San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-01
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COL. JACK HAYS.
STORY OF HIS EARLY LIFE, WHICH
HAS BUT LATELY COME OUT.
He Loved and Was Tilted, the Affair
Ending most rragically-Left His Ten
nessee Home and Went to Texas-His
purf;ctpafiop In thu HTexfcan War.

nessee Homo and Went to Texas-His
Participation in the Mexican War.
There have been q great many stories
written and published OF the famous Jack
Hays, the Texas ranger, whose name and
fame is as well known in Texas as in Caiifor-
MIA, but have never yet seen anything In
print in regard to the life or history of Hays
before he come to Texas Most of the stories
about Jack Hays say he was a stranger when
he came to Texas, in 1896, and but little was
known of his history before that time. Ihave
recently had the pleasure Of meeting an old
Tennesseean, Capt. Frank Bishop, who gave
me a little piece of Jack Hays history, which
he says accounts for Hays appearance in
Texas, and which will no doubt be interest
ing to the many friends and admirers Of the
memory of the redoubtable Texas ranger, for
there are few left now of those who loved
and honored him in life.
Hays was born near the Hermitage, Old
Hickory's place in Tennessee, and Capt.
Bishop was born and raised on the adjoining
farm. His father served under Gen. Coffee,
for whom Jack Hays was partly named
John Coffee Hays was his full hame), and
Frank Bishop and Jack Hays were boys to-
gether, sharing inthe same sports, attending
the same school in winter, hunting squirrels,
coons and 'possums together and growing up
to manhood in close companionship and en-
PERTAINING for each other the warmest friend
ship, which was only broken by the death Of
Col Hays
LOVE AND RIFLES
When Hays was about % years old he fell in
love with Miss Betty Donaldson, the daughter
Of neighboring farmer, and for time the
young lady seemed to return his ardent at
tachment. For year or more sheSreceived
his attentions and plighted him her tFoth.
Preparations for their marriage were being
made when, there appeared in the neighbor.
hood a young man named Talbot, from
Mount Vernon, KY, who was reputed TO be
immensely wealthy, and, who, besides being
we'll educated, was a handsome and accom-
plished gentleman of pleasing address and
polished manners, well schooled in all those
arts which go so far in helping man to win
the good opinion of the fair sex
Now, although Hays was a handsome
young fellow, and was considered the best
rider, the best dancer and the best shot among
the youth Of the country, Miss Donaldson
took great pleasure in showing him that
the attentions of Mr.. Talbot were not dis
tasteful to her-in fact, that she rather pre-
terred them TO those young Hays Now,
JACK Hays was no man, even ut that
early age, to tameb omit to slight or q
wrong from either man or woman He was
a man of ardent temperament, and could not
brook the idea Of being second in anything.
As was said of him a good many years later,
he never failed friend or foe" and be
quickly informed Miss Betty that he would
have no double dealing; she must either re-
member her plghted word to him and cease
to receive attentions. from Mr.. Talbot, or she
must recall her VOWS and coquette with and
marry whom she pleased. Miss Donaldson
was young lady Of spirit, and, besides
being piqued at being taken to task by her
lover, was, after the manner Of women, much
taken with the handsome face, fine words and
pleasant manners Of young Talbot, and so It
only required few moments and few sharp
words to give Nj. Jack Hays his congo and
to announce her determination Of marrying
Mr.. Talbot.
Hays recognized her right 10 do as she
pleased in this matter and there would have
been no trouble about it had not Mr. Talbot,
elated by his success In winning the affections
of Hays sweetheart away from him, boasted
Of his conquest on every occasion. At party
in the neighborhood shortly after the rupture
Of the engagement between Hays and Miss
Donaldson, Talbot tainted Hays with his de-
feat and the result was that Talbot was
knocked down and soundly whipped by the
disappointed lover, who, though much small
er than his successful rival was more than a
match for him in agility and grit, two char
acteristics which afterward rendered him IA
NOUS
Snoa ohoc III
sent a challenge to Hays, which was, of
course, promptly accepted, and the prelimi-
naries Of the meeting were quickly arranged.
Hays selected rifles as the weapons and Capt
Frank Bishop, my informant, acted as his
second.
The duel took place at sunrise on a bright
June morning, about two miles from the
Hermitage, in a secluded spot. The distance
was twenty PAGES, and Talbot was shot
through the heart, never speaking after the
crack OF Hays rifle, and dying almost in
stantly.
THE SPIRIT OF REMoRSE
Hays and his second, Bishop left the
country immediately, and after great deal
of wandering finally landed in New Orleans.
where they remained for nearly a year, and,
as Bishop says, had "lots of fun They
were well supplied with money, and they
won great deal while in the Crescent City,
both at cards and horse racing, a penchant
for the latter sport being always a noted
characteristic of Jack Hays, though he fore
swore cards, and it is said he was never
known to hazard a cent at any game of carda
during his career in Texas.
After remaining nearly year in New Or
leans Hays and his companion went home
Hays remained there a little over a year, and