The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-05-09
ELIZABETH A. TURNER DEAD, .
She Was the 18th Natsonsi President OF
the woman's Relief Corps-Strong
Foreefal, EmcientT7IHeF Loss j. &
Tragedy. % %

Forcefsl, EncientT7THeF Loss Is a
Tragedy. as "a
The following from. the Department
OF Massachusetts is SO full that words
of mine seem unnecessary. yet to Liza
beth A. Turner I-all Of us-owe SO
much that I must add a little. Person
ally Lizabeth A. Turnertlwas to me a
tower of strength. She never acknowl-
edged distractions In the path of duty.
She simply shut her eyes and went over,
there. She was always just. generally
exacting, always right. II she swerved
it was on the side of humanity. She
had no mean, petty jealousies. She was
strong in all things, with a will power
that was indomitable, but, unlike most
strong women. she had few enemies.
The loss of Lizabeth Turner to the
Woman's Relief Corps is tragedy.
She was the 18th National President,
elected at the 18th National Convention
In Louisville, KY; on the 18th day of
the month, which was Friday. In spite
of this handicap of "hoodoo," she was
one of the best National Presidents the
Woman's Relief Corps ever had.-Isabel
Worrell-Ball. Special National Press
Correspondent.
At Andersonville, Ga, on Saturday
morning, April 81, Mrs. Lizabeth A.
Turner entered into rest. She had been
ill since last November. For weeks her
life was despaired of, but she rallied,
and to the surprise of all friends an
nounced that she was going to make
her usual visit to Andersonville. Efforts
to dissuade her were unavailing.
Accompanied by Mrs. Delilah s. Davis,
who had been her companion on other
visits to Andersonville, she left New
Britain, Conn, on March &c. Her Won
derful constitution and indomitable will
and completed all her plans.
Then her strength failed and her life
ebbed slowly away 1t was indeed fit
ting that the end should come at An
Jacksonville, for the care and preserva
ton of which she had worked lovingly
and earnestly and which will ever be a
to her memory.
Mrs. Turner was born in Winsor,
Conn, and was the daughter of Charles
and Betsy Thompson. In 1857, at the
age of IT, she was married to f. f. l..
Turner, a native Of Georgia. who died
three years later. She was living in
Portland, Me-, at the time of her hus-
bands death. She remained there a.
few years. and then came to Boston,
where she lived until 1901. when she
retired from business and went to New
Britain, Conn, to make her home with
her niece, Mrs. George Parsons. Pa
triotism came to her as an Inheritance.
being the descendant of Revolutionary
So it was but natural that
when the dark days of 81 came to our
Nation she should at once begin to work
for the soldiers. The first box sent to
the front from Boston was packed byI
Mrs. Turner. She was constant visitor
to the hospital located in Pemberton
Square, Boston, where the wounded sent
from Southern battlefields were cared
for. 81
Mrs. Turner was identified with the
first effort to establisfI a Soldiers Home
in Massachusetts. roomeat the Home. |
furnished by the Department of Massa
w. r. c., bears her name and
her portrait. She was one of
he founders of the Ladies. Aid Associa-
ton of the Soldiers Home. and was a
welcome and frequent visitor there. For
years it was her custom to enjoy her
dinner with the veterans
at the Home. The decorating of the |
graves in the Home Tot at Forest Dale |
Gem etery and the services'in connection
on Mem orial Day were always her care, |
and II was a labor of love.
Mrs. Turner joined the Woman's Re-
I'd into Maj-Gen. Fl. t. Berry Corps, of
Maiden, by Mrs. +. Florence Barker.
She later transferred to Abraham Lin
coln Corps, 80. of Charlestown, retain
ng her membership in that Corps up
o the time of her death. She rendered
valuable service as a Corps and Depart
nent officer, and, with Mrs. T.. Florence
Barker and Mrs. Sarah L. Fuller. was
delegate to the meeting at Denver,
ff,lG in N-1 int, rnS tod iY1t- 4 taat
formation of the National Woman's Re-
icf Corps
Her -Work---aS aNationai Officer is
<nown turnout the country. To every
office she brought a rare executive abil-
ty. keen but kindly wit and the strong
will and energy that knows not the
meaning of the word failure
The funeral was held at New Britain
conn., on Wednesday, May 1. All ar
were made by Comrade E.
3. Stiilings. Past Junior Vice Command
.r-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, who went to Washington and
net Mrs. Davis with the body on Mon
lay. Prayers were said at the Home
u O'Clock. followed by public services
1t st. Marks, where Rector Harry ].
Bradley officiated. The Woman's Relief
'orps held a service at the Erwin NOR
uary chapel in F'airview Cemetery
This was opened by the singing of the
Passing of the Veteran" by Comrade
+ohn Il. Gilman, Past Adjutant- General
If the G.. A. r., to the tune of Lead,
Kindly Light" the words being original
With Mr.. Gilman. The rtualistic ser
Ice OF the Wpman's Relief Corps was
,iyen by Mrs. Sarah l.. Fuller, life
of the National Executive
3oard; Mrs. Charlotte Il. Wright, Ma
ional Treasurer; Mrs. Annie c. Shat
uck, Department President of Massa-
President In accordance with
Mrs. Turner's exprest request. Rev E.
\. Horton. Chaplain of the Massa hu-
etts Senate. delivered the eulogy; Col.
william DIN, Secretary of the State of
sachusettS. and his Glee Club sang,
md at the conclusion of the committal
ervice taps were sounded by Col. j.
'ayson Bradley, Past Department Com
nander of the Massachusetts, C. A. r. +
The casket was covered with a Flag
ent by Capt. Wallace Foster. There
vas an unusual display of beautiful
loral tributes. The offering of the Ma
ional Woman's Relief Corps was a
magnificent wreath five feet in diameter.
t was made of the finest of laurel. Ex-
ending from the bottom toward the
enter were three beautiful palms, fit
ing emblem of the triple motto of the
order. These were fastened to the
wreath by a graceful spray of vioets,
lilies of the valley andL maiden hair
ern. At one side of the top there was
large bow of ribbon Oft the National
olor, yellow. On the casket rested the
amily offerings. spray Of Easter alies