The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-08
DEAF SMITH. THE SPY.

DEAF SMITH. THE SPY.
Despite the clouds that hangs over
the closing day of Sam Houston's life,
have always entertained a strong admi-
ration foa the hero of San Jacinto. /
am fully conscious of his weaknesses,
some of which are quite glaring, but he
had a certain pluck, a Jacksonian
stubbornness, which commanded the re-
spect Of even his enemies.
There is an incident of Sam Houston's
career that is not generally known, but
which brings out as prominently as any
act of his life, that sterling courage to
which / refer, and at the same time
brings into notice one of the most ex-
traordinary men of whom / ever heard
who is the person known as Deaf
Smith, the Texas spy, and intimate
friend of Sam Houston.
At the time Texas succeeded in es-
tablished her independence, the consti-
tuition provided that Austin should be
the permanent capital, where the public
archives were to be kept; but the pro-
vision was inserted giving the President
discretionary power to remove it tenn
porarily to some safe point in case of
danger from the inroads of foreign
enemy, or the power of sudden insur-
rection.
About two years after the Texas revo-
luton, the warlike Commanches became
80 daring as TO commit several outrages
in the sight of the capital itself, where
upon Houston considered the condition
of matters warranted his availing him
self Of the provisions already mentioned.
He resided at that time at Washington,
on the Brazos, from which he despatched
messenger, with an order commanding
his subordinate functionaries to send the
records to that place, and which he an
nounced to be the seat of government TO
pro tempore.
This produced the most intense excite
ment in Austin. The hotelkeepers,
grocers, clearinghouse and gambling
saloons foresaw irretrievable ruin. They
gathered together and denounced the
mutterings took shape, until. despite the
constitutional warranty for the step il
was resolved that the thing should not
be done.
A mass meeting of the citizens and
farmers of the neighborhood, and the
most fiery and incendiary 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 of armed mel
was organized on the spot. At thei
head was placed one Of the most notet
duelists in the country. He hac
achieved quite fame during the wa
just closed, and was unquestionably
brave man, and as unprincipled as he wa
desperate. He was a man of no littl
Importance, and it was with no littl
pride that he took charge of the men
who unanimously called upon him to b
their leader.
So noted was Colonel Morton that
great many were convinced that whel
General Houston learned that he ba,
headed his determined band he woul,
retrace his ground and recall the offend
ing command. But they mistook tn
mettle of the old hero.
Colonel Morton, pulled up with hi
brief authority, declared that if tn
President did succeed in removing tn
records by power of overwhelming nun
bers, ne would hunt him down like
wolf, and slay him wherever he foun
him, whether on the streets or in tn
bed. He went so lar az to send him
letter to this effect, and here is th
Identical answerh he received:
II ths people Of Austin do not send tt
archieves, shall instantly come and tal
them, and II Colonel Morton can kill me l
Is welcome to MY ear caps.
SAM HOUSTON.
On the reception of this answer Il
excitement became greater than eve
The guard was doubled around the Sta
House, and picked sentinels we
stationed along the road to the capita
the military paraded from morning ii
night, and a caucus of the ringleade
was held in the city hall. Every thin
threatened a coming storm.
Thus matters stood for several day
when the caucus at the city hall W
startled by the sudden arrival of
stranger among them. He did n
knock at the door nor attempt to 8
admission there, but imbed, unnotict
with the celerity of monkey, a sm
oak which stood beside the wall, a
without word of warning spra
through a lofty window, and landed
the very room where the caucus "
assembled.
The stranger was clad in bucksk
carried a long and heavy rifle in
hand, wore at the bottom of his susp,
der an immense bowie-knife, and held
his leather belt couple of enorm,
pistols. He was very tall, thin, a
straight as an arrow, and as 1.-the 6
supple as a panther, with swart
complexion, long jet black hair, RIG
iron-like countenance, eyes of glitter
blackness, and as piercing as the poin
astiletto. His sudden appearance ann