Capt. Jack Hays' Fight at Enchanted Rock

On one occasion when Capt. Jack Hays and about twenty members of his company were scouting in the vicinity of the Enchanted Rock, Hays became separated from his companions. At an unexpected moment he was charged by Indians, and as a consequence, retreated to the Enchanted Rock. Hays was pursued by the Indians until he reached the summit of this great wonder of the southwest. Here he entrenched himself in a crevice and intended to sell his life as dearly as possible. He did not fire until it became absolutely necessary, and when he did, an Indian hit the granite. Again and again it became necessary for him to fire, and nearly every time other Indians were desperately wounded or killed. For a time the Indians, who were loosing heavily, fell back, and this gave Captain Hays an opportunity to re-load his firearms. And in this manner for sometime, he made a desperate fight for his life. His comrades were having a fight of their own near the bottom of the Enchanted Rock, but could hear the firing of their Captain and screaming of Indians near the crest of this wonderful structure. As rapidly as possible they fought their way in his direction, and so deadly was their fire, the Indians were soon forced to flee. Those warriors who had surrounded the Captain, now saw the advance of the rangers and immediately retreated to the opposite side of the Enchanted Rock.

Consequently, Capt. Jack Hays and his men were soon again together, and another victory was added to the lists of this noble Indian fighter and his men. After the smoke of the battle had cleared away, five or six Indians lay around the spot where Hays had fought, and twice the number were found below. Three or four rangers were seriously, but none fatally wounded. The exact date of this fight is not known, but it occurred about 1844 or 1845, and is reported at this particular time.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.