Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-13
STRANGE LIFE OF A MURDERER,

A writer in the ThomasylIo WoichmQ1,
gives the following singular biography Of
James Hightower, recently convicted oI
manslaughlor in that county. Three
years in dungeon, it seems, is nothing
10 what he has endured:
"About twenty.one years ago, a young
lady Of this section Of country, belonging
to respectable family, became the vic.
tim Of vile seducer ); the fruit was a boy,
who is the subject Of our narrative. His
mother, as is the case usually with those
Of her sex whe are unfortunate, married
n man Of low breeding, and in adverse
circumstances, consequently her son was
destined TO received but limited share oI
education or moral training. At ten,
der age his character was peculiar, and,
in some respects, very extraordinary
When only seven years old, he was otten'
ding a sugar cane mill by some means
his left arm and hand were crushed, by
which accident he forever lost the use
of his hand.
At the age Of ten he was bitten by a
rattIesnake being nearly alone on the
place, he had to call 10 his aid all the
presence Of mind Of which ne was mas.
ter Fortunately, he used the proper
antidoe, and thereby saved his life. In
the short space of a few months he was
again bitten by one of the same species
OF reptiles by pursuing the same course
as heretofore, he was agdin rescued from
the Jaws Of death.
Between the age Of twelve and fourteen,
he made several attempts TO take the life
Of his stopiather, which shows that he
would not be imposed on. About that age
he also snapped, several fines, loaded
musket at ncighbor. When fourteen
years old he was knocked down by light
ming, and did not recover ior some time.
AT the age of sixteen he was attacked,
while hunting in the woods, by a very
large panther. The panther soon tore
him down-he exhibited great presence Of
mind, by leigning death. The panther then
carried him into the swamp, covered him
up with sticks andgrass, after whichhetook
his leave in search gilmore prey Our hero,
after the panlhcr's departure, arose and
made his escape home. He was badly
torn-two of his jaw teeth were bitten
out, and many wounds were inflicted.
Bot he was not thus to die, for he soon
recovered, and very soon after his recoy.
cry gave his steprather a severe whipping,
and left him. Excepting another slight
shock by lightning, his path was smooth,
until nineteen, when he became onamor-
ed Of a young lady ; though figuring in a
higher sphere, his superior in intellect
and family, yet she was smitten by the
boy Of misfortune, and resolved to marry
him, Notwithstanding the opposition Of
her relatives, who made severe threats
against our hero. But what cared he,
who had successfully battIed against rat.
tesnakes, panthers, and even the high
power Of Heaven, for the threats Of man.
Nothing dountcd, he continued to urge
his claims, after finding all bis efforts Tor
a compromise unavaiIug, he commenced
a determined course. He procured his
Iicence, placed magistrate at u conspi.
cuous point in the woods, and proceeded
himself, on foot, to the house that shelter.
ed her whom he loyed,-sccretly forced
the door Of her chamber, and conducted
her about five miles through the woods, to
the place Of rendezvous.
Before arriving at the place upon which
the hymenia altar had been temporarily
erected, illuminated by the blaze Of light.
wood knots and the pale rays ofthe moon
alone, our hero fell into his former path
Of bad luck, for lie was bitten by a moe.
casin snake; but he was to well used 10
snake bites 10 suffer that occurrence 10
retard his progress at such momentous
crisis, and like a brave and undannled
boy, pursue his course, and in accordance
with his ontjcipalions, was lawfully mar
ried about II or o'clock at night. His
bite did not long keep him in
bed, for he then possessed nurse ofun.
,easing attention. After his final recov-
cry, he carried his wife to the home which
he had provided for her, hoping that his
cup OF misfortune was then lnI, and that
he would then enjoy that bliss attending
A married lie.
But he was not destined long 10 enjoy
hat repose which he so much sought
He soon became entanged in a quarrel
with one Mr.. Wheeler; the result was
Wheeler was killed, and our hero, after
l regular trial in a court of Justice, was
convicted of mansIaugter, and now, at
he age Of twenty, has gone, leaving his
wife, his anticipated babe, and his sweet
home TO the penitentiary, there 10 be incar.
'erated within its dismal walls for the
ipace Of three years, which to him must
,eem long, long. VINO can contemplate
lis past life and not say, surely he is the
,hiid of misfortune. Have his mislor,unes
,nded Alas who can tell That fact
5 yet concealed by the dark curtains OF
uturity,
nAT-tt Ionas Al 49,, a,a- L.. -. =: