Connecticut western news., 1884-07-30
SECnRING THE RECORDS.
A Sketch of Texas In its Early Days under
 sam Houston.

About two years after the revolution General Houston had his first difficulty with the people. Under the Constitu tion the Capital had been fixed at Aus tin, but power was given to the Presi- dent to order the temporary removal of the archives in case of danger. The Comanches were committing ravages within sight of Austin, and General Houston ordered the State records to be forN arded to him at Washington, Texas. This caused much excitement in Austin, and four hundred men placed themselves about the State House to prevent the re- moval. Colonel Morton, a leading spirit of the revolution, was at their head, and wrote to General Houston, who we'll knew his character as a fight ing man, that, if the archives were re- moved, he (Morton) would hunt him down like a wolf. General Houston re- piled in a note of characteristic brevity: "If the people of Austin do not send them, I shall come and get them, and if Colonel Morton can kill me, he is well come to my ear-csp." The guard was at once doubled, patrolmen were placed on the roads, and select committee went into permanent session in the City Hall. During a sitting of that body one who was unannounced suddenly stood in their midst, having gained en- | fropoa bxz v,,aapa of o toll liya oaIr ,ub;ob grew against the window; his garb and arms were those of hunter, and, being spoken to by Colonel Morton, he placed his finger on his lips and remained silent. Colonel Morton flew into a rage and seized him, when the stranger drew hlt bowie knife at the same instant tha Morton's friends held him back. An other member of the body spoke to tn, stranger, saying that the meeting was , private one, and that he presumed tha the gentleman had mistaken the house At this he walked to the table and wrot, one line, 'I am deaf" Judge Webl then wrote, "Tell us your business,
 when letter was handed to him, ad dressed to the citizens of Austin, whicl the Judge read aloud as follows:
 "FELLow CITIZENS: Though in error and deceived by the arts of traitors, will give you three more days to decid, whether or not you will forward to m
 the archives. At the end of that tim, you will please let me know your deci sion. SAM HousroN." !"
 The deaf man waited few minute for a reply and was about to leave, whel Colonel Morton handed him note say ing: "You were brave enough to insul me; are you brave enough to give m
 satisfaction ?" The mute wrote; 'Tar at your service" and after fixing term
 he left by the window. Morton wa told he would be killed. as he was t : fight Deaf Smith, who never missed hi man; but he could not be shaken in hi resolve. The weapons used were rifles l. the distance was one hundred paces an the time sunset 4 vast crowd saw tn ! duel. Morton WAS dressed in broad , l, cloth, his antagonist in smoke-tinte t buckskin. Both were cool and stern 2 At the given signal both fired at tn : same instant; Morton sprang into tn air and fell dead, ball in his heart
 Deaf Smith quietly reloaded his rifi
 and walked into the forest. Three day
 afterward he came with general Housto and ten others to Austin, and the ar 1, chives were removed without furthe 7 opposition.