During the Revolution of Texas against Mexico a company of Red River men had joined the Texas army, among whom was one William Stiles, the eldest son of Old Man John Stiles, Gen. Harney, who had charge of old Fort Towson in what was then the Indian Territory and some 12 or 14 miles north across Red River from old Jonesboro, met and inspected the Red River County company. This company and a number of others were out on inspection for the proper dismissal after the close of the war.

Gen. Harney, being a strong personal friend of the father of William Stiles, rode down the lines until he stopped in front of the Red River company, then called for William Stiles, the son of Old Man John Stiles. He rode up, got down off his horse, addressed William Stiles and took from his shoulders a beautiful Mexican scarf. Throwing it across the shoulders of William Stiles, he said: "Take this to my friend, your father, the bravest man that ever trod Texas soil".

This was related in earlier days and was often spoken of in the Stiles family, not only by them but by Mrs. Isabella H. Clark Gordon and her son, Dr. Pat Clark, who talked with William Stiles about this matter. Some confusion has in later years arisen as to how this scarf got into the Stiles family. Some thought that it was gotten from Santa Anna while Old Man Stiles and Isaiah D. Lawson had personal charge of Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto.