Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-04-07

great swamp" or descended by torchlight int
the dark caves of the Ozark Mountains, HI
was celebrated ms the most fearless.
He was repeatedly elected to the Terrific
rial Legislature, where he distinguished him
self by strong, impassioned eloquence, a:
chief leader in the Democratic ranks. He
was next, as-we have already seen, a member
of the Convention that formed the Stats
Constitution and was elected again the en-
suing year to represent his county in the
Senate of Arkansas.
At this period commenced his second Sc
ries of misfortunes. Hills nearest neigh
bors were the Strongs-four brothers of con
siderable wealth, more ambition, and if we
may borrow the phrase Of the country, ia
nous fighters
Notwithstanding their character was SO
dissimlar from that of the pacific "bearhun'
ter" a close and cordial intimacy grew up
between them; and Hill, in an unguarded
moment made the eldest brother George, q
confdant as to the secrets Of his previous his
tory. 1t happened that this same George
conceived a violent desire for political dis.
tincton, and requested Hill to resign bis seat
in the Senate in the illiberal friends favor.
Hill refused, and the Strongs conspired for a
terrible revenge. Writing back to Carolina,
they procured copy of the reward offered
for the arrest Of Nixon Curry, the far-famed
robber and then collecting party of doz"
en- desperate men, they attempted to capture
Hill in his own house. The latter had always
gone armed, with his enormous double-bar-
relied shot gun, two long rifie.pstols, and a
knife so heavy that few other hands besides
his own could WELD it. The assault of the
Strongs proved horrible to themselves. Hill
killed two of the brothers, and dangerously
wounded FIVE of their friends, escaping HIM
self unhurt, although more than twenty
rounds of ball and buckshot were aimed at
his breast.
The excitement resulting from the affair
was boundless. A requisition came on from
the Executive of Carolina, demanding the
surrender of Nixon Curry. The Governor
of. Arkansas published an additional reward
for the arrest of John Hill and thus, be-
twixt the two fires, the victims chance SEEM
ed perfectly hopeless.
Hills conduct in the crisis was prompt
and fearless as ever. Packing up hastily he
set out with his wife and children, in COM
mon moving wagon, for Upper Arkansas,
where he knew of band Of desperadoes
that he believed would protect him. He
was over-hauled at Conway Courthouse by
two hundred men, in pursuit, all thoroughly
armed, and some of them renowned "6ght-
ers." Hill saw their approach on the distant
prairie, and with his dreadful double barrel
that sure death dealer to either man or beast
within the range of two hundred yards-in-
stantly marched to meet his foes. This in
credible bravery, joined to the fear before In
spired by his desperation, affected the advan-
cling troops with such an unaccountable pan
ic, that the whole two hundred sought safety
in disgracefulIy rapid flight.
Several other attempts were made to cap
ture the dangerous outlaw, all alike ending
either in ludicrous or bloody failures. In the
meantime, Hills character and conduct un'
derwent complete change. Forced to be
always on the look out, and. therefore, unable
to follow any steady business in order to sup.
port his family, he resorted to the gambling
table He learned also to indulge in the fiery
stimulus of ardent drink, and his disposition
necessarily soured by recent events, became
quarrelsome in the extreme.
Perhaps there never was man, excepting
only that Napoleon Of duellists, James Bowie,
who was so heartily dreaded. have myself
seen persons of undoubted courage turn pale
merely y at the appearance of Hills gigantic
form, broadly belted, and bristling with pis-
tols He was way.laid and shot at num-
ber of times, yet still escaped without scar.
But this could be no wonder; for even brave
mems hands shook when they saw him, and
shaking hands generally make very poor
shots.
During the September term, 1858, Of the
Circuit Court for Pope County, in which
Hill resided, h. got out of bed one morning
uncommonly gloomy, and, while at the break
fast table, suddenly burst into tears.
"What is the matter my dearT' asked
Lucy-that beautiful Lucy, who had former:
ly left her wealthy home in Carolina for the
robber and robbers cave.
Il have had dreadful dream" answered
the husband, shuddering at the recollection.
81 saw George Strong in my sleep, and he
kissed me with his pale lips, that burned like
fire, and smelled of sulphur. l am sure
shall die before sunset"
"Then do not 60 to court, to-day" said the
wife, in accents of earnest entreaty.
"But will" replied the husband firmly.
"When a mans time is come, he cannot
hide from death besides, it will be the act
of coward to do so, if one possesses the
power" Then addressing his son, a fine in
telligent boy Of thirteen, he continued, "Bill,
you see my gum" pointing his finger as he
spoke to the great double. barrel hanging on
buck horns over the door "practice with it
every morning, and the day you are sixteen,
shoot the loads of both barrels into the man
who will this day kill your father"
"Yonder comes Nose Howard he will pro-
tect you, Pa" remarked Mary, Hills eldest
daughter, a lovely girl of fifteen, who was to
be married the next day TO the youth then
approaching.
Hill and Howard departed; Lucy with
tears, and Mary blushing, both calling out
as they left the gate, "Take good care of him,
Nose, and be sure and bring him back to-.
night"
"Never fear," answered the youth, with
laugh; "Hill will never die till kill him" +"
"Then he will live forever" retorted Mary,
laughing also.
As soon as the friends reached the village,
Hill began to drink deeply, and manifested
more than ordinary anxiety for combat, in
sulting everybody that crossed his path, and
all the youths entreaties failed to pacify
him. At last the desperate swore that he
would clear the courthouse, and immediate.
ly entered, with furious countenance, and a
threat as to his purpose. Judge, lawyers
Jury and spectators, made general rush for