Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-04-05
A FAMOUS DUEL.

near Austin, Texas, by Deaf Smith and
COL Morton.
About two years after the Texas Rev
olution, 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 a foreign enemy or
sudden insurrection. Supposing that
the exceptional emergency had arrived,
as the Comanches were committing raw
ages within sight of the capital, Presi
dent Houston, who then resided at
Washington, on the Brazos, dispatched
an order commanding his subordinates
to send the State records to that town.
1t is impossible to describe the excite
ment which the PRONUNCIATION of this or
der raised in Austin. The keepers of
the hotels, boarding houses, groceries
and faro banks were aghast. The meas
ure would be death blow to their busi-
ness. A mass meeting was called, and
the farmers of the surrounding country
who were more or less interested in
this question, came in. After many
fiery speeches it was unanimously re-
solved to prevent the removal OF the ar
chives. -Four hundred armed men vol
unteered to guard the State House. The
commander of this force was Colonel
Morton, who had distinguished himself
in the war for independence, and more
recently in two deperate duels, in both
of which he had cut his antagonists
nearly to pieces with the bow lie knife.
Indeed, from his reputation for vindic-
tiveness as well as courage, it was
thought that President Houston would
renounce his purpose as soon as he
should learn who was leader of the OPP
position. Morton swore that if the
President succeeded 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 note of laconic brevi-
If the people of Austin do not send
the archives, 1 shall certainly come and
take them; and if Col. Morton can kill
me, he is certainly 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 a
select committee went into permanent
session in the City Hall.
One day this committee were surprised
ed by the sudden appearance OF a strager,
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 with buckskin, carried
long and heavy rife in his hand, wore
at the bottom of his left suspender a
large bowie knife, and in his lcathern
belt couple of pitsols, half the length
of his gun He was tall, straight as an
arrow. active as pantherin in his motions,
He had a dark complexion, luxuriant,
jetty hair, and piercing black eyes.
who are you who thus presumes in
trude among gentlemen without invita-
tion?" 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.
Who are you? Speak! or LII cut an
answer out of your heart shouted
Morton. The stranger removed his fing
er 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. Let
him alone, Morton, for Gods sakel ex-
claimed his friends. Do you not see
that he is crazy
At this moment, Judge Webb, man
of shrewd and courteous manners, step
ped forward and addressed the intruder
courteously:
My good friend, | presume you have
made mistake in this house. This is
private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted.
The stranger did not appear to COM
prehend the words; but he did the
courtesy Waltzing to table in the
center of the hall he seized pen and
traced one hne, = am deaf.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote a question: Dear Sir: Will
you be SO oblging as to inform us what
is your business with the meeting?'
The stranger at once handed him a
letter inscribed, ITO the citizens of
Austin" He broke the seal and read it
aloud. 1t was from Houston:
FELLOW CITIZENS; Though in error. and de-
ceived by the arts of traitors, l will give you
three days more to decide whether. you will
surrender the public archives. At the end of
hn " know
ciSiOn. SAM HOUSTON.
After the reading the deaf man wait
ed for few seconds, as if for reply,
and then turned and was about to leave.
the hall when Morton sternly beckoned
him back to the table. The stranger
obeyed, and Morton wrote: You were
brave enough to insult me by your
threatening looks ten minutes ago; are
you brave enough now to give me salts
iaction?'
The stranger penned his reply: Il
am at your service"
Morton wrote again: Who will be
your second?'
The stranger rejoined: =" am too
generous to seek an advantage, and too
brave to fear any Oh the part OF others;
therefore | never need the aid OF sec
ond."
Morton wrote: Name your terms"
The stranger wrote, without mo-
ment's hesitation: Time, sunset this
evening; place, the left bank Of the Col
orado, opposite Austin; weapons, rifles,
and distance 100 yards Do not fail to
be in time
He then went across the foOr and
disappeared through the window as sud
denly as he entered.
What exclaimed Judge Webb, . is
it possible you intend to fight that man,
Colonel? He is mute, if not maniac.
such meeting, ! fear, will sadly tarn-
ish your laurels.
You are mistaken said Morton,
with smile, that mute is hero
whose name stands in the records of a
dozen battles, and at least half as many
bloody duels. Besides, he is favorite
emissary and bosom friend of Houston.
If have the good fortune to kill him,
it will tempt the President to retract
his VOW AGAINST ynuturIuU any moro m