The Republican journal., 1881-04-28
Deaf Smiths Duel.
IJim Nastic in Wheeling Leader, |

| When the adventurous and irrepressible from
tersman on the outskirts of civilization crowded
down into the far Southwest even into Mexico,
and by series of aggressive acts which resulted
in the massacre of the Almo (where fell some of
the most heroic spirits that graced the annals
of any land) and eliminated in the victory of San
Jocnto by which Texas became an independent
government under the administration of General
Sam Houston, knowD as the Lone Star Repub-
lie. and atterward admitted as a State into the
Union, such was the heroic daring the cool cour-
age of the actors in that drama that the heroes of
antiquity compared to them were but as over
grown children. 1t is sad to think that the
march Of civilization called will pass over the
territory wrested by their valor from the mongre
Spanard and Its very occupants will consider the
names of Trayers, Bowie, Crockett and other kin
dred souls as nothing but myths
The machinery of the young republic run
nlng IN Austin, It's then Capital, situate the
east bank Of the Rio Colorado. with the usual null
ttudnous mixture OF humanity, such as Senator's
saloonlsts, Representatives, roughs. lawyers, lob
byists and those of every grade and calling who
earn their bread by the sweat of other peoples
brows These people were thrown into violent
state of excitement by an order from President
Houston to move the government archives from
Austin to Houston, as there was a large force of
Comanches not many miles from Austin, laying
waste the ranches and 1t was thought they might
make descent on the seat ct government aud de
sroy the archives. Hence, the Presidents order
for their removal, according to act of the Leg
isature, "For the preservation Of the public arch
ives, so made and provided
Ihe CITIZENS OF Austin, seeing in this measure
the decadeuce OF their city and their hopes kicked
against the measure at once, swore it was a trick
OF the President to enhance the value of his prop
erty in Houston, at their expense. that they were
fully able to protect the city from the Comanches
and from President Houston, also, and they would
not allow any person to move one picayunes worth
of public property out of Austin as long as one Of
them lived to defend it.
And they set about making their word good by
I enrolling and equpping three hundred men at
once and considering the pctSo,,tcl of this force
and its being organized at the Capitol for their own
existence as holding the seat OF empire it seemed
to get President Houston III tight place The
man who was to command the force was d sngu
lar perSon--Colonel Morton, a gentleman in the
Southern acceptaton of the term. chivalrols to
fault, fearless the Numidian lion, quick as a
flash at his weapons, OF which he carried the
snrest and deadliest. Strong. wirey and muscular
was he, and there was a latent ferocty underlying
his Calm demeanOr that when reused was truly
terrible.
1t meant death to his opponent Within the
year previous to our story he had fought duel
with rifles and killed his man at the first fire and
twice IN an encounter with bowie knives literally
cut his man to pieces This Colonel Morton was
appointed to command this battalion of despera
does.
The Colonel with Judge Edwards and other
were holding council with closed doors barred
against ingress and to devise means how to count
eract the scheme of Houston
crowd stood on the sidewalk outside discuss.
ing the situation in very gentle mood when their
attention was attracted by stranger coming up
with a long steady stride toward the building with
ID which sat the cOnclave He was dressed in the
garb ota hunter-a heavy coonskin cap with the tail
dangling down over the broad and taSSeled collar of
his bnckSkin hunting shirt. which was secured at
the waist hV n hplt n butfalO hide N
were conveniently stuck. ready to grasp at an in
stant S warning heavy pair OF silver mounted
pistols aud a hunting knife. His neither limbs
were lncased in legglngs OF buckskln and mocca-
sins, and in lis hand he carried a long heavy rifle.
He appeared to pay no attention to the lnquis-
tive looks Of those he met, but walked straight
up to the enclosure in which the house stood, and
without seeking admlttance at the door he sprang
with the agility OF cougar and graspng the pen
dant limb Of tree that grew near the wall Of the
house carrying his rifle with him he climbed the
tree, which was but short distance to the second
story and there was an open widow through
which he swung himself, and he in the couu-
ell room OF the disturbed denzenS OF Austin
Had an lncendlary shell of the most modern in
ventlon landed in that room it could not have
created more OF surprise than did the entrance of
the stranger so unceremOnlOusly Colonel Nor
ton scoWled while the rest looked amazed at the
strangers calm cool defiant look and attitude
Morton broke the silence by demanding OF the
stranger, What brings you into our presence in
this manner without invitation or even consent ,"
The stranger looked at Morton. then at the rest
of the company and walked up to the table took
sheet of paper and taking pen and ink wrote these
words thereon II am deaf
Judge Edwards looked at the writing and tax
ing the pen wrote underneath .Nv dear sir viii
you please to tell US what business brings You here
among us in such a strange manner "
The stranger glanced at the paper and imneti-
aely drew from the pocket of his hunting shirt
letter signed by Sam Houston which read fol
lows:
"tlthough the citizens OF Nu>tn arrin the wrong
and knowingly 50, vet the President before resort
ing to extreme measures will give them five days
longer to deliver mp the archives Of the Republic,
at the end of which time If not dciN cred he will
come and take them by force.
Signed SAM IIpr~ro> President"
The stranger after delivering his message and
having seen it read was in the act OF turning away
when Colonel Morton, drawing his attention to the
paper on which he had written, wrote You were
brave enough to insult me by YOUR impudent en-
trance and your defiant look Are you now brave
enough to give me satisfaction!
The stranger after glauclng at the writing, took
the pen and wrote underneath II am at your ser
vice.
Morton took up the pen and wrote Name your
terms
The stranger took up the pen and wrote, "Weai
ons-rtcs; distance fifty PAGES place-west bank
OF the Colorado. opposite Austin: time-Sunset
this evening Don't fail to be on time, and put
ting down the pen turned on his heel, strobe
toward the window and by dextrous swing was
in the branches of the tree making his exit by the
same means as he entered He walked down the
street leaving the people in the council room as
we'll as those on the street astonished at his singu
lar behavior.
As soon as Judge Edwards recovered from his
astonishment at the proceedings of the last few
moments he addressed Colonel Morton thus:
Colonel, Is II possible that you intend to fight
duel with that man! He is a mute and perhaps
maniac, and | cannot think but that it would tar
DIab la1 alS firrbt ,}I1n1 1u-itN
There you are mistaken, Judge, replied Sol
onel Morton. 1T would be no disgrace for even
Colonel Morton to fall in an encounter with him
ou know him. then
Il do"
'.Who is he Coonel ;"
tDeat Smith.
''0h, no." replied the Judge deaf Smith fell at
the Almo.
There you're mistaken again, Judge. replied
Morton, that trick of Houston to shield his
tavorie from the vengeance of of Texas
desperadoes who vowed to have his life if he was
above ground.
We'll then, Colonel, retortcd the Judge ''if
that you say, it leave You i'll better predc-
ament Deaf Smith was lever known to miss his
mark
Its settled, replied Colonel Morton 'Tis no
disgrace to fall by his bullet while if kill him
shall feel proud OF having felled the best shot on
this continents and now gentlemen" said the
colonel, rising, Il will bid You good bye. as have
some things to attend to that may not be post
poned. hope to meet you at sunset on the west
banks of the Colorado, opposite Austin, Adieu.
And the colonel stepped ont OF the office as light
and lively if he had not to stand opposite to the
muzze of Deaf Smiths loaded rifle at sundown
When it noised about through the streets in
the afternoon that Colonel Morton and the stranger
were to fight duel at sunset there great
excitement among the sports Some expressed
shade Of pity for any man who might be found
toolhardy enough to meet the colonel i'll single
combat, others offered take bets on the stranger
provided they could get long odds i'll their favor,
sun that they might witness this grand episode of
frontier life. The sun nearing the western
horizon when all Austin moved out to the bank of
the Colorado, and there was Colonel Morton with
group Of friends, cam, cool and chatty, with a
heavy rifle in his hand of the most approved pat
tern. He east an occasional glance at the declin
ing orb Of day and along he woods that skrted the
river bank, in hopes Of catching glimpse of his
antagonist. The crowd was getting restless. As