The weekly Butte record., 1867-10-12
Deaf Smith. the Texan Spy.

days Of Sam Houston 5 life, have always enter
tanned strong admiration for the hero Of San ia
cinto. am fully conscious Of his weaknesses some
of which were quite glaring. bat be had certain
pluck, . Jacksonian stubbornness which command
ed the respect of even his enemies.
There is an incident Of Sam Houston's career
which is not generally known. bat which brings out
as prominently as any act of his the sterling cour-
age to which l refer. and at the same time brings
into notice one OF the most extraordinary men OF
whom have ever heard-that is. the individual
known as Deaf Smith. the Texan Spy, and intimate
friend OF Sam Houston.
At the time Texas succeeded in establishing her
independence the Constitution provided that the
city of Austin should be the permanent capital
where the public archives were to be kept !; bat
the proyiso was inserted. giving the President
discretionary power to remove them temporarily
70 some safe point in case of danger from the u-
roads Of foreign enemy, or the power of q sudden
insuryectou.
About two years after the Texan revelation the
warlike Comanches became so daring as to commit
several outrages within sight of the capital itself
whereupon Houston considered this condition OF
matters warranted his availing himself of the pro-
vision of the Constitution already mentioned.
He resided at this time at Washington, on the
Brazos. from which he dispatched q messenger
with an order commanding his subordinate func-
tonaries to send the State records to that place
which be announced to be the seat of government
pro fempore.
This produced the most intense excitement in
Austin. The hotel keepers. groceries. boarding
houses and gambling saloons toresaw irretrievable
ruin. They gathered together and denounced the
proposed outrage" Gradually the mutferings
took shape. until, despite the constitutional war
ranty for the step, it resolved that the thing
should not be done.
mass meeting called of the citizens and
farmers of the neighborhood. and the most ierv
and incendiary speeches were made. When the
feelings OF all were worked up to the proper pitch
II was unanimously resolved to prevent the execu-
tion of the mandate by armed resistance
company of armed men was organized on the
spot. At their head was placed Colonel Morton
one of the most noted duelists in the Republic
He had achieved quite fame during the war Just
closed, and was, unquesticnaoly, brave man. and
as unprincipled as be was desperate. He was a
fellow OF no little eonceit and it was with no little
pride that he took charge of the men. who unan-
mously called upon him 10 be their leader.
So noted, indeed, was Colonel Morton that great
many were convinced that when General Houston
learned that he headed this determined band, he
would hasten to retract his ground and recall the
offending command But they mstook the mettle
of the old hero.
Colonel Morton. pulled up with his " brief au.
thorty, decared that if the President did succeed
in removing the records by the power of over
wbeming numbers. he would hunt him down like
wolf. and slay him wherever he found him, whe-
ther on the streets or in the bed. He went so far
even TO send him letter to that effect. and here
is the identical answer he received
4" If the people of Austin do not send the ar
chives, shall instantly come and take them, and
if Colonel Morton can kill me he is welcome to my
ear-eap. SAM HoUsroS''
On the reception of this answer the excitement
became greater than ever. The guard doubled
around the state house, and picked sentlnels were
stationed along the road To the capital military
paraded the streets from morning till night, and q
caucus OF the ring leaders held in the city hall
Everything threatened coming storm.
Thus matters stood for several days, when the
caucus at the cityha were startled by the sudden
arrival of stranger among them.
He did not knock at the door nor attempt to seek
admission there, but climbed, unnoticed with the
celerity of a monkey a small oak which grew be-
side the wall, and without word or warning
sprang through lofty window. and landed in the
very room where the astonished caucus were con
gregated
The stranger WAS clad in buckskin carried a long
and heavy rifle in his hand wore at the bottom OF
his LETT suspender an immense bowie knife, and
held in his leathern belt couple of enormous ps-
tolls He was thin. tall and straight as an arrow,
as 1.-the and supple as panther. with swarthy
complexion. long, jet black hair, rigid iron. like
countenancc. eyes of glittering blackness and as
piercing as the point of stiletto.
His sudden appearance among them so startled
them that they untonsciously grasped their arms.
Who are you that thus comes among gentlemen
uninvited?' thnndered Colonel Norton staring
ferocousy at him.
The strander turned his black eyes upon him, and
stared at him, but the only answer he made was
by placing his finger upon his lips.
Who are you? Speak, or will run you thro', =
shouted Morton, driven to fury by the cool. con.
temptuous gaze of the other, who now took his fla
ger from his lip and laid ii the handle of his knife
The exasperated Colonel now drew his dagger,
and was advancing upon the stranger, when sey
eral interposed and held him back.
Z" Let him alone. Morton. Don't you see he is
crazy
At this juncture Judge Webb stepped forward
and spoke TO the stranger in kindly, respectful
manner
My good friend, l suppose you have made a
mistake. This is private meeting, where none
but members are admitted.
The stranger did not seem TO understand the
words. but he did the conciiatory manner. His
iron features relaxed somewhat. and stepping TO a
side table where there were implements for writing
he took pen up and rapidly traced the words, "
an deaf -
He then held up the paper before the spectators,
as sort OF natural apology for his seeming dis
courtesy.
Judge Webb then took up the pen and wrote:
Will you be obliging enough as to inform US
what your business is with this meeting2
The stranger answered this question by handing
letter to the Judge. whose superscrirtion was,
To the Citizens of Austin y The seal was broken
and it was read aloud
FELLow-CrrlzESs Though in error, and de-
ceiye6 by the arts of traitors | will give you three
more days to decide whether you will surrender
the public archives. At the end of that time, you
will please let me know your decision.
SAM HorsroS."
After the letter was read the deaf man waited a
moment or two for a reply, and then turned to
leave the hall. At this juncture Colonel Morton.
interposing with lowering brow. beckoned him
TO the table. The stranger obeyed, when Morton
wrote
You were brave enough to insult me by your
threatening looks ten minutes ago are you brave
s,=f,p
The stranger instantly penned the reply;
| am at your service.
The Colonel again wrote:
q Who will be your second p
This was the answer:
i am too generous to seek advantage. and
too brave 10 fear any the part of others there
fore never need the aid OF a second
Morton wrote:
Name your terms.
The stranger wrote. without seconds hesita-
ton:
Time, sunset this evening; place, the left
bank of the Colorado, opposite Austin weapons,
rifles distance, hundred yards. Do not fail to
be in time.
The last sentence was not calculated to soothe
the feelings of the rrita'ed Colonel, and he COM
pressed his lips as he resd it.
The next moment the stranger strode across the
floor and disappeared through the window in the
same manner that he had entered.
Is il possible, Coienel Morton, that you intend
10 fight that man ?H exclaimed Judge Webb. 3" He
is a mute, If not a maniac. Such a meeting, fear.
will tarniSh the lustre of your laurels.H
lyon are mistaken" answered Morton. with a
smile d" that mute is a hero whose fame stands in
the record Of dozen battles. and nearly as many
bloody daels. Besides. be is the favorte enissary