The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-01-21
DEAF SnlIl, TIE Seou1,



story ss /. Dpsl 1A4ess II tAe A.
nab u Fs4ae,
In the main corridor Of the magnificent
Capitol at Austin FeT., there hangs an
immense painting, 20 BY Is feet, at least
fncased ~ : massive gilt frame. Thu
figures are life-size and among the post
promiRent are General Sam Houston
deaf Smith" and Santa Anna. The tIme
represented in this historical work il i'm
mediately after the battle Of ass 14scinto,
fought on the banks Of that river, neal
the mouth of Buffalo Bayou, on April
81. 1885, in which memorable struggle
the famous leader was taken prisoner,
10 that fight Gener.l Houston was severe.
y wounded in the ankle, and in the paint
ing be is seen reclining under the gFate-
full shade of a large live oak and 2 snr-
geaa is in the act of administering to the
gallant American soldieFs needs. Near
him, seated on log, i4 ths attitude Of
listening, is his bosom friend and favorite,
:.Deaf Smith, Gays the New York Re-
rorder.
The history Of gpeaf Smith, is one Of
the most extraordinary in al the annals
of the frontier. The memory Of that re-
markable mea is reversd equally With
that Of cay Of the prominent actors in the
war for Independence of the "Lone Star
State,s one of whose counties is named
for him. He made his appearance in
Texas suddenly, At very early pefiod IN
the bloody history Of Its struggle with
Mexico, where be continued to reside un-
til his death, which occurred about 1848.
He had host Of friends, and was the
particular favorite of General Houston,
yet none of these were eyer able to learn
the place of his birth o. gather single
fact in relation to his life previous to his
advent among them. If questioned
upon the snbiect, he invariably placed
his index finger upon his lips, and if
pressed further. his brovs gathered in
big burrows, while his intensely dark eyes
seemed to shootfosth sparks of living fire.
"Deaf Smith" could write with as
tonishing facility and correctness. Denied
completely the sense of hearing, nature
had amply compensated him with the
keenest vision and power of smell al
most incredible.
It was these powerful attributes which
fitted him so admirably for the perilous
occupation of scout, in which capacity be
rendered invaluable service to General
Houston's army during the war tor the
independence Of Texas. He always went
wherever he was sent, no matter how
dangerous the duty, alone, almost invari-
ably succeeding in obtaining the infor-
nation required.
His private life was as eccentric as that
Of his official. He never could be per-
suaded 10 sleep under the roof of house
Or even to accept the friendly shelter of
tent, no matter what the condition OF
the weather might be. Wrapped IN a
single blanket, on the coolest nights, he
preferred to lia ont in the open air, count
the stars, or gaze for hoqFs Vt the moon,
when at its full. When not in the employ
of the Texas Army, he hunted constantly,
frequently absenting himself for weeks
or even months, on solitary expeditions
into the vast wilderness Of the great
Southwest.
About two years after the end Of the
Texas Revolution q difficulty occurred be-
tween the new Government and portion
Of the citizens. The Constitution had
fixed the city of Austin as the permanent
capital, where the archives Of the public
were to be kept, with reservation, how
eyer, Of . power vested in the President
to order their temporary removal in case
of danger from the inroads Of foreign
enemy OF the force Of sudden insurrec-
top.
The Comanches, the most impudent
and powerful tribe of Indians in the
Southwest, began to commit their char
acteristlc atrocities within the very sight
of the young capital. Upon this demon
stration of what might become serious
hostilities, General Houston, the Presi-
dent, who resided in the town of Wash
ington, on the Brazos, dispatched an order
commanding those under HIM at Austin
to send the State records to Washington.
A mass meeting Of the citizens and
farmers of the adjscept country was called.
After many fiery speeches it was unani-
mously decided to prc7ent the removal of
the archives, by open and armed force, if
necessary. To that end q company Of
400 men was organized, one moietyz of
which relieving the other atsegular inter
walls, should keep constant guard around
the Statehouse until the peril passed by.
The commander Of this force ia rehslliop
against the authorities WAS Coloosl Nor.
ton, WAe had achieved considerable re-
nowp in the war tor Independents, and
akill more RECENTLY had d;sHlevnxa. l..