Western Lawman. Born John Coffee Hays at Cedar Lick, Tennessee, he moved to Texas in 1836, joined a Ranger company and was appointed a Captain of Texas Rangers in 1840. His Ranger companies were well known for skirmishes with outlaws, hostile Indian tribes and Mexican troops. During Mexican War, as Colonel he commanded the 1st Regiment, Texas Mounted Riflemen, he scouted for the US Army and took part in the Battle of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico in 1846. After the war, he followed the gold rush to California and was elected the first Sheriff of San Francisco in 1850. In 1853, he was appointed US Surveyor General of California and was one of the developers of Oakland, the city he died in. He is also a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.
HAYS, Colonel JOHN COFFEE "JACK"
A Tribute to Colonel Jack Hays
San Francisco, April 25, 1883
One by one the old veterans of the Mexican war cross the silent river, and are mustered into the ranks of the immortal army. The last one to leave us was John Coffee Hays, better known as "Col. Jack Hays" who died at his residence near Piedmont, Alemeda Co., Cal, April 21st.
Col. Hays was a native of Tennessee, and 66 years of age. He had been illand gradually failing for a long time, and passed away calmly, leaving to mourn his loss a widow, son and daughter, as well as hosts of friends in all parts of the country.
The funeral services were held at St. John's Episcopal church, Oakland, and were most impressive in their character, being conducted by rev. Dr. Akerly, of Oakwood, and Rev. Dr. Platt, of Rochester, NY
The music was rendered by the choir of Trinity church, San Francisco. The floral offerings were very elegant the most beautiful being a large star of white camellias representing the "Lone Star of Texas." Another lovely offering was a tripod of three sabres, their hilts resting downward the blades entwined with white roses. After the immense assembly had viewed the features of the dead hero for the last time in this world, the procession, composed of the "Mexican War Veterans" and "California Pioneers" with the Oakland Light Cavalry as guard of honor, formed in line and marched down to the tap of muffled drums to Mountain View cemetery. The last prayers were read, the remains were solemnly committed to the ground the three volleys were fired, and the Veterans marched quietly away, leaving their gallant comrade in silent slumber till the silvery notes of the Resurrection bugle sound a glorious awakening.
Dear to the heart of every Texas is the memory of Col Jack Hays, and his name is familiar to every American school boy who reads the history of his country. Well do I remember when a boy, reading accounts of the valorous exploits of Col. Hays and his "Texan Rangers" little thinking that years afterward and thousands of miles from my native home it would be my privilege to attend his funeral.
John Coffee Hays needs no encomium from human lips or pen.
The struggle for Texan Independence, and the storming of Monterey attest to his bravery as a soldier, while his many deeds of charity and boundless generosity exhibit his Christian spirit.
He came to California in '49 and was the first sheriff of San Francisco, his appearance during the dark days of the vigilance committee being a most remarkable one.
By judicious management he acquired considerable wealth, and for a number of years lived in retirement at "Fernwood," his beautiful residence. In politics he was an active democrat, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis.
J.G.H. (The El Paso Daily Times, El Paso, Tex, May 2, 1883
HAYS, Colonel JOHN COFFEE "JACK"
A Tribute to Colonel Jack Hays
San Francisco, April 25, 1883
One by one the old veterans of the Mexican war cross the silent river, and are mustered into the ranks of the immortal army. The last one to leave us was John Coffee Hays, better known as "Col. Jack Hays" who died at his residence near Piedmont, Alemeda Co., Cal, April 21st.
Col. Hays was a native of Tennessee, and 66 years of age. He had been illand gradually failing for a long time, and passed away calmly, leaving to mourn his loss a widow, son and daughter, as well as hosts of friends in all parts of the country.
The funeral services were held at St. John's Episcopal church, Oakland, and were most impressive in their character, being conducted by rev. Dr. Akerly, of Oakwood, and Rev. Dr. Platt, of Rochester, NY
The music was rendered by the choir of Trinity church, San Francisco. The floral offerings were very elegant the most beautiful being a large star of white camellias representing the "Lone Star of Texas." Another lovely offering was a tripod of three sabres, their hilts resting downward the blades entwined with white roses. After the immense assembly had viewed the features of the dead hero for the last time in this world, the procession, composed of the "Mexican War Veterans" and "California Pioneers" with the Oakland Light Cavalry as guard of honor, formed in line and marched down to the tap of muffled drums to Mountain View cemetery. The last prayers were read, the remains were solemnly committed to the ground the three volleys were fired, and the Veterans marched quietly away, leaving their gallant comrade in silent slumber till the silvery notes of the Resurrection bugle sound a glorious awakening.
Dear to the heart of every Texas is the memory of Col Jack Hays, and his name is familiar to every American school boy who reads the history of his country. Well do I remember when a boy, reading accounts of the valorous exploits of Col. Hays and his "Texan Rangers" little thinking that years afterward and thousands of miles from my native home it would be my privilege to attend his funeral.
John Coffee Hays needs no encomium from human lips or pen.
The struggle for Texan Independence, and the storming of Monterey attest to his bravery as a soldier, while his many deeds of charity and boundless generosity exhibit his Christian spirit.
He came to California in '49 and was the first sheriff of San Francisco, his appearance during the dark days of the vigilance committee being a most remarkable one.
By judicious management he acquired considerable wealth, and for a number of years lived in retirement at "Fernwood," his beautiful residence. In politics he was an active democrat, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis.
J.G.H. (The El Paso Daily Times, El Paso, Tex, May 2, 1883
Western Lawman. Born John Coffee Hays at Cedar Lick, Tennessee, he moved to Texas in 1836, joined a Ranger company and was appointed a Captain of Texas Rangers in 1840. His Ranger companies were well known for skirmishes with outlaws, hostile Indian tribes and Mexican troops. During Mexican War, as Colonel he commanded the 1st Regiment, Texas Mounted Riflemen, he scouted for the US Army and took part in the Battle of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico in 1846. After the war, he followed the gold rush to California and was elected the first Sheriff of San Francisco in 1850. In 1853, he was appointed US Surveyor General of California and was one of the developers of Oakland, the city he died in. He is also a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.
HAYS, Colonel JOHN COFFEE "JACK"
A Tribute to Colonel Jack Hays
San Francisco, April 25, 1883
One by one the old veterans of the Mexican war cross the silent river, and are mustered into the ranks of the immortal army. The last one to leave us was John Coffee Hays, better known as "Col. Jack Hays" who died at his residence near Piedmont, Alemeda Co., Cal, April 21st.
Col. Hays was a native of Tennessee, and 66 years of age. He had been illand gradually failing for a long time, and passed away calmly, leaving to mourn his loss a widow, son and daughter, as well as hosts of friends in all parts of the country.
The funeral services were held at St. John's Episcopal church, Oakland, and were most impressive in their character, being conducted by rev. Dr. Akerly, of Oakwood, and Rev. Dr. Platt, of Rochester, NY
The music was rendered by the choir of Trinity church, San Francisco. The floral offerings were very elegant the most beautiful being a large star of white camellias representing the "Lone Star of Texas." Another lovely offering was a tripod of three sabres, their hilts resting downward the blades entwined with white roses. After the immense assembly had viewed the features of the dead hero for the last time in this world, the procession, composed of the "Mexican War Veterans" and "California Pioneers" with the Oakland Light Cavalry as guard of honor, formed in line and marched down to the tap of muffled drums to Mountain View cemetery. The last prayers were read, the remains were solemnly committed to the ground the three volleys were fired, and the Veterans marched quietly away, leaving their gallant comrade in silent slumber till the silvery notes of the Resurrection bugle sound a glorious awakening.
Dear to the heart of every Texas is the memory of Col Jack Hays, and his name is familiar to every American school boy who reads the history of his country. Well do I remember when a boy, reading accounts of the valorous exploits of Col. Hays and his "Texan Rangers" little thinking that years afterward and thousands of miles from my native home it would be my privilege to attend his funeral.
John Coffee Hays needs no encomium from human lips or pen.
The struggle for Texan Independence, and the storming of Monterey attest to his bravery as a soldier, while his many deeds of charity and boundless generosity exhibit his Christian spirit.
He came to California in '49 and was the first sheriff of San Francisco, his appearance during the dark days of the vigilance committee being a most remarkable one.
By judicious management he acquired considerable wealth, and for a number of years lived in retirement at "Fernwood," his beautiful residence. In politics he was an active democrat, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis.
J.G.H. (The El Paso Daily Times, El Paso, Tex, May 2, 1883
HAYS, Colonel JOHN COFFEE "JACK"
A Tribute to Colonel Jack Hays
San Francisco, April 25, 1883
One by one the old veterans of the Mexican war cross the silent river, and are mustered into the ranks of the immortal army. The last one to leave us was John Coffee Hays, better known as "Col. Jack Hays" who died at his residence near Piedmont, Alemeda Co., Cal, April 21st.
Col. Hays was a native of Tennessee, and 66 years of age. He had been illand gradually failing for a long time, and passed away calmly, leaving to mourn his loss a widow, son and daughter, as well as hosts of friends in all parts of the country.
The funeral services were held at St. John's Episcopal church, Oakland, and were most impressive in their character, being conducted by rev. Dr. Akerly, of Oakwood, and Rev. Dr. Platt, of Rochester, NY
The music was rendered by the choir of Trinity church, San Francisco. The floral offerings were very elegant the most beautiful being a large star of white camellias representing the "Lone Star of Texas." Another lovely offering was a tripod of three sabres, their hilts resting downward the blades entwined with white roses. After the immense assembly had viewed the features of the dead hero for the last time in this world, the procession, composed of the "Mexican War Veterans" and "California Pioneers" with the Oakland Light Cavalry as guard of honor, formed in line and marched down to the tap of muffled drums to Mountain View cemetery. The last prayers were read, the remains were solemnly committed to the ground the three volleys were fired, and the Veterans marched quietly away, leaving their gallant comrade in silent slumber till the silvery notes of the Resurrection bugle sound a glorious awakening.
Dear to the heart of every Texas is the memory of Col Jack Hays, and his name is familiar to every American school boy who reads the history of his country. Well do I remember when a boy, reading accounts of the valorous exploits of Col. Hays and his "Texan Rangers" little thinking that years afterward and thousands of miles from my native home it would be my privilege to attend his funeral.
John Coffee Hays needs no encomium from human lips or pen.
The struggle for Texan Independence, and the storming of Monterey attest to his bravery as a soldier, while his many deeds of charity and boundless generosity exhibit his Christian spirit.
He came to California in '49 and was the first sheriff of San Francisco, his appearance during the dark days of the vigilance committee being a most remarkable one.
By judicious management he acquired considerable wealth, and for a number of years lived in retirement at "Fernwood," his beautiful residence. In politics he was an active democrat, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis.
J.G.H. (The El Paso Daily Times, El Paso, Tex, May 2, 1883
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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