The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-03-08

a Very Remarkable Man-His Queer
Reception and Its Etesult-ADeads Shot
New York SUM-
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 20.-Of all
famous duels perhaps none was more
remarkable than that fought near this.
city by Deaf Smith and Col. Morton.
About two years after the Texas revo-
lution, a difficulty occurred between
the new Government and portion OF
the people, which threatened serious
consequences. Briefly the constitution
made Austin the permanent capital,
but empowered the President to order
the temporary removal OF the archives
in case of danger from foreign enemy
or-sudden insurrection. Thinking that
the exceptional emergency had arrived,
as the Comanches were committing
ravages within sight of the capital,
President Houston, who then resided
at Washington, on the Brazos, dis
patched an order com mandfng his SUBJ
ornates to send the State records to
that town.
1T is impossible to describe the excite
ment which the PRONUNCIATION OF this
order raised in Austin. The keepers OF
hotels, boarding houses, groceries, and
faro banks were aghast. The measure
would be death blow to our business.
A mass meeting was called, and the
farmers OF the surrounding country,
who were all more or less interested in
the question, came in. After many
fiery speeches, it was unanimously
resolved to prevent the removal of the
archives. Four hundred armed men
volunteered to guard the State House.
The commander of this force was Col.
Morton, who had distinguished HIM
self in the war for Independence, and
more recently in two desperate duels,
in both of which he had cut his antag-
onist nearly to pieces with the bowie-
knife. Indeed from his reputation for
vindictiveness as well as courage, it
was thought that President Houston
would renounce his purpose as soon as
he should learn who was the leader of
the opposition. Morton swore that II
the President succeeded in removing
the records he would himself hunt him
down like a wolf. He even wrote the.
hero of San Jacinto TO that effect. The
latter replied in note of laconic
brevity: -ssts .ss
ssIf the people of Austin do not send
the archives, shall certainly come and
take them and if Col. Morton can kill
me, he is welcome to my ear-cap.' -
On the reception of this answer the
guard was doubled around the State
House, chosen sentinels were stationed
along the road leading to the capital,
armed men patrolled the streets, and
select committee went into permanent
session in the City Hall.
One day this committee was surpris-
ed by the sudden appearance of stran-
ger, whose mode of entering the room
was as extraordinary as his looks and
dress. He did not knock at the closed
door, but climbing small, bushy-
topped live oak, which grew beside
the wall, he leaped through a lofty
window. He was clothed in buckskin,
carried a long heavy rifle in his hand,
wore at the bottom of his left suspen-
der a large bowie knife, and had in
his leathern belt a couple of pistols
half the length OF his gun. He was
tall, straight as an arrow, active as
panther in his motions. He had
dark complexion, luxuriant, .jetty hair,
and piercing dark eyes.
s"Who are you who thus presume to
intrude among gentlemen without
invitation ?'' demanded Col. Morton
in his most ferocious manner.
The stranger returned his stare with
compound interest, and laid his long,
bony finger on his lip.
w uo are YOU speak OF LII cut
an answer out of your heart ~ shouted
Morton. The stranger removed his
finger from his lip, and laid it on the
hilt of his monstrous knife.
The fiery Colonel drew his own knife,
but was seized and held back aLet
him alone, Morton, for Gods sake,o
exclaimed his friends. "Do you not
see that he is crazy ?''
AT this moment, Judge Webb, man
Of shred and courteous manners, STEP
ped forward addressed the intruder
courteously: "a -
"My good friend, L presume you
have made mistake in the house.
This is a private meeting, where none
but members are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to COM
prehend the words but he did the
courtesy. Waltzing to table in the
| hall he seized pen and traced one
| line, fsI am deaf.u
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question "Dear sir: Will
you be so obliging as to inform us what
/ is your business with the meeting ?''