The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-25
Turner's Sad Career.

ONLY a few wears ago. Thomas Turner was
regarded as q young man Of much promise,
and enjoyed the esteem of all who kne"
him. His father, the late SherlH John
Turner. left him a handsome competence IN
money. and in land. which would have en-
abled him to live 3 useful hfe, with hon0r
and profit to himself and the community.
Tn q fatal moment he become entangied
IN the meshes of q bold young roman nam
ed Miss Nichols, and the result was but a
repetition of the cid. UNDECIDED story-the
unrestricted indulgence in vicious passions
aud whiskey-which in all ages and IN al
climcs. has brought SO much misery into
the world. and caused so many young men
to fill dishonored graves.
Turner continued to live with the Mich
OILS woman TO: a period of five or SIX years,
during which the time three children were
born. In the meantime his money ana
land were speedily squandsred in supplying
wants of the bad people, who were last
Ieading him to destruction. Having in
this way gone through his property. which
was estimated at $l5, 900, he was after com,
pelled to work, but his earnings were IN
yariably devoted to the same ignoble pur-
pose.
On Friday night, February 18th, Turner
visited Miss Nichols. Her mother was pres
ent and Turner became Engaged IN an alter
cation with both of them. Called by some
angry retort. he seized a shot gun from over
the door, and exclaimed "D-n you, II you
saw those words again III shoot you
He pointed the gun towards Miss Mich
OILS, and. while nervously handling the trig
ger the piece was discharged, in ali proba
bility by accident. One shot took effect IN
Miss Nichols side, and another passed
through the arm of her baby which she was
holding at the time. Turner rushed to hls
mothers residence about one mile distant
and informed DR.. Cameron OF what had oc-
cured. He accompanied the Doctor to Miss
Nichols and as her condition was ther
theught very critical, bis friends al
yised him to leave the State without
delay. He complied with their request
II was understood that he would stop il
the vicinity Of Danville. Va, in order tina
he might be kept informed of the woman
condition. He wrote to DR.. Cameron in
forming him of his whereabouts in Virginia
The Doctor replied, assuring him that The
woman was entirely out Of danger, and ad
yisipg his return, But before this intelli
renee could reach him. his feelings were
wrought to such a pitch by the belief tina
he had killed Miss Nichols, and by the wan
of money and stimulants, that he sough
refuge in death, as detailed in the follow
ing letter: -
ne CdMc licIC AuOIuay hoiAihS ~ho III
ouired if there was any letter for min
and was told not. He came In and askeC
if some one had made a remark about him
and was told not, he then said that the
were going to lynch him, and he was aske'
what for2 He said be was accused of kill
ing q woman and child. He was then ask
ed who accused him and where was tn
murder done Z but gave no answer. ii
left and vent to J. E. Brooks mill 4 mile
west of here and | understood he walke'
up and down the pond on both sides. 81
then leaves and comes back to this place
but makes . rcsnd about way.
When he reached the mill he went b.
making no stop, and shortly after he wa
seen coming back and as be made tn
pond he commenced running and pull
ing off his coat, two colored persons VIII
were saving lumber testified to this, on
saws to the other ''what is that man run
ming after" they then went up the pond t
see, some so or 100 yards, when they got Their
they saw his hat and coat on the bank, an'
i'll y short time they saw him in the mill rae
which was about three and a half feet wa
ter. They did not see him when he got i
the water as the situation was such the
could not, they pulled him out and the
ran to a negro's house and gave the alarm
and they returned they say he was strug
Cling and breathing. They might hav
saved him if they had not been over excl
ted."-Hillsboro Mai.