The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-01

E%RAA:.r; "a mattress under {
AK huge live-oak
The scene represents few hour:
after the battle OF San Jacinto, which
was fought on the bank Of that river,
near the mouth of Buffalo Bayou, OF
the 2lst Of April, 1886, and IN which
struggle the famous Mexican general
was taken prisoner. General Houston
had been severely wounded in the
ankle, and the surgeon is the act OIL
administering to the gallant leaders
need. Near him, seated on a log in
the attitude Of listening, is bis bosom
friend, the celebrated Texas spy, Deaf
Smith.
The history of Deaf Smith is one OF
the most extraordinary over known
in the West. His memory is revered
equally with the most prominent 40
tors in the war for independence OF
the Lone Star State, ono Of whose
counties is named for him.
Deaf Smith made his appearance in
Texas at very early day in the his.
tory OF its struggle with Mexico. He
had host of friends, and was par
ticular favorite OF General Houston,
yet none of these was ever. able to
learn the land of his nativity, or gath
er single glenn Of his previous bio
graphy. II questioned upon the sub
ject, as he often vas in the primitive
days of his advent in the now great
State, he invariably placed his index
finger on his mouth, and If urged
further, his brow gathered in great
burrows, while his intensely dark eyes
seemed to shoot forth sparks OF fire.
No one had the temerity to again re.
fer to his fornnr life after the exper-
fence of q first attempt to learn some.
thing OF the strange man.
He could write with astonishing fa-
cility and correctness, and this, of
course, was the only means by which
he could communicate with his fellow
men. Denied completely the sense of
hearing, nature had amply compen-
stated him with a vision that was OF the
keenest character, and q power of
smell that was almost incredible. He
could discover objects moving miles
away on the apparently interminable
prairie, where others could discern
nothing but the earth and the horizon.
It was such remarkable attributes
that fitted him go well in the danger
GUS vocation of spy, in which capacity
he rendered valuable service to Gen.
eral Houston's army during tho Texas
war Of independence. He always went
where he was sent, alone, and almost
invariably succeeded in obtaining the
information desired.
Many stories of his bravery in bat
tie and his many desperate duels are
current among the citizens in the re-
gion where he once lived, but | can
only relate one here.
About two years after the termina.
ton of the Texas revolution difficulty
occurred between the new government
and a number of the citizens which
threatened most serious consequences,
even bloodshed and all the horrors of
civil war. Tho case was this: The
constitution had fixed the city of Aus
tin as the permanent capital, where
the public archives were to be kept,
with the reservation, however, of o
power in the president to order their
temporary removal in case of danger
from the inroads of foreign enemy
or the force of sudden instruction.
The Comanches, the most powerful
tribe Of Indians in the Southwest, be.
gan to commit atrocities within the
very sight of the capital itself, when
the president, General Houston, who
resided at Washington. on the Brazos,
conceiving that an exceptional emer.
gency had been provoked by these
acts OF the saveges, sent m order com.
manding those under him to send the
State records to Washington, which
he declared to be, for the time being,
tle seat ofgovernment.
II would be absurd to tryto describe
the stormy excitement which tho re-
CAPT Of the order raised in Austin.
Ike owners Of hotels, boarding houses,
monte and faro banks, were nearly
distracted, for it meant q death blow
to their business. Accordingly they
determined to take the necessary steps
to avert the danger, by ignoring the
mandate of the president. They called
a mass meeting of the citizens and
farmers OF the adjacent country, who
were all more or less interested in the
question; and after many fiery
speeches against the asserted tyranny
of the administration, it was unani-
mously resolved to prevent the re.
moYsl OF the archives by open and
'~N