Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-02-15


dulging in the ghost dance. 1t could
not be worse than our waltz. FIX
change.
DEAF SMITH, THE SCOUT.
STORY OF Il DUEL FAMOUS IN THE
ANNALS OFTEX.AS.
In the main corridor of the mag
nifcent capitol at Austin, Texas,
there hangs al immense painting, 25x15
feet, at least, incased in massive
gilt frame. The figures are life-sizc,
and among the most prominent are
General Sam Houston, deaf Smith"
and Santa Anna. The time represent
ed in this historical work is Immediate
ly after the battle of San Jacinto.
fought on the banks of that river,
near the mouth Of Buffalo Bayou
on April 81, 1886, in which mem,
orable struggle the famous Mexican
leader was taken prisoner. In that
fight General Houston was severely
wounded in the ankle, and in the
painting he is seen reclining under
the grateful shade Of a large live oak
and surgeon is in the act Of admins
tering to the gallant American SOL
dicr's needs. Near him, seated on a
log, in the attitude Of listening, is his
bosom friend and favorite, "Deaf
Smith," says the New York Recorder.
The history Of "Deaf Smith" is one
of the most extraordinary in all the
annals of the frontier The memory
of that remarkable man is revered
equally with that of any of the promi-
nent actors in the war for independence
of the clone Star State" one of whose
counties is named for him. He made
his appearance in Texas suddenly, at
very early period in the bloody his
tory of its struggle with Mexico, where
he continued to reside until his death,
which occurred about 1S4S. He had
a host of friends, and was the particu-
lar favorite of General Houston, yet
none of these were ever able to learn
the place of his birth or gather a sim
gle fact in relation to his life previous
to his advent among them. 1fques-
toned upon the subject, he invariably
placed his index finger upon his lips,
and if pressed further, his brows gath
cred in big burrows, while his intense
ly dark eyes seemed to shoot forth
sparks of living fire.
"Deaf Smith" could write with as
toni>hing facility and correctness.
Denied completely the sense of hear
ing, nature had amply compensated
him with the keenest vision and a
power of smell almost incredible.
1t was these powerful attributes
which fitted him so admirably for the
perilous occupation of scout, in which
capacity he rendered invaluable SER
vice to General Houston's army during
the war for the independence of Texas.
He always went wherever he was sent,
no matter how dangerous the duty,
alone, almost invariably succeeding in
obtaining the information required.
His private life was as eccentric as
that of his official. He never could be
persuaded to sleep under the roof of a
house or even accept the friendly
shelter of a tent, no matter what the
condition of the weather might be.
Wrapped in a single blanket, on the
coolest nights, he preferred to lie out
in the open air, count the stars, or
gaze for hours at the moon, when at
it's full. When not in the employ of
the Texas army, he hunted constantly,
frequently absenting himself for weeks
or even months, Oh solitary expedi-
tons into the vast wilderness of the
great Southwest.
About two years after the end of
the Texas revolution, difficulty occur
red between the new government and
a portion of the citizens. The consti-
tuition had fixed the city of Austin as
the permanent capital, where the ar
chives of the public were to be kept,
with reservation, however, of a pow
er vested in the president to order
their temporary removal i'll case OF
danger from the inroads of foreign
enemy, or the force of sudden insur-
rection.
The Comanches, the most impudent
and powerful tribe Of Indians in the
Southwest, began to commit their
characteristic atrocities within the very
sight of the young capital. Upon this
demonstration Of what might become
serious hostilities, General Houston,
the president, who resided in the town
of Washington, on the Brazos, dis
patched al order commanding those
under him at Austin to send the State
records to Washington.
, 4 mass meeting of the citizens and
farmers of the adjacent country was
called. After many fiery speeches it
was unanimously decided to prevent
the removal Of the archives, by open
and armed force, if necessary. TO that
end a company Of 400 men was or
ganizcd, one moiety Of which, relieving
the other at regular intervals, should
keep constant guard around the State
house until the peril passed by. The
commander of this force in rebellion
against the authorities was Colonel
Morton, who had achieved considcra'
BILE renown in the war for independ-
ence. and still more recently had dis
played desperate bravery in two ter
BILE duels, in both Of which he had liter
ally cut his antagonist to pieces with his
formidable bowieknite. The colonel
swore by the honor of Il Texan that II
General Houston removed the records
of the State from Austin he would him
self hunt him down like a wolf and
shoot him with as little ceremony
He had the impudence to write to the
hero of San Jacinto to that effect. The
general, whom nothing could intimi'
date, replied in the following note OF
characteristic brevity:
"If the people of Austin do not send
the archives | shall certainly come and
take them and if Colonel Morton can
kill me, he is welcome to my ear-cap.
On the reception of the presidents
note the "Committee Of Safety" held q
continuous session in the City Hall
and everything betokened the bursting
of il severe political storm.
One day, while matters were in
this boiling condition, the committee
in the city hall was surprised by the
sudden appearance of stranger
whose mode of entrance was as ex
traordinary as his looks and dress
Climbing, unseen, small, bushy'
topped live-oak which grew beside the
wall of the building, he leaped with
out the slightest warning through q
high window, and was Immediately in
the presence Of the secret guardians