Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-03-14
DEAF SMITHS FAMOUS DUEL,
low SAM HoUsToN's fscoUT DROPPED
COL. MORTON OF IRxAs.

low SAM HOUsToN's fsCoUT DROPPED
COL. MORTON OF IRXAs.
About two years after the Texas
evolution difficulty occurred be-
ween the new government and 4
portion of the people, which threaten
d serious consequences. Briefly the
constitution made Austin the perma-
'ent capital, but empowered the pres
lent to order the temporary removal
If the archives in case of danger from
foreign enemy or sudden iusurrec-
ion. Thinking that the exceptional
emergency had arrived, as the Com
nanches were committing ravages
within sight Of the capital, President
iouston, who then resided at Wash
'gton, on The Brazos, despatched an
rider commanding his suboTdinates
o send the State records TO that town.
1t is impossible to describe the ex-
.itement which the PRONUNCIATION Of
his order raised in Austin. The
keepers OF hotels, boarding houses.
groceries, and faro banks were a2last.
The measure would be n death blow Il
heir bu siness. \ mass meeting was
allied, and the farmers of the sur
rounding country, who were all Iaor1
or less interested in the question.
came in. After many fiery speeches,
it was unanimously resolved 10 pre-
vent the removal of the archives.
Four hundred armed men volunteered
to guard the State house The com
mander OF this force was Col. Nor
ton, who had distinguished himself il
the war for independence, and more
recently in two desperate ducls, il
both of which he had cut his aGiagJ-
nists nearly to pieces with the bowie
knif.. Indeed, from his reputation
for vindictiycncss IS we'll as COURAGE.
it was thought that President Hons
ION would rcmouncc his purpose ~
soon as he should learn Hho wa- :hc
leader OF the opposition. Morton
swore that if the president succeeded
in removing the records. he wouii
himself hunt him down like q wolf.
He even " ote the hero Of San Jacinto
to that effect. The latter replied IN
n note of laconic brevity
"If the people Of Austin do not
send the archives, sha.I certainly
cone and take them; and il Col.
Morton can kill me he is welcome Ia
my ear-cap.''
On the reception of this enswcr the
rnard Hrns d9abla1 around the State
honse, chosen sentinels were stationed
along the road leading to the capital,
armed men patroIled the streets, and
& select committee went into perma-
nent session in the city hall.
One day this committee were sur
prised by the Sudden appearance OF a
stranger, whose mode of entering the
room was as ordinary as his looks
and dress. He did not knock at the
closed door, but climbing a small,
bushy-toppcd live oak, which grew
beside the wall, he leaped through Il
loft window. He was clothed in back
skin, carried long heavy knife in
bis hand, wore at the bottom Of his
left suspenler large bowie knife,
and had in leather belt a couple OF
pistols.half the length Of gun. He
was tail, straight as an arrow, active
a. a panther in his motions. He had
a dark complexion, luxuriant, jetty
hair, and piercing black eyes.
"Who are you who thus presume
to intrude among gentlemen without
invitation?'' demanded Col. Morton
in his most ferocious manner.
The stranger returned his stare
with compound interest, aud laid his
long bony fingers on his lip.
"Who are you? Speak or I'll cut
an answer out of your hearth shout
ed Morton. The stranger removed
his finger 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 GOD
sake" exclaimed his friends, ''I2-
you not see tha he 10 crazyt'
At this moment, Judge Webb, a
man of shrewd and courteous man
ners, stepped forward and addressed
the intruder courteously:
''My good friend, / presume you
have made a mistake i'll the house.
This is a private meeting, where none
but members are admitted.
''The stranger did not appear to
comprehend the words; but he did
the courtesy. Waiting to a table
in the center of the hall he seized 4
pen and traced one line, Il am
deaf.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question:: ''Dear sir~Wiil
you be so obliging as TO inform MS
what is your business with this meet
ing =
The stranger at once handed him
letter, inscribed, "To the citizens
of Austin. He broke tho seal and
read it aloud. 1t was from Hous-
ton:
..Fellow Citizens Though i'll er-