The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-10-03

| resulted from an attempt to arrest John Hill
a member of the last Legislature, and for.
merly of the State Convention, who. it is al
/ legged, is the notorious robber Nixon Currv
who committed such atrocities fifteen years
ago In the mountains of North Carolina"
A requisition was sent by the Governor
| of North Carolina demanding the surrender
of Nixon Curry. The Governor of Arkansas
/ published an additional reward for the ar
rest of John Hill, and thus between thestyvo
1t seemed as if 1t was about up with the VIC
/ tim
Hill packed up hastily and set out with
his wife aud children for Upper Arkansas,
where he new of the existence of a band
4 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 attended only for the purpose
/ of Witnessing the sport and securing a part
! Of the munifcent reward that was offered
/ for his apprehension Hill was overtaken
at Conway Courthouse by these men, and,
hating his wagon and admOnishIng his wife
and children to keep their places, he
marched forth with his death dealing gun
The gallantrY Of the action, and Hills
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 unmolested.
Subsequent attempts were made TO arrest
him, but all resulted tragieally or ludicrOusly
to those attempting it 1t was known that
Hill could never be taken. alive, and MARY
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 table
for the support Of his family. He became a
drInker, too, and was speedily transformed
into most bitter and quarrelsome opponent
IF Hill had been famous among the
mountains of North Carolina, he now be
came dOubly so. Excepting, perhaps, that
prince of duelist, James Bowie, there never
was a man who inspired more terror. Men
who had acquired a wide reputation for
deeds of daring turned pale when they en-
cOuptered John Hill Bullies who sought
quarrels on the slightest pretext accepted
all manner Of insults from him without a
single word of remOnstrance.
One day in September, 1915, while he
was seated at the breakfast table, Hill burst
into tears.
What is the matter, dear p inquired his
wife
q have had dreadful dream It is a
warning. ! know l shall die before sunset
Together we have encountered perils and
hardships; you abandoned wealth and posi-
ton 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 It is indelibly impressed
upon my mind that l shall die a 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 90 to
court to-day"
(The Circuit Court of Pope county, in
which Hill resided, it should be remarked,
was then in session.)
\ es, my wife, | must 60" he replied
! When a mans time has come he should
not seek to avoid death, but meet it bravely."
/ Then turning to his son William, bright
/ boy of thirteen, he told hims to 90 and get
| the Bible, and upon it he made him swear to
/ kill the man who killed HE father
Here comes Moses Howard, father he
/ viii protect you" remarked Mary, the
eldest daughter, as she deserted the young
man approaching
The youth who was iine, powerful look
ing man, chatted a few minutes with the
! family and then went out with Hill, who
shaved and dressed himself with particular
ncatness and embraced bis wife with the
warmest affection, and with tears In his eyes,
| before leaving.
As soon as the two reached town Hill be B.
gan drinking deeply, and showed a more
| quarrelsOme disposition than ever lie IN
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 10
| his countenance, Judges lawyers, jury
spectators, all made a rush for the door
One man who Jagged behind was seized by
llill and beaten numerically.
ouug Howard caught hold Of the infu-
rated man aud attempted TO restrain him,
when, glaring ike a tiger, he turned upon
the youth and struck him to the earth Be
fore he could rise Hill sprang on him and
! commenced pounding him.
For Gods sake, stop, Hill Don't you
I know me, your friend, Howard p
{ Hill seemed to grow more furious each
moment, and finally clutched a pistol, deter
mined to take his friends life. Howard, see
ing the crisis had come, seized the bowie
knife that protruded from his vest and bnried
it in MS bosom.
"The dream is fulfilled r. exclaimed Hid,
with a smile of singular sweetness that
fingered on his naturally handsome face af-
ter he was corpse. lie then died without
a groan.
Howard looked down into his face, as If
unable to realize what he had pone. Then
he burst into tears.
God knows / would not have done 1t If
] could have helped it, but it was either your
life or mine
He turned away with a gloomy air, and
: upon the instant disappeared. He was
never seen in Arkansas again, but several
years after trader brought the news that
he was living at San Antonio Texas.
Were we writing fiction We should here
| lay aside the pen; but as we are giving facts
simply. which can be substantiated, duty
compels US to add another incident before
this tragic tale is ended.
1t will be remembered that Hill eni0ined
upon his son to avenge his death. Faithfully
/ did that son obey the command. When he
/ had reached his sixteenth year he left for
! Texas. lie was gore several months. When
he returned he said to his mother
Dit is done, mother Poor Howard
pitied him, but ] had to do it
Queen Isabella Of Spain weighs two hun
dred and twenty-five pounds She has be-