The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-12-02
THE STORY OF NIXON CURRY.

halt-t0n of Paris.
THE STORY OF NIXON CURRY.
His Romantic Marriage and Tragic
Death-IIis Son Becomes His AveD ger,
FIees TO Europe, and Dies i'm am Asy-
lum 1cE the Insane.
From the New York sun.
William Hill, patient in private
ASYLUM near Glasgow, Scotland, died Il
few weeks ago. Many years ago there
lived in Iredell County, North Carolina,
a respected Presbyterian ministernamed
Curry, the pride of whose life was an
only son, Nixon by name, in whose
training the good mantook peculiar de-
light. The young man won the aifec
tions of young girl attending the same
school, and so ardent was their attach
ment 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 for her what
they viewed rs better alliance, forbade
further intercourse between the two.
As natural consequence, clandestine
meetings were reSorted to, and cOntinu-
ed for three wears. At the expiration
of that period, the hand of the young
lady was sought by the son of Il South
ern statesman, and her parents tried to
compel her acceptance, whereas she
eloped with young Curry. The couple
were overtaken. Then the young man
turned and shot his rival, who led the
pursuit, killing him instantly. The
Young couple then renewed their flight.
After a long and heated chase Curry
took refuge with his betrothed in the
Allegheny Mountains, near the head
waters of the Catawba, and there, ont
lawed from society, he became high
wavman, and speedily achieved dread
ed notorietv by the number and charac-
ter of his daring exploits. The Govern
or of North Carolina offered $1,000 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 dav, at the time of the first set
Element 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
doubly attractive by the presence Of 4
lovely wife In a short time he became
the most popularman in the settlement,
and so he continued for ten or twelve
years. He was repeatedly elected to
the Legislature, and there he was dis
tinguiShcd for powerful and imprisoned
eloquence. lie became a leader in the
ranks Of his party, was member of
the convention that framed the State
Constitution, and represented his dis
trict in the Senate of Arkansas.
Hills most intimate acquaintance
were the StrongS, four brothers, men of
wealth and ambition. \ 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 his
seat in the Senate, but Hill re-
fused, and the brothers conspired to
ruin him. Sending to North Carolina
they procured a requiSitiOn for his ar
rest and a copy of the reward offered
for his capture. The four brothers,
powerful and determined as they were,
well knowing the character of the man
with whom they were to deal, secured
the assistance Of a dozen men, and, sur
rounding his house, attempted to effect
his capture. On approaching the main
entrance and demanding his surrender,
one of them was shot dead, and three
others were dangerously wounded, and
the attack was abandoned.
The Governor of Arkansas published
an additional reward for Hills arrest,
and hastily packing a few articles Hill
set out with his wife and children for
Upper Arkansas, where he knew of the
existence of a band of desperadOes whose
members he had reason to believe would
protect him. He was Overtaken at Con-
way Court House and hating his wagon
and admOnishing his wife and children
to keep their places he stepped forth in
the face of his pursuers, and in few
eloquent 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
quarrelsome, and he began to drink
heavily and resort to.the gambling table
as a means of support. One day in Sep
TENDER, 1915. while seated at breakfast
he told his wife that he had a Fremont
ton of death, and felt that he should be
killed that day before sunset. Calling
! his son William, a bright boy of four
/ teen, he made him swear to kill the man
who should kill his father.
The Circuit Court of Pope County be-
( ing in session, he attended it with a
Young man named Howard, who was
engaged to his eldest daughter. As
soon rs they reached the village Hill
| began TO drink and exhibited an unus-
ual disposition to quarrel He insulted
every one he met, and finally threatened
to clean the Courthouse; he dashed
into the courtroom, to the consterna-
ton of Judge, jury and lawyers. Young
! Howard tried TO restrain him, but, glar-
ing like a tiger, he turned upon the
youth and felled him to the floor, at the
same time drawing a pistol, he eXclaim-
ed: "Kill me, or I'll kill you'll The
man, in a moment of extreme anguish,
drew a knife and buried it in the bowels
of Hill. He died soon after.
Howard quit Arkansas, and several
,-ooro loto,. NTac hoard of in Son ADtO