The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-06-08
A HIGHWAYMAN,s CAREER.
The secret that was Infrusfed TO a Keen
Politician. \ Politician In Arkansas
Exposure, Fight, Ruin, and Death.

The secret that was Entrusted TO a Keen |
Politician. \ Politician in Arkansas
Exposure, Fight, Ruin, and Death.
William Hill, a patient in a private
asylum near Glasgow, Scotland, died a
few weeks ago. Many years ago there
lived in IFedall county North Carolina,
Presbyterian minister named
Curry, the pride of whose life was an
only one, 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 they
viewed as a better alliance, forbade
further intercourse between the two.
As a 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 a southern statesman,
and her parents tried to compel her ac-
ceptance, 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 instantly. The young couple then
renewed their fight. After long and
heated chase Curry took refuge with his
betrOthed in the Allegheny mountains,
near the head-waters Of the Catawha and
there, Outlawed 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
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
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 a 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-
latuTe and there he was distinguished for
powerful and impassioned eloquence.
He became a leader in the ranks of his
party, was a 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 init
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
DINA. 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, we'll 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 ap-
| 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 HilPs 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 overtaken 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
| puTsuers, 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 gallantTy 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 a
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 pis-
toll, he exclaimed: Kill me or I'll kill
YOU'D 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
years later was heard of in San Antonio,
Texas, where ne 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 fed to Europe He
| 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.
The Centennial Novelty.
Mr.. Conway says a novelty intended