Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-08-25

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bered greater per cent OF despera-
does and lawless men than it does at
the present.
The attack of the Strongs proved
dreadful one for themselves. Two
of the brothers were shot dead, while
six of the others were badly wound
ed, several of them mortally, when
the rest were glad to withdraw for
the time. This affair caused the most
unbounded excitement throughout Ar
kansas. The thought that the chival-
rous and popular John Hill could be
, Identical with the notorious robber
Nixon Curry was staggering to hun
, dreds. Many for time refused to
believe it.
Perhaps the state of public feeling
can best be shown by the two follow
ing extracts from the Little Rock Ga
zette. The first appeared when Hill
became popular during the days of the
Convention.
Among the trueSt trends OF the
people Of all in the present COnven-
tion 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-that of the leader of the Ar
ka, SaS Democracy"
The second extract is taken from
the same paper for May, 1910:
"BLOODY AFFRAY.-A desperate
rencounter occurred in St. Francis
last week. Two distinguished citi-
zens were killed, and three others
dangerously wounded. The difficulty
resulted from an attempt to arrest
John Hill, member of the last Leg
islature, and formerly Of the State
Conve ltion, who, as it is alleged, is
the notorious robber, Nixon Curry,
who committed such atrocities fifteen
years ago in the mountains of North
Carolina
A requisition was sent by the Gov
ernor Of North Carolina demanding
the surrender of Nixon Curry. The
Governor of Arkansas published an
additional reward for the arrest of
John Hill; and thus between the two
it seemed as if it was about up with
. the victim.
Hill packed up hastily and set out
with his wife and children for Upper
. Arkansas, where he knew Of the exist
ence of band of desperadoes that he
had reason to believe would protect
. him. He was pursued by over one
= hundred citizens, many of them IN
armed, and attending only for the pur-
pose of witnessing the sport and Sc
----:- r-.+ 81 H. Eo1.,+ .,o,rra ".
that was offered for his apprehension.
Hill was oyertaken at Conway Court
House by these men, and halting his
wagon, and admonishing his wife and
children to keep their places, he
marched forth with his death-dealing
gun.
The gallantry Of the action, and
l Hills incredible bravery, operated in
: his favor. Many were unwilling tO
r hurt so intrepid a character; Others
were afraid panic was created, and
, Hill pursued his way unmolested.
e Subsequent attempts were made tt
D arrest him, but all resulted tragically
3 or ludicrously to those attempting it
= 1t was known that Hill could never bC
|, taken alive, and many began to believe
n that he could not when dead also.
o The constant pursuit and hunting
him changed his nature, He becam,
q morose and sour, and unable to follow
|. any regular business. He resorted tt
), the gambling table for the support ol
:, his family. He became a drinker
l. too, and was speedily transformed in
n to a most bitter and quarrelSome OF
:, ponent.
If Hill had been famous among tn
, mountains of North Carolina, he nov
r became doubly so. Excepting, per
d haps, that prince Of duelists, Jane
q Bowie, there never was man VIII,
inspired more terror. Men who ha
l. acquired a wide reputation for deed
d of daring, turned pale when they Ell
" countered John Hill. Bullies VIII
q sought quarrels on the slightest pre-
t. text accepted all manner Of insult
IL from him, without a single word of IT
a monstrance.
e . One day in September, 1845, whil
4. lie was seated at the breakfast table
re Hill burst into tears.
d What is the matter, my dear ?" il
@ quired his wife.
Y. II have had a dreadful dream.
ID is a warning. [ know | shall die b,
Is fore sunset. Together we have ell
,r countered perils and hardships; yo
,e abandoned wealth and position fc
ID my sake, and you have never spoke
te an. unkind word to me. We hay
loved from childhood, and that low
es has never known abatement. 1t
te this that troubles me-not regard fc
ur self. 1t is indellibly impressed upo
q my mind that | shall die a horrib
he death before sunset, and the though
It. that it will distress you, also distreS
cv es me"
I'D These were the exact words c
N. Hill, as testified by his wife and CHI
st dren. His wife told him
= ''Then my dear husband, do not s
a to court to day."
,al The circuit court of Pope count
III in which Hill resided, it should be +
he membered, was then in SESSION.
nd ayes, my wife, must CO." he I
piled, "when a mans time has con
ou he should not seek to avoid deaf