Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-12-16
A Highwayman's Career.
From the New York Sun.

private asylum near Glasgow,
Scotland, died a few weeks ago.
Many years ago there lived in
IredeIl county, n. c., a respec-
ted Presbyterian ministernamed
! Curry, the pride of whose life
was his only son, Nixon by
name, in whose training the
good man took peculiar delight.
The young man won the affec-
ton of a young girl attending
the same school, and SO ardent
was their attachment that no III
val was suffered to come be-
tween them. When the girl
reached fifteen, her devotion for
young Curry became so mani
fest that her parents, wishing to
secure for her what they had
viewed as better alliance, for
babe farther intercourse between
the two. As a natural conse-
quence, clandestinc meetings
were resOrted to, and continued
for two years. At the expira-
ton Of that time the hard of
the young lady was sought by
the son Of a Southern states
man, and her parents tried to
compel her acceptance, whereat
she eloped with young Curry.
The couple was overtaken. =
Then the young man turned and
shot his rival, who led the pur-
suit, killing him instantly. The
young couple then renewed
their fight. After 4 long and
heated chase Curry took refuge
with his betrothed in the AIle-
gany mountains, near the head
waters Of the Cafawba, and
there, outlawed from society he
became a highwayman, and
speedily achieved a dreaded no.
toriety, by the number and
character of his daring exploits.
The Governor of North Carroll
ma offered $1,000 for his arrest,
and many lured by the temp
ting offer, tried to hunt him
down. Suddenly he was miss
ed from North Carolina. 1t
was supposed that he had died,
or had changed his base Of OPP
erations.
One day at the first settle
ment Of the fertile delta Of the
St. Francis river, in now what
is Arkansas, an immigrant APP
peared in the district calling
himself John Hill He was
handsome, amiable man, and
though having only moderate
means, extended a generous hos
| pitality to all who visited his
beautiful little home, rendered
doubly attractive by the presence
of a beautiful wife. In short
time be became the most popular
man in the settlement, and so he
continued for ten or twelve years.
He was repeatedly elected to the
Legislature, and there be was dis
tinguished for powerful and impas-
stoned eloquenee. He became a
leader in the ranks Of his party,
was a member of the convention
that framed the State Constitution,
and represented bis district in the
Senate of Arkansas.
Hills most intimate acquaint-
nances were the Strong four broth
ers, men of wealth and ambition.
A close intimacy sprang up be-
tween them, and In an uuguarded
moment, made the eldest one con-
versant with his previous history,
telling him that he was the not,-
rious Nixon Curry of North Caro-
lima Strong then requested Hill
to resign bis seat iE the Senate,
but Hill refused. and the brothers
conspired to ruin him. Sending
to North Carolina, they procured
a copy of the reward offered for
his arrest. The four brothers,
powerful and determined as they
were, we'll knowing the character
of the man with whom they had
to deal, secured the assistance of
a dozen men, and surrounding bis
house, attempted to effect his
capture. On approaching the
main entrance and demanding
his surrender, one of them was
shot dead, aud three others were
dangerously wounded, and the
attack was abandoned.
The governor of Arkansas pub
lished an addit onal reward for
Hills arrest, and hastily packing
few articles he set out with his
wife and children for upper Ar
kansas, where he knew of the ex-
istence of a band of desperadoes
whose numbers be had reason to
believe would protect bin. He
was overtaken at Conway Court
House and haltiop his wagon and