The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-04-19
Mis- @ ella n @ o III 8.
Deaf Smiths Famous Duel.

ABOUT TWO years AFTER the IeXaS reVOlu-
| ton 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 a
| foreign enemy or sudden insurrection.-
| Thinking that the exceptional emergency
had arrived, as the Comanches were com.
hitting ravages within sight of the CAPT
tai, President 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 order
raised in Austin. The keepers of hotels
boarding houses, groceries, and faro banks
were aghast. The measure would be u
death blow to their business. 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 unanim-
ousy 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 himself in the war
for independence and more recently in two
desperate duels, in both of which he had
cut his antagonists nearly to pieces with
the bowie knife. Indeed, from his reputa-
ton 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 op.
position. Morton swore that if the presi-
dent 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 brevity:
eff 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 commit
tee went into permanent session in the city
hall.
One day this 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 q long and heavy
knife in his hand, wore at the bottom of his
left suspender large bowie knife, and had
in his leathern belt 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 complex
ion, luxuriant, jetty hair, and piercing
black eyes,
"Who are you who thus presume to in
trude among gentlemen without invita-
ton 2" 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 I'll cut an
answer out Of your heart /" shouted Nor
| ton. The stranger removed his finger from
| his lip, and laid it on the hilt of his mon
strous knife.
The fiery colonel drew his own knife,
but was seized and held back, "Let him
alone, Morton, for Gods sake" exclaimed
his friends, "Do you not see that he is era
zy9"
| At this moment, Judge Webb, man of
shrewd and courteous manners, stepped for
ward and addressed the intruder courte-
ously:
"My good friend, l presume you have
made a mistake in the house. This is n
private meeting, where none but members
are admitted"
| Tha or to
bend the words; but he did the courtesy.
Waiting to 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 he so oblig-
ing as to inform us what is your business
with the meetings"
The stranger at once handed him 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 deceived by the arts of traitors, will
give you three days 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 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 to insult me by your threatening
looks ten minutes ago; are you brave
enough now to give me satisfaction 2"
The stranger penned his reply: II am
at your service"
Morton wrote again: "Who will be
your second 2"