Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-02
A TENNESSEE HERO.
Death OF Col. Jack Hays, the Famous
Texas Ranger-Sketeh OF q Won
derful Career.
Incideats Illustrating His Fearless
Spirit on the Field-His Exploit
with an Abducted Slave.

The following sketch of native of this
State whose name hss been carried to the
ends Of the earth SIS tsat OF successfGl
military leader, is taken from the San Frsn-
cisco Call
Death called away yesterday one Of the
nost noted men in California-Col. John
Coffee Hiys. Col. Hays passed away peace
fully at his home in the foothills of ALAMEDA
county, north Of Piedmont Sol. Jack
Hays" SIS he was commonly called, earned
the title tbe Texan r inger" from MS com-
msnd of the Texan troops Nhea Texas wss
an independent State, and sf:erwsr6.: when
it wss member Of the Union. Col. Hays
va. q brave man. By his cool personal
courage at all times and under all ciroum-
stances, 20 matter what the emergency might
be, he gained his greatest reputation, though
many other circumstances during his event.
ial LIE would make him a conspicuous man.
He Wss Of email stature aud slender, but
Wiry: bat he was g giant in daring. Col.
Hsys was a native Of Wilson county, Tenn.
He wac born in the year 1917, and therefore
was sixty years old al the time of his death.
His esrly days we're spent on a farm in the
State of his birth, but when he was seven
teen or eighteen years OF age he went to
Texas and entered the military service of
that revolted State under the celebrated
Gen. Sam HonstoL. Texas was an ipde-
pendent State from 1885 10 1916; at the lat
ter date Texas was admitted into the Union.
The military force of Texas at first con-
sisted Of volunteers, but Subsequently a
regular army, few in number, wss organized,
and Col. Hays WAS placed ia command.
During the war OF the United States against
Me xico Col. Hsys commanded the CORE OF
Texan troops, which comprised several COM
panies Of cavalry. He was under Gen.
Taylor.
AT THE BATTLE OF MONTEREY
Col. Hays. by his undauntet valor, particu.
lary distinguished himself. At the battle
I! the Texan troops led the van and bore the
brunt OF the day. When Gen. Santa Anna
surrendered to Gen. Scott, she Mexican com,
mssder, then 8 prisoner Of war, was placed
| IN the custody Of Col. Hays.
The tales Of the gliteriDg richness OF the
| gold mines OF California attracted the adj
| venturous young soldier, ard in 1S49 he
crossed the plains and Immediately came to
! San Francisco. When be reached San Fran
cisco the State and county governments wer,
| organized. His record in the Mexican wal
had preceded him across the plains and al
| most as soon SIS he arrived here he was en-
Enthusiastically elected the first sheriff Of SAr
1 rEduC4sCO oy Tue pcOpto ripbtN. mat once
| he held for four Years. plripg III AZ tim;
The population OF San Fraucisco IN
Guided great numbers of rufisns-mel
| whom taking of human life did not cause
second thought, desperate and crimina
| men. TGe iDdomitabie courage of the youu
| sheriff was abundsltly shown during hi
| term OF office, and be wac almost the onl
man in San Francisco who coul1 queIl
disturbance. The anecdotes OF the man
serious broils stopped by Sheriff HyeS, alone
are ss numerous as they are interesting
TIE earlisr part OF his life was full Ct thrill
ing incidents, and no period would show
greater number than during the time whe
ne WIS sheriff Of this county. La 1852, wit
others, he purchased the present siie of th
, city of Oakland. With those engaged wit
him, he laid out the city of Oakland, al
disposed OF town lots. The names of Has
aud Caperton sre signed to many Of the Of
title deeds To oakland property.
10 1858, uuder President Pierce, Col. Hay
was appointed United States surveyor ger
era for California, which position he file
10 the satisfaction OF the people. OF lat
years he has lived in 3 spacious home in A
srneda county, away from hustle, surrounde
by trees and flowers. He leaves one sol
who bears The iull came Of his father.
A STRONG DEMOCRAT.
Col. jack Hays always had somewh:
| prominent part in the politics of tn
| this State, and always was strongly intel
ested in the success Of the Democratic part
He was delegate to the National Dem,
crstic Convention, held at st. Louis III
name will be found in every list of the not
bic men of California. Alter his election
the shrievalty in September, 1851, Col. &C
Hays wac well known TO sill early resident;
and 10 later years has been we'll know
throughout the State as a prominent polit
clan and landowner. Ii IS told of him tn at O
the day of his election he turned the lid
of popularity in his own favor by b
of Characteristic dash and daring. Il
opponent for the Office Was a well know
gambler, who was popular with a certai
| clsss to whom young Hays was only slight
known by reputation. Hearing that he wa
to be slaughtered" at the polls in the pr,
cincs where this class predominsted, Hay
mounted an unusually fiery black stallio
| and dashed about in the vicinItyof The poll
displaying such daring and msgnitcen
Workmanship that he won the quick admire
ton end, what was more to bis adyaDtsg.
the votes of hundreds who, ia impulsive er
| thusiasm, cheered aud worked for The succ es
of the plucky rider. With the none
ne made out of the Office to whic
he was elected, which then return
ed, it is said, nearly 100000 ia fees to tn
incu @ bent, he purchased largely OF res
estate in this city and in the tract wher
Oakland ia now built. His real estate OF
srslions, Carried on on an extensive seal.
coon realized him large fortune, who's
management has been his chief business dun
ing the lat. r years Of his life. Contempors
ries Of his early San Francisco csresr al
speak OF him SIS having then been man G
quick action, generous impulse aud COG
daring, the latter quality of character di.
tinguishing him during the Troublesome tim
Of the Vigilantes.
| BIOGRAPHY
Halley's Centennial Book Of Alan,eaa Count,
1876, contains the folloEing account of Co
John G. Hays: There is probably not IN
in Alameda county With more in erestin
personal history fhsn Col. Jack Have, th
Texas ranger. He was distinguished befor
he came to California for his military caree
in border warfare. That, however, whic
has a more direct interest is the fact that h
is one of the founders OF oakland. Co
John Coffee Hays is a native-of Wilson couu
~, Tenn where he was born in The year 1871
He Was raised on farm, bat went TO Tezs
when he wss seventeen or eighteen wears @
age, and entered the military service Of. tbs
| r.vottpd Stats und.r Gan S.,, uou.t,,