New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-19
THE Outlaw.
Truth stranger than Fiction.

rst that Curry was under the lnf1uence OF
ropg drink when he revealed the strange
story of his early life, although he was a
n ~ temperate man. The second omission
that Nose Howard spok EN- of was the be-
Haihed of Curry's supremely beautiful
Wonghter Mary.-Bt9te County (Cal.) Press.
In the year Is there lived in Iredell
Houpty, North Carolina, a Presbyterian min
Etsr BY the name of Curry. He was man
Heomfortable circumstances, of most ex-
EIlent reputation, with a large family of
Nns and daughters. Among these was q
!, ~ by the name of Nixon, noted for his
Eiehtliness, his activity, and his courage.
MANY are the incidents recorded of his
tarly days, wherein he displayed his brave
and won the respect and admiration of
IA sehoolmates. He seemed impulsive,
Aaperous, and the possessor Of many noble
From childhood Nixon Curry was in love
In fair one was girl somewhat younger
Mon himself, attending the same school
I'M him. She returned his affection, and
srdently were they attached to one
bother that, what is most rare in child
OOd no rival was ever suffered to come
EtWeen them.
Tbus they grew up in delicious dream of
y n future, and as their years increased, SO
IFparently did their passion fol- each other.
utifteen this was so evident that their
rents forbade all interviews between
hsm. Her parents were the very T. f's of
h oth Carolina, and they had aud could
q sly secure more brilliant prospects for
NThe natural consequence followed. The
9 ysrs met by stealth, and renewed their
Nedres to each other. They promised that
NAAieyer should occur she would never wed
I'M one else, and Nixon vowed to stand by
n SO long as breath of life remained in
4 No body.
N1cvls relatives were dong their utmost to
4 Nrce her into the arms of another, she fed
\ nth her true and devoted love. They were
Immediately pursued and overtaken when
! ke enraged Nixon Curry, brought to bay,
armed and shot his rival and one of the
ahers, and renewed his flight.
THE pursuit was hot, but he succeeded in
knding them, and took refuge in the Ale
| sny mountains, near the sources Of the
ktawba.
Here really begins the extraordinary ca.
r HI of Nixon Curry. Under the plea Of ne.
4 ssity, he took up the profession of robber,
!. speedily rendered his name famous by
+ u number Of his exploits. Without at.
1smpting to give any of the minor incidents,
q should be stated that the young robber
d Dough he did it again and again to avoid
gyrest.
s5s1The Governor of North Carolina offered
1900 for his apprehension, and many par
hs tempted by the offer, engaged in the
Y lfrsuit. They frequently gained sight of
ID Be notorious bandit; more than once the
back OF his desth-dea'in rifle was heard
fom some adjoining rock; but never were
key able to discover his retreat or bring
an to bay. -,..
et ceased, and although the search was
: knfnued, he was seen no more in North
II rolina. It was judged that his quarters
II rs becoming too hot for safety, and he
I'd 4, therefore, prudently removed them
os bile the opportunity remained to him.
y During the first settlement of the fertile
d Its bordering on the St. Francis, now in
/, eState of Arkansas, an emigrant made
X appearance, calling himself John Hill.
S%srapidly became the most popular man in
n settlement. Although of moderate
I. cans, he was sober, industrious, generous,
a dof extended hospitality, and such con-
!. Nnaed to be his character in the country
Y heh he had adopted for period extend.
d K over about dozen years.
! During all this time, not quarrelsone
" H0rd occurred between him and any of his
u aghbors; and yet all knew that 1t was
fOm no lack of courage on the part of Hill,
Of all the hunters that pierced the
@ngle OF cane in the Great Swamp or
seended by torchlight into the bowels of
Ozark Mountains, he had the reputation
the most fearless. He was oVerWhelm-
Hgy elected again and again TO the Terri.
Hsl Legislature, and distinguished him.
! fby his powerful and impassioned elo.
Y hence, and speedily became a leader in
IoyHe ranks of mis- own party. He was AMEN
u Of the convention which formed the
4 Naie constitution, and was reelected to
Ii 8pfesent his county in the Senate Of Ark
!, sas. rers .,.z ~, .t.t.
4 And now began his second series Of mis-
b fftuneH. HIPS most intimate neighbors
a ne the Strongs, four brothers of consider.
le wealth, q great deal of ambition, and in
Hephrase Of the country famous fighters.
u close and cordial intimacy grew up be-
y, een them and Hill, and the latter, most
II fortunately and unguardedly, made
y urge, .he eldest, confident of his pre-.
pas history. 1t so happened that George
= dse most ambitious desire for political
! siinctioD, aud made request of Hill that
II should resign his seat in the Senate in
favor. Hin refused, and the brothers
u Inspired to revenge.
I'd Sending to North Carolina, they procured
!. copy Of the reward offered for Nixon
Elry, the notorious robber. The four
Au Verful and determined as they were, dared
10 taitempt his capture alone, but secured
!, n assistance of dozen men, and made
" eattempt to capture Hill In his own house
"a V latter never forgot his daily peril. He
Ways carried double barreled shot gun
nj 70 long rifle pistols, and q formidable
Bs#lie. Arkansas has never been noted as :
r. 1eeably inclined State, and in those day:
II population numbered greater per cent
b desperadoes ami lawless men than it does
the present.
IN The attack of the Strongs proved dread
one for themselves. Two of the broth
81 we're shot dead, while six Of the other:
sFe badly wounded some of them NOR
o w when the rest Of them were glad Il
e e IaAaraw for the time. This affair oaaset
" emOst unbounded excitement throughout
BE- kansas. The thought that the chiyalroul
y highly popular John Hill could b
Msntieal with the notorious robber Nixon
ID rTy was staggering TO hundreds. Man,
"a q time refused to believe it.
b Perhaps the state OF public feeling car
!. be shown by the two following extracts
BIZ the Little Rock Gazette. The first ap
"a wed when Hill became sopopulsr durinJ
81 days Of the convention:
at Among the truest friends of the peopf'
al in the present convention may b
ned John Hill, Of st. Francis. His eneT
tViO4uonCt, anu courage 1uilg ehs4lte mn
ne place he holds, and, as we trust, viii
ri es retain-that of the leader Of the Al
asas Democracy
~ ne second extract is taken from tn
= ne paper for May, 1910;
blooDy AFFRkY.--A desperate encounte
C1N cured Ia 81. Francis last week. Tw,
oiq pm gnished citizens were killed and thre
y aefs dangerously wounded. The Difficult
yR aaulted from an attempt to arrest job
a. member Of the last Legislature, an
I'M nerly Cg the State Convention, who, it
. s8ed, Is the notorious robber Nixo
ass ~ WHO committed such atrocities fii
! years ago in the mountains Of Mort
81 nina Z. ~,