Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-05-27
DEAF SMITH, The SCOUT.

DEAF SMITH, THE SCOUT.
In the main hall of the magnificent
capitol of Austin, Texas, there hangs
an immense picture, at least twenty
five by fifteen feet, encased in mass
i've gilt frame. The figures, Of which
there are many, are all Of life size
The more prominent are General Sam
Houston, deaf Smith, and Santa
Anna. General Houston is reclining
on a sort of mattress under a huge live
oak. The scene represents few hours
after the battle Of San Jacinto, which
was fought on the bank of that river,
near the mouth of the Buffalo Bayou,
on 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 in the
act of administering to the gallant
leaders need. Near him, seated on a
log in the attitude of listening is his
bosom friend, the celebrated Texas spy,
Deaf Smith.
The history of Deaf Smith is one Of
the most extraordinary ever known IN
the West. His memory is revered
equally with the most prominent act
ors in the war for independence of the
Lone Star State, one Of whose coun-
ties is named for him.
Deaf Smith made his appearance in
Texas at a 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 a single CLEAN Of his previous blog-
raphy. If questioned upon the sub
Iect, as he often was in the primitive
days Of his advent in the now great
State, he invariably placed his index
finger on his mouth, and if urged fur
ther, his brow gathered in great fur
rows, while his intensely dark eyes
seemed to shoot forth sparks Of fire.
No one had the temerity to again re-
fer to his former life after the expert
ence of 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 compensat-
ed him with vision that was Of the
keenest character, and a 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.
1t was such remarkable attributes
that fitted him so well in the danger
Gus vocation of spy, in which capacity
he rendered valuable service to Gen
eral Houston army during the Texas
war of independence. He always
went where he was sent, alone, and al
most invariably succeeded in obtaining
the information desired.
Many stories of his bravery in bat
tie and his many desperate duels are
current among the cltlZens IN lHe Ie-
gion where he once lived, but l can
only relate one here.
About two years after the termina-
ton of the Texas revolution Difficult
ty occurred between the new govern
ment and a number of the citizens
which threatened most serious conse-
quences, even bloodshed and all the
horrors Of the Civil War. The case
was this: The constitution had fixed
the city of Austin as the permanent
capitol, where the public archives were
to be kept, with the reservation, how
ever, of power in the president to
order their temporary removal in case
of danger from the inroads of a for
eign enemy or the force of sudden in
surrection. The Comanches, the most
powerful tribe of Indians in the south
west, began to commit atrocities with
in the very sight of the capitol itself,