The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-03-05
NUMBER 3,
disappeared through the window as sud
denly as he had entered.


disappeared through the window as sud.)
denly as he had entered.
I ".What,n exclaimed J Jtidge Webb, ssis
it possible you intend to fight that man,
Colonel2 he is d mute. II not : ma.
MAC, Such meeting. fear, you'd
sadly tarnish your laurels."
"You are mistaken said Merton;
with smile; athat mute is hero whose
name stands in the records OF a dozen
battles, and at least half ss many bloody
duels Besides, be is q fayorite ennis
sary and bosom friend Of Houston.s K
/ have the good fortune to kill him, I
think it will tempt tie President to re-.
tract his VOW sgaihst venturiug anf
more upon the Held Of honor
"You know the man then? Who IS
be z asked twenty soices together. Z
"Deaf Smith
"No, that can not be. Deaf Smith
was killed at San Jacinto." said Judge
Webb.
"There, again, Your Honor is mistas
keh," said Morton. The story OF
Smiths death was q mere fiction; Got up
by Houston to save the life OF bis fa-
vorite from the sworn vengeance OF Ger.
tain Texans, on whose conduct be had
acted as spy. / found that out twelve
months ago"
"Then you are .inadmsn Yourself 50
exclaimed Webb. "Dsas Smith was
never known to miss his mark"
"The thing is settled" said Morton;
II have agreed to meet him There can
be no disgrace in falling before such 1
shot, and If l kill him it will be the
greatest feat of my life" sfs
Towsfd evening a vast crowd assem-
bled to witness the meeting, and so
great was the popular reeklessness as Id
affairs of this sort that bets were offered
and taken on all sides upon the result.
At sunset the two, men arrived with
long, heavy rifles, took their places, back
10 back, and at signal walked slowly
and steadily of in opposite directions,
counting their steps until each had meas.
Eured fifty They both completed the
given number at about the Same instant
and wheeled around. As the distance
was great both paused for some sec.
onds. The face of Colonel Morton was
calfh and smiling. The face of Deaf
Smith was as stern and impressive As
ever. The Colonel was IN broadcloth;
the scout in smoke-tinted leather. g,a-
| The two rifles exploded at the Same
instant. Colonel Morton sprang into
the alf and dropped to tie earth, dead.
Deaf Smith quietly reloaded Ills rife,
and walked away into the forest
Three days afterward General Hous.
ton, ACCOMPANIED by Deaf Smith and
ten other men, appeared in Austin, and
removed the State papers.
| Deaf Smith was one of the most cx.
traordinary characters ever known in the
West. He made his advent in Texas ai
an early period, and continued to resids
! there until his death, which occurred,
believe, about 1850. But although be
had many warm friends, no one ever
learned where be bad been born or any
particulars OF his previous history
| When be was questioned on the subject,
he laid his finger on his lip. His eye
was quick and far-seeine as an eagles.
and his nose as keen as a ravens. He
could discern objects miles away on ths
prairie, when. others saw, nothing but
earth and sky; and the savages used to
declare he could catch the scent Of .
Mexican or an Indian at as great die
tsnce as buzzard his dinner He codld
never be persuaded to sleep under the
roof Of house, OF even tent-cloth.