The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-12-22


cumstances biased their career, who play
prominent part in the early history O
some of the southwestern States. A
quarter of century ago such characters
were not uncommon. Now, another gen
Grafton having supplied their laces it may
be not Improbable to present such remin
iscences as part of the history Of oul
country:
"Among the trucst friends of the peo
pie, of all in the present Convention, may
be named John Hill, of st. Francis. His
energy, eloquence and courage fully cnti-
tied him to the proud place he holds, and
as we trust, will long retain-that of the
leader Of the Arkansas Democracy"
Little Rock Gazette in the days of the
Convention.
"BLooDY AFFAIR.-A desperate rencon-
tire occurred last week in St. Francis. Two
distinguished citizens were killed, and
three others dangerously wounded. The
difficulty resulted from an attempt to ar
rest John Hill, member Of the last Lcgis-
lature and formerly of the State Conven-
tion, who, it is alleged, is the notorious
robber, nixon Curry that committed
such atrocities fifteen years ago, in the
mountains of Carolina"
Little Rock Gazette of May, 1910.
We have given the previous extracts
from tho oldest and most respectable journ-
ais of Arkansas, in order to satisfy every
reader that the following narrative extra
ordinary as some of its incidents may ap-
pear, is no tissue of fiction. Indeed, while
relating genuine events and painting new
scenes, we have lccr especially careful to
avoid all vivid colors. Should this short
sketch, by chance reach the forests of the
Arkansas, the people will there deem its
descriptions tamA in comparison with the
deeds Cf tho man. The writer, who has
resided long on the frontier, had no need
of fancy in portraying its excited lifc.-
Simple memory will serve him very we'll
About twenty years ago there lived in
Ireland county, North Carolina, Prcsby-
terian preacher, by the name of Curry
He was man in easy circumstances of ir-
reproachablo character, with family of
promising sons and daughters. Among
these the fayoritc was Nixon, distinguish
cd, when boy, for his fearless courage
and the tenderness Of his heart alike. He
seems, from several anecdotes of his early
days, to have been child of impulse and
intense earnestness and passion. When
only six years of age, he had combat at
school with bully of the play ground,
nearly twice his own weight and after suf-
fering drcadfully, at last achieved the vic
tory, due almost entirely TO the sheer pow
er of his endurance.
From the time he was six years old, that
is TO say from the first session he attended
in the county school hous,, had Nixon
Curry been in love. His idol was n little
girl of the same age, and under the tut
ton of the samc master. The attachment
appears to have been mutual from the COM
mencemcnt. They stood up in one class,
and always managed TO stand together.-
During the hours of recess, when the 9TH
er juvenils were amusing themselves with
boisterous sports, the precious lovers wo'd
wander amidst leafy gioves, or on the mos
sy margins of silver rills. Forever, to
eternity, and whenever the soft spell of
first love comes, it brings with it the bright
spirit Of poetry, scattering thick starred
dreams of divine visions of beauty over all
things. Even then they exchanged pledg-
es, and discoursed in sweet sinless whis-
pcrs of their future bridal.
And thus they grew up into one deli
cious identity of fancy and feeling. Their
passion became so evident at fifteen, that
all further intercourse was forbidden by
their parents--among the wealthicst aris-
tocracy in Carolina. Then followed sto-
len meetings by alright, firmer views
and wilder love, which always increased in
proportion to its crosses, and like the trees
of Lebanon, sends down its deepest roots
into the heart the moro it is shaken by
storms.
Finally, at seventeen, when Lucy's re-
lations were endeavorng to force her into
the arms of another, she fled with the low
er of her childhood. They were pursued
and overtaken; and Nixon Curry shot his
rival, one proud Gordon, dead on the spot,
and escaped with his bride, although hot
ly chased by moro men. They found an
asylum on the Allegheny Mountains near
the sources Of the Catawaba. Here, under
the plea Of necessity, he embraced the
profession of a robbcr, and rendered his
narne famous by the number and astonish-
ing boldness of his exploits. We may re-
cord it, not as a matter of merit, perhaps,
but as an historical truth, the youthful
bandit never was known TO perpetrate any
deed of murder for the purpose of plumber,
though he did several to avoid arrest. At
length the rumors Of his daring felonies
ceased suddenly, and notwithstanding a
reward Of five thousand dollars was offered
for his apprehension by tho Governor Of
the State, he was heard of no more in
North Carolina.
At the first settlement of the fertile del
Ia bordering on the ST. Francis, there came
one emigrant, who was called John Hill,
and who soon succeeded in acquiring uni
versal popularity. Although Of moderate
means, he was sober, industrious, gencr-
ous and hospitable; and such continued to
he his character in the country of his adop-
lion for twelve successive years. During
Nj this long period he never had person
u difficulty or quarrel with any human be-
ng; and yet, everybody was satisfied that