The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-04-03
Srlerf Story.
DEAF SMITH, THE SPY.

Despite the clouds that hang over the
closing days of Sam Houston's life, !
have always entertained strong admi.
ration for the hero of San JacintO. am
fully conscious of his weaknesses, some
of which are quite CARING but he had
certain pluck Jacksonian stubbornness,
which commanded the respect 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 estab
fishing her independence, the constitu
tion provided that Austin should be the
permanent capital, where the public ar
chives should be kept; but the provision
was inserted giving the President dis.
cretionary power to remove 1t tempora
rily to some safe point in case Of dan.
ger from the inroads of foreign enc
my, or the power of sudden insurrec.
ton. .---.,.
About two years after the Texas rev.
olution, the warlike Comanches became
so 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 mention.
ed. He resided at that time at Wash.
lington, on the Brazos, from which he
dispatched messenger with an order
commanding his subordinate functionary
10 send the records to that place, and
which he announced to be the seat Of
government pro tempore.
This produced the most intense ex-
citement in Austin, The hotel keepers,
grocers, boarding houses and gambling
saloons, ,foresaw irretrievable ruin. They
gathered together and denounced the
proposed "outrage." Gradually the
mutterings took shape, until, despite the
constitutional warranty for the step it
was resolved that the thing should not
be done.
A mass meeting of the citizens and
farmers of the neighborhood was held,
and the most fiery and'incendiary speech,
es were made. When the feeling was
worked up to the proper pitch, it was
unanimously resolved to prevent the ex-
ecution OF the mandate by armed resist
ance. A company of armed men was
organized on the spot. At their head
was placed one of the most noted duel
lists in the country. He had achieved
quite fame during the war just closed,
and was unquestionauiy eievO-..eu,
and as unprincipled as he was desperate.
He was q man of no little Importance,
and it was with no little pride that he
took charge of the men, who unanimous
| ly called upon him to be their leader.
| So noted was Col. Morton that great
many were convinced that when Gen
Houston learned that he had headed this
determined band he would retrace his
ground and recall the offending com
mand. But they mistook the mettle of
the old hero.
Col. Morton, puffed 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 wolf, and
slay him wherever he found him, whether
on the streets or in his bed. He went
40 far as TO send him letter to this ef.
feet, and here is the identical answer he
received:
"If the people of Austin do not send
the archives, shall instantly come and
take them, and If COL Morton can kill
me be is welcome to my ear caps.
1 SAM HoUsToN."
On the reception of this answer the
excitement became greater than ever =
The guard was doubled around the State
House,and picked sentinels were station
ed along the road to the capital, the mil
litary parallel from morning till night,
and caucus OF the ringleaders was held
in the city hall. Everything threatened
| q coming storm.
| Thus matters stood for several days,
when the caucus at the city hall was
startled by the sudden arrival of a
stranger among them. He did not knock
at the door nor attempt to ask admission
there, but he climbed, unnoticed, with
the celerity of monkey, a small oak
which stood beside the wall, and with.
out word of warning sprang through
| a lofty window, and landed in the very
room where the caucus was assembled
The stranger was clad in buckskin
carried long and heavy rifle in his
hand, wore at the bottom Of his suspend
ers an immense bowie-knife, and held in
his leather belt couple of enormous
pistols. He was very tall, thin, an6
/. straight as an arrow, and as 1.-THE ant
supple as o panther, with swarthy com
plexion, long jet black hair, a rigid iron
like countenance,ey eyes of glittering black
ness, and as piercing as the poiEt of {
Istiletto. His sudden appearance among
them was SO startling that they instinct
lively grasped their arms.
"Who are you that comes among gen
tlemen unlimited ?" Numbered COL Nor
ton. staring at him ferociously.
The stranger turned his black eye
upon him and stared at him, but the onl
answer he made was by placing his fin
gers upon his lips.
who are your" Speak, or I'll ru
you. through!" shouted Morton, drive
: to fury by the cool, contemptuous gaz
lof the other, VINO now took his fnge
from his lips and placed it upon hi
knife. ~ s
!. The exasperated colonel drew bac
!. his dagger and was advancing upon th
stranger, when several interposed an
y, held him back.
!, "Let him alone, Morton; don't 20
see he is crazy?"
At this jancture Judge Webb steppe
forward and spoke to the stranger in
= kindly. respectful manner.
.My good friend, / suppose you ha,
. made mistake. This is private NEE
\ ing to which none but members are al
V mitted."
.0 .s The stranger did not seem to unde
% stand the words, but he did the concili
tory manner. His iron features relaxe
- 10 bla NH n,