Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)



Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)

June 18, 1998

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Murder in Coweta County

Series: Murder in Coweta County

SISTER SAYS TURNER WAS TOLD TO LEAVE FARM

Author: Harry Franklin

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William Turner's father advised his son to leave John Wallace's farm, Turner's sister, Lavelle Oxford of Macon, said Wednesday.

She recalled that her brother told their father that ``Wallace had killed people and buried them in the field. My father said `if he's that kind of man, you better leave.' ''

Turner did move his family off Wallace's farm, just five months before he was murdered on April 20, 1948. But then Turner was caught in Carrollton for allegedly stealing Wallace's registered dairy cattle, an act that may have triggered his murder.

Oxford said her brother came to visit the family shortly before he was slain. ``He had his 18-month-old son with him. He wanted me to see his boy,'' she said. ``A week later, he was killed.''

She wanted to clear up a misconception about the Turner family that was reported years ago, that her father was a tenant farmer. Although William Turner was a tenant farmer, their father was not.

``My father had 500 acres of land in Crawford County. The records in the courthouse would show that. He was a farmer. He had people on the farm helping him.''

Turner was one of 12 children, although one died as an infant, Oxford said. ``I had six brothers and five sisters.''

After William Turner deserted the U.S. Army and used brother Wilson's name, his sister said, ``I know he lived a miserable life the years he was running from them.''

Turner's brother, Wilson, who was featured in a photograph with their father, examining evidence at the trial, is 84 years old and lives with his wife in Sweetwater, Tenn. He had an accident that later cost him a leg, Oxford said.

Now 81, Oxford said her family members are known for their longevity. ``My mother lived 99 years and was into her 100th year. Daddy was 80.''

But that was not to be the case for brother William Turner, who was 23 at the time of his death.

Copyright (c) 1998 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

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