Old Minton Story
minton
This is what i was told as a child,it's a story that was passed down and i know it's been twisted and changed.The Minton's used to live around Castlewood,Virginia and this is how it was told that they ended up in Nicholas Co. Kentucky.Dad always said that when they lived in Virginia his grandfather James worked for the post office and carried a pistol that he would lay up on the mantel when arived home. one day a member of Jessie james' gang came to the door with a gun and demanded the deed to his home,James put his hands in the air and backed up to the mantel where he grabbed the pistol and shot the outlaw. I was told that the man ran all the way around the house and dropped dead back in the doorway.After this the Sheriff,fearing for James' life decided to sneak him out of the state.He bought him a new suit then in a wagon,under a load of fodder,drove him to a train which he boarded for Kentucky.His wife Margeret and children soon met him there.I was told they changed the name from johnson to Minton when he left Va.,but census records show they were always Mintons and Jessie James never came that far east.I have found that they did live near many familys named Jessee,did they have a gang?Another name that came up in this story was Baker but i don't remember where.
Comments
twscott on 2014-06-08 19:36:55I think we share the same great great grandparent bcs my great grandfather told us a very similar story. Walter Minton was my great grandfather and James/Margaret Minton were his parents. I'm researching my family tree and was so tickled to come upon your Minton story. Papaw always said a man came and demanded their house and his father shot him dead. The town was so thankful that they snuck him out of town in a hay wagon. The family followed later. My papaw was born in Ky. Whoever he shot was a bad dude and at my grandfather's funeral someone said it was a member of the Baker Gang. I always loved this old story.
minton on 2014-06-09 17:23:25Hi,good to finaly get a response on this,it sounds like we're searching the same family.I got to spend lots of time at Walter's listening to my dad,Walter Eugene Minton,and him talk.I remember his two daughters Ines and Hellen.The incident from this story took place in Castlewood ,Va. around 1891,i have a copy of Margeret's obit that says they moved to Ky. that year.Your gr gr gr grandfather Phillip Minton and a few of his sons were CSA and fought for Va.during the war between the states.I was just at my gr grandfather James'grave Memorial day,he's in the same place as several others incl.Margeret[no marker]my grandfather Phillip and James'brother Samuel and his family at Locust Grove in Carlilse Ky.If you have any questions that you think i may be able to help with feel free to contact me at bobminton@yahoo.com My family tree starting with my dad Walter E.1934-2001,Phillip F.1892-1956.,James P.1850-1917,Phillip1818-1886,Richard 1792-1880 and Phillip 1765-1801
twscott on 2014-06-09 20:07:06I have to tell you that I got goosebumps when I read this. This story has stuck in my mind for yrs. I remember your dad's name. Inez and Helen were my great Aunt's. Emma Mae, their sister was my grandmother. My Mom was Wilma Jean Morris,,,she was called Jeannie.I will email you too. Glad to make contact with you.