James I. Shute

A Young Hero – Ironton Register, 22 Sept. 1898 

We clip the following article from the Opelousa (La.) Courier.  It refers to James I. Shute, son of Dr. I. F. Shute was born in Burlington, this county.  The Doctor’s father was Capt. James G. Shute, one of the former well-known citizens of this county, has relatives still living here.

The reference to young James I. Shute is as follows:

The manifestation of purpose made by this young man, (and we might say boy) was remarkable and therefore noteworthy. Every observer sees boys grow up and reach the age of majority, without ever fixing a purpose, to pursue in life.  They move about in the whirl and maze of society with no definite object in view and are apparently content to live, move and have they are being quietly wait for something to turn up.

It has not been so with our young hero.  In the very morning of his life, he conceived a purpose to accomplish, and no sooner was it fixed upon than he manfully set out to accomplish it.  In doing so, he sought no flowery bed of ease, but bracing himself up for any duty which might befall him, he promptly went to Louisville, Ky., and entered the Manual Training High School where he spent two years in preparing himself for usefulness.

From the beginning, he exhibited a manliness and an inflexibility of purpose which prognosticated distinguishing success.  He made up his mind to take life as he found it and to make it what he wants it.  When the United States authorities published a call for apprentices in the Navy, he eagerly responded – made an application – stood the test of a scrutinizing examination, and was accepted.  It made him as proud as Lucifer, for it brightened his hopes in the vision he had taken of his future career.

Brooklyn Navy Yard

There was no dallying about it, but he was assigned to duty and went about it bent upon commanding success.  Ordered to duty in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he set work, but after the War with Spain coming on immediately thereafter he requested to be placed on duty in the Navy.  He was accordingly transferred to the Scorpion, where the world of waters became his home. The battles of the Scorpion have immortalized it in Naval history, and our young hero is justly entitled to a full share of the glories of its brilliant achievements.

Appreciating the daring and the courage of Jimmie, the Louisville papers set up a claim to him doubtless for the reason that he passed some time there in the Manual Training School.  Our Kentucky fellow citizens have enough to be proud of without adding Louisianians to their list of distinguished worthies.  Jimmie is our Jimmie.  He is the son of I. E. Shute, physician, and druggist of this town, was born in New Orleans on Jan. 10, 1877.

His parents moved to St. Landry when “Jimmie” was two years of age, and he has resided here ever since, with the exception of two years spent in Kentucky at the Manual Training High School of Louisville.

Shute Family

Nancy A. Kouns (Christian) was born on 23 Aug 1797. She died on 21 Jul 1852 and was buried in Kouns Cemetery, Union Twp., Lawrence Co., OH.
I.R. Sept. 13, 1821, Marriage License – John C. Shute and Nanny Kouns, by Caspus Clark, J.P. Nancy died of lung disease.

• !1840 Lawrence Co. OH Census: Nancy Shute, with one male 5-10 years; one female 10-15; one female 40-50.
• Nancy married John Cole Shute on 13 Sep 1821 in, Lawrence Co., OH. John was born on 17 Oct 1794. He died on 12 Oct 1832.
• 1820 Aug 08 – John C. Shute vs Sampson Price and Richard M. Price, p. 104, Ironton Courthouse Clerk of Court’s office record.
• 1826 – J. C. Shute was appointed Commissioner on Oct. 11, 1826. Fayette Twp. I.R. March 19, 1903.
• 1834 – Bill in Chancery – George Kouns and Joseph Davidson, adm. of John C. Shute, dec’d vs Nancy Shute widow and heirs of said John C. Shute and John and James Crawford.

On motion, John M. McConnell, attorney for John and James Crawford ordered by the court here that Peter Morse be appointed guardian ad litem to infant children and heirs of John C. Shute to wit: Ira and Nell, Naham, John and Ollie Shute defendant to the cross-bill of complaint of John and James Crawford, whereupon said guardian …….

John and Nancy had the following children:

• James G. Shute Captain was born on 20 Oct 1822 and died on 17 Feb 1867.
• Ira Shute.
• Naham Shute was born on 31 Aug 1824. He died on 8 Jun 1834.
• Henry Shute was born on 26 Apr 1826. He died on 18 Oct 1832.
• Jerome Shute was born on 12 Nov 1827. He died on 19 Oct 1832.
• Olive Alice Shute was born on 4 Sep 1829.
• John Cole, Jr. Shute was born on 20 Aug 1831. He died on 15 Sep 1867.