Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-02

A BIOGRAPHY.
Halley's Centennial Book Of AIanieda County,
1876, contains the following account of Col
John G. Hays: There is probably not man
in Alameda county With more in eresiins
personal history Than Col Jack Have. The
Texas ranger. He was distinguished before
he came to California for his military career
in border warfare. That, however, which
has mora direct interest is the fact that he
is one of the founders OF oakland. Col.
John Coffee Hays is a native-of Wilson coun-
ty, Tenn where he was born in The year 1917.
He Was raised on a farm, bat went 10 Texas
when he wss seventeen or eighteen years of
age, and entered the military service Of. that
reyOited State uud"r Gen. Sam Hou.ton.
Texas remained Rn independent Stale from
he year 1885 10 1916, when she WIS taken
iuto the UaiOns Her military foics at fret
consisted of volunteer, bit subs qusutly
rveulsr but small force was organ Eel, Of
nhich Col. Hays was placed in comma and
When he Mexican war broke out, he com
msnded his corps of Texan troops, under
GIN. Taylor, which consisted partly OF sew
eral companies OF cavalry. He djstin.
guished hiMselt e'pe ially at Monterey,
where The Texan solditrs led the van and
| bore the brunt OF the battle. When Santa
Anna, The Mexican commander, surrendered
| TO Gen Scott, he was inside Col. Hays's pris-
oaer. The war was ended aud peace pro-
claimed in 184S. The news OF the richness
of CsliforDia's gold fields soon spre ad tar md
| called hitler he adventurous and daring Of
every land. Col Hsys was in the van Of the
| gold seekers though he never mined after he
came h-Te. He CROSSED The plsins to Cali
| fornia in 1S49, making San Ffancisco his
| o. i=ctive point. The State and city govern
| ments were being formed when he got here,
and the peoples party enthusiastically elect
ed the yourg Texan ranger
The FIRST SHERIFF OF SAN FRANcIsco,
sn flee he he'd for feur years. Ia 1852 he
purcha sed, in connection with others, the site
| OF tie city OF Oakland, and successfully en-
| tered upon a c.reer OF city building, Laying
| oct the place ia town lots and d sposiog OF
thenI. The names OF H.ys snd Caperton,
| his par.ne-, hsye been sfhxed here 10 msny
| title desds. 10 1858 Hays was appointed
| United a,es surv-yor general by President
| Pierce, which office he filed 10 the sstisfac.
ton Of all,
Co. Hays resides on a farm in the foot
| hills OF O4klsnd township, where he pos
serses a VERT pleasant place. He Is one oil
| the leading Democrats oil the State, and was
a delegate 10 toe la'e presidential conven-
ton in St. Louis. He Ia q man OF family
aud has . son Who besrs his nsme. Col
Hay, although now fifty nine years OF age
| is an active nusicess man and an un irIne
worker. 10 peroual appearances he IL Of
med uu height and slim. He is what /;
called an active, wiry man. his reputa
| lion So a business mao Is good, and III;
word is reported to be as good as his bend
| Everyone who knows Col. Hays speaks oil
| him as one of The most auiaDle, sosiabie snd
hospitable men in ordinary lie. Entirely
unsggressive, yet uhen antsgonized, bold anc
without fear, and more than once during hi
evenlful life his almost superhuman couras'
alone saved him from destruction. de hac
q reputation before the Mex can war.
| AN INCIDENT.
One, while living 10 T xas, be was sur
| prissd alone by a party Of hostile Indians