New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-11-28

William Hall, patient in a private asy-
lum 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 training the good man
took peculiar delight. The young man won
the affections of a young girl attending the
same school, and SO ardent was their attach
ment that no rival was suffered to come be.
tween them. When the girl reached the
age OF fifteen her devotion to young Curry
became 80 manifest that her parents, wish.
ing to secure for her what they viewed
as better alliance, forbade further
intercourse between the two. As
nat lral consequence, clandestine meet
iHgs were resorted to, and con
tlnued for three years. At the expira-
ton of that period the hand of the young
lady was sought by the son of Southern
statesman, and her parents tried to compel
her acceptance, whereat she eloped with
young Curry. The couple were overtaken.
Then the young man turned and shot his
rival, who led the pursuit, killing him in
stantly. 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
society, he became q highwayman, and
speedily achieved q dreaded notoriety by
tine number and character of his daring ex-
plOits. 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 hs had died
tons.
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 immi-
grant appeared in the district calling him
self John Hill. He was q handsome,
amiable man, and though having only mod
crate means, extended generous hospi-
tally to all who visited his beautiful little
home, rendered doubly 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 Legislature, and there he was distin-
guished for powerful and impassioned elO.
quence. He became a leader in the ranks
Of his party, was member of the conven-
ton that framed the State constitution, and
represented his district in the Senate of Ar
kansas.
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 history, telling him that
he was the notorious Nixon Curry of North
Carolina. Strong then requested Hill to re-
sign his seat in the Senate, but Hill refused,
and the brothers cODspired to ruin him.
Sending to North Carolina, they procured
re1uisition for his arrest and a COPY of the
reward offered for his capture. The four
brothers, powerful and determined as they
were, we'll knowing the character of the
man with whom they were to DEAL secured
the assistance OF 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 dan
gerously wounded, and the attack was aban-
doned.
The Governor of Arkansas published an
additional reward for Hills arrest and
hastily packing Q few articles, he set out
with his wife and children for Upper Ar
kansas, where he knew of band of des-
peradoes whose members he had reason to
believe would protect him. He was over
taken at Conway courthouse, 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 assuring
his pursuers that he would not be taken
alive. The gallantry of the action operated
in his favor. and the pursuit was abandoned.
Constant pursuit had already made him mo-
roee and quarrelsome, and he began to
drink heavily and resort to the gambling
table as q means of support. One day in
September, 1916, while seated at break
fast, he told his wife that he had a
premonitiOn of death, and felt that be
should be killed that day before sunset
Calling his son William, q bright boy of
fourteen, he made him swear to kill the
man who should kill his father. The Cir
cult Court Of Pope county being in session,
he attended it ir company with young
man named Howard who was engaged to
his eldest daughter. As soon as they
reached the village Hill began to drink and
exhibited an unusual 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 hiW, but, glazing
like tiger, he turned upon the youth and
felled him to the floor, 1T the same time
drawing pistol, he exclaimed, "Kill mo or
I'll kill your The man, in . moment Of
extreme aoguish, drew knife and buried
1t In the bowels Of Hill. He died soon after.