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RANGE COURT HOUSE, VA.. FRIDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 25, 1868.JodiraTTHE BEVEILLE.TR A If SLATED FROM TUI GRRMAN.Hark ! I hear the tramp of thousands And of armed men the hum*I,o! a nation’s host have gathered Round the quick alarming drum— Haying, “Come,Freemen, come!Ere your heritage he wasted,” said the quick alarming drum.ULet me of my heart take counsel;War is not of life the sum!Who shall stay and reap the harvests When the autumu days shall comeBut the drum Echoed “Como!Death shall reap the bravest harvest,” said tho solemn sounding drum.“But when won the coming battle,What ofprottt springs therefrom?What if conquest—subjugation—Even greater evils become?But the drum Answered, “Como!You must do tlie sum to prove it,” said the promptly answering drum.“What if, 'mid the cannon’s thunder, Whistling shell and bursting tnirnb— When my brothers fail around me,Bhould ray heart grow cold and numb?” But iht drum Answered “Come!Better than In death .united, than in life a recreant—-’Come.' ”Thus they answered— hoping-fearing— Home In faith, doubting some,Till a trumpet voice proclaiming.Said, “my chosen people coino!”Then the drum,Lo! was dumb,For tho great heart of the nation, throbbing,answered—“Lord we come!”THE OUTLAW.TRUTH STRANGER TllAN FICTION.[There are those who disbeVicve the dory below, but it is true ill every particular. We knew Nixon Curry, And i more brave, honorable and candid nan, prior to the affair with the Strongs, lever breathed. The writer has omit-,ed to mention two tacts—first, that Uurry was under the influence of stronglrink when ne revealed the strange history of his early life, although lie was a irery temperate man. Tho second onus-ioti is that Moses Howard, spoken of,. • V C / 1 - .-V •• r* _Bill *-as the betrothed of Curry s supreme-.... . ftary. —Butteft1e*beautiful daughterounty (t 'al.) Press, jIn tiie year 18—there lived m Iredell ounty, N. 0., a Presbyterian ministerv the naino of Curry. He was a man i coiutortahle cireumsthnces, of most xcellent reputation, with a large fami-f of sous and daughters. Among these as a boy by the name of Nixon, noted r his sprightliness, his activity and u rage. . cMany are the incidents recorded ofa early days, wherein he won the reject and admiration of his school -ates. lie seemed impulsive, generous, id the possessor of many noble quali-,From childhood Nixon Curry was in ve. His fair on* was a girl somewhat onnffer than himself, attending the me school with him. She returned s affection, and so ardently were they tached to one another that, what is ore rare to childhood, no rival was rer suffered to come between them.Thus they grew up in a delicious ream of the future, and as their years icreased, so apparently did their pas-ons for each other. At fit teen this as so evident that their parents for-ide all interview between them. Herarents were the very F. F.’s of Northarolina, and they Iwd and could easi-secure more brilliant prospects tor9And now began his second scries ofmisfortunes. Hill’s most intimate neighbors were the Strongs, four brothers ot considerable wealth, a great dealof ambition, and in the phrase of the country, “famous fighters.” A close and cordial intimacy grew up between them and Hill, and the latter most unfortunately and unguardedly made George, t he eldest, a confidant of his previous history. It so happened that George had a most ambitious desire for political distinction, and made a request of Hill that he should resign his seat in the Senate in his favor. Hill refused,. a _ a . at., *»/ a ■» miland the brothers cons Ad to revenge.aTOina, they pro-Sending to North C— _T. .cured a copy of the reward ottered for Nixon Curry, the notorious robber.— The four powerful and determined as they were, dared not attempt his capture alone, but secured the assistance of a dozen men, and made the attempt to capture Hill in his own house. The hitter never forgot his daily peril. Hcal-wavs carried a double barreled shot gun, two long rifle pistols, and a formidable knife. Arkansas bad never been noted as a peacably inclined state, and in thjse days its pooulatiou numbered a greater p *r cent, oi desperadoes and lawless men than it does at the present. ,The attack of the Strongs proved a dreadful one for themselves, two of the brothers were shot dead, while sixof the others were badly wounded, several of them were glad to withdraw tor the time. This affair caused the most unbounded excitement throughout Arkansas. The thought that the chivalrous ami highly popular Jolm Hill eou.d be identical with the notorious rubber, Nixon Curry, was swaggering to hundreds. Many fora time refused tube-1 i (‘ V0 it -Perhaps the state of public feelings can best be shown by the two following extracts from the Little Hock Gazette.— The first appeared when Hill became sopopular during the days ot the conveu-U “A mong the truest friends of the people of all in tho present Conventionmay be named John Hill, ot St I rands. His energy, eloquence, and courage fuliv entitle him to a place he holds, and, as we trust, will long retain—that of the leader of the Arkansas Democracy.Judge, lawyers, jury, spectators all made a rush for the door. One manwho lagged behind was seized by Hill and beaten unmercifully.Young Howard caught hold of the infuriated man,and attempted to restrain him, when, glaring like a tiger, he turned upon the youth and struck him to theearth. Before he could rise llill sprang iiiion him and commenced pounding him “For God’s sake, stop. Hill! Don’t you know me, your frbud—Howard.” Hill seemed to grow more furious each moment, and finally clutched a pistol.Howard seeing the crisis had come,seized the bowie knife that protruded from his vest and buried it hi his bosom.“The dream is fulfilled !” exclaimed Hill, with a smile of singular sweetness that lingered on his naturally handsome face after lie was a corpse.He then died without a groan. Howard looked down inro Ii s face, as if unable to realize what be had done. Then he burst into tears.**God knows 1 would not have done it if I could have helped it, but it was either your life or mine.”He turned away with a gloomy air, and upon the instant disappeared.lie was never seen in Arkansas a-gain, but some time afterwards a trader brought the news that he was living atHan Antonia, Texas.Were we writing fiction, wo should here lav aside the pen; but as we ure giving facts simply, which can be substantiated, duty compels us to add another fncident before this tragic ta.e isended. TTJI1It will be remembered that Hill enjoined tipdn his sou to avenge his death. Faithfully did that son obey the command. When he had reached his sixteenth year he left for Texas, and wasgone several months.When he returned, he saul to hismothers“It is done, mother! Poor Howard ! 1 pitied him, but 1 had to do it.”thuereb-breds,L’he natural consequence followed.— e lovers met by stealth, and renewed sir pledges to each other. lhey smised that whatever should occur would never wed any one else, ami xou vowed to stand by her so long as _ath of life remained in his body.►ritU length, at the age of eighteen, en Lucy's relatives weie doing thenidt.fl.nost to force her into the arms ot an icr, she tied with her true and de.vot-lover. They were immediately pur-►d and overtaken, when the enraged xon Curry, brought to bay, turned 1 shot bis rival and renewed hisL’he pursuit was hot—-lie succeeded iniding them, and took refuge in the leghany Mountains, near the soutccsdie Catawba. ..Here really begins the extraordinary•eer of Nixon Curry. Under the pleanecessity, he took up the professionrobber, and speedily rendered his me famous by the number and charter of liisexploits. V\ ithout attempt -▼ to give any of the minor moments,should be stated that the young rob-r never took a life for the fiukc ot mder. although he did it. again andaiu to avoid arrest.flic Governor of Nortli Carolina of-•ed $5,000 for his apprehension, andmy parties, tempted by the offer, en-«red in the pursuit. They frequently ilied sight of the notorious bandit; ire than once the crack ot his death-aling rifle was heard from some ad-ninir rock; buft never were they ableThe second extract is taken from thepaper for May, 1840:“Bloody Affray.—A desperate encounter occurred in Hr, brands last week Two distinguished c tizens were killed, and three others dangerously wounded. The difficulty resulted trom an attempt to arrest John Hill, a member of the last Legislature and formerly ,.l the State Convention, w'lO.asit is alleged, is the notorious robber N lion rrv, who committed such atrocities fifteen years age in the mountains oiNA reqidsitioii’was sent by tite Governor of Vortli Carolina demanding the surrender ot Nixon Curry. The governor of Arkansas published an additional reward for the arrest of John Hill; and tlms between the two it seemed as it was about up with the viet tn.Hill packed up hastily, and set out with his wife and children tor upper Arkansas, where he knew ot the existence of a band of desperadoes that lie had reason to believe would protect him. He was pursued by over a hundred of the citizens, many of them unarmed. and attending only for the purpose ot witnessing the sport and securing a part of the munificent reward thatwas offered tor his apprehension. IIill was overtaken at Conway Courthouseby these men, and liaultmg ins wagon and admonishing his wife and children to keep their place, lie marched loithwith his death-dealing gun.The gallantry of the act on, and Hill sin redible bravery, operated m ms favor Many were unwilling to hurt sointrepid a character; others were afraid; a panic was created, and Hill pursued his way unmolested.Subsequent attempts were made to arrest him, bat all resulted tragically orludicrously to those attempting it. it was known that he could never he taken alive, and many began to believe that he could not when dead also.The constant pursuit and hunting him changed his nature. He became morose and sour, and unable to follow any regular business. He resorted to the gambling table tor the support of his family. He became a drinker, too. and was speedily transformed into a most bitter and quarrelsome opponent.If Hill had been famous among trie mountains of North Carolina, he now became doubly so. Excepting perhaps,that prince ot duelists, James Bowie, there never was a man win. inspired more terror. Hen who had required a wide reputation tor deeds ot daring turned pale when thcv encountered Hill. Bullies who sought quarrels on the slightest pretext accepted all manner of Insults from him without a singleword of rf monstrance.One day in September, while he was seated afctlie brcaWfast tabic, Himhurst into tears.“What is the matter dear? inquiredhis wife. , t*have had a droadtul dream. It is a warning. I know I shall die before sunset. Together we have encountered perils and hardships; you have aban • doned wealth and position for my sake, and \ou have never spoken an unkind word to me. We have loved trom childhood, and that love lias never knownThe following account of “Thurrer-Breds” will be interesting. It is from the pen of a new humorist:'Vhurrer-Bred IIo8s:—\ boss which liashad his breed improved by means of a sulky, containin a feller with a long whip, till lie aim worth 18 sents for any purpose except a gambling masheen.Thurrer-Bred Gentlemen:—A bob tail cote, a 3 sent papur koller,a white kot-ten weskit, valler trowses without any clotli into tlie legs,shiny lether boots, a pare of yeller gloves, and inside of ’em all a thing got up in imataehuu of a man, but as the kouuterfclt detectors say, poorly executed and not kulkelafed to deseve. Must svr.tr, drink shampam and tolk horse. Mustash indispensa-bul.branes onnessary.Thurrer- Bred Biznesss Man:—W un thatknows euuff about stealing, so’t thare kaut ennyoody steal from him, and euuff about law, so't lie kin do his ownstealing legally. A kartul anaUsls of afust, klass specimen gave the tollefinresults: fHonor—Jest cnuff to keep him out ofjailKonshuns—None except in veryyoung specimens.Lyiu and Steeiin -Asmuchaswill pay. Honesty—Jest a kloke pattern. Respectability— Accordlu to Ins suk-(JC ss.Thurrer-Bred Haskal:—Same a» abuv with the excepshun ot the kloke.Thurrer-Bred Lady:—The old fashunuidee, about a woman sicti as God made beiii a lady is exploaded—a modern thurrer bred lady is made up as Toilerscommend ii at the topslstly. A swab of hair stole trom thekorps of a ded paw per in the old kuu-* 2tlily. A bed with as much vacant room into it in proporshun to the size as to a six story teueim nt house.3dly. A dress waste, kiverin a r rencli kossit, into which is komprest about equal quantities of Naturand Art—Artoccupying the front seats.41lily. A hoop skirt, showin when tilted “a’lu inoad,” a pare of sawdust kalfs; the hull beiu kivered with an outside d re sain of silk and kept in ninnm order at an expense of about live hundred dollars a month for repairs.liES. PART*MGTOlf OH MA30HS.“WasUncle Paul a Mason !” Ike asked of Mrs. Partington, as he stood looking at the rigid profile Of the ancn-nt coporai of the “Bloody Eleventh thathung on the wall.“No, he was a veteran sergeant, naturally, th.iiigh In* took in gardening afterwards, and raised the most wonderful squashes, that always took the primer at the Horticultural I* air.“I mean was he a Free Mason? continued ike.“O, dear, no,” replied she, “and 1 m glad of it, for t hey are a great deal 4oo tree in throwing their plasterln round, which is very mortarfying, and takes the color out of things so; and when they whitewashed the kitchen die it t thev make free with the balmy bud rum which they mistook tor a cordial, -nd1 wish to gracious it had been a rf*J{c to have taught 'em a iessCii to be a littleloss free next time.”“But, Free Masons,’ said l*e, Petulantly,“ain’t masons: I mean the fellows that built the temple.“O!” she exclaimed, “them? veil, dear, I have heard of a good many things they fiid- then *j»in I hnve
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Gordonsville Native Virginian
Gordonsville, Virginia, US
Fri, Sep 25, 1868
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USA 22 Sep 2022
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Gordonsville Native Virginian
