Year: 1877

DEAF sMITB, THE SPY.


Despite the clouds that hangs over
the closing days of Sam Houston's life, 1
have always entertained strong admi-
ration foa the hero of San Jacinto. l
am fully conscious of his weaknesses,
some of which are quite glaring, but he
had a certain pluck, a Jacksonian
stubbornness, which commanded the re-
spect of even his enemies.


There is an incident of Sam Houston 8
career that is not generally known, but
which brings out as prominently as any
act of his life, that sterling courage to
which 1 refer, and at the same time
brings into notice one of the most ex-
traordinary men of whom 1 ever heard
who is the person known as Deaf
Smith, the Texas spy, and intimate
friend of Sam Houston.


At the time Texas succeeded in es-
tablished her independence, the consti-
tuition provided that Austin should be
the permanent capital, where the public
archives were to be kept; but the pro-
vision was inserted giving the President
discretionary power to remove it tenn
porarily to some safe point in case of
danger from the inroads of a foreign
enemy, or the power of sudden insur-
rection.


About two years after the Texas revo-
luton, the warlike Commanches became
so daring as to commit several outrages
in the sight of the capital itself, where
upon Houston considered the condition
of matters warranted his availing him
self of the provisions already mentioned.
He resided at that time at Washington,
on the Brazos, from which he despatched
messenger, with an order commanding
his subordinate functionaries to send the
records to that place, and which he an-
nounced to be the seat of government TO
pro tempore.


This produced the most intense excite
ment in Austin. The hotelkeepers,
grocers, clearinghouse and gambling
saloons foresaw irretrievable ruin. They
gathered together and denounced the
proposed Outrage" Gradually the
mutterings took shape, until. despite the
constitutional warranty for the step it
was resolved that the thing should not
be done.


A mass meeting of the citizens and
farmers of the neighborhood, and the
most fiery and incendiary speeches were
made. When the feelings of all were
worked up to the proper pitch, it'was
unanimously resolved to prevent the
execution of the mandate by armed
resistance. A company of armed men
was organized on the spot. At their
head was placed one of the most noted
duelists in the country. He had
achieved quite fame during the war
just closed, and was unquestionably a
brave man, and as unprincipled as he was
desperate. He was a man of no little
Importance, 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 was Colonel Morton that a
great many were convinced that when
General Houston learned that he had
headed his determined band he would
retrace his ground and recall the offend
ing command. But they mistook the
mettle of the old hero.


Colonel Morton, pulled up with his
brief authority, declared that if the
President did succeed in removing the
records by power of overwhelming num-
bers, ne would hunt him down like a
wolf, and slay him wherever he found
him, whether on the streets or in the
bed. He went SO lar as to send him q
letter to this effect, and here is the
identical answer he received:


If the people of Austin do not send the
archieves, shall instantly come and take
them, and if Colonel Morton can kill me he
is welcome to my ear caps.


SAM Houston.


On the reception of this answer the
excitement became greater than ever
The guard was doubled around the State
House, and picked sentinels wers
stationed along the road to the capital
the military paraded from morning til
night, and caucus of the ringleader
was held in the city hall. Everything
threatened coming storm.


Thus matters stood for several DAYS
when the caucus at the city hall wa
startled by the sudden arrival of .
stranger among them. He did no
knock at the door nor attempt to asl
admission there, but climbed, unnoticed
with the celerity of monkey, a small
7ak which stood beside the wall, an,
without word of warning spran,
through lofty window, and landed il
the very room where the caucus wa
assembled. o..


The stranger was clad in buckskin
carried long and heavy rife in hi
hand, wore at the bottom of his susper
der an immense bowie-knife, and held i
his leather belt couple of enormon
pistols. He was very tall, thin, an
straight as an arrow, and as 1.-THE an
supple as "a panther, with a swarth
complexion, long jet black hair, rigit
iron-like countenanee. eyes of glitterin
blackness, and as piercing as the point
stiletto. His sudden appearance anon