The Osceola times., 1876-06-03
A HIGHwAYMAN'S CAREER.
The serr~s that WAS sB:ruzscS 10 , Nee"
Politician. Pciftt~t"" tn Askn"s"s.
Rspesur~. right, Isu'n, and Death.

asylum near Glasgow, Scotland, died a
few weeks ago. Many years ago there
lived in Iredall county North CaroliRa, a
resi- e tied Presbyterian minister named
Curry, the pride of whose life was an
only ore, Nixon by name, in whose train
ing the good man took peculiar delight
The young man won the affection of a
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 be-
came so manifested that their parents
wishing TO secure for her what thoy
viewed as better aliaDce, forbade
further intercourse between the two
As natural consequence clandestine
meetings were resorted to, and con-
tinued for three years. At the ex-
piration Of that period, the hand of
the young lady was sought by the
son of one of southern statesman
and her parents tried to compel her ac-
ceptance, whereat she eloped with young
Curry. The couple were oyertaken.
Then the young man turned and shot
his rival, who led the pursuit, killing
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 bead.waters of the Catawha and
there, outlaw,d from society, he became
a highwayman, aud speedily achieved a
dreaded notoriety by the number and
character OF his daring exploits. The
governor Of North Carolina offered five
thousand dollars for his arrest, and
many, lured by the tempting offer, tried
to hunt him down. Suddenly he was
missed from North Carolina; it was sup
posed that he had changed his base of
operations.
One day, at the time of the first set
tlement of the fertile delta of the st.
Francis river, in what is now Arkansas,
an immigrant appeared in the district
calling himself John Hill. lie was a
handsome, amiablc 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 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 ior
powerful and impassioned eloquence.
He became a leader in t.ic ranks of hi.
party, was a member of the convention
that framed the state constitution, and
represented his dist rict in the senate OF
Arkansas.
Hills most intimate acquaintance
were the Strongs, four brothers, mer
of wealth and ambition. A close init
macy sprang up between them, and
Hill, in an unguarded moment, made
the eldest Strong conversant with hi'
previous history, telling him that he wa,
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 q
dozen men, and surrounding his house
attempted to effect his capture. On ap
preaching the main entrance and de.
manding his surrender, ono of them wa.
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 few articles and set out
with his wife and children for upper Ar
kansas, where he knew of the existence
band Of desperadoes whose members he
had reason to believe would protect him.
He was overtakcn at Conway Court
House and hating his wagon and admon-
ishing his wife and children to keep their
places, he stepped forth in the face OF his
pursuers, and in a 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 kim
morose and quarrelsome, and he began
to drink heavily and resort to the gam
ing table rs a means OF support. One day
in September, 1915, while seated mt
breakfast he told his wife that he had a
premonition of death, and felt that he
should he killed that day before sunset.
Calling his son William, a 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 pis-
tol, he exclaimed "Kill me or I'll Kill
you" The man in n moment of extreme
anguish, drew a knife and buried it in
the bowels of Hill. lie died soon after.
Howard quit Arkansas and several
years later was heard of in San Antonia,
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. lie
Joined the French army and served
throughout the Franco-Prussian 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.