Today in Wheeling History: December 26--The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer reports that Bill Turner, Renaissance man known for being a brawler, bartender, bouncer, barber, baseball player, coach, umpire, drummer, singer, Republican Party activist, and Wheeling's first black police officer, had defeated wrestler Dennis Gardner in a fight (1885).
William Alexander "Bill" Turner was born on November 25, 1865, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Alexander and Amelia Mason Turner. Growing up in Ward 2 on the Chapline Street block between 10th and 11th Streets, Turner lived in an area that would long remain Wheeling's black neighborhood. He attended local schools and became well-known in the community for his various roles and activities.
As early as age 20, Turner had already established a reputation in Wheeling. On December 26, 1885, the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer reported that "Bill Turner, the well known colored youth yesterday got into a fight with Alex Gardner, the colored wrestler, and Alex came out second best, or rather second worst, if reports are reliable, for they say Alex was pretty badly used up." The newspaper later corrected that it was actually Dennis Gardner, not Alex, whom Turner had fought.
Turner was a true Renaissance man, working as a brawler, bartender, bouncer, barber, baseball player, coach, umpire, drummer, and singer in a quartet. He was also a Republican Party activist and a member of several fraternal societies. Most notably, Turner became Wheeling's first black police officer around 1899. His first stint as a police officer lasted until 1902 or 1903, and he returned to the force in 1919, serving until his death in 1928.
Turner was known for his bravery and dedication to public service. He once saved a man from burning to death, earning him local recognition. Despite the challenges of enforcing laws that rendered him a second-class citizen, Turner remained committed to his role as a police officer. He passed away on September 27, 1928, at his home at 114 Twelfth Street in Wheeling. Turner was honored by the Fraternal Order of Police for his 20 years of "faithful and conscientious" service.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/WUuNS)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
William Alexander "Bill" Turner was born on November 25, 1865, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Alexander and Amelia Mason Turner. Growing up in Ward 2 on the Chapline Street block between 10th and 11th Streets, Turner lived in an area that would long remain Wheeling's black neighborhood. He attended local schools and became well-known in the community for his various roles and activities.
As early as age 20, Turner had already established a reputation in Wheeling. On December 26, 1885, the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer reported that "Bill Turner, the well known colored youth yesterday got into a fight with Alex Gardner, the colored wrestler, and Alex came out second best, or rather second worst, if reports are reliable, for they say Alex was pretty badly used up." The newspaper later corrected that it was actually Dennis Gardner, not Alex, whom Turner had fought.
Turner was a true Renaissance man, working as a brawler, bartender, bouncer, barber, baseball player, coach, umpire, drummer, and singer in a quartet. He was also a Republican Party activist and a member of several fraternal societies. Most notably, Turner became Wheeling's first black police officer around 1899. His first stint as a police officer lasted until 1902 or 1903, and he returned to the force in 1919, serving until his death in 1928.
Turner was known for his bravery and dedication to public service. He once saved a man from burning to death, earning him local recognition. Despite the challenges of enforcing laws that rendered him a second-class citizen, Turner remained committed to his role as a police officer. He passed away on September 27, 1928, at his home at 114 Twelfth Street in Wheeling. Turner was honored by the Fraternal Order of Police for his 20 years of "faithful and conscientious" service.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/WUuNS)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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