Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-16
strange Life Of 4 Murderer.

~
A writer in the Townsville Watchm,an
gives the following singular biography of Jas.
Hightower, recently convicted of manslaughter
in that county. Three years in dungeon, it
seems, is nothing to what he has endured /:
About twenty-one years ago young lady
of this section Of country, belonging to a re-
spectacle family, became the victim of vile
seducer; the fruit was boy, who is the sub
ject Of our narrative. His mother, as is the
case usually, with those of her sex who are
unfortunate married q man OF low breeding,
and in adverse circumstances, consequently,
her son was destined to receive but limited
share of education or moral training. AT
tender age his character was peculiar, and in
some respects very extraordinary. When only
seven years old, he was attending 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 years
he was bitten by rattlesnake; being nearly
alone on the place, he had to call to his aid all
Fortunately 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
step-father, which shows that he would not be
imposed on. About that age he also snapped,
several times, loaded musket at neghbor.
When fourteen years old, he was knocked
down by lightning, and did not recover for
some time. At the age of. sixteen he was at
tackled while hunting in the woods, by very
large panther. The panther soon tore him
he avhs .kaI - L
feigning death. The panther then carried him
and grass, after which he took his leave in
search of more prey. Our hero, after the pan
theirs departure, arose and made his escape
home He was badly torn--two of his Jaw
teeth were bitten out, and many wounds were
inflicted.
But he was not thus to die, for he soon re-
covered, and very soon after his recovery gave
his step-father a severe whipping and left him.
Excepting another slight shock by lightning,
his path was smooth, until nineteen, when he
became enamored of 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 bat
tied against rattlesnakes, panthers, and even
the high power of heaven, for the threats Of
man. Nothing daunted, he continued to urge
his claims, after finding all his efforts or a
compromise unavailing, he commenced de-
termined course. He procured his license,
placed magistrate at q conspicuous point in
the woods, and proceeded himself 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 altar had been temporarily erected,
illuminated by the blaze of lightwood knots
and the pale rays of the moon alone, our hero
fell into his former path of bad luck, for he
was bitten by moccason snake; but he was
too well used to snake bites to suffer that oc-
currence to retard his progress at such mo-
mentous crisis, and like brave and undaunt-
ed boy, pursued his course, and, in accordance
with his anticipations, was lawfully married,
about IL or o'clock at night His moccason
bite did not long keep him in bed, for he then
possessed a nurse of unceasing attention.
After final recovery, 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 then enjoy that bliss attending
married life.
Out ne Was not uesuneu iong 10 ENJOY Lnat
repose which he so much sought. He soon be-
came entangled in quarrel with one Mr..
Wheeler, the result was-Wheeler was killed,
and our hero, after regular trial in court Of
justice; was convicted of mansaughter; and
now, at the age of twenty, has gone, leaving
his wife, his anticipated babe, and his sweet
home, to the penitentiary, there to be incarce-
rated within its dismal walls for the space of
three years-which to him must be longl long,
Who can contemplate his past life and not say,
surely he is the child Of misfortune. Has his
misfortunes ended2 Alas who can tell? That
fact is yet concealed by the dark curtain Of
futurity.