Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-08-21
hundreds. Many for a time refused to be-

best be shown by the two following ex-
tracts from the Little Rock Gozette. The
first appeared when Hill became so popu-
lar during the days of the Convention:
"Among the truest friends of the people
of all in the present Convention 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
Arkansas Democracy"
The second extract is taken from the
same paper for May, 1910:
BgoodyAfray.-A desperate rencounter
occurred in st. Francis last week Two
distinguished citizens were killed, and
three others dangerously wounded. The
difficulty resulted from an attempt to ar
rest John Hill, a member of the last Leg
islature, and formerly of the State Conven-
tion, who, as it is alleged, is the notorious
robber Nixon Curry, who committed such
atrocities fifteen years ago in the noun
tains of North Carolina"
A requisition was sent by the Governor
of North Carolina demanding the surren-
Arkansas published an additional reward
for the arrest of John Hill and thus be-
tween 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 existence of band
of desperadoes that he had reason to be-
lieve would protect him. He was pursued
by over a hundred of the citizens, many
of them unarmed and attending only for
the purpose of witnessing the sport and
securing part of the munificent reward
that was offered for his apprehension. Hill
was overtaken at Conway Court House by
these men, and halting his wagon and ad-
monishing his wife and children to keep
their places, he marched forth with his
death-dealing gun.
The gallantry of the action, and Hills
incredible bravery, operated in his favor.
Many were unwilling to hurt so intrepida
character; others were afraid; panic
was created, and Hill pursued his way un-
molested. EfI
Subsequent attempts were made to ar
rest him, but all resulted tragically or lu-
dicrously to those attempting it. 1t was
known that Hill could never be taken
alive, and many began to believe that he
could not when dead.
The constant pursuit and hunting him
changed his nature. He became morOse
and sour, and unable to follow any regu-
lar business. He resorted to the gambling
table for the support of his family. He
became drinker, too, and was speedily
transformed into most bitter and quar-
relsome opponent.
If Hill had been famous among the
mountains of North Carolina, he now be-
came doubly so. Excepting, perhaps that
prince of duellists, James Bowie, there
never was man who inspired more terror.
Mef who had acquired wide reputation
for deeds of daring turned pale when they
encountered John Hill. Bullies who
sought quarrels on the slightest pretext
accepted all manner of insults from him,
without single word of remonstrance.
One day in September, 1916, while he
was seated at the breakfast-table, Hill burst
into tears.
"What is the matter, dear?" inquired
his wife.
"I have had a dreadful dream. 1t is
warning. know l shall die before sunset.
Together we have encountered perils and
hardships; you abandoned wealth and
position for my sake, and you have never
spoken an unkind word to me. We have
loved from childhood, and that love has
never known abatement. 1t is this that
troubles me-not regard for self. 1t is in
delibly impressed upon my mind that l
shall die horrible death before sundown,
and the thought that it will distress you,
also distresses me-"
These were the exact words Of Hill, as
testified by his wife and children. His
wife told him
"Then, my dear husband, do not go to
court, to-day" ,sae-
(The Circuit Court of Pope county, in
I1I Ac1 I,oy or1ro
was in session. S
eyes, my wife, 1 must CO." he replied,
"When mans time has come, he should
not seek to avoid death, but meet it brave
ly." Then turning to his son William, a
bright boy of 13, he told him to go and
get the Bible, and upon it he made him
swear to kill the man that killed his
father
"Here comes Moses Howard, father; he
will protect you," remarked Mary, the eld-
man approaching.
looking man, chatted few minutes with
the family, and then went out with Hill,
who shaved and dressed himself with par
ticular neatness, and embraced his wife
with the warmest affection, and with tears
in his eyes, before leaving. q
AS soon as the two reached town, Hill
began drinking deeply, and showed more
quarrelsome disposition than ever. Helm
suited everybody that crossed his path, and
all the entreaties of the young man failed
to pacify him. Finally he declared that
| he would clear the court house, and dashed
into the court room with fury depicted in
his countenance. Judges, lawyers, jury,
| spectators, all made rush for the door.
One man who Jagged behind was seized by
| Hill and beaten numerically.
Young Howard caught hold of the in
| furiated man and attempted to restrain
him, when, glaring like a tiger, he turned
| upon the youth and struck him to the earth.
Before he could rise Hill sprang upon him,
and commenced pounding him.
"For Gods sake, stop, Hill! Don't you
know me, your friend-Howard? ?"
Hill seemed to grow more furious each
moment, and finally clutched a pistol, de-
termined to take his friends life. Howard,
seeing the crisis had come, seized the bowie
knife that protruded from his vest and
buried it in his bosom.
"The dream is fulfilled" exclaimed
Hill, with smile of singular sweetness
that fingered on his naturally handsome
| face after he was corpse. He then died
| without a groan.
| Howard looked down into his face, as if
unable to realize what he had done. Then
| he burst into tears.
"God knows | would not have done it
if could have helped it, but it was either
your life or mine"
He turned away with gloomy air, and