The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-08-14

er in the ranks of his own party. He
was a member of the Convention which
formed the State Constitution, and was
reelected TO represent his county in the
Senate of Arkansas.
And now began his second series of
misfortunes. Hills most intimate nigh
bors were the Strongs, four brothers of
considerable wealth, great deal of am
| bition, and in the phrase the country,
famous fighters" a close and cordial
intimacy grew up between them and
Hill, and the latter, most unfortunately
and unguaFdedly, made George, the eld-
est, confident of his previous history.
1t so happened that George had a most
ambitious desire for political distinction,
and made a request of Hill that he should
resign his seat in the Senate in his favor.
Hill refused, and the brothers conspired
to revenge.
Sending to North Carolina, they pro-
cured Il copy of the reward offered for
Nixon Curry, the notorious robber The
four, powerful and determined as they
were, dared not attempt his capture
alone, but secured the assistance OF
dozen men, and made the attempt to
capture Hill in his own house. The
latter never forgot his daily peril. He
always carried an enormous double-bar-
/
and a formidable knife. Arkansas has
never been noted az a peaceably inclined
State, and in those days its population
numbered a greater per cent. of desper-
ADDE'S and lawless men than il does at
the present.
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 MORALLY, when the rest of
them were glad to withdraw for the
time This affair caused the most I'M
bounded excitement throughout Arkan-
sas. The thought that the chivalrous
and highly popular John Hill could be
identical with the notorious robber Nix
on Curry was staggering 10 hundreds
Many for a time refused TO believe 1t.
Perhaps the state Of puplic feeling can
best be shown by the two following eX-
tracts from the Little Rock gazette.
The first appeared when Hill became so
popular during the days of the Conven-
ton.
" Among the truest friends Of the peO-
pie of all in the present Convention may
be named John Hill, of st. Francis
His energy. elOquence and courage fully
entitle him to the place he holds, and,
as we trust, will long retain hat of the
leader of the Arkansas Democracy.
The second extract is taken from the
same paper for May, 1910:
BLOODY AFFRAY.-A desperate rem
counter occurred in St. Francis last
week. Two distinguished citizens were
/ killed, and three others dangerously
wounded. The difficulty resulted from
an attempt 10 arrest John Hill, MEM
Der of the last Legislature, and formerly
|, 90. ion. -laD II
alleged is the notorious robber, Nixon
+ Curry, who committed such atrocities
fifteen years ago in the mountains o.
/ North Carolina
4 requisitiOn was sent by the Gov
/ ernor of North Carolina demanding the
surrender of Nixon Curry. The Gov
+ ernor of Arkansas published an additi-
onal reward for the arrest Of John Hill
and thus between the two it seemed as
! if il was about up with the victim.
Hill hacked up hastily, and set out
with his wife aud children for Upper
! Arkansas, where he knew Of the exist
+ ence of a band of desperadoes that he
( had reason to believe would protect HIM.
He was pursued by over hundred OF
the citizens, many OF them unarmeus
/ an,y attending only for the purpose o
witnessing the sport and securing
.
/ offered for his apprehension. Hill was
( overtaken at Conway Court House by
/ these men, and hating his wagon, and
admonishing his wife and children 10
i keep their places, he marched forth
( with his death-dealing gun.
The gallantry of the action, and Hill :
/ incredible bravery, operated III his Ia
vor. Many were unwilling to hurt so
/ intrepid a character others were afraid;
a panic was created, and Hill pursued
/ his way unmolested.
Subsequent attempts We're made to
/ arrest him, but all resulted tragically or
/ ludicrously to those attempting IL. 1t
was known that Hill could never be
/ taken alive, and many began to belleye
that he could not when dead also.
The constant pursuit and hunting him
/ changed his nature. He became morose
and sour, and unable TO follow any regu-
| lar business. He rcsorted to the gambl-
ing table for the support of his family.
/ lie became q drinker, too, and was
speedily transformed into most bitter
and quairelsome opponent.
If Hill had been famous among the
mountains of North Carolina, he now
/ became eoubly So Excepting, perhaps,
that prince of duelists, James Bowie,
there never was a man who inspired
more terror. Men who had acquired a
wide reputation for deeds of daring,
turned pale when they encountered
John Hill. Bullies who sought quar-
rels on the slightest pretext accepted all
manner of insults from him, without a
single word of remonstrance.
One day in September, 1915, while he
was seated at the breakfast table, Hill
burst into tears.
-, Il loon n
auired his wife.
I" have had a dreadful dream. 1t is
a warning. | know | shall die before
sunset. Together we have encountered
perils and hardships; you abandoned
wealth and position for my sake, and
YOU have never spoken an unkind word
| to me. We have loved from childhood,
| and that love has never known abate-
ment. 1t is this that troubles me-not
regard for self. 1t is indelibly impress
ed upon my mind that shall die hor-
rible death before sunset, and the
| thought that it will distress you, also
distresses me"
These were the exact words of Hill,
as testified by his wife and children.
| His wife told him
"Then. my dear husband, do not go
| to court to-day"
4
which Hill resided, it should be re-
marked, was then in session.
Yes, my wife, l must CO." he re-
Piled, "when mans time has come he
| should not seek to avoid death, but meet
! it bravely.n Then turning to his son
William, bright boy of thirteen years,
he told him to go and get the Bible, and
upon it he made him swear to kill the
| man who killed his father.
"Here comes Moses Howard, father;
| he will protect YOU" remarked Mary,
the eldest daughter, as she deserted the
young man approaching.
The youth, who was a fine, powerful
looking man, chatted few minutes
with the family, and then went out
with Hill, who shaved and dressed him
self with particular neatness, and EN-
braced his wife with the warmest affec-
| ton, and with tears in his eyes, before
leaving.
AS soon as the two reached town, Hill
began drinking deeply, and showed
more quarrelsome disposition than ever.
He insulted everybody that crossed his
path, and all the entreaties of the young
| man failed to pacify him. Finally he
declared that he would clear the court
house, and dashed into the court room
room with fury depicted in his counte-
l..