Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-09-27
nlislellalleous.
LIFEOF AMURDERER.

A writer in the Thomasville Watchman
gives the following singular biography of
James Hightower, recently convicted of
manslaugbter in that county. Three
years in dungeon, it seems, is nothing to
what be has endured:
| about twenty one years ago, a young
lady of this section of country, belonging
to respectable family, became the VIC
tim of a vile sed Ger the fruit was a
boy, who is the subject of our narrative.
His mother, as is the case usually with
| those of her sex who are unfertupate.
married a man of low breeding. aud in
adverse circumstances, consequently her
son was destined to receive but limited
share of education or moral training. At
a tender age his character was peculiar.
and, IN some respects, very extraordinary
When only seven years old, he was atten-
ding 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
rattlesnake; being nearly alone on the
place, he had to call to his aid all the pres
ence of mind of which he was master. For
tunately, he used the proper antidote, and
| thereby saved his life In the short space
of few months he was again bitten by
one of the same species Of reptiles; by
pursuing the same course as heretofore,
he was again rescued from the Jaws of
death.
Between the age of twelve and fourteen,
he made several attempts to take the life
OF his stepfather, which shows that he
would not be imposed on About that
age he also snapped, several times. load
ed musket at a neighbor When fourteen
years old he was knocked down by light
ming, and did not recover for some time.
At the age of sixteen he was attacked.
while hunting in the woods, by a large
panther The panther soon tore him down
he exhibited great presence Of mind,
by felgniDg death. The panther then
carried him into the swamp, covered him
up with sticks and grass, after which he
took his leave in search of more prey.
Our hero, after the panther's departure,
arose and made his escape home He was
badly torn, two of his jaw teeth were bit
ten out, and many wounds were infict-
ed
But he was not thus to die, for he soon
recovered, and very soon after his recov-
cry gave his step-father severe whipping,
aud left him. Except another slight
shock by Tightening. his path was smooth.
until nineteen, when he became enamored
of a young lady; though figuring in a
higher sphere, her superior in intellect and
family. yet she was smitten by the boy of
misfortune. and resolved to marry him.
Notwithstanding the opposition Of her rel
atives, who made severe threats against
our hero. But what cared be, who had
successfully ba:tled sgainst rattlesnakes
panthers, and even the high power of
Heaven, tor the threats of man. Moth
ing daunted, he continued to urge his
claims, after finding all his efforts or
compromise unavailing. he commenced
determined course. He procured his Ii
cence, placed magistrate at conspicu-
Gus point in the woods, and proceed him
self, on foot. to the house that sheltered
her whom he loved-secretly 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 hymenial alter had been temporarily
erected illuminated by the blaze of light
wood knots and the pale rays of the moon
alone. our hero fell into his former path
of bad luck, for he was bitten by a moo
casin snake; but he was too we'll used to
snake bites to suffer that occurrence to
retard his progress at such momentous
crisis, and like brave and undaunted
boy, pursued his course, and In accordance
with his expectations, was lawfully mar
ried about II or | o'clock at night His
moccasin bite did not long keep him in
bed, for he then possessed a nurse of un-
ceaslng 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 full, and that
he would enjoy that bliss attending
married life
But he was not destined long to enjoy
that repose which be so much sought He
soon became entangled in quarrel with
one Mr.. Wheeler; the result was Wheel
er was killed, and our hero, after regu-
lar trial in court of justice, was convict
ed of manslaughter, and now at the age
Of twenty, has gone leaving his wife, his
anticipated babe, and his sweet home. to
the peniteutiary, there to be incarcerated
within its dismal walls for the space of
three years, which to him must seem long.
long. We can contemplate his past life
and say. surely he is the child of misfor-
tune. Have his misfortuncs ended Alas
who can tell That fact is vet concealed
by the dark curtains of futurity.