The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-23

and whenever the soft spell of FIRST love
comes, it brings with it the bright spirit
of poetry, scattering thick starred dreams
and divine visions of beauty over all
things. Even then they exchanged
pledges, and discoursed in sweet sinless
whispers of their future bridal. 81 40 ab
And thus they grew up into one deli.
lcious identity offancy and feeling. Their
bias for the society of achother while
|children, caused no particular remark -
lSuch attachments are common among the
youth of fopposite sexes in the country,
and, as usual. terminate abruptly on ar
rival atmature years. esaqigpm sSi
j Far different, however, was the case
with Nixon Curry and Lucy Gordon.-- -
Their passion became so evident at ff-
lteen, that all further intercourse was for
q hidden by her parents-among the veal
thiest aristocracy of Carolina. Then
followed stolen meetings by starlight, fir
mer vows and wilder love, which always
increased in proportion to its crosses, and
like the trees of Lebanon sends down it's
deepest roots into the heart, the more oit
is shaken by storms. IN ,aofrssej no
Finally, at seventeen, when lLucy's rel
atives were endeavoring to force her into
the arms of another, she fed with the low
|er of her childhood. They were pursued,
Iovertaken. and Nixon Curry shot his ri
val and one ofthe proud Gordons dead
on the spot, and then escaped with his
bride, although hotly chased by more
linen, and found an asylum in the Alleghat
ny Mountains. Here, under the plea of
necessity, he embraced the profession of a
robber. and rendered his name famous by
the number and astonishing boldness of
his exploits. We may record it, not as
q matter of merit, perhaps, but for the
sake of historical truth-that the, youth-
| full bandit was never known, to perpetrate
any deed of murder for the sake of plum
der, though he did several to avoid arrest.
AT length the rumor Of his daring felon-
les ceased suddenly. and Notwithstanding
q reward of five thousand dollars offered
for his apprehension by the, Governor of
the State, he was heard of no more in
North Carolina. .,.. \, -s.,,-. 1u
! At the first settlement. of the fertile
delta, bordering on the St. Francis, there
came an emigrant who called himself
John Hill, and who soon succeeded in
acquiring universal popularity. J, AL.
though of moderate means, he was sober
Eand Industrious, generous and hospitable;
and such continued to be his character
in that new country of his adoption fol
twelve successive years. During all thai
long period he neye: had serious diff
! culty or quarrel with any human being
and yet everybody was satisfied that sucl
a peaceful life-singular for that latitude
was not owing toa want of courage
J. or deficiency In power to perform goot
service on any sort of battle, field; for o o
3. all bear-hunters. that ever pierced th
: |jungles or cane in the great swamp, or de
= scended by orch-light into the dar
d caves Of the Ozark Mountains, he wa
,e celebrated as the most fearless. I'll
: He was repeatedly elected to the tel
:, ritorial Legislature, where he distinguish
ed himself by strong impassioned elc
= quence as a chief leader in the Demo
) cratic ranks. He, was next, as we hav
L. a'ready seen. a member of the Conyentio
e. that formed the State Constitution an
"a was elected again the ensuing year,, t
ID represent his county in the State of Al
at kansas. sai ,.a,s ,.al..t,,7es
iin At this period commenced his secon
= SERIES of misfortunes. Hill's .neare.
}neighbors were the Strongs7-four brotf
Is ers of considerable wealth, more ambitio
le an1, if we may borrow q phrase of tt
~ country, famous fighters. y 5ostaTa
e., Notwithstanding their character ";
is SO disslmilar from that of the pacif
n "bear hunter" q close and cordial int
ID macy grew up between them; and Hill,
s. an unguarded moment, made the eide
: brother, George, q confident as to the s.
;e crets Of his former history, Il happene
lie that the same George conceived a vi,
IN lent desire for political distinction, and K
er quested Hill to resign his seat in IL
as Senate in his illiberal friends favo
T. Hill refused, and the ,Strongs conspire
N for terrible revenge. Writing back
Carolina they procured copy of 4
in ward offered for the arrest of Nixon Gu
y ~, the far-famed robber; and then collec
ling party of dozen desperate me
OF they attempted to capture Hill in his ov
ge house. The assault of the Strongs pro
8. led horrible to them, Hill killed two.
s. the brothers and dangerously woupdt
'ss Eve of their friends, escaping himself u
'rt hurt, although more than twenty roun,
es Of ball and buckshot were aimed at b
OF breast. '.''',,,' = !.
IS. The excitement resulting from the 1
ne fair was boundless. "A requisitiop can
OF on from the Executive of Carolina d
vn manding the surrender of Nixon Curr
at The Governor of Arkansas published
n additional reward for the. arrest of job
u Hill; and thus, betwixt the two fires, t
\ victims chance seemed utterly hop
lq, less. -la ~ -. o4-'.;t'.s -
It Hill's conduct in the crisis was prom
ne and fearless as ever. Packing up has,
irl fly, he set out with his wife and childre