The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-02-28

and had in his leathern belt couple OF
pistols half the length of his gum he
was tall, straight as an arrow, active as
a panther in his motions. He had a dark
complexion, luxuriant, jetty half' ana
piercing black eyes.
"Who are you who thus presume 10 ms
trude among gentlemen without invita-
tion?' demanded Col. Morton IN MS
most ferocious manner. .,
The stranger returned his stare with
compound interest, and laid his long,
bony finger on his lip, 80,
"Who are your Speak or III cut an
answer out of your heartg' shouted Nor
ton. The stranger removed his hnger
from his lip, and laid it on the hllt OF his
INDUSTRIOUS knife. e.,
The fiery Colonel drew his knife but
was seized and held back. LET him
alone, Morton, for Gcd's sake, exclaimN
ed his friends. "Do you not see that ne
is crazy2'
AT this moment Judge Webb, a man
of shrewd and courteous manners, slepH |
ped forward and addressed the intruder
courteously;
"My good friend, presume you have
made mistake in the house. Ihls is
private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted"
The stranger did not appear to COM
prehend the words; bat he did the cour-
tesy. Waiting to a table in the centre
of the hall he seized pen and traced
one line, ~ am deaf, "
Judge Webb took the paper and wrote
a question: Dear sir; Will you be SO
obiiging as to inform US what is your bu'
siness with the meeting?
The stranger at once handed him let>
ter, inscribed, "To the citizens OF Aus
tin" He broke the seal and read 1t
aloud. 1t was from Houston.
FELLOW CITIZENS: Though in error, and deceiv.
ed by the arts OF traitors will give you three DAYS
more N decide whether you will surrender the
pnblic archives. AT the end Of that time you Will
pleaSe le' ino AHO" '''' N SAM HOUSTON.
After the reading the deaf man waited
for a few seconds, as If for reply, and
then turned and was about to leave the
hall when Col. Morton sternly beckoned
him back to the table, The stranger
obeyed, and Morton wrote; "You were
brave enough toinsut me by yourthreat-
ening looks ten minutes ago; are you
brave enough now to give me satlstacN
tion?
The stranger penned his reply; Il am
at your service! .,,,
Morton wrote again; "Who will be
your seconds"
The stranger rejoined II am too gem
erous to seek an advantage, and too
braveGo fear any on the part of others;
therefore | never need the aid of secN
ond."
Morton wrote: "Name your terms"
The stranger wrote, without a moments
hesitation: "Time, sunset this evening;
place, the left bank of the Colorado, ops
posite Austin; weapons, rifles; and dis
tance a hundred yards. Do not fail to be
in time"
He then walked across the floor, and
disappeared through the window as sud-
denly as he had entered.
"What," exclaimed Judge Webb, lis
it possible you intend 20 fight that man,
Colonel? He is a mute, if not maniac.
Such meeting, fear will sadly tarnish
your laurels. =,
"You are mistaken, said Morton, with
smile; "that mute is hero whose
name stands in the records of dozen
battles and at least half as many bloody
duels. Besdes.he is favorite emissary
and bosom friend of Houston. If have
the good fortune to kill him, think it
will tempt the President to retract his
VOW against venturing any more upon
the field of honor" d"
"You know the man, then? Who is
he?" asked twenty voices together.
Deaf Smith"
mo, that cannot be. Deaf Smith was
killed at San Jacinto, said Judge Webb.
"There, again, your honor is mista~
ken, said Morton. "The story ofSmlths
death was mere icton,g got up by Hous-
ton to save the life of his favorite from
the sworn vengeance of certain Texans,
on whose conduct he had acted as a spy.
| found that out twelve months ago"
Then you are madman yourself" "
exclaimed Webb. deaf Smith was news
er known to miss his mark"
The thing is settled" said Morton, II
have agreed to meet him. There can be
no disgrace in falling before such shot,
and if kill him it will be the greatest
feat of my life"
Towards evening a vast crowd assent
bled to witness the meeting and so great
was the popular recklessness asto affairs
of this sort that bets we're offered and ia
ken on all sides upon the result. AT sum
set the two men arrived, with long gheavy
rifles, took their places, back to back,
and at signal walked slowly and stead,
lily off in opposite directions, counting
their steps until each had measured fifty.
They both completed the given number
at about the same instant and wheeled
around. As the distance was great both
paused for some seconds. The face of
Col. Morton was calm and smiling The
face of Deaf Smith was as stern and i'm
passive as ever. The Colonel was in
broadcloth, the scout in smokestinted
leather.
The two rifles exploded at the same
instant. Colonel Morton sprang into
the air and dropped to the earth, dead.
Deaf Smith quietly reloaded his rifle, and
walked away into the forest,
Three days afterward, General Hous-
ton, accompanied by Deaf Smith and ten
other men, appeared in Austin, and reN
moved the State papers.
Deaf Smith was one of the most extra
ordinary characters ever known in the
| West. He made his advent in Texas at
an early period, and continued to reside
there until his death, which occurred. l
believe about 1850. But, although he
had many warm friends, no one ever
learned where he had been born or any
particulars of his previous history When
he was questioned on the subject, ne