Washington telegraph., 1849-10-17

| Country vi Ills duOptlOu, III IWCl"O o.tS
cessive years. During all that long pc
riod he never had a personal difficulty OF
quarrel with any human being; and yet
every body was satisfied that such a
peaceful life-singular for that latitude
was not owing to want of courage, OF
deficiency of power to perform good
service in any sort of battlefield; for of
all bear hunters that ever pierced the
Jungle of cane in "the great swamp,
or descended by torch-ight into the dark
caves of the Ozark mountains, he e;was
celebrated as the most fearless.
He was repeatedly elected to the
Territorial Legislature, where he distin-
guished himself by strong, impassioned
eloquence, as chief leader in the demo-
cratic ranks, He was next as we have
already seen, a member of the convention;
and was elected again the ensuing year
to represent his county in the Senate OF
Arkansas
/ At this period commenced his second
series of misfortunes. Hills nearest
neighbors were the Strongs; four brothers
of considerable wealth, more ambition,
and, if we may borrow the phrase of the
country, "famous fighters. Notwith-
standing their character was so disslmlar
from that of the pacific "bear hunter, a
close and cordial intimacy grew up be-
tween them and Hill, in an uIguarded
moment, made the eldest brother, George,
con6dant as to the secret of his history.
1t happened that this same George cons
ceived a violent desire for political distinc-
ton. and requested Hill to resign his seat
in the Senate in the illlberal friends favor.
Hill refused, and the Strongs conspired
for terrible revenge. Writing back to
Carolina, they procured copy of the re-
ward offered for the arrest of Nixon Curry,
the far-famed rcbber; and then collecting
party of a dozen desperate men, they
attempted to capture Hill in his own
house. The latter had always gone
armed, with his enormous double -barrelled
shotgun, two long rifle pistols, and
knife so heavy that few hands besides
his own could WELD it. Hill killed two
of the brothers, and dangerously wounded
five of their friends, escaping himself un-
hurt, although twenty rounds of ball and
buck shot were aimed at his breast.
The excitement resulting from this
affair was boundless. A requisition came
from the Executive of Carolina, demand
ing the surrender f Nixon Curry. The
Governor of Arkansas published an ad-
ditional reward for the arrest of John
Hill; and thus, betwiSt the two fires, the
victims chance seemed hopeless.
Hills conduct in the crisis was prompt
and fearless as ever. Packing up hastily,
he set out with his wife and children, in
a common moving wagon, for Upper
Arkansas, where he knew of a band of
desperadoes that he believed would pro-
tect him. He was overhauled 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 distant prairie, and
| with his dreadful double -barrel-that sure
death-leader to either man or beast, with
in the range of three hundred yards-in-
stantly marched to meet his foes. This
incredible bravery, joined to the fear be-
fore inspired by his desperation, affected
the advancing troops with such an un-
accountable panic, that the whole two
hundred men sought safety in disgrace
full fight.
Several attempts were made to capture
the dangerous outlaw, all alike ending
either in ludcrous or bloody failures
In the meantime Hills conduct under
went complete change. Forced to be
always on the look out, and, therefore,
unable to follow any steady business. in
order to support his family he resorted to
the gaming table. He learned also to in
dulge in the fiery stimulus of ardent
drink, and his disposition, necessarily
soured in the recent events, became quar-
relsome in the extreme. Perhaps there
never was man, excepting only that
Napoleon of duelists, James Bowie, who
was so heartily dreaded, | have myself
seen persons of undoubted courage turn
pale merely at the appearance of Hills
gigantic form, broadly belted and brist-
ling with pistols. He was waylaid and
shot at a number Of times, yet still escap
ed without scar. But this could be
considered no wonder; for even brave
mems hands shook when they saw him
and shaking hands generally make very
poor shots.
During the September term, 1913, of
the Circuit Court of Pope county. in
which Hill resided, he got out of bed one
morning, uncommonly gloomy. and while
at the breakfast table, suddenly bursted
into tears.
"Wha. is the matter, my dear!" asked
Lucy-that beautiful Lucy, who had for
merly left her wealthy home in Carolina
for the robber and robbers cave.
81 have had dreadful Dream answer
ed the husband, shuddering at the recol-
lection; Il saw George Strong in my
sleep, and he kissed me with his pale
lips, that burned like fire, and smelled Of
snlphur. / am sure / shall die before