|
The Sad Story of Capt.
John T. McLain of the First Kentucky Cavalry
(Transcribed from the Burkesville community newsletter published in the
June 6, 1900 edition of the Adair County News.)
Decoration day has generally been unobserved and entirely so except the
decoration of one grave. Judge J.J. Simpson, County Clerk M.M. Collins,
Dr. J.H. Myers and Leslie Cary enwreathed and strewn flowers upon the
grave of Capt. John T. McLain. Capt. McLean will
always be remembered with an intermixture of admiration and curiosity by
those who knew him and will be looked upon with some degree and mystery
and superstition by those whose information comes second handed. The
grave situate upon the summit of the "Big Hill," the highest point in
Cumberland county and more than 900 feet above sea level. Here lies the
body of the once brave Capt. McLain has been resting for more than
thirty years, a view from which place down upon the Cumberland valley
and the town of Burkesville below, the verdured hills to the right and
left, and e'en Cumberland Mountain [at] the horizon, must rival the
grandeur of Yosemite. Capt. McLain was buried at this point at his own
request which was made a few minutes before he died by his own hand. He
shot himself in the little house lately used by Dr. J.C. Herriford just
below the Burkesville Hotel. His request was to be buried by a certain
rose-bush on the summit of the Big Hill, and it is told that he said
that this was as near Heaven as he could ever get and that he wanted to
be buried there for that reason. This is probably not true, however. The
grave is marked by one small white headstone bearing the inscription:
"Capt. J.T. McLain, Co. J., 1st Ky. Cavalry."
The following concerning Capt. McLain is copied from the Adjutant
General's Report: "Capt. John T. McLain was enrolled August 20, 1861;
was mustered in December 5, 1861, at Camp Boyle, Ky., for three years;
was promoted from 1st Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant, August 10, 1862;
promoted to 1st Lieutenant July 4, 1863; promoted to Captain June 30,
1864."
Capt. McLain was an eccentric man but greatly beloved by his comrades.
He killed a man by the name of Dick Watson, a union soldier, thinking he
was a guerrilla, He [McLain] was an inebriate and that this led to his
suicide. Mrs. Caroline Williams of Leslie, is a sister of his.
[The First Kentucky Cavalry, better known as the Wild Riders, was
commanded by Adair County native Col. Frank Lane Wolford.]
|