Dempsy Finly Turner, Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller, February 2002
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 
 
Dempsey Finly Turner, present sheriff of Vernon Parish, was born in 
that section of Louisiana and has been known for his efficiency in the
performance of public duties for a number of years.
Mr. Turner was born at Leesville, December 6, 1880, son of Spear and 
Martha (Williams) Turner, and grandson of Dempsy F. Turner, who came to 
Louisiana and for three years was soldier in a Louisiana regiment in the 
Confederate army. Spear turner was born in Florida and his wife in Alabama.  
They were married in Louisiana and he spent his active career as a farmer.  
He is now living retired at Leesville where his wife died in May, 1924.  
Both have been active workers in time Baptist Church, and he is a Mason and 
democrat. Of their seven children Dempsey F. is the second in age.
Dempsey F. Turner was educated in public schools and as a boy and youth 
had much working experience on the home farm.  After leaving home he 
clerked in a store three years and in 1902 at the age of twenty-two was made 
a deputy in the office of parish sheriff.  He had twelve years' experience 
in the sheriff's office.  Then in 1916 he was elected clerk of the parish 
court, filling that office four years and in 1920 was elected sheriff and 
reelected in 1924.  He has given Vernon Parish a splendid record of law and 
good, order during this term.
0n April 4, 1909 Mr. Turner passed through an experience which nearly 
ended his life.  He was called out of town some distance to arrest a negro 
who had been charged with robbery.  The negro was known as a desperate 
character and Mr. Turner was on the lookout for him but the negro waylaid him 
from ambush and shot him in the thigh.  The shock threw Mr. Turner to the 
ground but, resting partially on his left arm he drew his gun and fired, 
killing the negro.  Mr. Turner was badly wounded and for eight months was 
laid up in the hospital before he recovered sufficiently to again take up his 
duties. He has always been known as an absolutely fearless maim and has the 
complete confidence of his deputies as it is well known that he never would send 
one of them to any place of danger that he was not entirely willing to go
himself.  His record in suppressing the activities of the bootleggers 
has been unequalled by any sheriff in the state.
He married in April, 1904, Miss Lillie Franklin, a native of Vernon 
Parish. They became the parents of eight children, seven now living:  
Vera May, wife of C. B. Owens of Leesville;  Willie;  Emma V., in school;  
Leta; Ruth, Jewell, in school and  Dempsey F., also in school.  Mrs. Turner 
is a member of the Methodist church, while he is a Baptist.  Fraternally he 
is affiliated with the Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter, and the Scottish Rite 
bodies of Masonry, and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Ku 
Klux Klan.
NOTE:  A signed photograph/painting accompanies this narrative in the
referenced source.
A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 177, by Henry E. Chambers.  
Published
by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.