John Payne

John Payne (born August 8, 1860; died May 31, 1901) was a physician practicing at Hillman Station southwest of Birmingham.

Payne was one of ten children of William and Jane Payne of Shelby County. He attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1886 and was granted his certificate to practice in his home county the following year.

Payne was shot in the head by recently-divorced telegraph operator James Cook on May 30, 1901 and died the next day. The shooting was presumed to have been motivated by jealousy. Cook surrendered himself to the Shelby County Sheriff afterward. Payne was buried in the Pelham City Cemetery and his grave marked by a tall marble obelisk.

References

• "Telegrapher Kills Doctor" (May 31, 1901) Shelby Sentinel
• "A Story in Stone: John Payne, M.D. (1860-1901)" (September 4, 2013) Pelham City News