Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-07-31
aGENEsAL SAM HOUSTON"
The First President OF the Texan Rc-
public.

public.
A writer in the Century gives the fol
lowing dramatic incidents in the career
of General Houston while president of
the Texas republic: 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 committing ravages
within sight Of Austin, and General
Houston ordered he 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-hou to prevent the re-
moval. Colonel Morton, leading spirit
Of the revolution, was at their head, and
wrote to General Houston, who Wei
knew his character as a fighting mar,
that, if the archives were removed, he
(NIorton) would hunt him down like a
wolf. General Houston replied in
note Of characteristic brevity
'1f the people of Austin do not send
them, shall come and get them, and
if Colonel Morton can kill me he is well
come to my ear-cap" The guard was
at once doubled, patrolmen were placed
on the roads, and select committee
went into permanent session in the city
hall. During sitting of that body one
who was unannounced suddenly stood
in their midst, having gained entrance
bv means Of a tall live-oak which 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 few into rage and
seized him, when the stranger drew his
bowie knife at the same instant that
Morton's friends held him back. An
other member of the body spoke to the
stranger, saying that the meeting was a
private one, and that he presumed the
! gentleman had mistaken the house. al
this he walked to the table and wrote
one line: 81 am deaf" Judge Webt
then wrote: Tell us your business, >
when letter was handed him, addressed
to the citizens Of Austin, which the judge
read aloud as follows: 'sFellow-citizens
Though in error and deceived by the arts
of traitors, 1 will give you three days
more to decide whether or not yor
will forward to 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 fol
a reply, and was about to leave, wher
Colonel Morton handed him a note say
ing, styou wers brave enough to insult
me; are you brave enough to give me
/ satisfaction. The mute wrote, II an
at your service. 2 and after fixing term.
he left by the window. Morton wa.
told he would be killed, as he was tt
fight Deaf Smith, who never missed hi
man; but he could not be shaken in hi
resolve. The weapons used we're rifles
the distance was hundred PAGES, ant
the time sunset. A vast crowd saw tn,
duel. Morton 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 tht
air and fell dead, ball in his heart
Deaf Smith quietly reloaded his rife ant
! walked into the forest. Three days af
terward he came with General Houston
and ten others to Austin, and the archives
we're removed without further opposi
ton.
While president of the republic Hous
ton received a challenge to fight duel
sent by a man whom he regarded a.
greatly his inferior socially. Turning t
the bearer Of the challenge he exclaimed
in voice full Of indignant scorn; Sir
tell your principal that Sam Houston
never fights down hill.n
1t was his habit to deliver his message
to the Texan congress orally. A few
days before one Of his inaugurals, mem
Der Of congress said to the president tina
the body would be better pleased if b
would prepare written messages; that i
would be treating them more respect
fully to write them out, and, beside
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 viii
blue ribbon, and marked in large let
tiers " inaugural" He addressed then
with the roll in his hand, waving it grace
fully that all might see it, and, conclud
ing with a polite bow, handed it to th'
clerk and walked out of the chamber
when opened it proved only to be blanl
paper