The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-26
The First President Of the Texan Republic

Alexander Hynds, in the August Century
About two years after the revolution 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 removal of the archives
in case of danger. The Comanches were com
hitting ravages within sight of Austin, and
General Houston ordered the State records to be
forwarded to him at Washington (Texas) This
caused much excitement in Austin, and four
hundred men placed themselves about the State
house to prevent the removal Colonel Morton,
leading spirit of the revolution, was at
their head, and wrote to General Houston
who well knew his character as a fighting
man. that, if the archives were removed he
(Mortonl would hunt him down like a wolf
General Houston replied in a note of character
istic berevity 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 pa
trolmen were placed on the roads, and a select
committee went into permanent session in the
city hall During sitting of that body one
midst, having gained entrance by means Of a
tall live oak which grew against the window; his
garb and arms were those of hunter. and, be-
ing spoken to by Colonel Morton, he placed his
finger on his lips and remained silent Colonel
Morton few into rage and seized him, when
the stranger drew his bowie knife; at
the instant Morton's friends held
him back. Another member Of the
meeting was a private one, and that he pre-
sumed the gentleman had mistaken the house
At this he walked to table and wrote one line
II am deaf" Judge Webb then wrote, 'sTell US
your business, when letter was handed him,
addressed to the citizens of Austin which the
Judge read aloud as follows .'Fellow-
citizens: Though in error, aud deceived
by the arts of traitors, l will give
you three more days to decide whether or not
you will forward to me the archives. AT the
Ne nil l.
your decision. Sam Houston The deaf man
waited few moments for a reply, and was about
to leave, when Colonel Morton handed him a
note, saying, You were brave enough to insult
satisfaction The mute wrote 81 am at
your service and after fixing terms he
left by the window Morton was told that he
would be killed. as he was to fight Deaf Smith,
who never missed his man; but he 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. Nor
ton was dressed in broad-cloth, his antagonist In
smoke-tinted buckskin. Both were cool and
stern. At the given signal both fred at the
same instant; Morton sprang into the air and
fell dead, ball in his heart Deaf Smith quietly
reloaded his rife and walked into the forest.
Three days afterward he came nth General
Houston and ten others TO Austin, and the
archives were removed without fuythsr opposi-
While President Of the Republic Houston re-
| ceived challenge to fight duel, sert by man
whom he regarded as greatly his inferior social
| w. Turning to the bearer Of the challenge, he
exclaimed in voice full of indignant scorn,
| 'sSir tell your principal that Sam Houston
never fights down hill
1t was his habit to deliver his message to the
Texan Congress orally. Al few days before one
| Of his naugurals member Of Congress- said to
| the President that the body would be better
pleased if he would prepare written messages
that it would be treating them more respectfully
| to write them out, and, besides they could then
\ 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. and marked in large
| letters Inaugural" He addressed them with
the roll in his hand, waving it gracefully thai
/ all might SEQ it and, concluding with polite
| bow, handed it to the clerk and walked out Of
the chamber; when opened it proved to be only
/ blank nanerl