The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-08-20

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There arc these who disbclieyo tho story
below. hut 1t Is true in every particular
wo knew Nixon Curry, and o moro brave,
honorable, and candid man, prior 90 the
affair with the S,rcrEs, never broathed.
The writer has omitted TO mention two
facts-frst, that Curry was under the in
hueuce Of strong drink when be revealed
the strange history Of his early life, olth9
he was o very temperate man. The second
emission is, that Nose Howard, spoken Of,
was the bstrothed Of Curry5 supremely
beautiful daughter Mary.-B1'e County
(Cal) Press.
In the year Is theyc lived IN Iredeil
county, North Carolina, O Presbyterian
minister by the name Of Curry. He was q
man in comfortable circumstances, % most
excellent reputation, with C. large family Of
sons and daughters. Among these was q
boy by the name Of Nixon, noted for his
sprghtliness, his activity, and his cour-
age.
Many arc the incidents recorded of his
early days, wherein he displayed his brave
~ and won the respect aud admiration Of
his schoolmates. He seemed impulsive,
generous, and the posscssor Of many noble
qualities.
From childhood Nixon Cuny was in love.
His fair one was o girl somewhat younger
than himself, attending the same school
with him. She returned his affection, and
so ardently were they attached to u
another that, what is more raro IN child
hood, no rival wac ever suffered 20 come
between them.
They grew up in Q delicious dream OF the
future, and as their years increased, so ap-
pnrently did their passion for each other.
At afteen this was so evident that their
parents forbade all interviews between
them. Her parents were the very F. F.
Of North Carolina, and they had and could
very easily secure more brilliant prospects
for her.
The natural consequences followed. The
lovers met by stealth, and renewed their
pledges 70 each other. Lucy promised
that whatever should occur she would nev-
sr wed any one else, and Nixon vowed 10
stand by her 90 long nc g breath Of life
remained in his body.
AT length, at the age OF eighteen, when
Lucyls relatives were doing their utmost 20
force her into the arms Of another, she fed
with her true and devoted love. They
were pursued and overtaken, when the
enraged Nixon Curry, brought to bay, shot
mis- rival and one Of the others, and re-
newed his flight.
The pursuit was not but he succeeded in
eluding them, and took refuge in the Ale
ghany Mountains, near the courcc7 Of the
Catawba.
Here really begins tho extraordinary ca
roer Of NiXou Curry. Under the plea Of
necessity he took up the profession Of rob
Der, and speedily rendered hisnamc famous
by the number and character Of his OK
plots.
Without attempting 70 give any Of the
minor incidents, II should be stated that
the young robber never took n life for the
sake Of plumber, although he did il often 20
avoid arrest.
The Governor Of North Carolina offered
$1,000 for his apprehension, and many
parties, tempted by the offer, engaged in
the pursuit. They frequently gained sight
Of the notorious bandit more than once
the crack Of his death lealing rife was
heard from some adjoining rock; but never
were they able 10 discover his retreat or
bring him to bay,
Suddenly all rumors Of his daring con-
duct ceased, and although the search was
continued, he was seen no more in North
Carolina II was judged that his quarters
were becoming too hot for safety, and he
had, therefore, p~rudently removed them
while the opportunity remained TO him.
During the first settlement Of the fertile
delta bordering on the ST. Francis, now in
the State Of Arkansas, mn emigrant made
his appearance, calling himself John Hill
He rapidly became the most popular man
in the settlement, Although Of moderate
means, he was sober, industrious, generous,
and Of extended hospitality, and such con-
tnuea TO be his character in the country
which ne had adopted for O period extend
ing over about a dozen years.
During oil this time, not O quarrelsome
word occurred between him and any of his
%neighbors; and yet all knew that il was
nom no lack OF courage on the part Of Hill,
for Of oil the hunters that pierced the
jungles Of cano in the Great Swamp" or
descended by torchlight into the bowels Of
tho Ozark Mountains, he had the reputa-
ton Of being the most fearless. Hs was
overwhelmingly elected again and again to
the Territorial Legislature, and distinguish
cd himself by his powerful and impassioned
eioquence, and speedily became q leader
10 the ranks Of his own party. He was a
member OF the Convention which formed
the State Constitution, and was reelected
10 represent his county in the Senate Of
Arkansas.
And now began his second series Of
misfortunes. Hills most intimate neigh
bors were the Strongs, four brothers Of
considerable wealth, q great deal Of ambi-
ton, and in the phrase of the country,
famous fighters" A close and cordial
intimacy grew up between them and Hill,
and the latter, most unfortunately and un-
g%uardedly, made George, the eldest, q con-
hdent Of his previous history. II 80 hap.
pened that George had q most ambitious
desire for political distinction, and made q
request Of Hill that no should resign his
scat in the Senate in his favor. Hill re-.
fused, and the brothers conspired 10 re-
venge.
Sending TO North Carolina, they pro-
cured a 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 a dozen men,
and made the attempt TO capture Hill in
his house The latter never forpo,