The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-10-19
DEA SMITH. THE SPY.

Despite the cloud that hangs over the
closing days of Sam lIouston's life, | have
always entertained Il strong admiration
for the hero of San Jacinto. | am luIIy
conscious of his weaknesses some 81
which are quite glarir e; but he had Il Ger
tain pluck, a Jacksonian stubborness
which commanded the respect of even hi.
enemies
There Is an incident Of Sam Itoustop's
career that Is not generally known, but
winch brings out as prominently as any
act OF his lite, that sterling courage t,
which | refer, and ut the same time brings
| into notice one of the most extraordlnar,
mon OF whom ever heard-whom ia tn,
person known rs Deaf Smith, the Texas
Spy, and intimate friend of Sam Houston,
At the time Texas succeeded in cst.,b
fishing her independence, the constitution
provided that Austin should be the per.
manent capital, where the public archives
were to be kept; but the provision was
inserted giving the President discretionary
power to remove it temporarily. to some
safe point in case of danger from the in.
roads OF foreign enemy, or tue power OF
Il sudden instruction.
About two years after the Texas re.
volutlon, The war!ike Comanchcs became
SO daring as to commit several outrages in
the sight of the Capital Itself, whereupon
Houston considered the condition of mat
ters warranted his awaiting himself of the
provisions already mentioned.
lie resided at that time at Wasbinoto,
on the Brazos, from which he dispatched a
messenger, with an order commanding his
subordinate functionaries to send the re.
cords to that place, and which he announc
ed to be the seat of government PRO tenn.
pore.
Thi produced the most intense excite.
ment in Austin. The hotel keepcrs. GRO.
GERS, boarding houses and GAMBLING 81
looms f,rsaw Irretrievabc rum. Thev
gathered together and denounced Tho
proposed Outrage Gradually tho
mutterings took shape, until, despite the
constitutional warranty for the sten. il was
resolved that the thing should not be
done.
farmers Of the neighborbeod, and the most
fiery and iccendiary speeches were made.
When the feelings of all were worked up
to the proper pitch, it was unanimously
resolved to prevent the execution of the
mandate by armed resistance
a company Charmed men was organized
on the spot. AT their head was placed
one of The most noted duolists IN the
country. lie had achieved quite fame
during the war just closed, and was up-
questlonably a brave man, and as I'M.
prlneIpled as he was desperate. lie was
man of no little Importance, and it WAS
with no little pride that he took charge of
the men, who unanimously called upon
him to be their leader.
So noted was Colonel Norton that a
great many were convinced that when
General Houston learned that he had
headed this determined band he would
hasten to retrace his ground and recall the
the offending command. But they niytook
the mettlc of the old hero.
Colonel Morton, pulled up with his
brief authority" declared that if the
President did succeed in removing the
records by power of overwhelming
numbers, he would hunt him down like 3
wolf, and slay him wherever he found
hnn, whether on the streets or IN bed
lie went SO lar as to send him letter Ia
this effect, and here is the identical answer
lie received:
If the people of Austin do not send the
archives, | shall instantly come aud take
them, and II Colonel Morton can kill me
he is welcome to my ear caps
SAM UoUsToN.u
On the reception of tins answer the ex
citement became greater than ever. The
guard was doubled around the State
House. and pickle d sentines were Stationed
along the road to the capital, the military
paraded from morning I'LL night, and !,
caucus of the ringleaders was held in the
city hall. Everything threatened Il COM
ing storm.
Thus matters stood for several days,