The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-03-23
DEAF SMITHS DUEL.
THE WAY SAM. HOUSTON'S SCOUT
DROPPED COLONEL NORTON.

Extra ordinary Entrance Into a Council
Chamber Of q Very Remarkable Man.
His Queer Reception and its Result
a. Dead Shot.
From the Nep Yorh: Sun.
AUSTIN, Texas, February 12.-Of
all the famous duels recalled by
tho Sttn, perhaps none was more
remarkable than that fought near
this city by Deaf Smith and Colonel
Morton.
About two years after the Texas
revolution, difficulty occurred be-
tween the new government and a
portion of the people, which
threatened serious consequences.
Briefly, the constitution mado
Austin the permanent capital, but
empowered t,ne President to order
the temporary removal of tho
archives in case of danger from a
foreign enemy or sudden insurrec-
ton. Thinking that the exception
al emergency had arrived, as the
Comanches wore committing ravages
within sight of the capital, Presi-
dent Houston, who then resided at
Washington, on the Brazos, dis
patched an order commanding his
subordinates to send the State
records to that town.
1t is impossible to describe the
excitement which the promulga-
tion of this order raised in Austin.
The keepers of hotels, boarding
houses, groceries and faro banks
were ughast The measure would
be death-blow to their business.
A mass meeting was called, and
the farmers of the surrounding
country, who were all moro or less
interested in the question, came in.
After many fiery speeches, it was
unanimously resolved to prevent
tho removal of tho archives. -Four
hundred armed men volunteered to
guard the State House. The COM
mander OF this force was Colonel
Morton, who had distinguished
himself in the war for independ-
ence, and more recently in two
desperate duels, in both of which
lie had cut his antagonists nearly to
pieces with the bowie knife. In
deed, from his reputation for vim
dictiveness 40 we'll as courage, it
WAS thought that President Hous-
ton would renounce his purpose as
soon as he should learn who was the
leader Of the opposition. Morton
swore that if the President suc-
ceeued in removing the records, he
would himself hunt him down like
wolf. He even wrote the hero
Of San Jacinto to that effect. The
latter replied in a note of laconic
brevity
"If the people of Austin do not
send the archives, shall certainly
come and take them; and if Colonel
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 a.ong the road leading to
the capital, armed men patrolled
the streets, and a select committee
went into permanent session in the
city hall.
One day this committee were sur,
prisod by the sudden appearance of
q stranger, whose mode of entering
the room was as extraordinary as
lis looks and dress. Flo did not
knock ut the closed door, but climbs
ing small bushy-topped live oak,
which grew beside the wall, he
leaped through lofty window. He
was clothed in buck--skin, carried q
long anu heavy rifle in his hand,
wore at the bottom of his left
suspender a large ie-knife, and
had in his leathern belt couple of
pistols half the length of his gun.
He was tall, straight as an arrow,
active rs panther in his motions.
He had dark complexion, luxuri-
ant, ietty hair, and piercing black
eyes.
"Who are you who thus presume
to intrude among gentlemen with
out invitation 2" demanded Colonel
Morton, in his most ferocious mans
ner.