The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1897-04-30

;E~~ hnee sl live.oak. ]
Tho scene represents a few hours
after tho battle OF San Jacinto, which
was fought on the bank of that river,
near the mouth of Buffalo Bayou, on
the 21st 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 OF
administering to the gallant leader 8
need. Near him, seated on 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 over known
in the West. His memory Is revered
equally with the most prominent ac-
tors in the war for Independence of
the Lone Star State, one 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 n 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
graphy. Ii questioned upon the sub
ject, rs he often was in the primitive
days OF his advent in the now great
State, ho invariably placed his index
finger on his mouth, and If urged
burrows, while his intensely dark eyes
seemed to shoot forth sparks OF fire.
No one had the temerlty TO again re
fer to his formnr life after the exper
ience Of first attempt to learn some
thing Of the strange man.
He could write with astonishing Ia
ci ty and correctness, and this, o
course, was tho only means by whici
he could communicate with his fellow
men. Denied completely the sense
hearing, nature had amply comPen
stated him with vision that was OF tn
kcenest character, and power O
smell that was almost Incredible. IL
could discover objects moving mile
away on the apparently lntermlnabl
prairie, where others could dlscer
nothing but the earth and the horizon
--"-s'ssA~oe.~-ss ssNh- -1sWagkable attribute
he rendered valuable service tS Geb
erai Houston's army during the Texa
TAR OF independence. He always wen
where he was sent, alone, and almos
invariably succeeded in obtaining tn
information desired.
Many stories of his bravery in bat
tie and his many desperate duels ar
current among the citizens in the re
gion where he once lived, but / ca,
only relate one here
About two years after the termina
tlon OF the Texas revolution a difficult,
occurred between the new government
ana number of the citizens which
threatened most serious consequences
even bloodshed and all tho horrors O
oNil war. Inc case was this: Th.
constitution had fixed the city of Aus
TN as the permanent capital, where
the public archives were to be kent
with the reservation. however. of .
power In the president to order their
temporary removal in case of danger
from the lnroads of foreign enemv
or the force of sudden insurrection.
Inc Comanches, the most powerful
trlpe 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
concelvIng that an exceptional emcr.
gency had been provoked by these
acts OF the savages, sent an order com.
mandlng those under him to send the
state records 20 Washington, which
he declared 10 be, for the time heinz
the seat of government.
1t would be absurd to tryto describe
the stormy excitement which the re-.
celpt OF the order raised in Anst,n
lhe owners of hotels, boarding bonses
monte and faro banks, were nearly
distracted, for it meant death. blow
10 their business. Accordingly thew
determined to take the necessary steps
10 avert the danger, by ignoring the
mandate OF the president They called
mass meeting of the citizens and
larmers OF tho adjacent country. who
were all more or less Interested in tho
question; and alter many fiery
speeches against the asserted tvrapny |
Oh the administration, it was unapi.
mously resolved to prevent the re.
1n''ai OF The archives by open and