The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-26

breast.
The excitement resulting from the affair was
boun6ess. a requisition came on from the Ex-
ecutive of Carolina, demanding the surrender of
Nixon Curry The Governor of Arkansas publish
ed an additional reward for the arrest of John
Hill; and thus, betwixt the two fires, the victims
chance seemed perfectly hopeless.
Hills conduct in the crisis was prompt and fear
less as ever Packing up hastily, he set out with
his wife and children, in a common moving wagon,
for Upper Arkansas, where he knew Of band OF
despcrados that he believed would protect him.
He was overhau!ed at Conway Court House by two
hundred men in pursuit, all thoroughly armed;
and some of them renowned fighters Hill saw
their approach the distant prairie, and with his
dreadful double barrel-that sure death-dealer to
either man or beast within the range of two hun
drcd enthusiastically marched to meet his foes
This incredible bravery, Joined to the fear before
inspired by his desperation, affected the advancing
troops with such an unaccountable panic, that the
whole two hundred sought safety i'll disgracefuy
rapid flight
Several other attempts made to capture
the dangerous outlaw, all alike ending either in
ludicrous or bloody failures. In the meantime
Hills charac and conduct underwent complete
change Forced to be always on the lookout, and
therefore unable to support his family, he resorted
to the gaming-tabc. He learned also to indulge
in the fiery simuants of ardent drink and his dis
position necessarily SOurcd by recent events, DC
came quarrelsOme in the extreme.
Perhaps there never man. excepting only
that Napolean of duests, James Bowie, who WAS
as heartily dreaded | have myself seen persons
of undoubtcd courage turn pale, merely at the APP
pearance of Hills gigantic form, broadly belted
and bristling with pistols. lie was waylaid and
shot at number of times yet still escaped with
out a scar But this could be no wonder: for even
brave mems hands shook when they saw him, and
shaking hands generally make very poor shots
During the September term, 1913, of the Cir
cult Court for Pope County, in which Hill resided,
he got out Of bed morning uncommonly
gloomy, and while at the brcakflst-tablc, suddenly
burst into tears
"What is the matter, my dcar?" said Lucy-
that beautiful Lucy, who had formerly left her
wealthy home in Carolina for the robbcr and the
robbers cave.
Il have had dreadful DREAM" answered the
husband, shuddcrng at the recollection, II saw
George Strong in my sleep, and he kissed me with
his pale lips that burned like fire, and smcllcd of
sulphur | am sure | shall die before sunset
"Thcn do not go to court to-day said the wife
in accents of earnest cntrcaty.
'I}ut [ will replied the husband firmly
''When a mans time is come he cannot hide from
dcath besides it will be the act of coward to do
so, if posses: the power" Then addressing
his son, fine, intelligent boy of thirteen, he con-
tinucd, "lill, you SEC my gun W pointing his flu
ger as he spoke to the great double barrel hanging
on buck horns over the door; "practicc with that
every morning, and the day you sixteen shoot
the loads Of both barrels into the man who will
this day kill your father.
'Yonder comes Nose Howard; he will protect
you, Pa" remarked Mary, Hills eldest daughter,
lovely girl of fifteen, who to be married the
next day to the youth then approaching
Hill and Howard departed; Lucy with tears, and
Mary bushing, both calling out as they left the
gate, "Takc good care of him. Nose, and be sure
and bring him back tonight
"Never fear" answered the youth, with laugh,
"IIill will never die till kill him.
''Then he will live forever" retorted Mary,
laughing also.
As soon as the friends reached the village, Hill
began to drink deeply and manifested more than
ordinary anxiety for 4 combat, insulting everybody
that crossed his PATH and all the youths entreaes
failed to pacity him. At last the desperate swore
that he would clear the court house, and immed-
ately entered, with furious countenancc, and a
threat as to his purpose. Judge, lawyers, jury
and spectators, made general rush for the door.
One old druken man did not run fast Hill
wished, and he sprung on the imbecile wretch and
commenced beating him numerically.
Howard then caught hold of his future father-in-
law, (alas who never to be,) and attempted to
pull him away.
w I'LL eyes Iou anu IIAc IHdu I1lI
instantly turned upon his friend, and with single
blow of his fist fclled him to the floor. Then, fol-
lowing up the act, he lcapcd on the youth, and
began most ferocious battery. In vain did
Howard cndcavor to escape, crying out in tones of
bcsceching horror
''For Gods sake cease. Hill, don't you know
mc-your friend Nose? Remember Mary"
Hills anger only increased, till finally he threw
his hand to his belt and clutchcd a pistol. And
then Towards blood also boiled, and he resolved
to fight for his life He was of as powerful frame
as the other-the only person in all Arkansas to
be compared with the desperate in physical
strength.
Howard grasped the barrel of the pistol as Hill
cooked it, and the weapon exploded in their hands
without doing any injury. Once more they
cenchcd, and the most dreadful struggle ensucd
ever witnessed in the West. The advantage shift
ted from side to the other for the space of five
minutes, till both were bathed i'll streams of their
own blood.
Even the bystanders, looking on through the |
windows Of the long court house, were struck with
wonder and awe At length, while writhing and
twisting like two raging scrpents, the handle Of
Hills huge bowie knife, unthought of previously,
protruded from beneath his hunting shirt. Both
saw it at the same time, and both attempted to
grasp it. Howard succeeded Quick as lightning
he drew the keen blade from the scabbard, and
sheathed it up the hilt i'll the kosom Of his