Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-24
COL. JACK HAYS.
STORY or HIS EARLY LIFE, WHICH
HAS BUT LATELY COME OUT.


He Loved and Was Tilted. the Affair
Ending Most TragicaIly-Ieft His Ten
nessee Home and Went to rexss-His
Participation in the Mexican War.
There have been a 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 b the life or history Of Hays
before he come 70 Texas Most Of the stories
about Jack Hays say be was q stranger when
he came to Texas, in 1885, 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 piece Of Jack Hays history, which
he says accounts for Hays appearance in
Texas, and which viii 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 lie.
HAYS was born near the Hermitage, Old
Hickorys place IN Tennessee, aid Capt.
Bishop was born and raised on the adjoining
farm. bis father served under Gen. Coffee,
for whom Jack Hays was partly named
John Coffee HAYS was his full name), and
Frank Bishop and Jack Hays were boys to-
gether, sharing in the same sports, attending
the same school in winter, hunting squirrels,
coons and 'possUms together and growing up
to manhood in close companionship and en-
tertaining for each other the wartnest friend
Shi br7. hv-s -
Col Hays
LOVE AND RIFLES
When Hays was about 81 years old he fell in
love with Miss Betty Donaldson, the daughter
OF a neighboring farmer, and for time the
young lady seemed 10 return his ardent at
tachment. For a year or mora she received
his attentions and plighted him her troth-
Preparations for their marriage were being
made when there appeared in the neighbor-
hood young man named Talbot, from
Mount Vernon, KY, who was reputed 10 be
immensely wealthy, and, who, besides being
well educated, was q handsome and accom-
pllshed gentleman Of pleasing address and
polished manners, well schooled in all those
arts which 60 so far in helping man 10 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 ard the best shot among
the youth OF the country, Miss Donaldson
took great pleasure in showing him that
the attentions Of Mr.. Talbot were hot dis
tasteful TO her-in fact, that she rather pre-
ferred them to those of young Hays. Now,
Jack Hays was not the man, even at that
early age, to tamely submit TO a slight or
wrong from either man or woman. Ee was
man Of ardent temperament, aud could not
brook the idea of being second In anything
As was said OF him good many years later,
he never failed friend or foe" and he
quickly informed Miss Betty that he would
have no double dealing; she must either re-
member her plighted 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 a young lady of spirit, and, besides
being piGued at being taken TO task by her
lover, was, after the manner of women, much
taken with the handsome face, line words and
pleasant manners OF young Talbot, and SO it
only required few moments and few sharp
words to give Mr. JACK Hays lis congo and
to announce her dissemination of marrying
Mr. Talbot
Hays recognized her right TO DO as sic
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 taupted Hays with his de-
feat end the result was that Talbot was
knocked down aud soundly whipped By the
disappointed lover, WHO. though much small
er than his successful rival, was moro tLsn
match for him in agility and grit, two char
acteristics which afterward rendered him IA
nous
Smarting under bis chastisement, Talbot
sent challenge to hays, which was, Of
course, promptly accepted, and the prelimi-
na-ies 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 az sunrise on q 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 tho
crack OF Hays rife, and dying almost In
stantly.
THE SPIRIT or EzMoRsE
Hays and bis second Bishop, left the
country Immediately. and after great deal
of wandering finally landed in New Orleans,
where they remained for nearly year, and.
as Bishop says, had Cots Of fun" They
were well supplied with money, and they
won O great deal while IN the Crescent City
both at cards and horse racing, a penchaat
for the latter sport being always q noted
characteristic 81 JACK Hays, though he fore
swore cards, and it is SAID lie Was never
known to hazard q cent at any game OF cards
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 yeor, and
was never indicted or arrested for the killing
OF Talbot. II seemed 20 be the impression OF
the people Of the community that hs had
done the fair thing in the matter, and be
was not molested Capt. Bishop says that
Miss Donaldson and her family made over
lures 70 Hays for reconciliation, but that
the latter would not hear it, saying thet Niss
Betty had t-eea the CAUSE Of bis killing fel-
low man. AID thai be could nsver b. happy
with her or make Der happy.
Capt Bishop rays that Hsyz suffered keen
IL from remGrse FOR she killing Of Tablet: q
spirit Of unres. seemed 10 take posSes5ion OK
him, and he finally decided 20 CORP 70 Texas
and seek In this neE country fo-gstfEineas q
bis early troubles In The home q La youth
" neither lie ever found 'surcez<se Q. So-rouT
a. not known. but that e found adventure II
plenty, sad went through enough 70 make
any cEs almost 'cszze 70 remember" Ia a
matter Of history. Certain II u that the uo-
eErtrg airn which enabled him - XII his an
tsgouist I5sver failed Tim ia h5s bozzr q pee[.
and that he scat n.1By an lnd.sn 70 tse hApgy
--rr-r-ria ID 49,