Jim Ned the man who has his name in several different places on the Texas Map, was an ornery, intelligent Delaware Indian chief. Jim Ned sometimes styled as James Ned, is mentioned frequently, not always admiringly, in Republic of Texas communications concerning Indian affairs in the 1840s.
He appears to have had a village on the Brazos near present day Whitney and Hillsboro. He often served as interpreter and scout for white parties going into Indian country.
He was an interpreter, for instance, at a great council Sam Houston arranged with a number of Indian Chiefs at Tehuacana Creek near present day Mexia, in 1844. The Indian leaders there including Lame Arm of the Wacos, Black Cat of the Shawness, Chicken Trotter of the Cherokees, and Bedi or Bead Eye of the Lonis.
Soon after the council the superintendent of Indian affairs for the Republic of Texas was complaining that "Jim Ned and his party have become a little better than a band of outlaws". Thomas Western, the Indian Bureau boss, wrote to Houston: "The Delaware, Jim Ned is a refractory spirit , as I have already noticed to your Excellency."
Other noted individuals included Jim Sagundai, or Secondeye, who reportedly resembled Sam Houston in appearance, the brothers Jack and Joe Harry, and Jim Ned. Some of his escapades took him to Mexico, and seldom did he return empty-handed. Although noted for his generous hospitality, he had a sensitive disposition and allowed no one to interfere with his favorite pastime. Several Delawares were said to have paid for incurring his wrath with their lives. Despite such a shady reputation, Jim Ned did prove a capable scout and spy, having spent some time among the Penateka Comanche and learning their customs and habits.
As for what Jim Ned is, it's a community of small towns located in Taylor County, south of Abilene, Texas. Throughout the 1900's a total of 31 small schools decided to consolidate and form Jim Ned CISD. Tuscola High School then became South Taylor High School around 1948. It later became Jim Ned High School when Lawn consolidated in 1957.
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