The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-23
r,r., r.e.lasa, of tn. r.ran n.papho.

About two years after the revolution
in Texas General Houston had his first
difficulty with the people, Under the
Constitution the capital had been fixed
AT Austin, but power was given to the
President to order the temporary re-
moval of the archives in case of .danger.
The Comanches were committing raw
ages within sight of Austin, and Gen
eral Houston ordered the State records
to be forwarded to him at Washington
(Texas). This caused much excitement
In Austin, and four hundred men plac-
ed themselves about the State House
to prevent the removal. Colonel Nor
ton, leading spirit of the revolution,
was at their head, and wrote to
Genral Houston, who well knew his
character as a lighting man, that, If the
archives were removed, he would hunt
him down like wolf. General Hous.-
ton replied In u note of characteristic
brevity: ''If the people of Austin do
not send them, shall come and get
them, and if Colonel Morton can kill
me, he is welcome to my ear-cap."
The guard was at once doubled, patrol
men 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 an entrance by
means of a tall live oak which grew
against the window his garb and
arms were those of hunter, and,
being spoken 10 by Colonel Morton, he
placed his finger on his lips and remain
ed silent. Colonel Morton flew into a
rage and seized HIM, when the stranger
drew his bowie-knife at the same in
slant that Morton's friends held him
back. Another member of the body
spoke to The stranger, saying that the
meeting was private one, and that he
presumed the gentleman had mistaken
the house. At this he walked to a
aLle and wrote one line, 81 am deaf"
ldge Webb then wrote ''Tell us your
usiness," when letter was handed
i'm, addressed to the citizens of Austin,
which 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 decide
whether or not you will forward me the
archives. At the end of that time you
will please let me know your decision.
Sam Houston" The deaf man waited
few moments for a reply, and
was about to leave when Colo
mel Morton handed him note, saying,
"You were brave enough to insult me;
are you brave enough to give me salts
faction ?" The mute wrote l am at
your service" and after fixing terms
he left by the window. Morton was
told he would be killed as he was to
light Deaf Smith, who never missed his
man but lie could not be shaken in
his resolve. The weapons used were
rifles, the distance was hundred PAGES,
and the time sunset. A vast crowd saw
the duel. Morton was dressed in broad
cloth. his antagonist in smoke-tinted
buckskin. Both were cool and stern. At
the given signal both fired at the same
instant; Morton sprang into the air and
fell dead, a ball in his heart. Deaf
Smith quietly reloaded his rifle and
walked into the forest. Three days
alterward he came with General Houst-
on and ten others to Austin, and the
archives were removed without further
opposition.
While President of the republic,
Houston received challenge to fight a
duel, sent by man whom he regarded
as greatly his inferior socially. Turn
ing to the bearer of the challenge, he
exclaimed in voice full of indignant
scorn, ''Sir, tell your principal that
Sam Houston neUer fights do,Dn HILL"
1t was his habit to deliver his mes
sages to the Texan Congress orally. A
few days before one of his inaug urals,
a member of Congress SAID to the Pres.
ident that the body would be better
pleased if he would prepare written mes
sages that it would be treating them
more respectfully to write them out
and, besides, they could be preserved
for future reference. Accordingly, on
the day fixed for the Inauguration, he
appeared with large roll of paper in
his hand tied with blue ribbon, aud
marked in large letters "Indtgurdl. "
He addressed them with the roll in his
hand, waving 1t gracefully that all
might see it, and, concluding with a
polite bow, handed it to the clerk and
walked out of the chamber; when open
ed it proved to be only blank paperl