Devil Jack Hayes (1817-1883). The true story of Col. Hayes is more exciting than any fictional story that could ever be imagined.
He was an early Texas Icon that overcame great odds to triumph where others failed. The son of Harmon and Elizabeth(Cage) Hayes, was born in Little Cedar Lick, Wilson County, Tennessee. His father fought with Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Jack Hayes became a Texas Ranger Officer along with John S.(Rip) Ford, Ben McCulloch and Sam Walker. These four men established Texas Ranger tradition.
Hayes was a man of smaller than average size. However, he was very intelligent and had a gift for being exceptionally wiry. He had great endurance for the rugged Texas terrain. His Rangers had a reputation as skilled horsemen that could use revolvers very well. The Rangers in their formative years were known as citizen soldiers. Their rough and ready style left a lasting impression on the beginning history of the Texas Rangers.
He mixed his Ranger career with that of surveying. He did this for a little over 13 years. He got most of his education at Davidson Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1836, he decided to join with the rebels in Texas. He entered Texas after traveling to New Orleans. He helped to bury the Texans that were killed at Goliad. He worked hard to learn about the Indian ways so that he could protect the surveying parties.
An Apache Chief, Young Flacco, became a good friend of Col. Hayes. Flacco once said, “Me and Red Wing aren’t afraid to go to hell.” But, Jack isn’t afraid to go by himself.” Some feel that this how he got the name of “Devil Jack.” He was a hard nosed Indian fighter. From 1840-46, he was given the title of Captain. He engaged both the Comanches and Mexicans in many small skirmishes. It was a battle at Enchanted Rock that made Hayes famous. There he took on a group of Mexicans by himself. The Mexican group was under Adrian Woll. At Walker’s Creek, Hayes and his Rangers were out numbered by a combination of Mexicans and Indians. These two battles help to solidify the legend of Captain Hayes and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers reputation grew during the Mexican War.
Hayes worked under General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott. Hayes and his Rangers used a form of guerrilla warfare to keep supply lines open. In 1849, Hayes went after gold in California. He became Sheriff of San Francisco County in 1850. Keeping up with his passion for surveying, President Franklin Pierce appointed him as Surveyor General of California in 1853. He became one of the founders for the city of Oakland, California.
Hayes married in 1847 to Susan Calvert. they had 6 children. He made many return trips to Texas in later years. During the Civil War he remained independent. He died in Piedmont, California on April 25, 1883. He is often referred to as one of the best to ever perform as a Ranger
Hayes County, Texas was created in 1848 and named after the famous Texas Ranger. He is a member of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. To date there are only 30 members of this elite group. Colonel (Devil) Jack Hayes is among them.
