Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-24
Il. WHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.
HIGHwAYMAS ANB POLITICIAN.
The Fatal Secret Exposed TO n Rival
FOlit1eian-Ruin, Death ana a Her
itRge of Revenge and IuRanftV

Athko OA heNehBe . anu AuBhnAtys
William Hill, patient in a private
asylum near Glasgow, Scotland, died a
few weeks ago. Many years ago there
lived in Iredell county, North Carolina,
a respected Presbyterian minister named
Curry, the pride of whose life was an
only son, Nixon by name, in whose train.
ing the good man took peculiar delight.
The young man won the affections of o
young girl attending the same school,
and so ardent was their attachment that
no rival was suffered to come between
them. When the girl reached the age Of
fifteen, her devotion to young Curry be.
came so manifest that her parents, wish
ing TO secure for her Whit they viewed as
a better alliance, forbade further inter
course between the two AS natural
consequence, clandestine meetings were
resorted to, and continued for three
years. AT the expiration Of that period
the hand of the young lady was sought
by the son of one OF the Southern states.
men, and her parents tried to compel
her acceptance, whereat she eloped with
young Curry. The couple we're overta
ken. Then the young man turned and
shot his rival, who led the parsuit, kill.
ing him instantly The young couple
then renewed their fight. After long
and heated chase Curry took refuge with
his betrothed in the Allegheny Noun.
tains, near the head waters Of the Ca.
tawba, and there, outlawed from society,
he becamea highwayman, and speedily
achieved notoriety by the number and
character Of his daring exploits. The
Governor Of North Carolina offered
$4,000 for his arrest, and many, lured by
the tempting offer, tried to hunt him
down. Suddenly he was missed from
North Carolina. 1t was supposed that
be had died, or that he had changed his
base of operations.
One day, at the time of the Grst settle
ment of the fertile delta OF the st. Fran
els river, in what is now Arkansas, au
immigrant appeared in the district call
ing himself John Hill He was hand
some, amiable man, and though having
moderate means, extended a generous
hospitality TO all who visited his beaut
full little home, rendered doubly attract
i've by the presence of o lovely wife. IL
short time he became the most popu
lar man in the settlement, and so he con
tinued for ten or twelve years. He was
repeatedly elected to the Legislature
and there he was distinguished for pow
erful snd impassioned eloquerce. he
became leader in the ranks OF his party
was a member of the convention thai
framed the, State Constitution, and rep
resented his district iE the Senate o.
Arkansas.
Hills most intimate acquaintance
we're the Strongs, four brothers, men o.
wealth and ambition. A close intimacy
sprang up between them, and Hill in an
unguarded moment, made the eldest
Strong conversant with his previous his
tory, telling him that he was the noto
rious Nixon Curry, of North Carolina
Strong then requested Hill to resign hil
seat in the Senate, but Hill refused, anC
the brothers conspired to ruin him
Sending to North Carolina they pro
cured a requisition for his arrest and {
copy of the reward offered for bis cap
ture. The four brothers, powerful anC
determined as they we're, well knowing
the character of the man with whom
they we're to deal, secured the assistance
Of dozen men, and surrounding hi
house, attempted to effect his capture
On approaching the main entrance anC
demanding his surrender, one Of then
was shot dead and three others wert
dangerously wounded, and the attacl
was abandoned.
The Governor OF Arkansas published
an additional reward for Hills arrest
and hastily packing few articles he se
out with his wife aud children for uppel
Arkansas, where he knew of the exis
tence of o band Of desperadoes who's,
members he had reason to believe woult
protect him. He was overtaken at Con
way Court House, and halhng his wagor
and admonishing his wife and children
to keep their places he stepped forth il
the face of his pursuers, and in few
eloquent words told them why he qui
North Carolina at the same time assur
ing his pursuers that be wouldn't b,
taken alive. The gallantry of the actor
operated in his favor and hepursuit wa
abandoned. Constant pursuit had al
ready made him morose and quarrel
some, and be began to drink heavily ant
resort to the gambling table as a mean
Of support. One day in September
l845, while seated at breakfast he tol,
his wife that he had q premonition o
death, and felt that he should be kille,
that day before sunset Calling his sol
William, q bright boy Of fourteen, b
made him swear to kill the man VIII,
should kill his father.
| The Circuit Court Of Pope county b
ing in session, he attended it with
yodng man named Howard, who wes er
gagged to his eldest daughter As 500
"a thpv raaNhad tho vilIaoa Hill harn