Emmett Homer Turner (1886 - 1963)

Born 23 Jan 1886 in Macon, Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Died 27 Mar 1963 at age 77 in Marceline, Linn, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Born 1886

Died 27 MAR 1963. Cause: Pneumonia from 'Hong Kong' flu.

Written by Emmett's brother:^[1]

Emmett was a "loner." He was different. He was difficult. His father had many confrontations with him. He was often with the families of the neighborhood rather than being with his brothers at home. He was witty and well liked by his buddies.

When he was quite small, he went straying over the country through the fields and over the roads until he was overtaken by one of his older brothers. He had gone through the village of Goldsberry and was found near the Boydson place east of Goldsberry. No one knew where he was going nor why. It is doubtful that he knew. He was such a small boy, possibly running away from restrictions.

He made a reputation for himself when he became a young man working for a Mr. Clark Roan. He showed himself to be a dependable worker. But while binding grain with a fractious team, he was thrown from the binder when the team became unmanageable and ran away. The fall brought much injury to him, so much so that his father came for him and took him to the hospital in Macon, a small town nearby. He partially recovered, but not entirely.

Later he was employed by Earl Green in his garage. Once at the time of unloading gasoline with buckets from the tank wagon, Emmett lit a cigarette, which created an inferno, because it instantaneously ignited the gas fumes. Since Earl was one of the group who was carrying buckets of gasoline, he became a flaming torch, and before the flames were extinguished, he was burned severely. This brought great remorse to Emmett, for he felt that he was the whole cause of the damage. Earl was very nice about it and did not censure Emmett in any way.

Emmett never married. He fraternized with some of the neighboring young ladies, but he never felt he cared to assume the responsibility of becoming husband to a wife. Consequently he remained single.

He was quite sociable with the young nephews and nieces. They enjoyed his wit and humor. They continued to have a warm spot in their hearts for him.

He was great when it came to a practical joke. He and Bill Perrin were often at the country store of Goldsberry during his late manhood, and they would think up something that would create amusement at some other fellow's expense. Etta Turner, one of the residents of the village, was a newspaper correspondent, and her husband, Will, would gather news as he heard local reports given. The two jokesters would make use of the opportunity to tell some big false tale, while Will was in their presence. Maybe it would be about the death of someone; or possibly about a tale of some tragedy that had happened to someone. In a brief time, they would see Will turning homeward to take the news to the correspondent, his wife. What fun this whopper created for them!

And then again, the merchant, Armon Ward, would give credit when some of the people of the community ran low on funds. The two knew what business was being transacted, who got credit, and they to one another, in the presence of Mr. Ward, would tell of the poor standing of so-and-so. They possibly spoke of what a poor risk the person or persons were. In talking they acted as though the conversation was only to themselves, but yet they made sure they were within hearing distance of Mr. Ward. This was merriment, indeed, when they saw how greatly concerned the poor merchant became. It was all in fun, not that they doubted the credit standing of the people under discussion, but they enjoyed the discomfort of the merchant. You say that was mean. Maybe so. Yet it was only for fun. They were full of mischief.

Emmett knew he had one of the best mothers in all the world. He knew the love that she exercised in his behalf time after time. He knew this, for when he turned away from his mother's grave at her funeral, he remarked, "What a wonderful mother!"

He came to appreciate his brothers and sister, too. One day when five or six of his brothers, white headed old men, were visiting their brother Lafe, Emmett remarked, "Here we are, a bunch of old men. One of these days we will all die like flies." He didn't live to see that day, for he was the first of the group to die.

When a school boy, Emmett challenged the authority of the schoolmaster. He had done something of which the teacher didn't approve, and he called him forward to receive his stripes. (Those were the days when the teacher punished before the entire student body.) Emmett came forward, but resisted the punishment, and there was quite a tussle. At another time, Emmett tired of school, arose out of his seat during study period, and went to the open door and gave one big yell and started off through the field running, thereby terminating his school days. Many of his comrades took note of what went on, but wouldn't think of taking a risk like that, yet thought he was wonderful for doing it. They felt he was a great leader, but hesitated to follow.

He remained with his brother Bill after his mother died, but after the house burned, he was invited to make his home with his sister, Jennie. She cared for him many years. In fact, she made sure he had everything he needed in the way of clothes, even providing him with cigarettes. At last Jennie felt she could no longer care for him, and suggested that he find room with some of his brothers. This was tried, but the sisters-in-law did not feel that they were able to care for him as he needed to be cared for. About this time, he took sick and was taken to the Columbia hospital for locked bowels. He was soon made well again, and his sister and brothers made arrangements for him to stay in the Bunton Rest Home in Marceline, Missouri. He was here for a few years, and he did adjust to nursing home conditions and found contentment.

He enjoyed visitors, especially those of his own near kin. He also enjoyed argumentation. He had some knowledge of the Bible due to his attendance at Sabbath school when smaller, and he loved to discuss Bible topics. Jennie bought a Bible for him, and Joshua and Winnie sent him a Bible. We do not know how much he enjoyed the message of the Bible, and how much of his interest was for the purpose of showing others that he knew something of the Bible. We trust it was the former in part, at least.

One thing can be said of Emmett. He was never found in the hands of the law. He did not obligate himself to others. He was sure to care for his financial obligations.

When he was only a lad, at the time his voice was changing, he became hoarse and his voice was bass like. George Carter, with whom Emmett often associated, remarked that he talked like Roncher Bunch, a man living a few miles to the north, noted for his deep gutteral sound when talking. This is now he came to be called Roncher.

Those who knew Emmett usually noticed his crooked finger. It came about in this way: While clearing off brush and timber west of the dwelling, he and Frank were working together. Frank had the axe, and Emmett was supposed to be a helper. Frank made a deep cut into a tree, leaving one chip dangling, and Emmett thought to reach in and get the chip. Not knowing that his younger brother intended to do this, Frank came on with another blow and Whack: The finger was nearly cut off. Only some skin was holding it. A doctor cared for it with bandages and splints, but it was not done securely, and the finger be came twisted in the bandage. Consequently, the lad grew a crooked finger.

In the winter and spring of 1963, the country was plagued with Hong Kong flu, and Emmett became a victim. Had he been strong he possibly would have survived, but he took pneumonia and died March 27, 1963.

He was given a Christian funeral in the church he attended so little. He was placed in the family lot where his parents were buried several years before. His sister and brothers spared no means in caring for him in death as well as in life. Jennie saw to it that a nice casket was chosen, and beautiful funeral arrangements were made. The members of the family assumed all the expense, even in- . cluding a nice granite marker for his grave. In love and fellowship, his sister and brothers failed hi, not. Everything was done as his parents would have had it done. And credit is given to Harry, Jennie,. husband, for he stood by as though Emmett were his own brother. In all the years Jennie provided for him in their home, it was not just Jennie alone who cared for Emmett. Harry stood faithfully by without, a murmur of complaint.

Sources

1. ↑ Turner, Joshua C. That They Be Not Forgotten. 1974. pp. 32-34 [No copyright]

• Missouri Digital Heritage. Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 - 1967. Emmett H. Turner
• Find A Grave: Memorial #5660228