Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-23
AN OLD KEnsE8sc PRINTER.
The Jouroa! Has sissiaat Call From
Charles Hsasy Turner q East NJ Vernon.

The Journal received pleasant call
Monday from Mr.. Charles Henry Turner
of East Mt. Vernon, who was for many
years employed as q printer in this city.
Mr. Turner 10 now In hi. sssh year. He
drst came to Augusta from Boston 76 years
aso, as the age Of II years. Fur three
years be resided with IN uncle, Mr..
Howard, who lived In the old fo,t, which
was then among the most pretentious dwell
lings in the city. During these years h, at
tended private school KEEP, by gentle
man named Weston. brother Of the lste
Judge Weston. the sranafathef Of Chief
Justice Fuller. ~. l
At the .sse Of IA yesfs, Mr.. Tntuer 70.
turned to Boston aad learned the printers
trade. Subsequently he came to Augusta
again and securs 4 position upon the New
Age, where he remained for Is conse cutive
years. In 1862, at the very earnest invita-
ton Of the late James G. Blaine, who was
then editor OF the KENSEBEC Journal. lie
|
composing room where he remaioed until
20 years ago, when at the age Of g., hs
gave up the pursuit CT bis trade, Purchased
his present large farm ii East M. Vernon,
and moved there with his family, where he
has since resided.
Mr.. Turner has "hanlled the copy" Of
the famous editors. Daring his long ap-
premiership on the Boston Commercial
Gazette, Daniel Webster was the political
editor From 1886 to 1867 while OF the
Age, he rut into type the editorials of
Judge Il, d. Rice, Of Melville ". FULLER
Che present chief jusiice) and of Daniel
T. Pike. And the "coay" Of Mr. Blaine
and Mf Stevens was az plain as print to
him.
In conversation with a Journal repre-
sentative, Mr.. Turner sail;
augusta was a very diGeren. city, can
assure you, from what it now is, when
first lived here. twas then simply a small
collection Of small and inferior lo0king
wooden houses. Money was very scarce
article in the community, most CT the trad
ing being carried on by means Of barter.
The volume of business was done at what
was then called The Hook, the present
city of Hailoweii."
Mr.. Turner'S mind il clear and active in
spite of his years, AMI he has wonderful
memory for dates and events. lie recalls
the fact with some pride thai when the
question of employing iadieSss eompositors
in the city of Augusta was agitated, and he
was asked by brother printer to sign
petition against their employment IN that
capacity, he refused to do so, stoutly assert
ing that he could see no reason why, if
ladies' could DO the work as well rs men,
they shonil moi be permitted ;he privilege.
He thought it waa not fair play to attempt
to exclude them FROM any occup tuon,
whose labors they were quaiisd to per
form.
81 regret to gay" remirkel Mr.. Turher,
that il those days printers we're, to large
degree, addicted to intemperate habits. jhsy
were paid off on Saturday nights, and - .
result, many Of them frequently failed to
put in an appearance upon Monday morn
ings. The employment of ladies has been
q powerful influence in changing this old
state Of affairs, and in eleyating their NOR
ais. certainly believe it has been vast
benefit, not only to the publishing business,
but to all employed in its work
Mr.. Turner was plsnning, before return
ing home, to call upon his old emp'oyer'
Hon. John l., Stevens, and as he left the
JOURNAL. Office his erect bearing and elastic
ct. D would have given no one ress0n to
suI,pose that he had almost lived out the
"four score Year, and ten" Of life. Such
printers 40 Mr.. Turner will ever 20 cfedis
II she trade. and the JOURNAL hOpAs that