The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-04-02
A FAMOUS DUEL.

A FAMOUS DUEL.
OF ALL the famous duels in this
" country perhaps none were more
remarkable than that fought near Aus
tin, Texas, by Deaf Smith and Colonel
Morton.
About two years after the Texas revo-
luton, difficulty occurred between the
new Government and portion of the
people. Briefly, the Constitution made
Austin the permanent capital, but en-
powered the President to order the tenn
porary removal of the archives in case
of danger from foreign enemy or sud-
insurrection. Thinking that the ex-
ceptional emergency had arrived, as the
Comanches were committing ravages
within sight of the capital, President
Houston, who then resided at Washing
ton, 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
order raised in Austin. The keepers of
hotels, boarding houses, groceries, and
faro banks were aghast. The measure
would be death blow to their business.
A mass meeting was called, and the
farmers of the surrounding county, who
were more or less interested in the
question, came in.
After many fiery speeches, it was
unanimously resolved to prevent the re-
moval of the archieves. -Four hundred
armed men volunteered to guard the
State House. The commander of the
force was Col. Morton, who had dis
tinguished himself in the war for indie
pendence, and more recently in two des-
perate duels, in both of which he had
cut his antagonists nearly to pieces with
a bowie-knife.
One day the committee were surprised
by the sudden appearance of stranger,
whose mode of entering the room was as
extraordinary as his looks and dress
He did not knock at the closed door, but
climbing a small, bushy-topped live oak,
which grew beside the wall, he leaped
through lofty window. He was clothed
in buckskin, carried long and heavy
rifle in his hand, wore at the bottom OF
his left suspender 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 a
dark complexion, luxuriant, ietty hair
and piercing black eyes.
"Who are you who thus presume to
intrude among gentlemen without invi-
ton ?' demanded Col. Morton in his
most ferocious manner.
The stranger did not seem to compre-
hend the words. Walking to table in
the centre of the hall he seized pen
and traced one line, 81 am deaf"
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
question =" Dear Sir :-Will you be
so obliging as to inform us what is your
business with this meeting ?"
The stranger at once handed him q
letter, inscribed =" To the citizens o.
| <AuSbiA. Ilfc SELL anu TSttu
aloud. 1t was from Houston
FELLOW CITIZENS Though in error
and deceived by the arts of traitors, ]
will give you three days more to decide
whether you will surrender the public
archives. At the end of that time you
will please let me know your decision.
SAM. HOUSTON.
After the reading the deaf man waitet
for few seconds, as if for a reply, ant
then he turned and was about to leav,
the hall when Colonel Morton sternly
beckoned him back to the table. TIL,
stranger obeyed. and Morton wrote:
You were brave enough to insult M
by your threatening looks are yol
brave enough now to give me satisfac
ton 2"
The stranger penned the reply
am at your service"
Morton wrote SO Name your terms.
The stranger wrote without mo
ment's hesitation -" Time sunset thi