The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-09-02

| n condensed statement OF some oil the fOI-
lowing particulars was published short time
since but as the story is Of much interest, we
give it again more in detail:
A writer in the Townsville Watchman.
gives the following singular biography Of
James Hightower. recently convicted Of
manslaughter in that county. Three years
In dungeon, it seems is nothing to what he
! has endured:
ABOUT twenty-o one years ago, young lady
Of this section of country, belonging to 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 man of low breeding,
and in adverse circumstances, consequently
her son was destined 10 receive but limited
share OF education or moral training. At u
tender age his character was peculiar, and,
in some respect 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 he was bitten by a rattle
snake; being nearly alone on the place, he
had 10 call TO his aid all the presence of mind
OF which he was master. Fortunately, he
used the proper antdote, and thereby
saved his life. In the short space of few
months he was again bitten by one Of the
same species ofreptiles; by pursuing the
same course as heretofore, he was again res
cued from the jaws of death.
Between the. age: of twelve and fourteen, he
made several attempts To take the life of his
steptather which shows that he would not be
imposed on. About that age he also snapp-
ed, several times, a loaded musket nj neigh.
Dor. When fourteen years old he was knock
ed down by lightning, and did not recover
Tor some time. At the age OF sixteen he was
attacked, while hunting in the woods, by a
very large panther soon tore him down-he
exhibited great presence Of mind, by feguing,
death. The panther then carried him into
the swamp, covered him up with sticks and
grass, after which he took his leave I'm search
oil 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 bitten out, and many wounds were in
iicted
But he was not thus to die; for he soon re-
covered, and very soon after his recovery
gave his his step-lather a severe whipping
and let him. Excepting another slight
shock by lightning, his path was smooth,
until nineteen, when he became ena mcred
OF a young lady; though figuring in higher
sphere, his superior 10 intellect and family,
yet she was smiiten 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 success fully battied
against rattlesnakes, panthers, and even the
high power oil Heaven, for the threats of
man. Nothing daunted, he continued TO
urge his claims, after finding all his efforts
Tor a COMPROMISE unavsiling, he commenced |
determined course. He procured his H. |
cense. pliced mag strate at n conspicuous
point in the woods, and proceeded himself,
on loot, 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 oe rem.
devious.
Before arriving at the place upon which
the hymenial alter had been Temporarily
erected, illuminated by the blaze of lipht
wood knots and the pale rays of the moon
alone, cur hero fell into his former path of
bad luck, Tor he was bitten by m1ccasin
snake; but he was too well used to snake
bites tG suffer that occurrence 10 retoyd b,s
progress at such momentous crices. and
like brave and undaunted boy, pursued his
course, and in accordance with his an,icipa.
tons, was lawfully married about IL or O..
clock at night. His moccasin bite did NOT
long keep him in bed, for he then possessed
a nurse OF unceasng attention. Alter his
hna recovery, he carried his wife to the home
which he had provided for her, hopng thai
MS cup OF misfortune was then full, and that
he would then enjoy that bliss attending a
married life.
But he was not destined long to enioy that
repose which he so much sought He soon
became entangled in a quarrel with Mr..
w heeler; the result was, Wheeler was kin.
ed and our hero, alter a regular triaI in court
d justice, was convicted # man Slaughter nd
now, at the age of twenty. has gone, leaving {
his wife, his anticipated baby, and his sweet :
home to the penitentiary, there to be incar- ,
'arated within its dismal walls for the space
II three years, which to him must seem lono. 4
ong who can contemplate his past life
nd not say, surely ne is the child of misfor.
une. Have his misfortunes ended! Alas, y
'ho can tell! That fact is yet con called by :
he dark curtains offuturity. n
OF