Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-12-18

N' ohe hrSJ SCCClemcnt oil the fertile del
ia, bordering on the St Francis, there came
an cmigrant who called himself John Hill,
and who soon succeeded in acquiring uni
versol popularity, Although of moderate
means, he was sober, industrious, generous
and hospitable; and such continued to be
his character, in the new country of his
adoption, for twelve successive years. Du-
ring all that long periodic ncvcr had a Sc
rious difficulty or quarrel with any human
being; and yet everybody was satisfied that
such peaceful life--singular for that lati-
tudc-was not owing to want of courage,
or deficiency in power to perform good SER
vice in any sort of battle field for of all
bcar-hunters that over pierced junggles or
game in the great swamp" or descended
by torch-light into the dark caves of the
Ozark Mountains, he was celebrated as the
most fearless
He was repeatedly elected to the terri
torial Legislature, where he distinguished
himself by strong impassioncd cloquonce
as chief leader in the Democratic ranks.
lie was next, as VIC have already seen, a
member of the Convention that formed the
State Constitution and was elected again
the ensuing year to represent his country
in the State of Arkansas.
At this period commenced his second Sc
ries of mistortunes Hills nearest neigh
bors were the Strongs-four brothers of
considerable wealth. more ambition, and
if we may borrow the phrase of the country
" famous fighters"
Notwithstanding their character was so
dlssimilar from that of the pacific "bcar-
hunter" close and cordial intimacy grew
up between them and Hill, in an unguord-
ed moment, made the eldest brother, George
coniidant as to the secrets of his previous
history. Ithappened that this same George
conceived violent desire for political dis
tinction, and requested Hill to resign his
seat III the Senate in the illibcral friends
favor. Hill refused, and the Strongs con-
spircd fora terrible revenge Writing back
to Carolina thcyprocurcd a copy of reward
offered for the arrest of Nixon Curry, the
tar-famcd robbcr; and then collecting
party ola dozen desperate men, they attemp-
ted to capture Hill in his own houre. The
latter had always gone armed with his enor-
nous double barrcllcd shotgun, two long
rifle pistols, and knife so heavy that few
other hands besides his own could WELD it.
The assault of the Strongs proved horrible
to them. Hill killed two of the brothers
and dangerously wounded five of their
friends, escaping himself unhurt, although
moro than twenty rounds of ball and buck
shot were aimed at his breast.
The excitement resulting from the affair
was boundlcss. A rcquisition came on from
the Executive of Carolina, demanding the
surrender of Nixon Curry. The Governor
of Arkansas published an additional reward
for the arrest of John Hill; and thus, be-
twixt the two fires, the victim chanccsoom-
cd perfectly hopeless
Hills conduct in the crisis was prompt
and fearless as ever Packing up hastily,
he set out with his wife and children, in a
common moving wagon, for Upper Arkan-
sas, where he knew of a band Of dcspcra-
docs that he believed would protect him
lie was ovcrhaulcd at Conway Court House
by two hundred men in pursuit, all thor
oughiy armed, and some of them renowned
" lighters" Hill saw their approach on
the distant prairie, and with his dreadful
double barrcl-that sure death dealer to
either man or beast within the range of two
hundred yards-instantly marched to meet
his foes. This incredible bravery, joined
to the fear before inspired by his despcra-
ton, affected the advancing troops with
such nunaccountable panic, that the whole
two hundred sought safety in dsgraccfully
rapid flight
Several other attempts were madcto cap
ture the dangerous outlaw, all alike ending
either in ludicrous or bloody failures. In
the meantime, Hills character and conduct
underwent complete change Forced to
be always on the lookou and therefore
unable to support his family, he rcsorted to
the gamlngtablc. lie learned also to in
dulge in tic fiery stimulus of ardent drink,
and his disposition necessarily sourcd by
recent events, became quarrclsome in the
extreme.
Perhaps there never was man, except
ing only that Napoleon of duelists, James
Bowie, who was as heartily dreaded.
have myself seen persons of undoubtcd
courage turn palo, merely at the appearance
of Hills gigantic form, broadly belted and
bristling with pistols. lie was waylaid and
shot at number of times, yet still escaped
without scar But this could be no won
der: for even brave mems hands shook
when they saw him, and shaking hands gen
orally make very poor shots.
During the September term, 1928, of
the Circuit Court for Pope county, in
which Hill resided, he got out of bed one
morning uncommonly gloomy, and while
at tho break kfast table, suddenly burst into
tears.
"What is the matter, my dear?" asked