The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-29
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
DEATH OF HON. JOSIAH TURNER.

On yesterday It his home at Hills
boro, Hon. Josiah Turner passed away,
aged, We suppose. about eighty years.
His father was a prominent farmer in
Orange county n lrved on the road
to Oxford. Josiah vas born, we sup
pose, on that plantation, and was edu-
Gated at the University Of North Caro-
lima. He read law and settled at Hills
boro. h county seat. He married Miss
>Devereux, daughter of the late Thomas
p. Devereux. a leading lawyer n one
of the largest farmers ever in North
Carolina Mr.. Turner served in the
legislature and was a member Of the
Confederate Congress. He was a man
of considerable humor, and a rather
formidable speaker or the hastings.
After the wal in 1868, he became the
editor and owner of the Raleigh Senti-
mel, having purchased 1t from the late
Rev. William E. Pell, who founded it
soon after the war. Major Seaton
Gales was his first associate. but who
retired in February 1869, because Of the
infiamed condition Of his eyes. He was
succeeded by T. B. Kingsbury, Of Ok
ford. who was connected with it for
some two or three years.
Mr.. Turner was a fearless writer, and
rendered the state most valuable SER
vice at a time when such a friend Of
North Carolina was so much needed.
The radical party was in full powerfwy
The radical party was in full flower
then, having complete control in the
state. The negro party had converted
and rascality and thievery ran riot.
If we had time and space we could a
tale unfold that would blister the
names Of many prominent leaders and
make that vicious, reckless, conscience
less party a stencil and a horror to all
the uninitiated who are not read up and
were too young to have known Of the
villainies. Mr.. Turner was watchful,
resolute. defiant. and poured very hot
shots into the srobber thug at much
risk to himself. He had two or three
personal difficulties; was shot at while
sitting in his office, and left the state
c to meet a republican he had chal-
1enged to fight a duel, but who failed
ito appear. Mr.. Turner was not a good
Writer, but he was rasping, amusing,
,SQstrious and fearless. One day,
seveh radicals Zone a negro) met him at
+he depot to punish OF kill him. He
st@ped the gang by drawing two pis-
rs and telling them if they advanced
E would fire. He really did no little
to uncover the %iniquities and rascali-
ties of the negro party, and deserves
to be held in grateful remembrance by
all true white men and sound demo-
Gratis. He was one of the most sympa-
thetic, humane, benevolent of men. He
has cen known to make striking sac
riices for people in distress, and he
would give his last quarter or dollar,
literally, to the cry Of distress. We
know whereof we affirm. He was a
fine fellow to work with and was con
siderate of others and open as day with
them. He was a man of courage, was
in the war as captain Of cavalry, and
had a large hole in his head made by
an enemy's huge bullet. He was hon.
est and kindly, a man to highly esteem
if you knew him we'll. At a good old
age he has fallen upon sleep, and we
trust his liberated spirit is at rest now
in the Heavenly Mansions.
W. forgot to mention that under the
tyrannical siege OF Bill Holden, o. Pro-
visional Governor, he was put in prison
at Yanceyville, under the Kirke cut
threats from Tennessee, in company
with Judge Kerr, DR.. Roane, Sheriff
Frank Wiley and one or two others
among the best and most respected citi-
zens in Caswel county or in that fine
section of the state. He and h others
were liberated by the fidelity and
courage OF a republican United States
Judge, the late Judge Brooks. Of Eliza
beth City, n. C. He issued the writ OF
habeas corpus after Chief Justice Pear
son had so yielded to Holden's intimi-
dation as to declare 1.-The powers of the
judiciary were exhausted" But all who
participated in that great outrage, the
governor and the victims and the noble
Jurist, are all gone into the great be-
yond, wher all accounts will be audited
and the right sentence will be given.