Year: 1867

Despite the cloud which hangs over the
closing days Of Sam Houston's life l have
always entertained strong admiration for
the hero of San Jacinto. / am fully con-
scious of his weaknesses. some of which
were quite garing, but he had certain
pluck, Jacksonian stubbornness, which
commanded the respect of even his enemies


There is an incident Of Sam Houston s
career which is not generally known, but
which brings out as prominently as any act
of his the sterling courage to which | refer,
and at the same time brings into notice one
of the most extraordinary men of whom l
have ever heard-that is, the individual
known as Deaf Smith, the Texan Spy, and
intimate friend of Sam Houston


AT the time Texas succeeded in establish
ing her independence the Constitution pro
vided that the city of Austin should be the
permanent capitaL where the public archives
were to be kept; but the provso was insert
ed, giving the President discretionary power
to remove them temporarily to some safe
point in case Of danger from the inroads of a
foreign enemy, or the power Of a sudden in,
surrection.


About two years after the Texan Tevolu.
ton, the warlke Comanches became so
daring as to commit several outrages within
sight of the capital itself, whereupon IIous-
ton considered this condition of matters war
ranted his availing himself of the provision
of the Constitution already mentioned.


He resided at this time ut Washington, on
the Brazos, from which he di patched a
messenger, with an order commanding his
subordinate functionaries to send the State
records to that place, which he announced to
be the seat Of government pro tempOre.


This produced the most intense excite.
ment in Austin. The hotel keepers, gro.
ceries, boarding houses and gambling sa-
looms foresaw irretrievable ruin. They gath.
cred together and denounced the proposed
outrage. Gradually the mutterings took
shape, until, despite the constitutional war
ranty for the step, it was resolved that the
thing should not be done.


A mass meeting was called of the citizens
and farmers of the neighborhood. and the
most fiery and incendiary speeches were
made. When the feelings of all were work
up to the proper pitch. it was unanimously
resolved to prevent the execution of the man
date by armed resistance.


A company of armed men was organized
on thelspot. At their Head was placed Col
onel Morton, one of the most noted duelists
in the Republic. He had achieved quite
fame during the war just closed, and was,
unquestionahly, brave man, and as un-
principled as he was desperate. He was a
fellow of no little conceit, and it was with no
little pride that he took charge of the men,
who unanimously called upon him to be
their leader.


SO noted, indeed, was Colonel Morton
that great many were convinced that when
General Houston learned that lie headed
this determined band, he would hasten to re-
tract his ground and recall the offending
command. But they mistook the mettle Of
the old hero.


Colonel Morton pufed up with his " brief
authority" declared that if the President
did succeed in removing the records by the
power Of over whelming numbers, he would
hunt him down Ika-a-welf, and slay him
wherever he found him, whether on the
streets or in the bed. He went so far even
as to olsend him letter to that effect. and
here is the identical answer he received:


IF the people of Austin do not send the
arcbites, | shall instantly come and take
them, AMI if Colonel Norton can kill me he
is welcome to my ear cap.


SAN. HoUsroN"


On the reception of this answer the excite
ment became greater than ever. The guard
was doubled around the state house, and
picked sentinels were stationed along the
road to the capital, the military paraded the
streets from morning till night, and a caucus
of the ring. leaders was held in the city hall.
Everything threatened coming storm.


Thus matters stood for several days, when
the caucus at the city hall were startled by
the sudden arrival of stranger among
them.


He did not knock at the door nor attempt
to seek admission there, but climbed, unnO.
ticed, with the celebrity Of monkey small
oak which grew beside the wall, and with
out word or warning sprang through
lofty window, and landed in the very room
where the astonished caucus were congre-
gated.


The stranger was clad in buckskin, carried
a long and heavy rifle in his hand, wore at
the bottom of his left suspender an immense
bowie knife, and held in his leathern belt
couple of enormous pistols He was thin,
tall and straight as an arrow, as 1.-the and
supple as a panther, with a swarthy com.
plexion, long, jet black hair, rigid, iron
like countenance, eyes of glittering backness,
and as piercing as the point of a stiletto.


His sudden appearance among them so
startled them that they unconsciously grasp
ed their arms.


"Who are you that thus comes among
gentlemen uninvited?" thundered Colonel
Morton, staring ferociously at him.


The stranger turned his black eyes upon
him, and stared at him, but the only answer
be made was by placing his finger upon his
lips.


Who are you? Speak, or 1 will run YOU
through" shouted Morton, driven to fury
by the cool, contemptous gaze of the other.
who now took his finger from his lip and laid
it on the handle of his knife.


The exasperated Colonel now drew his
dagger, and was advancing upon the strans-
er, when several interposed and held him
back.


Let him alone, Morton. Don't you see
he is crazy?"


At this juncture Judge Webb stepped
forward and spoke to the stranger in kind
ly. respectful manner.


My good friend, 1 suppose you have
made mistake. This is private meeting,