Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-07-14
DEAF SMITH.


About two years after the Texan revo
luton, a difficulty occured between the
new government and portion of the pee
pie. which threatened the most serious
consequences, even the bloodshed and hor
ors OF civil war. Briefly the cause, was
this ..... .. Ins. !.
The constitution had fixed the city of
Austin as the permanent capital, where
the public archives we're 10 be kept, with
the reservation, however, of power ia
the President to order their temporary re.
movai in case of danger from the inroads
Of foreign enemy, or the force of q sud-
den insurrection. -..
Couceiving that the exceptional emer-
geucy bad arrived, as the Camarches fire.
Quentlv committed ravages within sig bit
OF the capital itself, Houston, who then
resided at Washington on the Brazos dis
PATCHED an order Commanding his subor-
dinate tanctionaries to send the State Re
cords TO the latter place, which he declared
was pro tempore the seat OF government,
1t is impossible to describe the stormy
exeitemen, which the promu ga,ion of this
fiat raised IN Austin. The keepers of no.
tells, board -hoases, groceries and faro
banks, were thunderstruek, maddenea to
phrensv for the measure would be a death
blow TO their prosperity in business and
Accordingly they determined at once TO
| take the necessary stepto avert the danger,
by opposing the execution of Houston s
mandate They called a mass meeting of
the citizens and farmers of the circumia.
| all l..
interested in the question, and after many
fiery speeches asains:the asserted tyranny
of the administration. II was unanimousl y
resolved to prevent the removal of the ar
chives bv open and armed resistance. To
that end they organized company OF
four hundred men, one smoiety of whom
relieved the other at regular periods OF
dnty. should keep constant guard around
the State House until the peril had passed
by The commander of this force was
one Col. Morton. who had achieved con
siderable renown in the war for indepen-
denee, and hnd still more recently dis
PLAYED desperate bravery in two duels. in
both of which he had cut his antagonists
nearly TO pieces with the bowie knife In
deed from the notoriety of his character
for revenge, as we'll KS courage, it was
thahc bt that President f!ioaston would re
nounce his purpose touching the archives,
so soon a. he should learn who was the
leader Of the opposition.
Morton, on his part whose vanity fully
equalled his personal prowess, encouraged
and justified the prevailing opinion by
his hoas,ful threats He swore that il
the President did succeed ia removing
the records by the march Of nm overpower
ing force, he would then himself hunt him
down like wolf and shoot him with little
ceremony. He even wrote The hero o
San Jancinto to that effect. The latter re
piled in a note With leconic bravery:
!" IF the people of Austin do not send
the archives shall certainly come and
take them; and if Col. Mortin can take
me he is welcome to my ear cap
On the reception of ibis answer, the
guard was doubled around The State House
Chosen sentincls were stationed along ths
road leading to the capital, the military
paraded the streets from morning til
night, and a select caucus held permanent
sessions in the Ci.y-Hsll. In short every
thing betokened n coming tempest.
Ore day, while matters were in this pre-
carious condition, the caucus At the Cit,
Hall vas surprised by the sudden appear
ance Of a slrareer whose mode Of enter
ing was extraordinary as his Looks an'
dress He did not loo.s at the closed dool
--ha did not seek admission there at all
hut climbing, unseen, np small bush,
topped live oak, which grew beside tn,
wall, he leaped without sound or warming
throuyhn n lofty window. fle was clo,het
atoge,her in buckskin. carried long ant
verv heavy rifle in his hand. wore q, tn,
bo.;em Of his left snspendern huge bowie
knit, md had in his is#tbern bel coupl
Of pistols half the length OF his gun. II,
was tall, sirai ght as an arrow, active az
panther in his motions, with dark complex
ion and luxuriant jetty hair, with severe
iron like countenance, that seemed neve
10 have known aasmie. aud eyes of vivi'
black, wild and rolling, and piercing a
u the point NJ dagger. His strange a,lyen
inspired thrill Of involuntary fear, IAN
J many unconsciouslyS grasped the handls
( Of their side arma. 1855
i "Who are yop that thus presume tot
trude among the gentleman, without mi
tation p demanded Colonel Morton, sssa,