astonishing boldness Of his exploits.
We NAV record it, not as matter OF merit,
-nerhaps, but for the sake Of historical truth;
that the youthful bandit never was known
to perpetrate any deed Of murder for the
nurpose of plunder, though he did several
to avoid arrest. Atlength the rumor OF MS
daring felonies ceased suddenly, and, not,
withstanding reward Of five thousand
dollars was offered for his apprehension
by the governor Of the state, ne was heard
of mo- more in North Carolina. ms 1giI
At the first settlement Of the fertile delta,
bordering on the St. Francis, there came
an emigrant, who called himself John Hill,
and who soon succeeded in acquiring uni
versal popularity. Although of moderate
means. he was sober. industrious, gener-
ous and hospitable; and such continued to
be his character, in the new country OF MS
adoption, for twelve successive years.
During all that long period he never had a
nersonal difficulty or quarrel with any hui
man being; and yet every body was satls-
is6ed. that such peaceful life-singular
for that latitude, was not owing to want
Of courage, or deficiency in power to per-
i form good service, in any sort OF battle'
field; for of all bear-hunters that ever plerc,
ed the iungles ofcane in 'sthe great swamP',
or descended by torch-light into the dark
caves oftbe Ozark Mountains, he was cele-
brated as the most fearless.
He was repeatedly elected to the Terri,
torial Legislature, where he distinguished
himself by a strong, imPassloned elo'
ouence, as chiefleader in the Democratic
ranks. He was next, as we have already
t seen. a member ofthe convention that form.
!, cd the state constitution; and was elected
. again the ensuing year. to represent MS
$ county in the Senate Of Arkansas. ~, y,
k At this period commenced his secont
ser;es ofmisfortunes. Hill'snearestneigh
n bors were the Strongs,-four brothers o {,
SC considerable wealth, more ambition, ana
:. ;f we NAV borrow the phrase OF the coun
v trv. "famous fighters" Notwithstandin!
q their character was so dissimilar from tina
g of the pacific 'sbear-hunter," a close ant
), cordial intimacy grew up between them
Il and Hill, in an unguarded moment: MAD
v the eldest brother. George, conhdent a
!. to the secrets of his previous history. Il
). happened that this same George concalV
Is ed a violent desire for political distinction
Il and requested Hill to resign his seat in tn
" Senate in the illiberal friends favor. Ill
Iee refused, and the Strongs conspired tor
terrible revenge. Writing back to Caro-
. lima, they procured copy OF the rewar
n offered for the arrest Of Nixon curry IN
IS far.famed robber and then collecting
\. marty of dozen desperate men, they a
|v tempted to capture Hill in his own house
10 The latter had always gone armed, VIII
3. his enormous double-barreled shotgun
ID two long rife pistols, and knife so heav,
Ie that few other hands besides his own coul
lv WELD it. The assault of the Strongs prov
4 cd horrible to themselves. Hill killed tw
N Of the brothers, and dangerously wounde
at five of their friends, escaping himself vi
a hurt, although more than twenty rounds
,f ball and buck.shot were aimed at h
", breast. =.
Of The excitement resulting from the alta
was boundless. requistion came
at from the executive of Carolina, demand
.d inc the surrender of Nixon Curry. III
IN governor of Arkansas Published an add
la tional reward for the arrest of John. .Hl
an and thus betwixt the two fires, the WON
n chance seemed perfectly hopeless. %. p
u u. Hills conduct in the crisis was prom
ss. and fearless as ever. Packing up lhastil
er he set out with his wife and children, in
III. common moving wagon, for Upper Arka
;th sas. where he knew of a band OF desper
arc does that he believed would protect hi
hv He was overhauled at Conway Cou
lor House by two hundred men in pursuit.
oA thoroughly armed, and some OF them
!, it Lnowned ''6ghters."a Hill saw their |,
IL. prosch on the distant prairie,I and with
am. dreadful double e-barrel--that] sure dea'
ax!I Idealer,t to either man or beast, within
eet ranger of two hundred yards-instan
marched to- meet his foes This iincre
,us bic bravery, joined to the fear beforeid
,eir spired bylhls desperation,a affected theii
kila vancing troops with1such an unaccoun
lch lblei panic, that the whole twoahaindl
the Psought safety in adisgracefully fig
ind Several other attempts were made
i aft capt,,re afhea dangerous outlaw, all al
ter, ending either in eludicrous lor bloody Il
ucy uresl In the meantime Hills charac
eyi. and conduotunderwent acomplete chan
rise Forced to be always On the look.out,ia d
tbe therefore, unable tofollow any steady b
hsnI nessin orderito support Instantly, he
eht, sorted to the gaming.table. he lear
avs also to indulge in the fiery stimulus OF
and dent-arink, and his disposition, necess
iitsE Ely so,ireds byTecent events became q