The St. Louis Republic., 1902-02-09
Senator Mason Asks Congress to
Give General Turchin's Widow
$50 Per Month.
MOLLY PITCHER OF CIVIL WAR.
Twice Prevented Retreat Of Union
Troops-Tore Up Her Ward
robe to Make Bandages
for Wounded Soldiers.
REpT BILL, SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Nashville ILL.,. Feb. s-Senator William
+. Mason of Illinois has introduced a bill
| in the United States Senate calling for a
| pension of $50 to be paid to Mrs. Nadine
Turchin. widow Of the late illustriOus ILL
nois statesman. soldier and scholar. Since
the death of General Turchin his widow
has been in dir.st straits at her home IN
Radon. this county. and only through the
aid of General Turchins old comrades
and charitably disposed persons has she
been able to acquire a livelihood.
The formalites Of d pension petition are
stringent and exact. and Mrs Turchir
had lost the record Of her marriage the
Government refused to grant her n pension.
The action OF Senator Mason in intro
iucing the bill has met with universal ap-
proval throughout Southern Illinois.
1t IL asserted that not only because of
her husbands valorous deeds throughout
the Civil War but because of her own, she
is deserving Of being placed on the pension
list
Her HerOism During War.
The brave and heroic deeds OF Mrs.
Turchin while with her husband during the
Civil War were brought to the attention
of the Pension Board and persistent efforts.
to have the pension granted were made
but to no avail. 1t soon became evident
that special legislation had to he res0rted
to and the matter was brought to the no.
uce of Senator Mason. with the result that
he introduced his bill.
1t is thought that the bill will pass with
out opposition. and a result one of the
brayest and nObiest Of Illinois women. who
has previously been denied the necessary
comforts. VIII be able to spend the re-
Tainder OF her life in ease
Mrs. Turchin followed her husband when
his regiment was called to Washington to
f,nl k,4.f IL. - Il,th
Run. En- route the train went through a
bridge near fincennes, the rebels having
cut the timbers- More than fifty of the
Union soldiers were injured. and this
occasion Mrs. Turchin cut up all of her
wardrobe. save one dress. to be used as
banGages.
The Molly Pitcher of Civil War.
1t Is Il matter of record that Mrs. Turchin.
in Paint Rock Valley. between Winchester.
Tenn. and Larkinsville. Ala. went oack
and brought up a section of artillery, and
were merciiessIy pcQps-!ng the Federal
troops from the rocks of the mountain
side.
Al another tine. when there was threat
the ammunition Of the Union forces. Mrs.
'rurch;U drew Il revolver. stood in the road
of the train to throw his wagon across the
road tc blockade the train. so as TO save the
amHur ition.
In the afternoon of the fight the troops
ed their last hundred rounds and were using
the cartridges from the belts OF the dead
Union soldiers; Mrs. Turchtn's act enabled
the boys to hold ont until one brave team
ster came galloptng along with Il fresh sup
ply.
Russians of High Birth.
John Basil Turchn and wife were born in
Russia where they were socially in the
upper classes. General Turchin was given
an excellent education and military train
Ing. and served valiantly with troops OF his
held forth golden opportunities, and Cen
eral Turchin was loath toward leaving
them slip by, and. with his wife. came to
this country.
Mr. Turchin was employed soon after his
arrival here by the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company as civil engineer. working
under George +. Mcclellan. who during
the Civil War became noted General.
At the breaking out of the war General
rurchin organized the Chicago Board OF
Trade Battery into a calvary troop. the
nander. With this regiment during the
,ivii strife he fought bravely, and retired
hs end of 5hs hat win ehs rak Mas
Union man may be evinced by the
fact that during the war the rebels set L
premium on his head OF Sse"S. dead or
alive.
Organized Colony at Radon.
General Turchin and wife settled at Ra- |
ION. in this county, after the war. and or
yanized a colony of fellow-country men. |
he tutelage Of Mr.. Turchn and the pure |
md exalted influence of Mrs. Turchin, |
and successful colony resulted.
Mr.. Turchin. during his residence at Ra- |
ION. contributed regularly to the metro |
,olitan magazines and papers. His works |
howed careful study and deep thought and |
arried with them much weight. Mr.. Tur-
hin was working on his autobiography |
when he died.
Mr. Turchin was a yiolinist of exception
i! merit. and was the principal at many
musical productions throughout Southern
Illinois during his early life.
Fniled TO Provide for Future.
Mrs. TuTcEi!I. who Is to become the bene-
ciary Of Senator MasOn's bill. still resides
t RADON. and ia 50 years of age. Mr.. and
Irs. Turchin were greatly attached to |
ach other. and his death last summer af-
cted her very much. and consequence !
he is now in feeble health.
Mr.. Turchin diso without being able to |
rovids for her future. He was Of a very |
enerous nature and made attempt to |
erive pecuniary benefits from his talents
lis early life was spen: in practically pro-
iding for others. and III later years when |
Ii age gripped him with a strong hand. |
nd he became feeble. he found he had |
allied to provide for his own future. His |
riends. however did not desert him, and |
erved him in his declining days.
;ENERAL FUNSTON NEEDS