The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-11-06

were shot dead, While SIX or the others
badly wounded several of them MORALLY,
whes the rest of them was glad to with
drawafor the time This affair caused the
most unbouaded excitement throughout Ar
kansas. The thought that the cllivalrous
and Highly popular John Hill could, be
iden6ca with the notorious, robber, Nixon
Curry, was an astounding announcement to
hundreds, aud for a time many refused to
believe it.
Perhaps the state of public feeling can
best be shown by the two following extracts
from the Little Rock Gazette. The first
appeared when Hill became so popular dur
ing the days of the convention:
Among the truest friends of the people
OF all IN the present convention may ete
named John Hill, of st. FIanci<.. Ills en-
ergy, eloguence and courage fully entit!e
him to the place be holds, and We trust,
will long retain-that ofthe@ leader of tire
Arkansas Democracy.
E Fhe second extract is taken from the
same paper for May, 1870
BLOODY AFFRAY. "A desperate rem
counter occurred in ST. Francis, last week
Two distinguished citizens were killed, and
three. others dangerously wounded. The
difficulty resulted from an attempt to arrest
John Hill, member of the last legislature
and formerly of the State Convention, no.
it is alleged, is thenotorious robber, Nixon
Curry, who committed such atrocities ff
! teen years, ago IN the mountains OF North
Carolina
A requisition was sent by the Governor
of North Carolina dem anding the surrender
of Nixon Curry The Governor- of Arkan-
sas published an additional reward for the
arrest of John Hill and thus between tho
two, it seemed as If it was about up with
the victim. 13G ,yt5tia7i i f-ttf
Hill packed up hastily and set out with
his wife for the upper Arkansas, where he
knew he existence of band Of desperadoes
that he had reason to believe would protect
him. He was pursued by over hundred
of the citizens, many of them unarmed, and
attending only for the purpose of witnessing
the sport and securing part of the NUM-
fcent reward that was offered.for his ap-
preheDsion. Hill was overtaken at Conway
Court House by these men, and haltiug his
wagon, and admonisbing his wife and chill.
dren to keep their places he marched forth
with his death dealing gun.
The gallantry of the action, and Hill 8
incredible bravery, operated in his favor
Many were unwilling to hurt so Intrepid
a character; others were afraid ; a panic
was created, and Hill pursued his way un-
molested. ri I9i ~ 49, .s 81
Subsequent attempts were made to arrest
him, but all resulted tragically or ludicrous-
ly to those who attempted il. 1t was Known
that Hill could never be taken alive, and
many began to believe that he could not
when dead also.
The constant pursuit and hunting him
changed his nature He became morose
and sour, and unable to follow any regular
business. He resorted TO the gambling ia
BILE for the support of the family He be-
came drnker, too, and was speedily
transformed into most bitter and quar-
relsome opponelt.
If Hill had been famous among the
mountains of North Carolina, he now be-
came doubly SO. Excepting, perhaps, that
prince of duelists, James Bowie, there new
err was a man who inspired more terror.
Men who had acquired wide reputation
for deeds of daring turned pale when they
encountered John Hill. Bulies who had
sought quarrels on the slightest pretext ac-
cepted all manner of insults from HIM,
without single word of remonstrance
One day in SEPTEMBER, 1915, while he
was seated at the breakia table, Hill burst
into tears. ~.
"Wbat is the matter, dear? p inquired
his wife. ft4i..
II have had dreadful dream. 1t is a
warning. | know shall die before sunset
Together We have encountered perlls and
hardships you abandoned wealth and pu-
sition for my sake, and you have never
spoken an unkind word to me. We nave
loved each other from childhood, and that
love has never known abatement. 1t Is
this that troubles me-not regard for self
1t is indeliby impressed on my mind that
| snail die a horrible death before shutdown,
and the thought that it will distress you
also distresses me. .....r
"Then, my dear husband, do not so to
court to-day"
(The circuit court of Pope county, in
which Hill resided was, it shoull DO re
marked, in session.
Yes, vile, | must CO., he replisd !;
when a man s time has come he should
not seek to avoid death, but meet i, brave
ly.'' Then turning to his sou William, a
bright boy Of thirteen, he told him to 80
and get tie Bible, and upon 1t made him
swear to kill the man who killed his father
Here comes Nose Howard, father-he
will protect you," said Mary, the eldest
daughter, as she deserted the young man
approaching.
The youth, who was a fine powerful
looking man, chatted few minutes with
the family, and then went out with Hill
who had shaved and dressed himself with
particular neatness, and embraced his wife
with the warmest affection, with tears in
his eyes before leaving.
As soon as the two reached town Hill be-
gan drinking deeply and showed more
quarrclsomc disposition than ever He in
suited everybody that crossed his path, aud
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 aud beaten numerically.
Young Howard eau: bit hold Of the infu.
rated man, and attempted to restrain him,
when, glaring like tiger be turned upon
the youth, and struck him to the earth
Before he could rise, Hill sprang on
him, and commenced pounding him. z.
~ or God S sake. Hill Don you know
me, your fiiend-IIowardF is.esc