CAPT J M K GUINN
Yesterday at 11 o'clock a funeral procession arrived in Roanoke, the corpse being
Capt J M K GUINN, who died in Langdale [Chambers Co., AL] Monday night. The
remains were accompanied by the deceased's wife, his sons, Ben, Lee and Wade, his
two sons-in-law, and other relatives. After stopping in Roanoke for dinner, the mourners
moved on to Wedowee, where the interment occurred yesterday afternoon [9 Jun 1903].

Captain GUINN was one of the best known characters that ever resided in Randolph. For
many years he was a citizen of this county and upon three occasions he edited papers in
Randolph county -- once in Roanoke and twice in Wedowee. He was County
Superintendent [of Education] in 1872-3. He enlisted in the Confederate army from this
county and lost an arm in the service. Many friends will regret to learn of his death.

[From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 10 Jun 1903, p.3]

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James Miles Killian GUINN, 5 Nov 1835--8 Jun 1903 (Capt, Co K, 13th Ala Regt),
Mary Jane CULBERTSON FOSTER GUINN, 11 Aug 1840--1 Aug 1907,
his second wife,
J. R. G. GUINN, 13 Nov 1871--10 Aug 1872, his son,
Henry Lee GUINN, 20 Feb 1873--27 Oct 1965, his son,

Susan CULBERTSON ROBERTSON, 1 Dec 1850--14 Mar 1928, is probably a
sister-in-law,
Byrd ROBERTSON, 5 Feb 1891--12 Sep 1962, is probably a nephew,

All interred in the City (Masonic) Cemetery, Wedowee, Randolph Co., Alabama.

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LOCAL NEWS AND COMMENT
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Lee GUINN was a pleasant caller at this office [The Roanoke Leader] Thursday. He was
returning from the burial of his father to his temporary home in Langdale.

[From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 17 Jun 1903, p.3]

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The following information was published in the introduction to "Randolph County: The
Red Man's Home, The White Man's Eden," as reprinted in The Alabama Historical
Quarterly, vol. 4, no. 3 (Fall 1942):

J. M. K. GUINN born at Franklin, Macon Co., North Carolina, the third son of
James W. GUINN and Catherine Ann DOBSON GUINN.

Moved from Alabama to Texas in 1858 but returned to enlist in CSA at Montgomery on
28 Jul 1861.

Lost an arm during fighting at Cold Harbor, Virginia.

Married Emily F. BURTON at Wedowee, Alabama, on 27 Feb 1862; she died at
Alto [Cherokee Co.], Texas on 6 Nov 1865. Three children; Emily, Katy and Robert.

Returned to Alabama in 1866 and married Mary F. CULBERTSON FOSTER [a widow?],
at Wedowee, Alabama, on 21 Feb 1869. She was the daughter of Byrd CULBERTSON.

In "Red Man's Home," GUINN states that he was County Superintendent of Education
from Mar 1871--Oct 1879.

One Sunday morning in Capt. E. B. Smith's log tent--it was in April, 1862, just before the siege at Yorktown, where we were then in camp--thirteen in number besides Mrs. Lieut. Guinn, the following named persons we remember as a part of those present, Capt. E. B. Smith, Lieut. J.M.K. Guinn , Lieut. A. T. Reaves, Lieut. E. M Burgess, Corporal Shelt Savage, Rev. Lewis J.. Black, Private J.. Meachum and Thompson Reaves--in number, the other five we have forgotten--were passing the time talking about our chances in getting home alive, when the subject came up as to where we had rather be wounded. Thompson Reaves, as well as we remember, started the subject by saying, "I had rather be wounded by having my index finger on my right shot off," Then said he, "I would get a discharge and stay at home." John J.. Meachum said, "Thomps, I'll take my big toe and that would give me a furlough, and I'll stay if I once get there." (Meaning home). Shelt Savage said, "I believe I'd take my left side." Capt. Smith said, "Shelt, I am like you. I want; both hands and feet and I'd take my right side." Lieut. Reaves said: "Boys, I'll take my foot. Polly is good company and I had rather be with her than anywhere else." Lieut. Guinn said, "I'll take my left arm between the wrist and elbow; I could come and go when I pleased." Lieut. Burgess said, (suiting the occasion by placing his finger in the center of his forehead). I want to be hit right here and where killed be buried." Rev. Lewis J.. Black said, "I don't care where I am hit, I only pray God, if I am to be wounded seriously to cause my death, I may be killed so dead that not a muscle of my face, arm, leg or body will move. I pray to God that this may be made so as a token and evidence; that you all, my wife, father, mother, brother, the members of my church and everybody else, may know that I am a Christian and that I will meet them in heaven." The scriptures say: "The last shall be first." Lewis Black was the first; while laying behind the breastworks, at the battle of Seven Pines, he was struck by a ball in the head. Old soldiers know when a ball hits them, it sounds like a marble hitting a board, this was the case with the one hitting Lewis. Every eye near him was instantly turned toward him/ for they all knew and most of them had heard him pray to God that it might be thus--we inquired diligently and critically for we had promised him too, to see if his prayer was answered, and they all testified that not a feature of his person moved that they saw. Lieut. Burgess being next to last selecting, was the next to first killed. On the morning of June 27th, near a cowtrail coming obliquely into the road cutting the space of three or more feet wide through the bank three or four feet high to the level of the road bed, while standing cautioning the boys of the danger in passing it, as the Yankees had one or two pieces of artillery planted to cover it, which had killed Captain Clark and Thad Pool, he was struck with a minnie ball in the forehead just where he had selected and was buried as near the spot as was thought prudent. The last but two and the first but two, Lieut. J.M.K. Guinn was the next. A piece of shell struck his left arm between the wrist and elbow just where he too had selected that fatal Sunday morning. The next was Lieut. A. T. Reaves, shot through the foot as he had selected. Lieuts. Burgess, Guinn and Reaves were shot on the same day--June 27th-- the second day of the Seven Day's battle. The next two were Thompson Reaves and John J. Meachum. Reaves had his finger shot off and Meachum his big toe--just as they had selected. The writer was at home on furlough when they came home, when Mrs. Guinn related the circumstances, calling the names of the entire thirteen and with special attention to the six at that time, wounded as desired and selected. In the spring following Capt. Smith and Sergeant Shelt Savage were wounded each in the side, as they had selected. The other five we have forgotten their names. If we knew where Thompson Reaves and Shelt Savage were, for they were alive when last heard from, we would write them; perhaps they would remember the others.

J M K Guinn. Photo taken by Terri Hurley in May 2010.

JMK Guinn and Family