The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-25

STORY or HIS EARLY LIFE, WHICH
HAS BUT LATELY CONE OUT.

o'Ob' VI TIC cbhlf IiFC, WTiOn
HAS BUT LATELY CONE OUT.
ffc Loved aud Was Tilted. the Afair
Ending Most TragicaiIy-Len Ills Ten
ne-see Home and Went to Tesas-His
Participation In the Mexican War
There have been great many stories
written and published Of the famous Jack
Hays, the Texas ranger whose name and
fame Il as well known in Texas rs In Califor
min, but have never yet seen anything In
print in regard to tho life or history Of HAYS
before he come to Texas Most Of the stories
about Jack Hays say he was stranger when
be came 10 Texas in lS'G, and but little was
known Of his history before that time. | have
recently had the pleasure Of meeting an old
Tennesseean, Capt. Frank Bishop. who gave
me little pieco of Jack Hays history. which
be says accounts for Hays appearance in
Texas, and which will no doubt BE- interest
ing to the many friends and admirers of~ho
memory OF the redoubtable Texas ranger, for
there are few left now Of those who loved
and honored him in life
Hays vas born near the Hermitage, Old
Hickorys 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 namel. and
Frank Bishop and Jack Hays were boys to-
sether, sharing in tho same sports. attending
the same school in winter hunting squirrels.
coons and 'possums together and growing up
10 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 wasabout - years oldhe fell in
; love with Miss Betty Donaldson, the daughter
OF neighboring farmer, and for n time the
young lady seemed to return his ardent at
tachment For year or more she received
BIS attentions and plighted him her troih
Preparations for their marriage were being
made when there appeared in the neichbrr-
hood a young man named Talbot, from
Mount Vernon, Ky, who was reputei TO be
immensely wealthy. and, who. besides being
well educated. was n handsome and accom-
plished gentleman Of pleasing address aud
polished manners. well sohoolod in all those
the good opinion Of the fair sox.
Now, although HAYS was n handsome
young fellow, and was considered the best
rider, the best dancer and the best shot among
tho youth OF the country, Miss Donaldson
took great pleasure in showing him that
tho attentions Of Mr.. Talbot wero not dis
tasteful 10 BERN fact, that she rather pre-
tcrred them 10 those Of young HAYS Now,
Jack Hays was not the man, even at that
early age 10 tamcly submit 10 a slight or a
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 good many years later,
''he never failed "a friend or foe and he
quickly informed Miss Betty that he would
have no double dealing: She must either re-
member her plighted word 10 him and cease
20 receive attentions from Mr. Talbot. of She
must recall her VOWS and coguette with and
marry whom she pleased Miss Donaldson
vas a young lady of spirit and. beside.
being p.qucd at bcing taken 10 task by hen
lover, was, after tho manner Of women, much
taken with the handsome face, fine words and
pleasant manners Of young Talbot, and so j,
only required a few moments and a few sharp
words to give Mr.. Jack HAYS his congo aud
to announce her determination Of marrying
Mr. Talbot
Hays recognized her right % do az 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 affection.
Of HAYS sweetheart away from him, blasted
Of his conquest on every occasion. At party
In the neighborhood shortly after tho rupture
Of tho engagement between Hays and Miss
Donaldson Talbot tauntcd Hays with his de-
leat and the result was that Talbot was
knocked down and soundly whipped by the
disappointed lover, who though much small
or than his successful rival, was more than
match for him in agility and grit, two char.
acteristics which after ward rendered him ia
nous.
Smarting under his chastisemcnt, Talbot
sent q challenge 10 HAYS, which was Of
course, promptly accepted, and the prelimi-
naries Of the meeting were quickly arranged.
Hays selected rifles as tho weapons and Capt.
! Frank Bishop, my informant, acted as bis
second.
The duel took place at sunrise on a bright
| june morning, about two miles from the
| hermitage, IN a secluded spot. Tho distance
was twenty PAGES. and Talbot was shot
through the heart, never speaking after the
crack Of Hays rifle, and dying almost in
stantly.
TIE sFIRgT or RE,ioRSE.
HAYS AMI his second, Bishop, left tho
country Immediately, and after great deaI
of wandering finally landed in New Orleans,
where they remained for nearly a year. anil.
as Bishop says. had lots Of fun" They
were wei supplied with money, and tLey
won great deal while IN Tire Crescent City,
| both at cards and horse racing, pendant
for the latter sport being always a noted
| characteristic OF Jack Hays, though he fore
swore cards and it is said be was never
/ known TO hazard a cent at any game Of cards
| during his career in Texas.
After remaining nearly a year in New. Or
| leans HAYS and his companion went homo.
Havs remained there little over a year. and
was never indicted or arrested for the killing
| of Talbot It seemed TO be the impression Of
| the people Of the community that be had
/ done the fair thing in the matter, and he
was not molested Capt Bishop says that
Miss Donaldson and her family made over
/ lures to Hays for a reconciliation, but that
/ the latter would not hear it, saying that Mis-
/ Betty had been the cause Of his killing tel-
l low man. and that he could never be happy
with her or make her happy.
Capt. Bishop says that Hays suffered keen
" from remorse for the killing Of Talbot, a
spirit Of unrest seemed TO take possession Of
! him. and be finally decided 70 come to Texas,
! and seek in this new country forgetfulness OF
his carly troubles in tho home Of his youth.
Whether he ever found 'surcease Of sorrow
i not known. but that he found adventure IL
plenty. and went through enough to maze
! any one almost cease to remember Is
matter Of history. Certain 1t l. that the uii'
erring aim which enabled him TO XII his an
tasonist never failed him in his hour Of need
and that be- sent many an Indian to the happy
hunting grounds, AMI many Mexican went
INTO the presence Of bis maker without the