Hon. R. J. Hays, son of Stokely D. Hays, came to Jackson with his parents, where he has since resided. He is a member of the bar and was the first mayor of Jackson; he is one of the survivors of the Mexican war...An election was held by Sheriff Lyon to choose town officers. These officers held their first meeting on December 25, 1845. R. J. Hays was chosen mayor, which position he held till his resignation in 1846 to go to the Mexican war. ..1856, B. J . Hays, mayor; A. W. Campbell, recorder... On the call of the President for volunteers for the Mexican war, by an act of Congress of May 13, 1846, many were offered, but, indeed, few were chosen. Company F, called Capt. Jones’ company, was enrolled at Jackson in May, 1846, and mustered at Memphis on June 4, 1846, by Gen. L. F. Coe. The following is the muster roll of the company, as it appeared April 4, 1847: Timothy Jones, captain; Richard J. Hays, second lieutenant; Alex P. Green, third lieutenant;
...The company was known as the "Avengers." The following are believed to be the only survivors of the compan y: R. J. Hays, H. G. Bledsoe, Everett Pearcy, E. A. Clark, Samuel Smith and J ames Cole. . . . DAr Records 95924,95826,(V 96 p264,265) and DAR74984 (V95 p 3 64)

From Jean Rawlings Meaney