The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-06-09

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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 lovely
wife. In a 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 imprisoned eloquence.
He became leader in the ranks 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 StroDgs, four brothers, men
of wealth and ambition. A close inti
macy 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 Car
olina. Strong then requested Hill TO re-
sign 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 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 a
dozen men, and surrounding his house,
attempted to effect his capture. On APP
preaching 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. Hill
hastily packed a few articles and set out
with his wife and children for upper Ar
kansas, where he knew of the existence
a band of desperadoes whose members he
had reason to believe would protect him.
He was Overtaken at Conway Court
House and halting his wagon and admon-
ishing his wife and children to keep their
places, ne stepped forth in the face of his
pursuers, and in few eloquent words
told them why he quit North Carolina,
and at the same time assuring his pur-
suers 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
mOrose and qUarrelsOme, and he began
to drink heavily and resort to the gam
ing table as means of support. One day
in September, 1915, while seated at
breakfast he told his wife that he had
premOnitiOn of death, and felt that he
should be killed that day before sunset
Calling his son William, bright boy of
fourteen, he made him promise 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 en-
gagged to his eldest daughter As soon as
they reached the village, Hill began to
drink and exhibit an unusual disposition
to quarrel. He insulted every one he
met and finally threatened to clean out
the court house; he dashed into the court
room, to the CONSERVATION of Judge, jury
and lawyers. Young Howard tried to
retain him, but glaring like a tiger, he
turned upon the youth and felled him to
the floor, at the same time drawing a pis-
tol, he exclaimed Kill me or I'll kill
you" The man in moment of extreme
anguish, drew knife and buried it in
the bowels of Hill. He died soon after.
Howard quit Arkansas and several
years later was heard of in San Antonio,
Texas, where he joined the confederate
forces under the command of Col. Long.
At the close of the war he was met by
by VIM. Hill who, remembered the oath
he had taken at his fathers instance, shot
the former and fled to Europe He
joined the French army and served
throughout the Franco-P russian war,
but was subject to fits of insanity. Final
ly his case became hopeless, and he was
placed by his friends in an asylum, near
Glasgow, Scotland, where he recently
died.