Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-04

Mr.. Hill was sincere Cnrlst'aH HIS ieau'hS
characteristics fidelity, industry. simplicity,
honesty, integrity, benevolence and charity. But
for the two last named virtues he might have amassd
wealth. He was for many years class leader and
steward In the church of which he was member.
There gloom nor austerity in his religion !
He was cheerful. He looked with lenency up
the faings of others, and never spake harshy of
them. Regular was his attendance at the sane
tuary, his strict observance of private duty was
equally unrenitting and methodical. Method, in.
deed, was of his most prominent characteristics,
and one of the main of his success in life. 1t
is related of him that often Saturday evenings,
when he supposed no eye on him except that of
his God, he would knee in his Office at the Capitol
to return thanks for merces past and to mp!ore the
Divine blessing upor the approaching Sabbath. He
was distinguished in remarkable degree for his uni
form kindness and cordially in his intercourse with
his fcllow-men. He was of naturally strong
feelings, but he learned to control them. He
decided in his political principles-no trimmer or
time server, but he always treated others he
treated himself 1t is believed that he never voted.
either in county State elections. to turn of
ficer who had done his duty. 1t was owing to the
fact that he good officer, an honest man, and
kind and courteous gentleman and not that he
ted favor by cringng to party, that he held his Of
flee so long All esteemed hm-nonc doubted his
capacity or his fidelity.
When good man dies, any incident, however
trivial illustrative of his character is eagerly sought
and treasured up by those who loved admired
him. and the following anecdote. occasionally rela-
ted by Mr.. Hill himself, will not be without interest
BY it he incucated, both pleasure and duty,
constant regard for the feelings Of others and
varying kindness and courtesy to all with whom he
should chance to meet He remarked that he who
did this was often rewarded even in this world
Many years ago he journeyed to Tennessee, then
almost unbroken forest. At that time it was a
perilous undertaking. Robber,es were by no means
uncommon, and Indian outrages were of frequent
occurrence. The FaSsage Of the mountains, too
was franght with danger, as there were hut few
roads, and they almost impossible. While there he
met widow lady with infant left bv her hus-
bands death in land of strangers, friendless and
| alone. She was endeavoring to make her way back
to her relatives in Carolina Obedent 10 the gener-
Gus impulses of his nature he endeavored to secu re
her comfort and to shield her as far as he could
from the hardshps incident to the Journey frequent
ly carrying her infant for hours in his arms. In
1911 when candidate for the Office he long and
| worthily filled, he opposed by gentleman of
deserved popularity and powerful family influence
Twice they received each equal number OF votes
Several members OF the Legislature were confined
to their rooms by sickness, and committee was APP
| pointed to visit them and obtain their votes One
| Of these gentlemen. brother of the widow above
mentioned, but entire stranger to Mr.. HILL reco
ected hearing his sister speak the kindness shown
her by him. and cast his vote. that account for
William Hill. That vote secured his election.
| Mr.. Hill had two brothers, one Of whom is still
| living. The other was at the battle Of the Horse
| Shoe under Gen. Jackson and was called by the
Indians captain Big John HILL" He has been
dead several years.
In conclusion append article, published
| several years ago in the AshevilIe Messenger and
| supposed to have been written by the late General
| John G. Bynum:
! civilian IIHL-SEcRETARY OF STATE-Perhaps
| there is not gentleman in North Carolina who has
held Office as long, or given general satisfaction
the whole State through its representatives ard pri-
| vate business intercourse as the whose name
| stands at the head of this article. James Glasgow
was the first Secretary of The State Of North CARROLL
ma after the declaration of Independence. He held
that office till 1898. and succeeded bv Wm
White, who held it till removed by death in 1911,
| present possession
| Office that he has held without Interruption
forty years! ever faithful at his post. Mr. Hill
was born in Surrv County, on Dan River in 1773
believe. his father Baptist, and was first
mended to consideration ny letter (now in the Sc
cretarvs offce) from Mark Hardin to Glasgow
| Amid ali the changes of political strife the con'en-
| ton ascrndency and overthrow of parties in the
State, ard the consequent scrambing for Office. the
finger Of prescription has been applied to this
| now venerable citizen and faithful public servant-
IL. III, L,1> Al
and papers pertaining to his office arranged. while
| paying him visit in June last, were struck with
| the ORDER precision and mehodica| arrangement Of
everything belonging to this important public Office
After years of labor. he has Just complete the ar
rangement Of every book and paper in his office in
alphabetical order. He begins with the counties com.
mencing at and going through, then he takes up
the names in the same order then in the file of his
papers, he takes ny the years beginning with the
| first records at 1894 The counties are arranged
from 1855, and State papers from l776. reference
| may be now had by him to ANYTHING pertaining to
the history of the State and the Colony. that has
been preserved, in a moments time for the last 81
years. now shrouded in the gloom Of by gone davs,
and many and singular and woefu are the mnsty re-
| cords that imprisoned and speechles> upon
his shelves. The first grants given bv the State Of
North Carolina, were dated in TIT. Mr. Hill is now
in green old age and little hope from the pleas
ures Of this fleeing world more than that conscious
ness which is of more value than gold, Of having
honestly and f"i hf"y performed his part upon the
| stage Of human action, with an eve single to truth
honesty, and the glory Of his God. His probation
upon the confines of this earth is fast approaching
that point =" where the good man meets his fate"
and evinces to the world the excellence Of religion
and the bssfnl reward Of a virtuous and consistent
| course Of conduct. Such men blessing to the
world in life, g.orify their Creator in death, and
leave the world the better for having lived in it, and
their friends "not without hope" Mr. Hill !sas
long been faithful at'en''an', sincere worshiper