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D A 11. Y_C OU HI K Rm. t:. u \ it b e k, *duer.From the Democratic ReviewHill, bIIa$ Nixon Civf|yOR, THE VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES.A Till fUTCM or urx Ilf *ng *»«#•.At the first settlement of the fertile deln, bordering on the St. Francis, there rante a* emigrant, who called himself John Hdt, am) who soon succeeded in acquiring universal popularity-A1 though of moderate mean#, he wm sober. Industrious, generous and hoepitable; and ouch continued to be his character, in the new country of bis adoption, for twelve successive all that long period be never had a personal difficulty or quarrel with any human being; and yet every body was satisfied, that such a peaceful life—singular for that latitude, was not owing to a want of courage, or deficiency of power to perform good service, in any sort of battle-field; Ihf of all hear-hunters that ever pierced the jungle* of cane in “the great swamp,’* or descended bytorch light into the dark caves of the Oxatk-Mountains, he was celebrated as the most fear-i I less.f I *fHe wu repeatedly elected to the Territorial Legislature, where be distinguished himself bj a strong, Impassioned eloquence, as * chief leaderp | in the Democratic ranks. He was ©ext* us wmhave already aeen, a member of the convention that formed the state constitution; sad was elect• e*j again the ensuing year to represent hi* countyin the Senate lt;if Arkansas.ft.rfIIffallifJ.dBrwf*'ommuncfd hi- secotid -series- ofinietWlDa^ I fill nearest neighbors* were theStrongs—four brothers of cousidenible wealthymore ambition, umi, if wr may borrow the phraseof the country, “famous fighters Fl Notwithstanding their cm*racier was so Uuv-umilar frsna that of the pacific '‘headhunter,1’ a oloee cordial intimacy grew up between lh*ix*v Hill, in an unguarded moment, made the el brother* George, a confident aa to the secret of his history. It happened that this -tatm George conceived a violent desire for political liihtinction*and requested Hill to reaiga his seat m'the Sen-r j ate in the illiberal friendT« fitvor- Hill refused^ and the Strongs coaspired for a terrible revenge. Writing hack lo Carolina, they procured a copy of the reward olfertd for the arrest of Nixon Gur-ry, lltrt far-fa rood robber; and then collecting a-party of a doxefi det* pernio men* they nUompted* to capture Hill in hiaowu house. The latter had-always gone armed, willt his enormous double* ban**-1 ted shot-gun* two long rifle-pistols, and aknife so heavy that few hands besides bis own could wield it The assault of the Strongs pro* | ed horrible to themselves. Hill killed two of tbsS1 1 . ‘- - ., i brothers, ami dangerously wounded fir* oj tb**r^ frieDds* escaping himself unhurt although twenty1*1 rounds of ball and buck-shot were aimed at oESat*iA)EU0 15!S ICl¥breastThe excitement resulting from the affair wasboundless. A requisition came from the executive of Carolina, demanding the surrender of Nixon Curry. The Governor of Arkansas published an additional reward for the arrest of Johniii; and thus befwtxi the two fires, the victim's^ chance seemed perfectly hope!Hill’s conduct In thee mi* was prompt and fear-l#«n an ever Packing up hastily, he sot out withhis wife and children, in a common moving wm-gun, for Upper Arkansas* where he knew W a baud of de^paradors that he believed would pro*,p J U*ct him- He w*u$ ov^rimuled ai Conway Coart-se by two huuored m«n in pursuit, ail thoroughly armed, and acme of them reoo“figliters/’ Hill «*w their approach on the distant prairie* and with his dreadful d on hie-barrel —that sure death-drab r to either mas or bast, u the range of two hundred yards—instant Jv marched to meet his foca. This incrediblembravery, joined to the fear before t napired by hi#deeparatloo, affected the advarte»Dg troop# With ■nch #n uuaeounlabic p«uk, that the whole twe hundred sought safety in a disgraceful flight-Several other attempt# were made to rapture the dangerous outlaw, all alike enatag either in ludicrous or bloody failures. In the mejwtimaI HillV conduct underwent a complete ctumge-Forced to he always on the look out, and, thrre-i■fore, unable to follow any vtrady business in or-r der to support his family, he reported U» they*-U unmg-table. He l-t*riM?u alm to iiwHiitfe • *» Htefiery fctiraulous of ardent drink, and hw *b*poui-* Qecetarily soured in the recent events.Came quarrelsome in the extreme. J'erh*ps Uiere never was a man, eaeeptiog only Napoleon duelists. Jam#-** Buww, who w*s so heartilydreaded. I have myself •*#« persons af an-doubted courage turn pale merely at the ap-d peareuce of HiU'» f3gmst»e form, broadly belted: and bristling with pis’ll* H® *« waylaid and,f #hot af a number of time#, yot still escaped wilh-| out a rear- But this coaid be considered ao wonder, for even breve men’s hands shook «h» lh«y„aW him, and shaking hands generally toake v*ry^ ] puof9£ COfrVlMUClkw
Newspaper Details
Madison Daily Courier
Madison, Indiana, US
Fri, Aug 24, 1849
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Jay C.
USA 22 Sep 2022
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