The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-01

armed resistance. To that end they
formed q squad Of 400 men, one.half
of whom, relieving the other at regular
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 bowie knife.
He was 80 notorious for his courage
and revengeful character, his friends
thought that President Houston would
rescind his order as soon as he learned
who was at the head OF the resisting
force in Austin. The colonel WAS as
vain rs he was courageous, and he en-
couraged the general idea by his boast
ing. lie 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 8
wolf, and shoot him down like 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, an
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 bentinels 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
we'll OF the building, he leaped with
out the slightest warning through
high window, and was immediately in
the presence OF tho committee. He
was dressed throughout in bucLskin,
the seams Of his trousers and coat
heavily fringed, and the front Of the
latter beaded and porcupined, after
the fashion Of g costly Indian garment.
He carried long rife in his right
hand, wore at button Oh his coat
large bowie knife and in his belt
brace Of pistols. He was tall, straight
as an arrow, active and quick as q
panther il all his motions, masnif-
cent specimen OF the old-time from
tiersman, o genus long since van
ished.
His strange advent into the eecret
session caused thrill Of Involuntary
fear among it's members, and many
seized the handles of their knives or
pistols.
"Who are you that dares intrude
amorg gentlemen without being in
vited?" thundered out Colonel Morton,
at the same time trying to COW the
stranger by his eye.
The stranger thus insolently all
dressed, returned the colonel's stare
with compound interest, at the same
time laying his long, bony finger on
his mouth, as sigr-but Of what the
committee was at q loss to determine.
"Who are you? Speak, or will
cut au answer out OF your hearth"
yelled the colonel, almost distracted
with rage by tho calm, sneering man.
ner OF the strange, who now removed
tho finger from his mouth, and laid it
on the hiIt OF an immense bowie.
The fiery colonel, on this move.
ment. drew his dagger, and was in the
act OF advancing towards the stranger,
when several Of his friends interfered,
and holding him back, demonstrated
"Let him alone, Morton. Don't You
see the man is craZy?"
At this juncture, Judge Webb, a
man OF fine intellect, and courteous
gentleman in all his manners, walked
toward the stranger, and addressed
him in q most respectful style:
my good friend, I presume you
have made mistake in the house.
This is private meeting, where mono
but members are admitted.
The intruder did not, of course,
understand the words of the Judge,
but he could not fail to understand
L y 4