The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-20

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aldson wasA young lady OF spirit, and be-
sides being piQued at being, taken 70 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 Mr.. Jack Hays his congo and to an
nounce her determination OF marrying Mr..
Talbot.
Hays recognized her right to do as she
pleased i'm this matter, and there would
have been no trouble about II had not
Mr.. Talbotyelded by his success in win
ming the affections OF llays's sweetheart
away from him, boosted OF his conquest
on every occasion. At party in the
neighborhood, shortly after the rupture oil
the engagement between Hays and Miss
Donaldson, Talbot tainted Hays with lis
defeat, and the result was Talbot was
knocked down and soundly whipped by
the disappointed lover, who, though much
smaller than his successful rival, was more
than match for him in agility and grit
two characteristics which aiterward rem
dercd him famous.
Smarting under his chastisement, Talbot
sent q challenge to Hays, which was, OF
course, promptly accepted, and the pre-
liminaries OF the meeting were quickly
arranged. HAYS selected rifles as the
weapons, and Capt Frank Bishop, my in
formant, acted as his second.
The duel took place ut sunrise on a
bright June morning, about two miles
from the Hermitage, in secluded spot.
The distance was twenty PAGES, and Talbot
was shot through the heart, never speak
ing after the crack OF Hays's rifle, and
dying almost instantly.
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 q
year, and, as Bishop says, had "lots oil
! fun" They were well supplied with
money, and they won n great deal while in
the Crescent City, both at cards and nj
horse racing, penchant for the latter
sport being always noted characteristic
oil Jack HAYS, though he foreswore cards,
/ and IL was said he was never known u
! hazard a cent at any game OF cards during
4, his career in Texas.
After remaining nearly year in New
' Orleans Hays and his companion went
home. HAYS remained there little ovel
, year, and was never indicted or arrested
! for the killing OF Talbot II seemed to be
| the impression OF the people OF the com.
! munty that he had done the fair thing In
/ the matter and he was not molested. Capt
Bishop says that Miss Donaldson and heI
family made oyertures 10 Hays fora recon
Citation, but that the latter would not heal
of it, saving that Miss Betsy had been the
cause OF his killing fellow-man and that
he could never be happy with her or max,
| her happy. Capt. Bishop says that Hay:
suffered keenly from remorse for the killing
OF Talbot; n spirit OF unrest seemed TO TAX,
possession Of him, and he finally decided
TO come to Texas, and seek in this new
country iorgetfuncss of his early troubles
in the home Of his youth. Whether III
ever found s,saircease OF sorrow" IL no
known, bur thai he found adventure IN
plenty aud went through enough e
make any one almost cease e
remember, il matter OF history
Certain IL Is, that the unerring ain
which enabled him TO kill his first antag
onist never failed him in his hour Of need
and that lac scnt many an Indian 10 thu
happy hunting grounds, and many Mex
lean went into the presence Of his make
without the benefit OF clergy, when Jacl
HAYS drew bead on him and his iinge
pressed the trigger; though nc never, 81
lar as il known, slew u man save in TAI
aud manly battle.
Capt. Bishop, who furnishes this scral
OF history in the lilo Of Jack Hays, cam
e. Texas with him, but did not follow
him through his adventurous career il
Texas, though he served in llays's regimen
during the Mexican war, at the close q
which he returned TO his old home Il
Tennessee and now resides near Chatta
nooga, that state. lie came TO Texas o
business, and while here attended IA
Dallas fair and exposition, and Il wa
there your correspondent met him and h
furnished me the particulars above n
| cited.