Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-12-17
A Highwayman's Career.

William Hill, patient in private
asylum near Glasgow, Scotland, died
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 y son Nixon by name, in whose train
ing the good man took particular de-
light. The young man won the affec-
tions of 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 became so manifest that
her parents, wishing to secure to her
what they viewed better alliance, for
bade further intercourse between the
two. As natural consequence, Gland
estine 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 our Southern States
men, and her parents tried to compel her
acceptance, whereat she eloped with
young Curry. The couple were over
taken. Then the young man turned and
shot his rival, who led the pursuit, kill
ing him instantly. The young couple
then renewed their flight. After long
and heated chase, Curry took refuge
with his betrothed in the Allegheny
mountains, near the head waters of the
Catawba, and there, outlawed from socie-
ty, he became highwayman, and speed
| lily achieved dreaded notoriety by the
number and character of his daring
exploits. The Governor of North Car
olina 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 he had died, or that he
had changed his base Of operations.
One day, at the time of the first settle
ment of the fertile delta of the St.
Francis river, in what is now Arkansas,
an immigrant appeared in the district
calling himself John Hill. He was a
handsome, amiable man, and though
having only moderate means, extended
a generous hospitality to all who visited
his beautiful little home rendered doub-
ly attractive by the presence of lovely
wife. In short time he became the
most popular man in the settlement, and
so he continued for ten or twelve years.
He was repeatedly elected to the Legis-
lature, and there he was distinguished
for powerful and impassioned eloquence.
He became leader in the rank of his
party, was member of the convention
that framed the State Constitution, and
represented his district in the Senate of
Arkansas.
Hills most intimate acquaintance
were the Strongs, four brothers, men of
wealth and ambition. A close intimacy
sprang up between them, and Hill, in
an unguarded moment, make the Oldest
Strong conversant with his previous his
tory, telling him that he was the motor
ious Nixon Curry, of North Carolina.
Strong then requested Hill to resign his
seat in the Senate, but Hill refused, and
the brothers conspired to ruin him.
Sending to North Carolina they procur-
ed requisition for his arrest and a copy
of the reward offered for his capture
The four brothers, powerful and deter
mined as they were, well knowing the
character Of the man with whom they
were to deal, secured the assistance of
dozen men, and surrounding the house
attempted to effect his capture. On
approaching the main entrance and de-
manding his surrender, one of them was
shot dead and three others were danger
ously wounded, and the attack was aban-
doned.
The Governor of Arkansas published
an additional reward for Hills arrest.
and hastily packing few articles he set
out with his wife and children for upper
Arkansas, where he knew of the exist
ence of band of desperadoes whose
members he had reason to believe would |
protect him. He was overtaken at Con- |
way Court House, and halting his wagon
and admonishing his wife and children |
to keep their places, he stepped forth in
the face Of his pursuers and in few ell |
oquent words told them why he quit |
North Carolina, at the same time assur-
ing his pursuers that he would not be
taken alive. The gallantry of the ac-
ton operated in his favor, and the pur-
suit was abandoned. Constant pursuit
had already made him morose and quar-
relsome, and he began to drink heavily
and resort to the gambling table as a
means of support. One day in Septem-
Der, 1S45, while seated at breakfast, he
told his wife that he had a premonition
of death, and felt he should be killed
that day before sunset. Calling his son,
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