When the north-south line of the Iron Mountain Railroad was completed in 1882, the town of Wynne was located where a train derailed and left one boxcar without wheels off the track. The car was placed upright and called Wynne Station in compliment to Captain Jesse W. Wynne. He was born July 1, 1839, in Marshall County, Mississippi, the son of Colonel Robert E. and Sarah Watkins Wynne. He served in the Civil War and was mustered out with the rank of captain. He died May 6, 1907, and was buried at Holly Springs, Mississippi. Wynne was incorporated May 28, 1888.