Texas history is full of figures who seem larger than life. Like the characters out of a Greek myth, the early settlers and pioneers of Texas often seem more a product of fantasy than reality. What separates the Texas pioneers from such myths of John Bunyan, Pecos Bill and John Henry is the fact that these were real men and women. The times they lived in were extraordinary, and what they accomplished in their lives are legendary. 

Among these larger than life figures is John Coffee Hays (aka Jack C. Hays). Hays is one of the figures from Texas history whose impact stretches beyond the borders of Texas to Mexico and across the Southwest. Hays was originally born in Tennessee on January 28, 1817 or February 23, 1817 depending on whose account is considered reliable. The easter part of Tennessee he was born also served as the region of origin for Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston and other frontier families. SInce his grandfather (John Hays) and father (Harmon Hays) both served with Andrew Jackson, John was named for one of the officers serving under Jackson named General John Coffee. Legend claims that Jackson purchased his home, known as the Hermitage from John Coffee Hays' grandfather. From his birthplace in the hills of eastern Tennessee he travelled to Mississippi for several years where he learned and improved his skills as a surveyor.

Hays arrived in Texas during the time of the War for Texas Independence. The young, vibrant 20-year old served under Thomas Rusk who was raising troops. Rusk was in the process of fleeing from Harrisburg, which lay directly in the path of the Mexican army under Santa Anna who had been burning and destroying everything in their path that belong to colonists arriving from the American States. Rusk hurriedly assembled his command and joined up with Sam Houston at San Jacinto. At the battle the Mexican forces were trapped between the charging Texian forces who were angry at the recent massacres of their friends and acquaintances and the San Jacinto River which was in flood stage due to recent rains. The Texian forces defeated the Mexican army in that brief battle which had major ramifications for North America.

After service in the Texian army, Hays moved to San Antonio. The young Republic quickly put Hays to work on the frontier. His surveying skills were used in mapping out the lands claimed by the new Republic. During those days of surveying, he had many dealings with hostile Indian tribes. In some of those interactions, his calmness in dealing with life threatening situations and ability to track by seeing signs that others missed earned him a reputation as an Indian fighter. He was not afraid to face his attackers and did not let the fierce reputation of Indian depredations intimidate him, even their reputation for never taking captives. His reputation led him to be appointed as a captain of a Texas Ranger company. His quiet mannerly style and reputation for being a gentleman with the ladies coupled with a determined dedication and non-nonsense approach to dealing with his foes helped create an image often associated with the Texas Rangers.

After being appointed Captain, he was thereafter known as “Captain Jack Hays”. Like the modern moniker of “coach”, once the title of “Captain” was attached to someone in the Rangers, it stuck with them throughout their lives. He once led a group of Rangers on a mission to Laredo, which was then under Mexican occupation. He single handedly entered the town, stole the horses and threatened the Mexican soldiers there. He returned the horses the next day and informed the Mexican soldiers that he had no intention of stealing them, he was just letting them know that he would retalitate for any raids into Texas or against Texians.

The Rangers at that time provided law enforcement to the frontiers of Texas which were often lawless and untamed. Since the Republic of Texas had limited finances, the most cost effective way to maintain order on the frontier between Mexican raids and hostile Indian actions was to use well-trained mounted horsemen.

The Texas Rangers had originally been formed under the colonial leadership of Stephen F. Austin. They served as a cross between peace officers and military forces. During the early days of the colonies, they were needed to keep the peace. The leaders of the Republic thought it was best to keep these mounted horsemen in operation. The early Rangers of the Republic established a reputation that continues living on in legend and historic record. Men like A.A. (Bigfoot) Wallace, Samuel Walker. Ben McCulloch and John Coffee Hays laid the foundation of honor, integrity and toughness that continues being associated with the name “Texas Ranger”.

Captain John Hays’s command was stationed in San Antonio. He and his force were to keep watch for raids coming in from Mexico and Indian hostilities from tribes, like the Comanche that continued their warlike ways. Hays had many Indian friends whom he often went hunting with. Many of these friends were from the Delaware tribe.The Delaware tribe did not get along with the Comanche tribe, which was often involved in hostilities.

Hays was responsible for the territory from the Rio Grande to the headwaters of the Colorado and Brazos rivers, where many Comanches lived.This was a dangerous area since many hot-headed types often instigated trouble with either Mexican forces or the Comanche Indians in the hill country area. It was common for Mexican politicians to stir up the Indians to attack and rob Texas settlements. Since those Indians and Mexicans who engaged in raiding were not mannerly, the Texas Rangers often dealt harshly and severely with those who threatened the Republic of Texas. The Indians who faced him referred to him as "Bravo too much" as an expression of his courage and bravery in the face of danger and attackers.

In May of 1844, he procured a number of Colt Patterson 5-shot revolvers and revolving rifles from the stores of the Texas Navy, which President Houston did his utmost to disband. Once armed with the weapons, Hays and his force changed the face of warfare on the frontier.

In one episode, he and a squad of 14 men was attacked by over two hundred Comanche warriors. Hays told his men, “Now, boys, don’t shoot too quick; let them come closer; hit something when you shoot, and stand your ground. We can whip them, there is no doubt about that.” The attacking Indians were amazed at how this small group of men were daring to stand against them. The courage of the men and the five-shooters they were using took a terrible toll on the Indians. The warriors were soon demoralized and broke off the attack.

The politics of the young Republic was often colorful. At one point, President Houston saw to it that the military supplies which had been purchased for the Texas Navy was given to others. Although Houston’s intention was to disarm the Texas Navy, the pistols he provided to the Texas Rangers ended up changing the course of history. The pistols were a new type developed by Samuel Colt and known as the Paterson revolver. The five shot revolvers were originally procured for the Texas Navy. In the hands of the Texas Rangers, the potential fire power of these handguns was seen. The revolver allowed them to have superior firepower which was important since the Rangers were often outnumbered by their opponents.

Hays and his company of Rangers were in many gunfights with trouble makers from Indian lands, Texas and Mexico. Captain Hays personally relied on them when he found himself surrounded and massively outnumbered by a band of Comanche Indians in the fall of 1841 at a place known as Enchanted Rock. In the ensuing firefight, the firepower from his revolver inflicted such casualties, that the attacking band of Indians fled. The Indian warriors were under the impression that Hays' gun never ran out of ammunition. The reality was that whenever the warriors pulled back to regroup, it allowed Hays time to reload his revolver. The revolver gave Hays and his Texas Rangers an edge over their opponents.

One of the Mexican commanders who led raids into Texas was General Adrian Woll. He found Hays so troublesome for his raiding, Hays and his men always knew where the Mexican forces were headed, so that there was little chance of surprise. Besides knowing where the Mexican forces were, Hays and his men often ambushed them during their raids on Texas. Woll grew so angry that he offered a $500 reward to anyone for the head of John Coffee Hays.

One of the Indian of the Lipan tribe named Flaco said of Hays courage,

"Me and Red Wing not afraid to go to hell together.Captain Jack heap brave; not afraid to go to hell by himself.".Flaco served as a scout with Hays and his Rangers during the days of the Republic of Texas.

President Sam Houston of Texas said of Hays, " “You may depend on the gallant Hays and his companions.” Several years later, when serving as a Governor of Texas Houston was shocked at the massive increase in expenses needed to maintain frontier security. He was amazed at the cost and amount of manpower the US government and the State of Texas needed to accomplish what Hays and 150 Rangers were able to do at a fraction of the cost.

When Texas joined the Union, the United States army needed assistance in its war with Mexico. Many of the Texas Rangers volunteered and were allowed to serve in their own command under the leadership of Captain Hays (FIrt Regiment of Texas Mounted). This was one of the few times a seperate organization has served along United States Army troops.In official terms, the United States Army was using a combination of unconventional and conventional war tactics. The use of the Rangers as irregulars associated with the army was considered 'unconventional'.

Hays insisted that his command be equipped with Colt revolvers Hays sent Samuel Walker to find the gun maker and obtain his guns. Walker travelled to New York at his own expense and located Samuel Colt who was then working in a medicine show to make ends meet. He and Walker discussed the need for the new revolvers and the modifications needed based on the experiences the Rangers had with them. The new revolvers were modified to use six bullets rather than five. The new design were designated “Walker Colts”. The subsequent order of revolvers allowed Samuel Colt to return to his gun making business and eventually made him a millionaire.

In one of their first actions at the Battle of Palo Alto, he and his regiment found themselves trapped by Mexican troops. He gathered his command together for a word of prayer. He began, "O Lord, we are about to join battle with vastly superior numbers of the enemy, and Heavenly Father, we would mighty like for you to be on our side and help us. But if You can't do it, for Christ's sake don't go over to the Mexicans, but just lie low and You will see one of the dangest fights You've ever seen". Hays then closed the prayer with "Charge!" rather than the customary "Amen".  His command went on to distinguish themselves in the battle and the war.

The Rangers were responsible for keeping the lines of communication and roadways clear and for guerilla actions. They also saw action in the battles of Monterrey, Cerro Gordo and Mexico City. In the Battle of Monterrey, six companies of Rangers took the hill where the Mexican artillery was located. Upon capturing the artillery, they turned the weapons around and fired on the retreating Mexican forces. Thier no-nonsense style of fighting earned them a ferocious reputation. One American soldier commented that "The Mexicans dread the Texians more than they do the devil, and they have good reason for it".

One of the US Army groups led by General Winfield Scott found itself cut off from their supply base at Veracruz, Mexico.The group was in danger of being destroyed, until the Rangers under Hays were able to open roads that allowed reinforcements and supplies to reach the surrounded soldiers. Once the supplies and reinforcements arrived, this force continued on to Mexico City.

General Zachary Taylor often expressed concern that the Rangers were known for their frequent shootings. It was rare that they went out on a mission without a gunfight. The fighting quality of the Rangers was respected and the Mexican forces often referred to the as “Los Diablos Tejanos” (The Texas Devils).

When faced with one of their members being killed by a local gang while in Mexico City, the Rangers responded by wiping out all the members of the “Los Lepros” gang in one evening of gunfights in the city. When questioned about his actions, Hays replied “The Rangers take care of their own”. Hays’ no nonsense approach to fighting and settling matters led to him being respected by everyone who served with him in the war.

Hays mustered out of the service. His reputation led to him being selected to serve on a commission formed to settle a territorial dispute between Texas and the New Mexico territory. During the course of the Mexican War, the United States army seized Santa Fe in the name of Texas and then turned around and had the local leaders swear an oath of allegiance to the Territory of New Mexico. The seizure of the territory from Texas left many Texans angry and up in arms about how it was taken from Texas to form a new State. The US government has assured the Governor of Texas that the seizure was only a temporary wartime measure. Now that the war was over, the seizure was a contentious issue.When the dispute was eventually settled, and Hays left it all behind and went to California.

After he was in California for two months, he announced that he was running for the office of sheriff. The election was colorful. Hays was opposed by a wealthy hotel owner who spent lavishly on his campaign. Hays countered by having public displays of his horsemanship on the streets of the city. Hays won the election, serving as the first sheriff of San Francisco County.Being the first sheriff of San Francisco meant bringing law and order to a wild, free for all situation. The lawless crowd was often attempting to circumvent his efforts at imposing law and order. He often found himself being opposed by the "Vigilance Committee" who sought taking law into their own hands. Hays managed to remain resolute in his efforts, even managing to have a jail constructed. That time period was during the height of the California gold rush and San Francisco was known for its lawlessness. His opposition often attempted distracting him while they took matters into their own hands.His conflicts with the committee ended when he conducted a pre-dawn raid on a location where the committee had been holding its prisoners. His action demonstrated that law and order, not personal vendettas would be the rule of the day in San Francisco. In time the Vigilance committee disbanded, yet continued working behind the scenes to influence the politics of San Francisco.

He continued maintaining good relations with Texas and made frequent trips back to the State since he married a woman (Susan Calvert) from Seguin, Texas. While in California, President Franklin Pierce appointed him Surveyor General of the State. While serving in that position, he surveyed and laid out the city of Oakland, California. During many of his trips to Texas, he promoted Oakland as a place to settle. During his travelling, he often encountered Indians and continued being involved in fights with hostile tribes. His reputation as an Indian fighter continued following wherever he went.

When the War Between the States broke out, Hays took a neutral position. Although he had many friends in Texas and loved the State, he had amassed a considerable fortune and prominence in California. It was his new home. Many notable early Texans, like Albert Sidney Johnston and David Terry had been in California when the war broke out.David Terry was a California Supreme Court Justice. David Terry had some earlier run in with members of the old vigilance committee who captured him after he knifed an assailant. What often began as gentlemanly discussions of issues related to slavery and secession often turned into heated disagreements.

In the heated debates concerning the issue surrounding the war, Terry and US Senator David Broderick of California had words. After a particularly heated debate at the local democratic convention, it was decided to fight a duel. The two met outside the city limits at Lake Merced. The pistols used in the duel had hair triggers. Broderick's went off prior to the start of the duel, leaving him weaponless. Terry fired, and thought he had only wounded the Senator. The wound was mortal killing Senator Broderick.

After killing Broderick, Terry subsequently hid out in the home of Coffee Hays.The news of the duel was then used to fan the flames of Unionism across California. Since Senator Broderick was killed by a Texan who was also an ardent secessionist, the issue was used to stir up anti-Southern sentiment.

Johnston, Hays and Justice David Terry were friends going back to the days of the Republic of Texas. Johnson had served under Hays during the Mexican War and the three remained friends in the San Francisco area. In the aftermath of the duel, Johnston and Terry arranged for a secret escort since many in California were now looking for them. They returned to Texas where their loyalties lay.

Although Hays remained neutral about the war, the young men in Terry’s Texas Rangers cavalry regiment (8^th Texas Cavalry, CSA) claimed to pattern their fighting style after “Coffee Hays”.The regiment was led by Benjamin Franklin Terry, who was the brother of Justice David Terry of California.

The member of Terry's Texas Rangers often made reference to how they were from the Coffee Hays school of fighting. As part of that school, they also insisted that the members have at least two revolvers like Hays insisted the Rangers did during the Mexican War. The regiment went on to earn a reputation as one of the ‘fightingest’ in the war. They earned the respect of commanders on both sides.

Coffee Hays remained in the San Francisco County area where he was active in Democratic party politics, being a delegate to their national convention in 1876, where he supported Samuel J. Tilden. Hays died in 1883 and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. A County in Texas and a High School in the State of Texas were named in his honor. A statue of John Coffee Hays is located on the north side of the County courthouse in San Marcos, Texas.