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Editor, James R. Gunter, Dead

(submitted by Willie Barton- Jan 2005)

It is with deep sorrow that The Eagle announces the death of Mr. J. R. Gunter. The end came suddenly, and unexpectedly Tuesday morning about 6 o'clock. The news of his death was a great shock to his immediate family and the Eagle force, who have been associated with him for a number of years. In fact, it came as a shock to his friends throughout the county and state as he was one of the best known men in the county.
He had been complaining since last Friday with a pain in his back, but was not suffering enough to leave his post of duty. He came to the office Monday morning and started to work as usual but about 11 o'clock he decided to go home and take some medicine, saying he would be all right by morning. Monday night two of his sons, after returning from town, went into his room to see how he was resting and found him sitting up in bed, remarking to them that he felt better.
Tuesday morning his wife, who had been with him during the greater part of the night, quietly slipped out of the room, thinking he had fallen asleep, and she would leave him undisturbed. Later on she returned to the room and found him cold in death.
Funeral service was conducted at the family home in East Jasper Wednesday afternoon, by Rev. J. J. Hagood, of the Jasper Baptist Church, assisted by Revs. J. T. Morris and C. C. Butler, and the interment took place in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The following well known citizens acted as pall bearers: H. S. Long, J. M. Phillips, T. J. Amiss, R. A. Cain, A. M. Murphee, C. C. Butler.

The following brief sketch of his life will be found of interest to our readers.
James Richard Gunter son of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Gunter. He was born at Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee, June 1, 1861; came to Alabama with his parents in 1866 (note: hard to read, appears to be 1866) and spent two years in Pickens County. In 1868 the family settled in Jasper. James advantages for an education were limited, owing to the unsettled condition of the South during reconstruction days. His father was a well educated man, however and James acquired a good deal of knowledge from him. He started to work in a printing office early in life and set type for "Mt. Eagle, 'Walker County Times" and "Winston Herald" from 1884-1887. James and his father, Samuel published "The True Citizen" at Jasper. As the management of the newspaper interfered too much with his father's law practice, they sold the True Citizen plant in 1887 and went back to the Mountain Eagle, which was published and owned by L. B. Musgrove.
Upon the death of his father in 1890 Mr. Gunter became editor of "The Mt. Eagle" in which capacity he labored for 24 years. His diction bore no mark of art; it seemed to be the very language of nature and his strong editorials, always on the moral side of every question, gained for him considerable attention throughout the state.
He had a knack of keeping in touch with the common masses and writing things to please and entertain them.
He was of a quiet, gentle disposition and had gained the loved and respect of those with whom he was associated. He was a kind, considerate husband and father.
In his early manhood, Mr. Gunter was married to Miss Mollie O'Rear and unto them were born a large family of children, eleven of whom are living.
Besides a wife, he is survived by the following children: Sam, Paul, Charley and Lecil Gunter; Mrs. Dora Poe, Mrs. Bessie Ballard; Mrs. Jessie Woodall and Misses Madge, Grace, Gladys and Mary Gunter, all of whom live here except two - Mrs. Bessie Ballard of Savannah Ga and Mrs. Jessie Woodall of Tallassee, Ala. Also a mother, Mrs. M. E. Gunter , three brothers and three sisters, all of whom live in Jasper. (newspaper print impossible to read at this point) Jimmy Gunter was he was affectionately called by his friends will be sadly missed by his loved ones, his home town and numerous friends throughout the county. But nowhere he will be missed more than in the Eagle office where he has labored so long and so well. The Eagle extends to the bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy.( article taken from The Mountain Eagle published Wed. Aug 26, 1914 - Gunter file, Jasper Library, Walker Co, Al. 8/26/1914)

"Mr. Palmer's father moved from Marshall County, Alabama in 1859, and purchased a farm near where Corona is situated in this county. He entered the Confederate army and died of typhoid fever in 1863. Robert H. (Bob) Palmer attended school in his home community during summer months and attended the old Jasper Academy two terms, taught by Prof. Ira Robins. He was appointed tax collector of Walker County in1887 to fill out the unexpired of Jeff Philips, deceased. In1889 he entered the mercantile business at Dora and the store has been maintained by the Palmer family 48 years. He organized four coal companies in Walker, but later on sold all his interests except in the
Benoit Coal Company, of Benoit. He helped promote and organize the First National Bank of Jasper, and was an officer of that institution until his death. He owns considerable interests in the Palmer-McCutcheon Company and the Nehi Bottling Company of Jasper. He was a member of the Methodist church and a Mason.

Mr. Palmer's first wife was a Miss Lynn, mother of Lynn Palmer. His second wife, mother of his other children, was Miss Gertrude Jackson. Mr Palmer was a resident of Jasper for more than 30 yrs.

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