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

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others were badly wounded, several Of
them MORALLY, when the rest Of them
were glad to withdraw for the time. This
affair caused the most u%nbounded excite
ment throughout Arkansas. TIL thought
that the chivalrous and highly popular
John Hill could be identical with the
notorious robber Nixon Curry was stagger-
ing TO hundreds. Many for a time refused
to believe t.
Perhaps the state Of public feeling can
best be shown by the two following e1-
tracts from the Little Rock Gazette. The
first appeared when Hill became SO popu-
lar during the days Of the convention:
Among the truest friends Of the people
Of all i'm the present convention, msy be
named John Hill. Of St. FruuCis. His en-
errv. ~eloquence and courage fully entitle
him to the place he holds, and, as we trust
will long rctoiu-that Of the leader Of the
Arkansas democracy
The second extract is taken from the
same paper for May, 1870
"BLoopT ArrRAY.-A desperate rencou-
ter occurred In St. Francis last week Two
distinguished citizens were killed u
three others d~anterously wounded. The
difficulty resulted from OF attempt g nr-
rest John Hill, o member Ct the last lcgis-
laturc. and formerly Of the state couvcn-
ton. who. it Is alleged, SIS tie notorious
robbcr. Nixon Curry, who committed such
atrocities fifteen years age 10 the noun
taius OF North Carolina.
A reuuisiron was sent ly tAs Governor
of North Carolina, demanding the srr-tu-
der Ct Nixon Cnrr- The Governor Of Ar
kansas published an additional reward for
the arrest II John Hill and thus Uc;wcen
the twN. &c seemed ss 81 20 wac about up
with te victim.
HI packed uv hastily. aul set ,ut with
his wife and children for Upper Arkansas,
where he know ftl- -Zist-i.. ola band ct
icsp-r1j--5 tia, h1 bad reason 70 believe
would protect him. II, pursued by
over O. hundred cf the citizens, many C.
them Uu8rmcd. and attending only for the
purpose OF witnessing the sport and secur-
ing o part Of the muniGcent reward that
was offered for hi5 apprehension. HI was
ovcrtakon ot Conway Count House by these
mon. and hating bis wagon, and aImon-
ishing his wife and children 20 keep their
places. he marched forth with his death
dealing gun.
The rsllautly Of the action, and Hills
incredible bravery. operated IN bis favor.
Many were unwilling 30 hurt 50 intrepid O
character, others were afraid; q panic was
created, and Hill pursued hts way unmo-
Tested.
Subsequent attempts were made 70 NJ
rest him, but all resulted traglcally oy lu-
d]icrously 20 those attempting g. Il wa7
known that Hill could never be taken alive,
and many began 20 believe that hc could
not when dead also.
The constant pursuit and hunting him
changed his nature. lie became morcse
and sour, and unable 20 follow any regular
business. lie rcsortcd to the gambling
table for the support Of his family. He be-
came o drinker. too, and was speedily
transformed into O most bitter and quarrel
somc opponent.
II Hin had been famous among tho
mountains Of North Carolina, he now be-
came doubly SO. Excepting, perhaps, the
prince Of duelists. james Bowie, there
never was o man who inspired more terror.
Men who had acquired a wide reputation
for deeds Of daring turned pale when they
encountered John Hill. Bulies who sought
quarrel5 on tho slightest prcteXt accepted
all manner Of insults from him, without o
single word Of romonstrauce
One day in September, lsIJ. while
seated at the breakfast table, Hill burst in
to tears. ,
his wife.
y have had O dreadful dream. Il is n
warning. Iknow / shall die before sunset.
Together wo nave encountered perils and
hardships; you abandoned wealth and po-
sition for my sake, and you have never
spoken an unkind word 20 me. We have
loved from childhood, and that love has
never known abatement. II IS this that
troubles me-not regard for self. Il IS in
dclibly impressed upon my mind that
shall die n horrible death before rundown,
and the thought that i. will distress you,
also distresses me.
These we're the cyoc. words Of Hill, os
testified by his wife and children. His
wife told him
Then, my dear husband, do not co TO
court to-day
(The Circuit Court Of Pope county, in
which Hill resided, 3, should be remarked,
was then i'm session.
Eyes, my wife, l must 60, he replied.
When amau's time has come he should not
seek 70 avoid death, but meet II braveiy.
Then turning TO his son William, O bright
boy Of 10, he told him 10 60 and get the
Bible, and upon IL he made him swear TO
kill tho man that killed his tather.
Here comes Moses Howard, father, he
will protect you, romorked Mary. the
eldest daughter, as she deserted the young
man approaching.
The youth, who waa o fine, powerful
looking man, chattcd q few minutes with
the family, and then went out with Hin,
who shaved and dressed himself with par
ticular n~eatness, and embraced his wife
with the warmest affection, and with tears
in his eyes, before leaving,
As soon as the two reached town, Hill
began drinking deeply aud showed g more
quarrelsome disposition than ever. He in
suited everybody that crossed his path, and
all the entreoties Of the young man failed
TO pacify him. Finally lie declared that
he would clear the court-hcuse and dashed
into the courtroom with fury depicted on
his countenance. JudC es, lawyers, Jury,
spectators, all made q rush for the door.
One man who Jagged behind was seized by
Hill and beaten numerically.
Young Howard caught hold Of the infuri-
ated man and attempted to restrain him,
when, glaring like O tiger, he turned upon
the youth and struck him 10 the earth.
Before he could rise Hill sprang on him,
and commenced pounding him.
For Gods sake stop, Hill. Don't you
know me, your fiend-Hownrdf"
Hill seemed to grow more furious each
moment, and finally clutched o pistol, de-
termined TO take his friends life, Howard
seeing the crisis had como, seized the
bowie-kniie that protrUded from his vest,
and buried It in his bosom.
"The dream is fulfilled o. exclaimed Hill,
with q smile Of singular sweetness that lin
gered on his naturally handsome face after
he was a corpse. He then died without O
groan.
Howard looked down into his face, as II
unable 70 realize what he had done. Then
he burst into tears,
God knowsI would not have done it If
l could have helped it, but il was either
your life or mine"
He tnrnad nmnw r-iLh q nlnnn.- ni- -