Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-06-10

man or beast-instantlv marched to NEE,
his foes. This incredible bravery, Joined
by the fear before inspired by his depreda.
to-, affected the advancing troops with
such an unaccountable panic, that the
whole two hundred sought safety in dis
graceful and rapid flight.
Several other attempts were made to
capture the dangerous outlaw, all alike
ending either in ludicrous or bloody fail
ures. In the meanwhile, Hills character
underwent complete change. Forced to
be always on the lookout, and, therefore,
unable to follow any steady business in Or
der to support his family, he resorted to the
gaming table. He learned also 70 indulge
in the fiery stimulus of ardent drinks, and
his disposition, necessarily soured by re-
cent events, became quarrelsome in the ex-
treme.
Perhaps there never was man except
ing only that Napoleon of duelis,s, James
Bowie, who was so terribly dreaded. l
have myself seen persons of undoubted
courage turn pale at the appearance of Hills
gigantic form. broadly belted and brist-
ling with pistols. He was waylayed and
shot at a number of times,yet still es-
capped without scar. But this could be no
wonder, for even brave mems hands shook
when they saw him, shaking hands gener-
ally made poor shots.
During the September term, Es43, Of
the Circuit Court, of Pope County, in
which Hill resided, he got out of bed one
morning uncommonly gloomy, and while
at the breakfast table, suddenly burst into
tears.
"What is the matter, my dear?" asked
Lucy,-that beautiful Lucy who had for
merly left her wealthy home in Carolina,
for robber and robbers cave.
81 have had terrible DREAM" answer
ed the husband, shuddering at the recol-
lection. Il saw George Strong, in my
sleep, and he kissed me with his pale lips
that burned like fire, and snelled like sui
phur. am sure shell die before sun
set"
s'Then don't go to court 10 day."
said the wife, in accents of earnest en-
treaty.
"But 1 will" replied the husband firmly.
"Wben mans time has come he cannot
hide from death; beside, it would be the
act of coward to do so, if one possesses
the power. Then addressing his son,
fine intelligent boy of thirteen, he contin-
ued-"Bill, you see my gun," pointing his
finger as he spoke to the great double
barrel banging on buck horns over the
door, "practice with that every morning,
and the day that you are sixteen. shoot
the man who will this day kill your IA
ther."
''Yonder comes Moses Howard; he will
protect you, pa" remarked Mary Hills el-
dest daughter, lovely girl of fifteen, who
was TO be married the next day, to the
youth then approaching.
Hill and Howard departed; Lucy with
tears and Mary blushing, both calling out
as they left the gate, Take good care of
him, Nose, and be sure and bring him back
to us tonight"
"Never fear," answered the youth, with
a laugh. "Hill will never die till l kill
him."
"Then he will live forever" retorted Ma
ry, laughing also.
As soon as the friends reached the vii
lage, Hill began to drink deeply, and man.
ifest more than ordinary anxiety for COM
bat, insulting everybody that crossed his
path; and all the youths entreaties failed
to pacify him. At last the desperate
swore that he would clear the court house,
and entering with a furious countenance
and a threat, as to his purpose, judge law
fers, jury and spectators, made a general
rush for the door. One old drunken man
,lone did not run as Hill wished, and he
sprung on the imbecile wretch, and COM
nenced beating him numerically.
Howard then caught hold of his future
fstLer-iri-law, (alas, who was never to be-
and attempted to pull him away.
With eyes red, and glaring like mad
dog, Hill instantly turned upon his friend
and with a single blow of his fist felled him
to the floor; the following up the act, he
eaped upon the youth, and began a most
furious battery. In vain Howard endeav
,red to escape, crying out in beseeching
horror, "For Gods sake cease! Hill, don't
you know me? your friend Nose! Re-
member Marys" Hills anger only in
creased, till finally, he threw his hand to
his belt and clutched pistol. And then
Howard's blood also boiled, and he resolv-
ed to fight for his life. He was of pow
erful build as the other-the only person in
all Arkansas to be compared with the des-
perado in physical strength.
Howard grasped the barrel of the pistol,
rs Hill cooked it, and the weapon exploded
in their hands, without doing any injury.
Once more they clenched, and the most
ireadful struggle ensued ever witnessed in
The West. The advantage shifted from
,ne side to the other, for five minutes, till
both were bathed in streams of their own
blood.
Even the by-standers looking on thro'
The windows of the log court house were
struck with wonder and awe. At length,
while writhing and twisting like two rag
ing serpents, the handle of Hills huge
bowie-knife, unthought of previously, pro-
huded from beneath his hunting shirt
Both saw it at the same time, and both at
tempted to grasp it. Quick as lightning
he drew the keen blade from the scabbard,
and sheathed it up to the hilt in the bo
som of his friend and Mary's father.
"The dream is fulfilled" exclaimed Hill,
with smile of strange sweetness, that re-
NAMED on his features, even after he was n
corpse. He then sank down and expired
without q groan.