James R. Turner was born on August 7, 1848, to William R. and Elizabeth F. Ewett Turner of Phillips County, Arkansas. He was a livery merchant for twenty-five years in Poplar Grove (Phillips County) and also served as postmaster for twenty years. He married Retta N. McCoy on February 2, 1868. They had several children including Robert N., Daisy, Eva, Templin, and Cavett. He served as Justice of the Peace for eight years, following in his father's footsteps. In 1869, he became a correspondent for the "Southern Shield" newspaper. After he lost everything in a fire, in 1895 he established "The Shield," a Helena newspaper. He was a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and Mrs. Turner were members of Knights and Ladies of Honor. He died June 9, 1936.
This collection contains invitations and programs of various social activities in and around Poplar Grove, Helena, and Marvell, Phillips County, Arkansas, including Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor events that were attended by James R. Turner. There are also items related to President Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Little Rock in 1905. Other items in the collection include a Justice of the Peace commission for William Turner (James R. Turner's father) and a land grant issued to Walter and Sarah Burress.
- Commission (Reel MG00210)
- 1860 October 17: William Turner, Justice of the Peace, Marion Township, Phillips County, Arkansas
- Land grant
- 1839 October 10: Walter and Sarah Burress, Phillips County, Arkansas
- Invitations
- 1873 February 25: Carnival of Helena, to J.R. Turner and Lady
- 1874 February 17: Grand Mardi Gras Ball given by Knights of Phillippi
- 1874 June 24: Lafayette Lodge, Number 189, A.F. and A.M. Masonic Picnic, Poplar Grove, Arkansas
- 1875 February 9: Carnival Ball, Knights of Phillippi, Helena, Arkansas
- 1877 December 18: The "Helena Rifles" Grand Ball and Flag Presentation
- 1878 May 14: "Helena Rifles" at Phillips Academy, Helena, Arkansas, William H. Coates to James R. Turner
- 1878 July 4: Ball, Helena Fire Department
- 1881 May 19: Dance and Ice Cream Supper, Ladies Aid Society, Marvell, Arkansas
- 1883 May 23: Grand Ball, Young Men of Clarendon
- 1883 October 16: Poplar Grove Lodge Number 2442, Knights of Honor, Turner Hall, Poplar Grove, Arkansas
- 1883 December 27: Social Dance, Poplar Grove Hall
- 1884 January 15: Grand Supper and Masquerade Ball, Clarendon Dramatic Club
- 1885 December 10: Grand Ball, Irvin House, Poplar Grove, Arkansas
- 1886 June 17: Grand Ball, Irvin House, Poplar Grove, Arkansas
- 1887 October 20: Young Men's Annual Hop, Armory Hall
- 1881 December 21: Wedding of Janie Neel and Stephen W. Williams, First Presbyterian Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky
- 1887 December 27: Grand Ball and Supper, Trenton Social Club at the Masonic Hall, Trenton, Arkansas
- 1888 January 27: Ball and Supper, Ladies Aid Society, Irvin House, Poplar Grove, Arkansas
- 1888 August 7: Wedding of Bessie Noel and John Williams, St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church South, Wytheville, Virginia
- 1889 December 26: Grand Ball and Supper, Masonic Hall, Trenton, Arkansas
- 1891 June 5-12: Grand T.P.A. Special Train Excursion to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and through the Great Southwest
- 1891 July 23: Army and Navy Reception at Redondo Hotel, Redondo, California, in honor of arrival of the U.S.S. War Ship Charleston, to Mr. James R. Turner and family
- 1892 May 13: Bridge Opening Banquet, Gayoso Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee
- 1893 December 21: Knights of Pythias Grand Ball, Clarendon Opera House
- 1896 January 23: Program, Public Installation of the officers of Reynolds Lodge Number 7, Knights of Pythias, Grand Opera House, Helena, Arkansas
- 1897 November 24: Mr. and Mrs. Carruth, Fortieth Anniversary, Marvell, Arkansas
- 1898 May 3: Reception and Banquet in honor of the Grand Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Batesville, Arkansas
- 1898 June 1: Wedding of Sue Louise Powell and Rufus Walter Polk, Christ Church, Arkansas, Edward Wadsworth Winfield to Mr. Turner
- 1899 February 14: Programme, St. Valentine's Ball, Concordia Hall, Little Rock, Arkansas
- 1908 May 21: Luncheon, Arkansas Press Association, Hotel Marion
- 1908 May 21-23: Program, Arkansas Press Assocation
- 1909 October 6: Banquet commemorating the Twenty-Third Anniversary of Al G. Field, Greater Minstrels, Columbus, Georgia
- May 24: Banquet, Ridge City Club, Helena, Arkansas
- May 24: Program, Officers Memorial Assocation
- June 3: Odd Fellows' Picnic, Marvell, Phillips County, Arkansas
- Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Little Rock, Arkansas
- 1905 October 25: Announcement
- 1905 October 5: Press Stand Admission, James R. Turner
- Miscellaneous
- 1892 March 14: Card, Ridge City Club, Helena Arkansas, to J.R. Turner, Introduced by William M. Neal
- 1892 April 23: Letter: R.W. Nicholls, President, Sons of Veterans, Helena, Arkansas, to "Sir"
- 1894 February 5: Membership card, New Orleans Chess, Checkers, and Whist Club, to Mr. Turner
- 1896 February 7: Pamphlet, "Yankee Doodle and Dixie," Cleburne Chandler's book
- Undated: Postcard, "A New American Novelist"
- May 18-20: Card, The Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company
- Correspondence
- 1906 March 12: Dr. and Mrs. Rightor to Mr. Turner
- 1908 July 4: "Daisy" to Mr. J.R. Turner, Helena, Arkansas
- Other
- 1906 March 28: Kubelik Turner died
- Undated: Christmas Greeting, Forrest to Grandpa
