Brief

“Diablo Jack” is my interpretation of Texas Ranger Jack Hayes whose legendary bravery and brashness inspired fear in Indians, outlaws, and anyone else who fell on the wrong side of the law in early Texas. During the Mexican-American War, General Zachary Taylor (future U.S. President) gave orders to Jack Hays to raise four regiments of Texas Rangers to invade Mexico. Hays was only able to raise three. The Mexicans called these men “Los Diablos Tejanos.”  As they rode into Mexico City , the locals hurled insults at them and when three men threw rocks they were immediately shot. Shortly thereafter, another man stole a Ranger’s handkerchief and the Ranger shot him too. When General Taylor asked Hays about the incident, Hays replied “no one can impose on my men.” Taylor told Hays that American soldiers were being killed at night in the red light district by Mexicans. The Rangers responded by killing eighty-three men. Not one Ranger was lost. The killing of American soldiers ceased.

These events took place after the Battle of The Alamo, the defeat, capture and subsequent release of Santa Ana who was now back in Mexico waging war against the U.S. infuriated the Rangers. Most of them had lost relatives at both The Alamo and at Goliad when James W. Fanning and his three men surrendered to Santa Ana where he had them all executed summarily.  Eventually, Santa Ana turned himself into the U.S. Army because he was  afraid of what the Rangers might do to him if they captured him.