The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-03-05
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DEAF SMITHS FAMOUS DUEL.

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DEAF SMITHS FAMOUS DUEL. |
How Sam HOustOn's Scout .DrOp
ped Colonel MOrt0n, OF Texas.
Extraordinary EutrKnEE Into a
Council Chamber of a Very Re.
markable S1an..E1is Queer Re.
CePtiOn and Its Resull.-A Dead
shot.
+ New York Sunl
AUSTIN, TExAs, February l2.-Of all 4
the famous duels recalled by the Sun,
perhaps none was more remarkable than
that fought near this city by Deaf Smith
and Colonel Morton.
About two years after the Texas rev
olution, difficulty occurred between the
new Government and portion of the
people, which threatened serious conse-
quences. 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.
den insurrection. Thinking that the
exceptional emergency had arrived. as
the Comanches we're committing rava-
ges within sight of the Capital, Presi
dent Houston, who. then resided at.
Washington, on the Brazos, dispatched
an order commanding his Subordinate
to send the State records to. that town.
1t is impossible to describe the ex.
element which the promulgstion of this
order raised in Austin. The keepers of
hotels, boarding houses, groceries and,
faro-banks we're aghast The measure.
would be atleath-blow to. their business.
A mass-meeting was called, and the far
mers Of the surrounding country who.
we're all more or less interested in the
question, came in. After many fierv
speeches il was unanimously resolved
to prevent the removal of. the archives.
Four hundred armed men volunteered
to guard the State-house. The COM
mander Of this force was Colonel Nor
ton, who had distinguished himself in
the war for independence, and more re.
Gently in two desperate duels, in both of
which he had cut his antagonists nearly
to pieces with the bowie-knife! Indeed,
from his reputation for vindictifeness 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 opposition. Nor.
ton swore that ifthe President succeeded
in removing the records; he would him.
self hunt him down like q wolf He
even wrote the hero of Ssn JacintU to
that effect. The latter replied in note
of laconic brevity: e~
"If the people of Austin do not send
the archives, shall certainly come and
take them and if Colonel Morton can
kill me he is welcome to my ear-cap."
/ On the reception of this answer the
Ignard sas. doubled around the State.
4 house, chosen sentinels were stationed
along the roads leading to the Capital
armed men patroled the streets, and o
Select Committee went, into permanent
session in the City Hall.
One day this Committee were surpris.
ed by the sudden appearance OF stran.
j ger, 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, be
leaped through the lofty window. He
was clothed in buckskin, carried q long
and heavy rife in his hand, wore at the
bottom of his suspender large bowie
knife, and had in his leathern bell q
couple Of pistols half the length Of bis
gun. He was tall. straight as an arrow,
active as a panther in his motions. He
had dark complexion, luxdriant, jetty
hair, and piercing black eyes
"Who are you who thus presume to
intrude among gentlemen without invi-
tation ?" demanded Colonel 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 your Speak! or I'll cut
an answer out Of your heartp' shouted
Morton. The stranger removed his fin
ger from his lip and laid it ON the hill
of his monstrous knife. a
The fiery Colonel drew bic own knife,
but was seized and held back. "Let
him alone, Morton, for Gods sake" ex.
claimed his friends. Do you MOI see
that be is crazv2' sG
At this moment Judge Webb, q mar
. of shrewd and courteous manners, step.
ped forward and addressed the intruder
! courteoisly: 9'
/ any good friend, I presume you have
, made d mistake in the house. This is I
, private meeting, where none but mem
bers are admitted"
Il The stranger did not appear to con-
prehend the words; but he did the cour
tesy. Waltzing to table in the cente
of the hall be seized pen and trace
one line: 81 am deaf" {
P Judge Webb took the paper and wrot
question: "Dear Sir: Will you be 8,
obligihg as to inform as what is you
: business with the meeting?"
The stranger at once handed him
b letter, inscribed, ITO the Citizens o
e Austin" He broke the seal and read
e aloud. 1t was from Houston: e
d Fellow CITIZENS: Though in error
and deceived by the arts Of traitors,
e will give you three days more TO decid
: whether you will surrender the publ
}. archieyes. At the end Of that time 20
will please let me know your decision
SAN HoUsToN.
After the reading the deaf man. wal,
- ed for few seconds, as il for reply
: and then turned and was about to leav
the hall when Colonel Morton sternl
beckoned him back to the table. TIL
l. stranger obeyed, and Morton wrote
r You were brave enough to insult NJ
e by your threatening looks ten minute
: ago; are You brave enough now to Civ
8 me satisfaction p
e The stranger penned his reply: g
Q am at your service" a
b Morton wrote again: "Who will b
L your second Z"
/ The stranger rejoined: II am too ger
erous to seek an advantage, and to
p brave to fear any on the part Of others
!. therefore l never need the aid OF. se'
), ond."
= Morton wrote: "Name your terms
IS The stranger wrote, without mt