The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-09-25

misforttlnes. Hills most intimate
neighbors were the Strongs, foar BROTH
ers of considerable wealth, a great deal
of ambition, and in the phrase of the
country, "f;tmous fighters" A close
and cordial intimacy grew up between
them and Hill, and the latter most un-
fortunately and ungaardedly made
George, the eldest, n confidant of his
previous history. 1t so happened that
George had most ambitious desire Tor
| political distinction, and made request
| OF Hill that he should resign his seat IN
the Senate in his favor Hill refused,
and the brothers conspd TO revenge.
Sending to North Carolina, they pro-
cured a COPY of the reward offered tor
| Nixon Curry, the notorious robber.-
| The four powerful and determined as
they were, dared not attempt his cap
ture alone, but secured the assistance of
a dozen men. and made the attempt TO
| cauture Hill in his own house. The lat
| ter never forgot his daily peril. Heal
/ WAYS carried double baireled shot gun,
two bong rifle pistols, and formidable
knife. Arkansas had never been noted
as n peacably inclined State, and in
tn1se days its population numbered a
Greater d n cent, of despcradoes and
| 1avless men than it does at the pre-
sent.
The attack of the Strongs proved a
| dreadful one for themselves. TWO OF
| the brothers were shot dead, while six
| of the others were badly wounded, sew
eral of them were glad to withdraw Tor
| the time. This affair caused the most
unbounded excitement throughout Ar
kansas. The thought that the chiVal,
| ro,,s aud higbly popular John Hill could
/ 10 nnfDri0nS rQDDpf.
| Nixon Curry, was staggering to hun
dreds. Many for time refused to be-
/ lieve it.. e,;,,
Perhaps the state of public feelings
/ can hest be shown by the two following
extracts from the Little Rock Gazette. =
The first appeared when Hill became so
popuIar during the days OF the cohVeh-
"Among the truest friends Of the peo-
ole of all in the present Convention
NAV he named John Hill, of st Fran
cis His energy, eloquence, aud couf-
ooe fully entitle him to place he holds,
ara. as we trust, will long retain-that
of the leader of the Arkansas Democra-
'rhe second extract is taken from the
paper for May, 1910:
.tR1oopY AFFRAY.-A desperate en-
counter occurred in st. Francis last
week. Two distinguished citizens were
killed, and three others dangerously
wounded. The difficulty resuiteh rom
an attempt to arrest John Hiii. mem
Der of the last Legislature and iormer. =
; Is of the State Conversion, who' as :.
1;nrry, who committed such atrocitie 5
fifteen years ago Ill Ine nio"ii''''' "
North Carolina" c
A reouisition was sent by the Cover
nor If North Carolina demanding the
surrender of Nixon Curry. The Gov
amor of Arkansas published an addi-
tionaI reward for the arrest OF John
Hll. and thus between the two It seem
! cd az II was about up with the Wet IN.
'I u;Il hacked no hastily, and set ont
with his wife and children tor upper
ArLansas. where he knew OF the exls-
t.nce of n band of desperadoes that ne
had reason to believe would protect
him He was pursued by over nun
, drad of the citizens. many OF them uh-
armed. and attending only for the pur-
nose of witnessing the sport and secir-
inc a part of the muniticent reward t9ai 1.
! was offered for his apprehension. MI
, was oyertaken at Conway Courthouse
by these men, and hauitlng ms Wagon
and admonishing his vile ana c,iiiure,
to keep their place, ne marcheu io''n
: with his deaCh-dealing gun. ,u,,,,.
) The callantry of the action, and hili's
in .redible bravery, operated in his IA
: vor MANY were unwilling to hurt SC
/ ;ntrepld a character; others were AFRAID
nar,ic was created. and Hill pursued
: his way unmolested.
Subseouent attempts were made &c
rrast him hut all resulted tragically OIL
| ludicrously to those attempting It. III
7 was known that he could never be ta-
+ ran alive. and many began to believe
| that he could not when dead also.
5 The constant pursuit and huntins
him changed his nature. He became
+, morose and sour, and unable to folio"
+ anv regular business. He resorted Il
: the gambling table tor the suppors 0
: his family. He became q drinker, TOO
: and was speedily transformed INTO
! most bitter and quarrelsome oppoAe:t
| II Hill had been famous among th
s mountains of North Carolina, he nov
hacame doubly so. Excepting perhaps
4 that prince OF duelists, James Bowie
e there never was a man who inspired
S more terror, Men who had required
wide reputation tor deeds OF darin'
v turned pale when they encountere'
a it'll Bullies who sought quarrels OF
n the slightest pretext accepted all man
is nor of Insults from him without a singl
: word dofremonstrance.
: One day in September, lS45, while p
5, vos seated at the breakfast table, I'LL
y burst into tears.
Of "What is the matter dear?" inquire
d his wife. r.
f. a warming. know | shall DIE peior
d sunset. Together we have encounter
l. ed perils and hardships; you have aoai
" doned wealth and position for my siik
t; and on have never spoken an unkih
l. word TO me. We have loved from ciiii'
/ hood, and that love has never know
lie abatement. 1t is that troubles me-h'
70 regard for self. 1t is indelibly impress
ed unon nv mind that shall die a hol
e rible death before sundown, and Il
h thought that it will distress you al'
N distresses me. ~
at These were the exact words OF Hi
'T as testified by his wife and childreh.'
t. His wife told him
~ "Then my dear husband, do not go
court to-day
T. fThe Circuit Court Of Pope county,
s, which Hill resided was then in session
il "Yes my wife, must go, he replied
u "When a man 4 time has come nc shou
le not seek to avoid death, but meet
. bravely." Then turning to his Sc
as william, bright boy Of IL, he told nj
K TO 90 and get the Bible, aud upon 1t
ed made him swear to kill the man tn
ch killed his father.
ng "Here comes Moses Howard, fatht
he will protect you," remarked Mar
IL the oldest daughter, as she desert
nd the young man approaching.
wv The youth, who was fiae, poweriI