The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-04-13
DEAF SMITHS FAMOUS DUEL.
How Sam l'ouSt0n's Scent Dropped
Col. Morton of Texas.
( \. Y. Sun,


Of all the famous duels recalled
by the Sun, perhaps none was more
remarkable than that fought near
Austin, Tex, by Deaf Smith and Col.
Norton.
About two years after tile Texas
Revolution, a difficulty occurred be-
tween the Government and portion
of the people, which threatened soyi-
Gus consequences. Briefly, the Con
stitution made Austin the permanent
capital, but empowered the President
to oldor the temporary removal of the
archieves in case of danger from a for
ciyn enemy or sudden insurrcction.-
Thinking that the exceptional cmer-
gency had arrived, as the Commanch-
es were committing ravages within
sight of the capital, President Hous-
ton, who then resided at Washington,
on the Brazos, despatched an order
commanding his subordinates to send
the State records to that town.
1t is impossible to describe the ex-
element which the PRONUNCIATION of
this order raised IN Austin. The keep
ers of hotels, boarding ~house: ., g1oce-
ries, and faro banks were aghast. The
measure would be a deathblow to
their business. A mass meeting was
called, and the farmers of 1.-THE sur
rounding country, who were all more
or less interested in the question,
came in. After many fiery speeches
it was unanimously resolved to pre-
vent the removal of the archives
Four hundred armed men VOLUNTEERED
to guard the State House: The com
mauder of this force was Col. Morton,
who had distinguished himself in the
war for independence, and more re-
Gently in two desperate duels, in both
of which he had cut his antagonists
nearly to pieces with the bowie-knife
Indeed, from his reputation for vindic'
tiveness as well as courage, it was
thought that President Houston would
renouncc his pupose as soon as he
should Learn who was the leader O
the opposition. Morton swore that j
the President succeeded in removin!
the records he would himself hun
him down like wolf. He even wrote
the hero of San Jacinto that effect
! The latter replied in a note of lacODil
brevity:
eff the people of Austin do not sen(
the archives, | shall certainly CONF
and take them; and if Col. Morton
eau kill me is welcome to my ear
cap"
On the reception of this answer thu
guard was doubled around the Stat'
House, chosen sentinels were station
ed along the road leading to the CAPT
tai, armed men patrolcd the streets
and a secret committee went into per
manent session in the City Hail.
| One day this committee were sur
prised by the sudden appearance of
stranger, whose mode of entering til
room was as extraordinary as hi
looks and dress. He did not knock a
the closed door, but climbing smal
bushy topped live oak, which grey
beside the wall, he lcaped through
lofty window. He was clothed i
buckskin, carried a long and heav
rifle in his hand, wore at the bottol
of his left suspender a large bowie
knife, and had ia his leathern belt
couple of pistols half the length of hi
gun. He was tall, straight as an al
row, active as a panther in his mo
tions. He had a dark complexion
luxuriant, jetty hair, and piercin
black eyes.
"Who are you who thus presume
intrude among gentlemen without If
vitation 2" demanded Col. Morton i
his most ferocious manner
The stranger returned his stare wit
compound interest, and laid his loDI
bony finger on his lip.
"Who are you? Speak! or IN CT
an answer out of your heart" shoute
Morton. The stranger removed h