The Van Buren press., 1894-11-24
SUDDEN DEATH.
Judge Jesse Turner Expires Suddenly
at the Opera House.

Thursday night was Col. Robt Crocketfs ap-
polntment in Van Buren, to deliver his lecture
on the Life and Character Of David Crockett.
About twenty minutes to eight o'clock Judge
Turner, wife and son arrived ut the hall and
passed up to front seats. The lecturer had not
arrived. and but portion Of the audience,
when Judge Turner was taken suddenly ILL., and
and In few moments breathed his last In the
arms of his devoted wife. Every effort was
made TO resuscitate him. but the breath of life
had passed from the body to God who gave It,
The wife and son were paralyzed by the sudden
and unlooked-for calamity, and the large audi
ence was stricken with grief. His life passed
out as gentle as babe going to sleep on Its
mothers bosom, without sigh or struggle. 1t
was comfort to US to have had his hand in ours
as he passed out to the Great Beyond.
The wife and son have the sympathy of all.
Words are inadequate to express the sadness
and grief that overshadows our city.
We trust some one adequate to the task will
furnish us with more complete history of the
Judges life than we are able to give in this
issue.
He was born In Orange county, North Carolina,
in 1905, and was therefore ~ years old. His
father died in 1856, at the age Of 98, and his
mother In 1863 also ut the age of 9S. In May,
practice of law in North Carolina. In 1881 he
moved to the territory of Arkansas. He settled
first down the river below Van Buren, Lear
Arbuckle's Island, at the old Crawford County
Court House. Crawford County then included
Crawford, Sebastian. Franklin. Logan, Scott,
johnson and Yell Counties. This Court House
was finally moved to Van Buren,. and he moved
along with It, He built an office then, which he
occupied continuously tor 20 years.
The first wife Of Judge Turner was Violet P.
of Pam
born iu 1917. This lady survived her marriage
less than one year In the year 1855 the Judge
married Rebecca J. Allen. native of Warwick
This marriage was blessed with one son. Jesse
Turner. Jr.. an attorney, who has been partner
of his father for many years.
Judge Turner was an ardent admirer Of Mr..
, Clay. aud an aetive and conspicuous Wing poll
tician from the early foundation of the Whig
party until it ceased to exist as distinct poiti
cal organization In the terrible struggle be-
slavery agitation, he was opposed to the seces-
sion Of the Southern States from the union,
because not authorized by the fundamental laws
of government and because otherwise impolitic
and ruinous to the best interests of the South
But when the war was over he sincerely desired
q restoration OF harmony and union between the
lately warning sections He therefore was op-
posed to the governments policy OF recOnstruc-
ton, because he believed 1t WAS calculated very
greatly to estrange and embitter the sections,
and utterly unworthy OF the magnanimity and
generosity OF great and powerful government
In the hour OF triumph over PROSTATE and
helpless people. In 1855 he was elected a mem
ber from the counties of Crawford and Franklin
to the House of Representatives of the Arkansas
Legislature, and in 1910 he took very impOr-
tant part in the canvass of that year. which
resulted in the election OF William Henry Harri
cd by the Secretary of War one of the committee
to attend the examination of cadets at West
Point, and in 1851, upon the establishment of the
Western (Federall District OF Arkansas, was ap-
pointed United States attorney for that district
In 1861 he was elected a member from Craw
ford County of the famous convention that ulti-
1867 he was member of the State senate, and
took an active part in the proceedings of that
body; was chairman Of the judiciary committee.
In 1Si4-5 he was again a member of the State
senate from Crawford aud Franklin Counties
when he also took all active part in the proceed.
ings of that body, contribut ny his full share in
building up the prostrated credit of the State.
In 1878 he was appointed by Governor Miller a
judge of the supreme court TO fill the vacancy
created by the resignation of Judge David
Walker.
Judge Turner'S personal integrity, his high
sense of honor and rare intellectcal ability are
recognized not only by the community in which
he lived. but throughout the state oil his adop-
ton For more than 60 years lie was resident
of Arkansas and during the greater part OF this
time was engaged In the practice of law in the
western counties of the state. includ ng the
United States court for the Western District OF
Arkansas and the supreme court of the State.
Judge Turner was steadfast friend to every
public improvement looking to the upbuiding
and development OF the State. He was connected
officially with the Little Rock X Fort Smith rail
road for many years, AID also was for some
years one of the directors of the X & A. V. Rail:
way He was at the time of his death, and had
been since its organization, president Of the
Crawford County Bank.
FUNERAL SERVICE.
The funeral of Judge Turner will take place
on Sunday afternoon from the family residence.
The hour of service will be given later.