The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-09-25
THE OUTLAW.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

r-rhere are those who disbe'ieve the
story below, but it is true i'll every par
ticular. We knew Nixon Curry, and
n more brave, hoL Lorable and candid
man. prior to the affair with the Strongs,
never breathed. The writer has omit
ted to mention two tacts-first, that
Curry was under the influence OF strong
drink when ne revealed the strange MS
tory of his early life, although he was a
very temperate man. The second omis-
sion is that Moses Howard, spoken OF,
was the betrotied of Curry's supreme
ly beautiful daughter Mary. Butte
County (Gal. Press.l
In the year lS-there lived in lredeil
county, N. o., Presbyterian minister
bv the namc of Curry. He was man
in comfortable circumstances, OF most
excellent reputation, with large tamil
ly of sons and daughters. Among tnese
was a boy by the name of Nixon, noted
for his sprightliness, his activity ana
courage.
Many are the incidents recorded OF
his early days, wherein he won the re-
snect and admiration of his school,
mates. lie seemed impulsive, generous,
and the possessor of many nople quail
ties.
From childhood N lXOn curry WAS III
love, His fair one was girl somewhat
Younger than himself, attending tine
same school with him. She returned
his affection, and so ardently were they
attached to one another that, what is
more rare to childhood, no rival was
ever suffered to come between them.
Thus they grew up N deiicious
dream of the future, and as their years
increased, so apparently did their pas.
sions for each other. AT niteeh S'iis
was so evident that their parents ior-
bade all interview between them: heI
parents were the very +. E. IS OF A oft''
Carolina, and they hsd and couid east
| ly secure more brilliant prospectus ioi
| her. .,,.,
The natural consequence foiiowed.-
The lovers met by stealth, ana rehgMcu NV,
their pledges to each other; lnoy
nromised that whatever should occur
she would never wed any one else, and
Nixou vowed to stand by her so long as
breath of life remained in his body.
At length, at the age of eighteen
when Lucy's relatives were doing tneii
| ut,nost to force her into the arms Oh an
other. she fled with her true and devot-
ed lover. They we're immediately pur,
sned and overtaken, when the enrageG
! Nixon Curry, brought to bay, turheo
and shot his rival and renewed hi'
flight. ,oaoded ;r
aluding them, and took refuge IN TIT
Allephany Mountains, near tile sources
of the Catawba.
Here really begins the extraordlnar.
| career of Nixon Curry. Under the pie'
of necessity, he took up the professor
If robber, and speedily rendered III
name famous l,y che number and chsr
acter of his exploits. without attempt
ino TO give any of the minor inoiGents
it should be stated that the young roo
her never took life for the sake Q
nlunder. although he did it again an
again to avoid arrest.
The Governor of North Carolina OF
fered o., 900 for his apprehension, an
many parties, tempted by the offer, Ell
oaged in the pursuit. They frequentl
Gained sight of the notorious bandit
more than once the crack OF his death
tealipg rifle was heard from some al
ioininS rock; but never were they abl
70 discover his retreat or bring him
bay.
. conduct ceased, and although the scare
was continued, he was seen no more
North Carolina. 1t was judged tins
his quarters were becoming too hot 10
safety. and he had, therefore, prudent
ly removed them while the opportuiiit
remained to him.
During the first settlement OF the Tel
tile delta bordering on the st. franci'
now in the State of Arkansas, an EN-
grant made his appearance, caiilng4hiti
= Self John Hill. He rapidly became I'll
most popular man in the settlement.
Although of moderate means, he WI
sober. industrious, generous, ana OF e.
tended hospitality, and such continue
to be his character in the country VINO
G he had adopted for period extendir
over about a dozen years.
During all this time, not quarre
some word occurred between him ar
: any of his neighbors; and yet all kne
that Is was from no lack OF courage
!. the part of Hill, for OF all the hunte
that pierced the jungle OF cane In Z
.(Ireat swamp" or descended by tore
Iiobt into the bowels OF the Ozark Moti
:, tains. he had the reputation OF the me
:, fearless. And he was overwhelming
elected again and again to the Territ
rial legislature, and distinguished hii
selt by his powerful and impassion
eloouence, aud became leader In {
J, ranks of his own party. lie was Il me
her of the Convention w'Iich formed
$, State Constitution, and was re-elecI
IN to represent his county In the Senate
Arkansas.