El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-10
WHEN DEAF SMITH
BLUFFED THE JEFE
Some Of the Amazing Feats
of the Texas Pioneer
in 1S41

Interest is now conferred on Mexico
and the actions CT the federals and
insurrectos in capturing towns from
their a0versarieS, but there has never
yet come to light such a feat that
accomplished by Erasmus DEAF
Smith, the pioneer Texan, and a band
of four men in the year 1S41, when
this intrepid leader took the town
of Laredo, which at that time harbor-
ed inhabitants 10 the number of nearly
1000.
Gen Frank w Johnson, with be-
tween 400 and 500 we'll armed men had
left San Antonio on an invasion of
Mexico and had marched about so of
the 16o miles toward the Mexican
town. He sent Deaf Smith and party
Of six ahead on scouting duty and
they were nearly 100 miles in advance
Of the troops when they had a Skin
mish with a Mexican band. some OF
whom were killed and others captured
But ore of the Mexicans managed
to get away on a horse and gave them
a merry chase. They considered the
trouble that might occur if he got
word to the Mexican officials that
only n small. band of Americans was
coming. so they went after him in
earnest.
Leaving two men to guard the pris-
oners, Deaf Smith took the other four
men of his party and gave chase but
the lone man managed to keep out of
rifle range.
His pursuers kept so close that they
followed him right into the main plaza
of the town. and then there was no
retreat possible, so Deaf Smith. a man
who always thought and acted quick
~. sent for the alcalde of the town
When that official arrived, Smith de-
marded first that he bring to them
xix of his best horses. Then he told
! him that Gen. Johnson was within
10 miles of the city and would be there
in Jig time, and had made the demand
that they prepare 100 beeves for
slaughter and a goodly supply of coin.
Mounting five of the fresh horses
and taking one along as blind, Deaf
Smith and his party got out Of town
al fast as they could and raced back
toward JohnsOn's force for safety, but
the Mexicans were so taken by sur
prise that they did not attempt to fol-
low.
Smith was a native of Massachu-
setts. he had said, though many did
not know whence he hailed. In 1888
he and John w. Smith were the only
Americans in the town of San Atnonio
and both were married to Mexicars.
E. Sterling c. Robertson, later
one of the best known characters in
Texas history, was then the only
American boy living in that town
At that time a number OF Coma niche
indians came into the town and stole
many horses and made toward the
hills with them. The Mexican resi-
dents of the town met in the plaza
| and attempted to devise ways and
means to secure the return of their
stock Deaf Smith wanted them to
hurry but that word was not in their
dictionary so Smith started alone.
Reaching the camp Of the indians he
cut the thongs that held the horses
and stampeded the herd back towards
! the town, where he met the Mexicans
coming out to get their animals.
Another time. Deaf Smith, who had
been out hunting, was returning to his
camp with a deer swung across the
| back Of his horse. when band of in
| dians surrounded him. He knew the
| habits of the indians as well as he
| knew those of the white man. and fear
was not in his makeup. Knowing that
J indians never harmed an insane per-
| son. he Immediately started laughing
| and kept it up until he got into camp.
| There the indians helped him eat his
deer. gave him moccasins and sent
| him on his way.