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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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Men Who Led 135 Her accounts aroused Turner who immediately set to work to procure more humane treatment for the insane. In 1847 an appropriation was made for the founding of a state insane asylum. On February 24, 1851, Turner was appointed upon the board of trustees, which consisted of nine members. Loyalty and vigorous honor marked Turner's course upon the board and one might almost think loyalty and honor were crimes, so high was the price he was called upon to pay for them in trouble and bitterness. At the first state fair ever held in Illinois, Turner was scheduled to speak October 14, 1853, upon "the Millennium of labor.'' Men who had become his enemies because of his work upon the hospital board wished to prevent his delivering it. The night before the lecture was to'be given while he was in Springfield, his barn in Jacksonville was set on fire in three different places. The fire spread to a long shed and conservatory, just finished, which had meant much in economy and careful planning. All the animals, vehicles, and farm machinery with grain and provender were burned. But the incendiary did not accomplish his object. Mr. Turner, ascertaining that his wife and children were safe, delivered his address. It was received with enthusiasm. At the conclusion Dr. John A. Kennicott of Chicago, corresponding secretary of the state agricultural society, stepped to the front of the platform and told the audience under what circumstances the address had been given. A little box was nailed up at the entrance gate and all who would, were given the chance to lessen the loss. Over five hundred dollars were contributed— a large sum in those days,—but the loss was four thousand! His enemies, because of his work as a member of the hospital board, made capital of a certain speech of his against the "corporation l a w / ' under which bodies of men were perpetrating hideous abuses. In this he said: " l a m neither treating laws nor the decisions of our courts with undue disrespect. An unjust law or court decree deserves no respect from any freeman; and it shall have none from me." 11 It was principally "The address, called the "Heathen Chinee Speech/' delivered in the Hall of BepresentativeB, Springfield, 1874.
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