Turnerville
 

Son of:
W. Frank Turner - died before 1880
Lydia A. Waddell
Married October 4, 1866 in Colorado County, Texas

Married December 21, 1899 in Wharton County, Texas to

Louise English Ivey
Daughter of:
William English (September 29, 1842 - December 8, 1882)
Adeline J. Easterling (October 16, 1848 - April 16, 1918)
 

Census Records

1880 Census - Tennessee - Gibson County - District No. 16 - June 12, 1880
Waddell, Phil, W, M, 55, married, Farmer
Waddell, Mary, W, F, 40, married, Wife, Keeping House
Waddell, William, W, M, 27, Son, single, Farmer
Waddell, Lula, W, F, 18, Daughter, single
Waddell, John, W, M, 16, Son, single, Farm Laborer
Waddell, Eula, W, F, 14, Daughter, single
Waddell, Lena, W, F, 6, Daughter, single
Waddell, Leonidas, W, M, 1, Son, single
Turner, Lydia, W, F, 32, Daughter, widowed, At home
Turner, Alice, W, F, 12, Granddaughter, single, At home
Turner, Eddie, W, M, 5, Grandson, single

1900 Census - Texas - Wharton County - Justice Precinct 1 - July 2, 1900
Turner, E. W., Head, W, M, b Sept 1873, 26, married, Brazil, TN, KY, Merchant
Turner, Louise, Wife, W, F, b Sept 1873, 26, married, TX, TX, TX

1910 Census - Texas - Wharton County - Lane City - April 19, 1910 - Turner's Quarter
Turner, Ed W., Head, M, W, 37, married once, 10 years, Brazil, AL, AL, General Farmer, owns farm
Turner, Louise, Wife, F, W, 37, married twice, 10 years, TX, MS, MS

1920 Census - Texas - Matagorda County - Bay City - January 17, 1920 - Avenue G
Turner, E. W., Head, owns, M, W, 46, married, b South America, TN, KY, General Farmer, working on own account
Turner, Louise, Wife, F, W, 46, married, b TX,, KY, TX

1930 Census - Texas - Harris County - City of Houston - Block No. 1407 - April 25, 1930 - Riverside
Turner, Edman, Head, owned house, value of house-$800, has a radio, M, W, 55, married at 25, TX, TX, TX, Rice Financier
Turner, Louise, Wife, F, W, 55, married at 25, TX, TX, TX

1940 Census - New Mexico - McKinley County - April 8-9-10, 1940
Turner, Edmond, Head, M, W, 66, married, b Brazil, lived in Houston on April 1, 1935, Manager Hotel
Turner, Louise, Wife, F, W, 66, married, b Texas, lived in Houston on April 1, 1935,

Brazil

Phillip E. Waddell, father of Louise Waddell Turner, was living in Colorado County, Texas in 1867. On August 26, 1867, he conveyed the block he owned in Columbus to his daughter and sold his plantation south of town on January 13, 1868. It is believed he left that May and moved to Brazil to join John H. Crisp, Frank Turner, father of Edmond Waddell Turner, and John F. Hicks. The plantations in Brazil were considerably smaller than those in Texas. The men couldn't afford the laborers they needed and they didn't do as well in Brazil. Crisp, who had once been one of the richest residents of Colorado County was reduced to farming on a small scale and living in a mud house. Waddell lived in Brazil for nine years before returning to Colorado County. It was while Frank and Lydia Waddell Turner were living in Brazil that Edmond Waddell Turner was born on September 1, 1873.

Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal: A Journal of Colorado County History, January 1999, Volume 9, Number 1
 

Edmond W. Turner
September 1, 1873 - January 16, 1947

TURNER--Edmond W. Turner, 73, 516 Colquitt, died at his home at 1:45 a. m. Thursday. He was born in Brazil and had lived in Houston 27 years. Until his retirement four years ago he was a rice grower near Bay City. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, the Arabia Temple Shrine, and the Bay City Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite bodies. Survivors are his wife; four nieces, Mrs. C. McCune, Miss Patricia English, Mrs. Louise McCauley and Mrs. Wilma Doing, all of Houston, and a nephew, Nile Menefee of Fort Worth. Funeral services at 2 p. m. Friday at Geo. H. Lewis & Co. with Rev. Robert L. John officiating. Burial in Forest Park Cemetery. Geo. H. Lewis & Co.

The Houston Chronicle, Thursday, January 16, 1947

Edmond and Louise are buried at Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas
 

Louise English Turner
September 10, 1873 - November 1, 1948
 

Edmond Waddell Turner lived in Wharton County before he moved to Matagorda County. He was appointed postmaster at Arnim in Wharton County on May 4, 1907. His successor, Owen S. Gibson was appointed on August 31, 1908.

The Arnim post office was established in 1901 in the Arnim-Lane mercantile store. The name of the community was changed to Lane City on February 13, 1911. It was named for Jonathan Lane, attorney and president of the Cane Belt Railroad.
 

Turners in the News
 

S. S. Moore, Overland Bay City dealer, was a caller at the Overland Houston headquarters, Tuesday, accompanied be E. W. Turner and family. Mr. Turner drove home one of the new model 84 Willys-Knight touring cars.--Post--Palacios Beacon, November 29, 1915
 

Rice Men Go To Austin To Ask For More River Water

Four automobiles carrying a committee of sixteen rice planters of Matagorda county, with E. W. Turner chairman of the committee, were here between 11 and 12 o'clock yesterday morning en route Austin. This committee will confer with the governor and mayor of Austin in an endeavor to have more water let loose through the Austin dam for rice irrigation purposes in Matagorda county. Mr. Turner informed the Headlight that the farmers of that county must be given more water through the dam immediately in order to have their rice crop. According to L. D. Roberts, who was also with the party, there are 50,000 acres in rice there dependent upon the Colorado river for irrigation, and 10,000 acres of this amount is new sod land. "We must be given more water through this dam at once," stated Mr. Turner. "If the rice crop of Matagorda county is to be saved."--Eagle Lake Headlight--Palacios Beacon, June 24, 1916
 

Mrs. W. S. Lany of Palacios and Mrs. E. W. Turner of Citrus Grove spent the day here Sunday.--Daily Tribune, July 24, 1916
 

Mules For Sale

Five moderately old work mules in good condition. Will sell on terms, if desired, with some additional security. Can be seen at J. P. Pierce ranch house, two miles form Citrusgrove.--E. W. Turner, Citrusgrove--Palacios Beacon, December 1, 1916
 

Mrs. E. W. Turner of Citrus Grove spent today in the city.--Daily Tribune, April 27, 1917
 

Mr. E. W. Turner of El Campo visited in Bay City  yesterday on business. Mr. Turner formerly lived in this county and will be remembered by the voters as having made the race against Senator Hall in the last primary election.--Matagorda County Tribune, January 17, 1919
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner left today for Galveston where they will spend a couple of weeks of recreation.--Matagorda County Tribune, July 18,1919
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, who have been in Galveston for the past few weeks, have returned home.--Matagorda County Tribune, July 25, 1919
 

Mr. E. W. Turner has bought of the Bay City Bank & Trust Co., the Schofield place on Avenue G, just south of the 5th Street opposite the Tribune building, and will make it his home for the present.--Matagorda County Tribune, August 8, 1919
 

Mr. S. C. Lovering is moving this week from the Schofield place on Avenue G to the Van Slych [Slyke?] residence on West 6th, he having recently purchased this property. Mr. E. W. Turner who a few days bought the Schofield place will move into it at an early date.--Matagorda County, August 15, 1919
 

Rice Belts Biggest Individual Rice Sale

What is perhaps the biggest individual rice sale ever made in the rice belt was consummated yesterday between E. W. Turner and the Herder Rice Milling Company, when Turner sold to the mill 10,000 sacks of Edith rice for September delivery at $12.25 per barrel and 10,000 sacks of Blue Rose and Louisiana Pearl for October delivery at $10.00 per barrel.

This sale means that the purchaser must turn over to Turner over a quarter of a million dollars or in the neighborhood of $240,000, which, and the claim can safely be made, is, in commonplace phraseology, "some farming."

Turner has 12 binders at work now and will begin his threshing as soon as the cut rice is seasoned.

But the 20,000-sack lot is not all of Turner's crop, for he will have 10,000 sacks, he estimates, in excess of the 20,000 he has sold.--Matagorda County Tribune, August 22, 1919
 

E. W. Turner stated to The Tribune yesterday that he has fifteen binders at work.--Matagorda County Tribune, August 29, 1919
 

Workmen are remodeling and finishing the interior of the E. W. Turner home, corner Avenue G and 5th. When completed this place will be very attractive and a big improvement will be noticed on that prominent corner.--Matagorda County Tribune, September 5, 1919
 

Mr. E. W. Turner has started his separators at work on his large crop of Edith rice near Matthews store, beginning the work Monday morning.--Daily Tribune, September 9, 1919
 

Considerable improvements are being added to the E. W. Turner home on Avenue G. When complete a marked difference will be observed no that corner.--Daily Tribune, September 11, 1919
 

E. W. Turner today completed his contract to deliver 10,000 bags of rice to the Herder Rice Milling Company. He has 10,000 bags yet to deliver in October.--Matagorda County Tribune, October 3, 1919
 

Good Money From Second Crop
Three and One-Half Sacks of $10.00 Rice Per Acre

E. W. Turner is now engaged in harvesting a second crop of rice from his 600 acres near Matthews store and is getting 3 1/2 sacks of $10.00 rice per acre. He tried out ten acres and got 34 sacks.

Mr. Turner estimates the value of this second or volunteer crop on the 600 acres at $15,000 as he has been offered $10.00 a barrel for it.

The first crop was cut from this land in August and the second crop came on and matured without irrigation, the heavy rains proving sufficient to make the crop.

Mr. Turner says that there's quite a lot of this second crop rice in the county and thinks it well worth harvesting.--Daily Tribune, November 8, 1919
 

Thirty-five dollars an acre for a second crop of rice that did not cost its owner a cent to produce, is going some, we say. Take the glad news to some of those up-state counties where land is selling for two and three hundred per acre. Ask E. W. Turner--he'll tell you about it.--Daily Tribune, November 8, 1919
 

Mr. E. W. Turner returned last night from the tractor demonstration in Houston.--Daily Tribune, November 13, 1919
 

Turner & Briscoe Buy Cleveland Ranch
Will Turn It Into Mammoth Rice Farm

E. W. Turner and Bob Briscoe yesterday bought the 1800-ranch of Col. Sol J. Cleveland, which lies four miles northeast of Bay City.

In speaking of the purchase, Mr. Turner says that they will turn the whole place into one big rice farm. They are now making preparations to have it surveyed for a complete and thorough system of drainage.

This is a magnificent body of land and affords Messrs. Turner and Briscoe a very fine rice proposition.

The deal involves about $100,000.--Daily Tribune, November 14, 1919
 

WANTED

400 ACRES GOOD COTTON land on cash rental. See E. W. Turner, Bay City, Texas.--Matagorda County Tribune, November 14, 1919
 

Prizes In Fancy Work Department
Embroidered Articles

Filo Silk Center Piece--Mrs. E. W. Turner--Daily Tribune, November 15, 1919
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, formerly of Wharton, motored up from Bay City Monday and spent the day with friends.--Wharton Advertiser--Daily Tribune, December 20, 1919
 

Mrs. E. W. Turner, who has been seriously ill, is reported very much improved today.--Daily Tribune, January 26, 1920
 

Mr. E. W. Turner will plant 100 acres to Irish potatoes this year and is now busy doing what he can to get his ground in shape.--Daily Tribune, February 10, 1920
 

Judge W. C. Carpenter, E. N. Gustafson, E. W. Turner and Cooper Gusman, left Sunday in a auto for Galveston, to attend the Scottish Rite reunion now in session there.--Daily Tribune, March 23, 1920
 

Matagorda Co. Boys Taking Scottish Rite Degrees

The following Matagorda County boys are taking the Scottish Rite Degrees at Galveston this week, and will travel over the hot sands in Houston Saturday:

O. J. Hodge Jr. of Pledger, W. H. Kelly of Gulf, Geo. A. Harrison of Palacios, and Geo. E. Serrill, E. W. Turner, Louis LeTulle and C. H. Gusman of Bay City. It is rumored that Carroll Gaines will join this envoy in Houston, hoping to persuade them to let him have a share of the Camel's milk which is usually provided for all bloomin' Arabs and who are about to traverse the "Hot Sands' of the desert.--Daily Tribune, March 24, 1920
 

Library Campaign Successful
Large Number of Names Added to the Membership

The campaign for membership in the Bay City Library Association, which has been carried on by the ladies of the association for the past few weeks, is practically finished, and more than one hundred new names have been added to the roll of members.

The following is the membership list for 1920: Mrs. E. W. Turner.--Daily Tribune, April 27, 1920
 

Mr. E. W. Turner was in the city yesterday from his Citrus Grove rice plantation and reported rapid and satisfactory headway being made on the farm.--Matagorda County Tribune, February 18, 1921
 

Mr. E. W. Turner is in the city today from his Citrus Grove plantation. He says he is making good headway with preparations for his rice crop.--Matagorda County Tribune, March 11, 1921
 

Mr. E. W. Turner stated to The Tribune this morning that he would start planting his rice crop next week provided the weather remains good.--Matagorda County Tribune, March 25, 1921
 

Mr. E. W. Turner, who has been North on business for the past several days, has returned home, arriving today noon.--Matagorda County Tribune, April 15, 1921
 

Turner Feels Safe On Rice Crop
Good Supply of Water Reaching Collegeport

E. W. Turner, of Turner & Briscoe rice farmers, stated to The Tribune this morning that his apprehension for the safety of the big rice crop at Collegeport is about over.

"We are now getting a satisfactory flow of water and are using every gallon of it to the best advantage. I now feel confident that we will pull the crop through.'

"We have," he continued, nine binders at work cutting the older rice and the work on the warehouse is progressing rapidly."

Turner & Briscoe have 7,000 acres in rice at Collegeport, 3,000 acres of which is safe and now being harvested. The chief concern after the scarcity of water set in, has been for the 4,000 acres, but now that the crop is getting at least 50,000 gallons a minute, with an early promise of more, it is a safe forecast to say the crop will be saved.--Daily Tribune, August 25, 1921
 

Mr. E. W. Turner was up from the rice farms today and reported only a shower at Collegeport. There are eleven binders at work. Mr. Turner says he has some 2,000 acres cut and will probably go to threshing next week.--Daily Tribune, September 6, 1921
 

Turner Uneasy Over Appearance of Blight

Mr. E. W. Turner was in from the Collegeport rice plantation today and expressed himself as being considerably worried over what he believes is a rice blight, hitherto unheard of and entirely new to him.

He said his best estimate now is that it looks as though it will impair at least 20 per cent of that part of the 7,000 acres affected.

Mr. Turner thinks he will get a specialist from the A. and M. College to examine the fields and ascertain, if possible, what is wrong.--Daily Tribune, September 12, 1921
 

Dr. Lind of Chicago, arrived in the city a few days ago on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner on the rice plantation at Collegeport. Dr. Lind and associates own a large tract of land in the Collegeport section of the county.--Daily Tribune, September 20, 1921
 

Mr. D. E. Frost, of Stephens Point, Wis., and a party of business associates arrived here today on their way to Collegeport, where they will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner for several days. These gentlemen own the land now being cultivated by Turner & Briscoe, rice farmers.--Daily Tribune, October 7, 1921
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, who have been on the rice farm at Collegeport for the past several months, will return to their home here next week.--Daily Tribune, November 5, 1921
 

Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Shipman, who have made their home on the second floor of the Tribune building for sometime, have moved across the street to the E. W Turner home.--Matagorda County Tribune, February 9, 1923
 

Record Acreage In Rice Gives Fine Return To Grower

E. W. Turner, a progressive rice farmer who has "fought the game" of growing rice in Wharton and Matagorda Counties for several years, "sometimes winning and sometimes losing," conceived the idea of growing rice on a large scale, secured leases on a 10,000-acre tract of land located about 20 miles southwest of Bay City, near the village of Collegeport, Matagorda County, in the fall of 1921. This land was practically a level prairie which had been used principally for grazing purposes, with here and there a small farmer.

Turner, knowing the productivity of the soil and the adaptability of the climate to the successful growing of rice, decided to grow rice in a much larger way. He therefore set about securing the leases on these lands from the owners, amounting to 10,000 acres, constituting it the largest single rice proposition ever attempted in the rice growing belt of this or possibly any other state operated by one individual.

The first thing necessary to be done in order to grow rice on these lands was to secure water. An effort was made to have a local canal extended by its owners to lands that were located quite a number of miles across the country from its mouth or end of the canal.

The owners and managers of the local canal, after considering the proposition, decided that the expense of extending the waterway to Mr. Turner's lands would be so expensive and turned the proposition down.

Mr. Turner then decided to build his own canal at an expenditure of $40,000.

In the year 1922, 35 rice farmers whose permanent employees consisted of 350 persons began to prepare this tract of land for planting to rice, which Mr. Turner gave his time and attention to the constructing of the canal and waterway necessary to the conveying of water to the farm.

The results of the successful operation of this large farm, reads almost like romance or a fairy tale.

The 10,000 acres operated by Mr. Turner, assisted by the 35 practical rice farmers and 350 laborers employed in preparing and seeding the lands, augmented by about 1000 laborers, used in harvesting the rice, succeeding in growing and harvesting 114,000 sacks of rice valued at $4.25 per sack, making a total of $484,000.

The gross revenue per acre was $48.45. The production cost, based upon a 10-sack crop per acre, was $28.80, leaving a net profit of $19.65 for the crop of 1922. Practically the entire acreage of the farm will be planted to rice the present year.--Matagorda County Tribune, April 20, 1923
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner of Collegeport passed through Wharton Wednesday en route home from a visit to Houston. They were driving a sport model Peerless car they had just had delivered them.--Matagorda County Tribune, May 25, 1923
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner and two little nieces Mary and Louise English, of Collegeport, were here in their Peerless coast Wednesday morning. Mrs. Turner having come up for treatment at the Fitzgerald Sanitarium. Mr. Turner is an old-time Eagle Lake boy, and his friends here are delighted to see him again.--Eagle Lake Headlight--Matagorda County Tribune, May 25, 1923
 

Mrs. E. W. Turner was the guest of Palacios friends the first of the week, returning to Collegeport Wednesday.--Palacios Beacon, June 29, 1923
 

Collegeport Barbecue Is A Huge Success
People From All Parts Of the County Enjoy Outing

The big free barbecue and dance given at Collegeport yesterday, under the personal direction and management of E. W. Turner, was one of the most successful all-day entertainments ever given in the county and unique as well, since everything from the splendid barbecue dinner to the dancing at night was free to all comers, and this included refreshments.

As the day was a typical Gulf Coast day and ideal, visitors began to gather at the grounds early. By noon it had swelled to the usual large picnic crowd. In the afternoon the numbers were augmented and at night a huge crowd remained for the dancing, which was enjoyed until a late hour.

The whole county enjoyed this real old-time Southern hospitality. No one was barred and they came from all points, Bay City furnishing a very large quota.--Matagorda County Tribune, June 29, 1923
 

Large Crowd Attends Collegeport Barbecue

The community entertainment given by E. W. Turner at Collegeport yesterday was largely attended by people from all over the county, and was a most successful and delightful affair. The management was beyond criticism and everything went off without the slightest discord. The exercises began with a ball game between Gulf and Bay City which was won by the former by a decisive score. After the game, the crowd assembled at the big warehouse which was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and enjoyed an old fashioned barbecue. The tables had been already set and loaded with bread, cheese, pickles and other "trimmings," while large tubs of the very finest of barbecued meat were set upon other tables and the crowd directed to form in line, cafeteria style, and help themselves. There was an abundance of everything and quantities of meat and other foodstuffs were left over.

As the crowd began to finish eating, the Melody Six, in a fenced off and decorated booth, at the far end of the warehouse, began to play some of their most catchy music and the folks began immediately to form couples and go dancing around the floor. It was not long until the entire space set aside for the dancers was filled with happy couples while those who were not dancing sat around on seats that had been provided or formed groups and talked of matters of interest or renewed old acquaintances. Many persons met who had not seen one another for years, and smiles and fellowship reigned supreme.

This affair was a distinct contribution to the community life of the county and it would be a splendid thing if more such events could be arranged in the various parts of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Turner deserve the thanks of the entire county and the gratitude of those who so greatly enjoyed their unbounded hospitality which is so well known and appreciated. We need more citizens like the Turners, who are constructive builders and not captious critics.--Matagorda County Tribune, June 29, 1923
 

Palacios was well represented at the big barbecue at Collegeport Thursday evening and night, given by Mr. E. W. Turner at his big warehouse. A baseball game, Gulf vs. Bay City, preceded the supper, which was followed by dancing. It is estimated that between 1500 and 2000 people were in attendance, and all present had plenty to eat and an enjoyable time.--Palacios Beacon--Matagorda County Tribune, June 29, 1923
 

Mr. E. W. Turner was up from Collegeport today and reported only two small rains in that section. They are having the daily showers we are having here.

Some of those who are in a position to know, are of the opinion that rice harvesting will begin on a limited scale by the 20th. Mr. E. W. Turner says he will have some ready to cut by the later part of the month. The crop everywhere is coming along splendidly and no shortage of water is anticipated.--Matagorda County Tribune, July 13, 1923
 

The Ford Parade

Mr. J. L. Koerber; of the Palacios Auto Company, staged a parade Monday afternoon that was unique. It included a coupe, two touring cars, four trucks and one tractor all sold this week. Mr. Koerber, in his sedan, headed the caravan and after circling our main thoroughfares proceeded on the trip to Collegeport, where delivery was made to the new owners. The trucks went to Mr. E. W. Turner, the merchant chief and extensive rice farmer of that locality, who expects to harvest one of the biggest crops ever raised in Matagorda county.--Palacios Beacon, July 27, 1923
 

Miss Holsworth of Collegeport Entertains

Miss Margaret T. Holsworth, of Collegeport, honored Mrs. Mat Pierce, Mrs. J. Ducros, Mrs. Dick Clements and Mrs. E. W. Turner with a beautifully appointed luncheon Tuesday. The table had as a centerpiece cluny lace, inscribed with a border of evergreen. Small baskets of red, white and blue holding salted nuts gave added color to gleaming cut glass and silver.

The menu consisted of olives, pickles, current jelly, fried chicken, potato and egg salad, Parker House rolls, fruit salad, cheese wafers, followed with an ice course.--Matagorda County Tribune, August 31, 1923
 

Tell many of the agricultural counties of Texas that in this county is a single rice crop that will require $600,000 to move and you will find, no doubt, your veracity questioned, and yet, here at home, we look upon the thing as commonplace and pay but scant attention to it. This one crop is the E. W. Turner crop of 12,000 acres near Collegeport, where forty binders are at work harvesting the great cereal. Already 25,000 sacks have been sold and the work of getting in the crop has scarcely begun. What rice means to this county is apparent on all sides of us this year, just as it has been all along. it has proved the salvation of all business and enterprise in the past and comes just when a good crop was badly needed this year. It is an industry which deserves to be encouraged and made greater. Its potentialities are unlimited, provided the canal companies continue to function and to continue them in service should be our chief concern. Two million dollars worth of rice will be sold in this county this year; and, need we ask where would we now be, in a business way, without it?--Matagorda County Tribune, September 7, 1923
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner have just returned from Houston where they have been spending a few days.--Palacios Beacon, October 26, 1923
 

Friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner Christmas day to eat Christmas turkey.--Palacios Beacon, December 28, 1923
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner went to Houston last week.--Palacios Beacon, February 14, 1924
 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner are having their home in Bay City painted.--Palacios Beacon, March 6, 1924
 

Texas Man Makes Money With Rice
E. W. Turner Of Bay City Has 15,000 Acres In This Crop

By W. B. Cook
Agricultural Development Department Gulf Coast Lines and I. G. N. Railroad

We hear much about big farming and some of us feel that we are farming on a fairly large scale, but most of us are pikers as compared to E. W. Turner of Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas. Mr. Turner is a rice grower. He has qualified for the king of rice growers in several different ways. First, he has been in the rice growing business for 25 years in which he has grown 25 consecutive crops. He has stayed in the game consistently from the very beginning of the industry in South Texas and knows all its ups and downs. This year he has 15,000 acres in rice alone and in one field he has 5000 acres planted solidly to rice without a break except the canals that deliver the water. As a final qualification. Mr. Turner's crop for the entire 15,000 acres probably will average 15 bags to the acre. Anyone familiar with rice growing knows that it is a good average.

Rents Land on Share Basis

The total rice acreage of Matagorda County, one of the principal rice producing counties in Texas, amounts to about 50,000 acres. It is generally estimated that this crop will gross more than $3,000,000. Mr. Turner's acreage is almost a third of the total and his yield will be considerably more than a third of the total.

Of course, Mr. Turner does not attend to the growing of all this crop personally. He furnishes the land, the seed and the money for putting in the crop, but grows the crop on the share basis. He has the reputation of doing things, and of course, there are many farmers who are glad to be associated with him, if rice is the crop they wish to grow, because they feel that with his assistance their success is largely assured. Mr. Turner's seed bill last spring amounted to the neat sum of $57,000. His water bill ran well over $100,000. His other expenses, such as preparation of the land, seeding, and the like, mount up in proportion.

Rice farmers have learned a great deal about their crop through long years of experience and much of it sad experience. Rice farming is of necessity a one crop system. It must be done on a fairly large scale in order to cut down the overhead represented in costly equipment, teams, tractors and irrigation systems. For these reasons we find the rice farmer to be rather a distinct type. He is probably the most self reliant of all our farmers, the natural result of his having had to solve his problems and make his way practically unassisted.

One of the things the rice farmer has learned to do is to diversify. One may wonder how this is possible where only one crop is grown. The rice grower diversifies by planting a number of different varieties. Rice is rice to most of us, but there is really a wide difference. There are the short grain, prolific varieties that produce quickly and a much heavier yield than the long grain, slow maturing varieties. The prolific, short grain rice, however, does not bring as good a price as the long grain rice.

The greatest advantage in growing a number of varieties is prolonging the harvesting season. Of all crops produced, rice is probably the most difficult to save during adverse weather. This is by reason of the fact that it is grown largely on level land that tends to hold the water back instead of letting it run off quickly . Rice also has the tendency to fall badly if it is not cut immediately upon reaching maturity. Consequently one may lose an entire planting if the weather prevents the binders from going into the fields for a very long period after the crop has reached maturity. If varieties are planted that will mature at different times, the grower has a much better chance of getting favorable weather for a part of his crop, at least.

The principle requirement of rice, outside of a fertile soil, is water. It requires on the average, two feet of water on the Gulf Coast to produce a crop of rice. There are many who believe that this amount could be cut down under proper management. That would mean more supervision of the distribution which would add to the cost of distribution. If there is an abundant supply of water, present methods are probably good enough, but when there is a water shortage, but when there is a water shortage, as some of our rice growing sections are experiencing this year, more efficient distribution would pay.

Matagorda County Tribune, October 2, 1925
 

Threshing Going Right Along

Mr. E. W. Turner, of the Turner Rice and Irrigation co., stated to The Tribune yesterday that the farmers on the big 10,000-acre rice plantation at Chalmers were getting out about 3000 sacks a day.

In this connection, it can be stated that Mr. Turner has just received a new heading machine, the invention of a Beaumont rice farmer, which in his (Mr. Turner's) opinion, will revolutionize rice threshing.

This machine takes care of a whole shock of rice in one cut. It is driven to the shock, set in motion and instantly cuts the bundles in two, elevating the heads to the wagon and leaving the muddy butts on the ground.

Asked how long it took to do this work, Mr. Turner said, "Just as fast as it can get to the shocks," adding that the machine could, if it works according to claims, take care of 75 acres a day.

The machine arrived yesterday and will be given an immediate tryout.

Matagorda County Tribune, December 11, 1925
 

Rice News

Mr. George Harrison, rice farmer, informs us that rice is picking up all along the line. E. W. Turner of Houston, had sold 14,000 sacks at $4.50 a barrel.--Palacios Beacon, September 1, 1927
 

Mr. E. W. Turner is at home in Mt. Belvieu for the holidays.--Matagorda County Tribune, December 23, 1927
 

Will Move To Houston

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, who have been residents of Bay City for the past several years and who have built up a wide circle of friends and many warm attachments, have found it to their interests to move to Houston.

Both, however, stated to the Tribune that their move should not be classed as an absolute severance from Bay City and her people. They have sold none of their property and may return any day.

The Turners are well liked and popular here. They gathered around themselves and their hospitable home many sincere friends, all of whom regret their departure, even though temporary it may be.

Matagorda County Tribune, January 20, 1928
 

For Sale

Pedigreed four months old Chesapeake Bay Puppies. These dogs are the World's Wonder in retrieving ducks. Price, $25.00.

E. W. Turner, Star Rt., Palacios, Texas

Palacios Beacon, September 13, 1928
 

List of Lands and Lots Delinquent on March 31, 1930, for Taxes of 1931, in Matagorda County, Texas

List of Lands and Lots Delinquent on June 30, 1929, for Taxes of 1931, in Matagorda County, Texas

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