During the protracted dispute over the election of a Speaker of the House in late 1855 and early 1856, fought largely on sectional grounds between proponents and opponents of slavery, Congressman Albert Rust was one of those who attempted to negotiate a compromise.
Upon deciding that the article was inaccurate and its tone offensive, Rust confronted Horton to ask whether he had written the item in question—the preliminary step to issuing a challenge to a duel.
Horton admitted authorship and agreed to apologize and retract his words; after first committing to do so in person on the floor of the House, he subsequently reached agreement with Rust to do so in writing instead, and issued his apology and retraction to the Washington Evening Star and other newspapers.
During the Civil War, he served as adjutant of the 115th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment from 1862 to 1864.
Horton was active in the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, and served on the board of directors of the Fonda and Fultonville Railroad.