The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-19
OPERATION FATAL
 TOHARRY GUNNELS
Declining Health Due to Re gently Discovered Traces
 of Dread Pellagra

Montgomery. September 1s.-tSpecial)- Harry Cunningham Gunnels, twice su- perintendent of education of Alabama, and one of the best known educators in the south, died in Atlanta at 9:15 o'clock on Monday morning Death was unex- pected, and was directly due to uremic poison, according to the meager informa- tion which was received in this city from the Georgia metropolis.
 For several months Major Gunnels had been in declining health, directly due 10 recently discovered traces of pellagra, which in the past few weeks made rapid strides in the way of breaking down the educators rugged constitution Up to a week ago, however he was apparently In no more serious condition than he had been for several months. Early last week he was fin the city shaking hands with his numerous friends here
 On last Friday morning Major Gunnels left for Atlanta, where he went to a san- itarium for treatment. His death early Monday morning was the first informa- ton which his many friends here had re- ceived of the serious turn to his illness.
 Immediately upon receiving word of Major Gunnefs death, Mrs. Gunnels left for Atlanta, while a brother of the de-. ceased, from Birmingham. left to join her Tn Atlanta. James Gunnels, another brother of the deceased, remained Tn Montgomery with the two young daugh- ters of Major and Mrs. Gunnels.
 Sketch of His Life
 Major Gunnels was born In Oxford, Calhoun county Ala, October 1. 1S6S son of Daniel Perry and Susan E. (Cun- ninghalm) Gunnels. He was educated in the common schools of his native place and in 1886 took the degrees of A B. at Oxford college. He took special course at vanderbilt university and later attend ed the University of Alabama, where he graduated in 1891 with the degree of LID. D. Although a graduate in law, his entire life was given over to educa- tional work, excepting one term as a member of the legislature of 1so0-'1
 In October. 1888, he began teaching as co-principal of the Ashland high school; he was later professor of nat ural science and history in Oxford college for two years; he was principal of the Anniston high school, and he was superintendent of the Anniston city schools 1S969S.
 In 1899 he was appointed chief clerk in the state educational department un- der John w. Abercrombie, who at that time was state superintendent of edu- cation. In June 1902. Dr. Abercrom bic was elected president of the Uni versity of Alabama, whereupon MaJor Gunnels was appointed to fill out pr. AbercrombieS uneXpired term
 Appointed to Office
 Upon the election of l. W. Hill as superintendent of education for the term beginning In 1903, Major Gunnels was again appointed chief clerk in the educational department. He served in this department until 1907 when he became state superintendent of educa tien, having been elected to this office the previous fall. He remained as su perrin tendent until last January when he was succeeded by H. J. Willing ham.
 During his legislative term Major Gunnels served as a member of the house committee on education and he was author of the bill providing for five months free school. He was chair man of the committee on legislation of the Alabama educational committee and director for Alabama of the Southern Educational association.
 Major Gunnels was successively lieu tenant and captain of Go. l of tho Second infantry regiment, and from 1896 to 1906 was inspector with the rank of major on the staff of Brig. Gen. Louis V. Clark. 1e was a dem ocrat, a member of the Methodist church, a thirty-second degree Scot tish Rite Mason, Shriner and a Knight of Pythias.
 On November 25, 1895 Major Gun nels married Miss Sadie Emily Goss of Commerce. Ga.