The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1897-04-30

times OF duty, should constantly guard
the state house until the danger had
gone by.
The commander of this force was
one Colonel Morton, who had achieved
considerable renown in the war and
still more recently displayed desperate
bravery in two terrible duels, in both
of which he had cut his antagonist
nearly to pieces with q bowie knife. |
He was 50 notorious for his courage |
and revengeful character, his friends
thought that President Houston would
rescind his order as soon rs he learned
who was Mt the head Of the resisting
force in Austin. The colonel was as
vain as he was courageous, and he en-
couraged the general idea by his boast
ing. he swore by the honor of a Texan
that if General Houston removed the
records of the state from Austin, he
would himself hunt him down like
| wolf, and shoot him down like n wolf,
and shoot him with little ceremony, or
stab him in bed, or even waylay him In
his walks of recreation. He had the
audacity to write to the hero Of San
Jacinto to that effect. The general,
whom nothing could intimidate, ali
swered his insulting note in the fol-
lowing characteristic brevity:
| eff the citizens of Austin do not
send the archives, I shall certainly
come and take them; and If Colonel
| Morton can kill me, he is welcome to
my ear.cap."
On the arrival of the presidents note
the colonel doubled the guard around
the state house; chosen sentinels were
stationed along the avenues leading to
the building, and the military marched
through the streets of the disturbed
city from morning until night. A
continual session of the committee of
safety was held In the city hall; in
short. everything betokened the burst
ing of severe political storm over the
city.
One day, while matters were in this
boiling condition, the committee in
the city hall were surprised by the
sudden appearance of stranger,
whose mode OF entrance was as extra
ordinary as his looks and dress. He
did not knock at the closed door; he
did not seek admission there at all,
but climbing, unseen, o small, bushy-
topped live oak which grew beside the
wall Of the building, he leaped wi
out the slightest warning through
high window, and was immediately
the presence of the committee.
was dressed throughout in buckski
the seams of his trousers and co
heavily fringed, and the front CT
latter beaded and porcupined, ait
the fashion of n costly Indian carmel
He carried long rifle in his rig
hand, wore at button on his coat
large bowie knife and in his belt
brace of pistols. He was tall, strain
as an arrow. active and quick as
panther ir. all his motions. n magni
cent specimen of the old-time fro
tiersman, n genus long since VI
ishcd.
His strange advent into tho see.
5 session caused thrill of involuptn
seized the handles of tnclr knives
pistols.
"Who are you that dares intru
amorg gentlemen without neinG
vited?" thundered out Colonel Mortc
at the same time trying to COW
g stranger by his eye.
!, The stranger thus 1nsolently
dressed, returned the coloneps stare
's with compound interest, at the sa't(
>. time laying his long, bony finger OF
. his mouth, as sign-but of what th
&c committee was at loss to determine
- "Who are you? Speak. or vii
70 yelled the colonel, almost distracte
~ with rage by the calm, sneerlng man
ner of the strange, who now remove
=. =. the finger from his mouth, and laid
:. on the hilt of an immense bowie.
i: s''sA-'.- -a--u-N -Nolo9sl.- quad was iRfttb,
.s act OF advancing towards the stranger
It when several of his friends interiered
It and holding him back, demonstrated
o Let him alone, Morton. Don't yo
see the man is crazy?"
= AT this juncture, Judge Webb.
Q man OF fine intellect, and a courteou
y gentleman in all his manners, Wake,
n toward the stranger, and addresse,
MIN In most respectful style:
y My good friend, I presume yor
y nave made mistake in the house
t ihis Is private meeting, where non,
b Dut members are admitted"
]. The intruder did not, of course
f understand the words Of the iudoe
o but he could not fail to understanf
: the mild and gentle manner in which
o he addressed him. His stern features
relaxed Immediately, and MOVING
a toward table in tho middle of the
r room on which were writing materials.
r ne took up pen and traced one line :
, ~ am deaf" He then held it before
us audience, as a sort of excuse for
MS seeming lack Of politeness.
Judge Webb took the paper and
wrote question: "Will YOU be- so
ooliRlng as to inform us what is your
business with the meeting?"
Inc stranger acquiesced at once bv