Samuel Eugene Gipson Turner was born on 23 October 1848 in Lancaster Co, SC and was called Eugene. He was the son of Robert Robinson Turner and Elizabeth "Betsey" R. McCreight (exact spelling is unknown). Eugene met Emily Elizabeth "Mila" Kinard in Warren, Bradley Co, AR when Eugene and his brother Edward were farm laborers for Isaac McFadden and Mila was a housekeeper. Mila and Eugene were married on 12 January 1871 in Warren, Bradley Co, AR. In 1878, they settled on a farm five miles west of Conway, Faulkner Co, AR. Eugene served in Company K, 4th South Carolina Infantry (Sergeant) CSA. He fought in the Battle of Shiloh and served with General Vance. His great-grandson, John Lee Kelton, Jr., recalled hearing him tell how he was standing "at high point" with his rifle. A small cannonball hit the stock and knocked him down. Luckily, most of the power was already spent and he was not injured. He later received a leg injury that resulted in a limp. Eugene was an avid hunter and a staunch believer in education. He frequently went bear hunting well into his 80's. One bearskin was tanned and kept in front of the fireplace at his son, Crite's house (Eugene McCrite Turner). It was later donated to the University of Central Arkansas. Granddaughter Gladys Turner Dow said that Grandpa Eugene was the most sweet and gentle person. He had a long white beard and he would let the grandchildren and great grandchildren braid it. Once they braided in twigs and red ribbons. Eugene forgot about it and went into town that way! In late fall, he usually visited his nephew, Eugene Kenmore, at his ranch near Pie Town, NM. One time, he came home with a prairie dog and coyote pups. They were later given to the Little Rock, AR Zoo.
SOURCES:
1) Conversation with Gladys Turner Dow shortly before her death in 2006.
2) Conversation with John Lee Kelton, Jr. shortly before his death in 2005.

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