 | Around 1899, Mrs. Ella T. Turner married Jack Turner and moved to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. They worked for a wealthy white family, she as a cook and Mr. Turner as a laborer. In 1905, Mrs. Ella Turner and her husband moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico and opened a boarding house for black porters. Tucumcari was a center for the railroad at that time and black porters needed a place to stay. In 1910, Mrs. Ella Turner was widowed and she moved to Raton, New Mexico where she married Will Johnson, owner of the Front Saloon in Raton. Mrs. Turner-Johnson was very active in the colored women federated club where she served in many local club offices. During World War II, she opened her home to the black soldiers stationed at Amarillo, Texas Air Force Base because many facilities were closed to them. The soldiers came by car and bus on weekends for social parties held at her home. Mrs. Johnson's son served in the war and this was her way she could contribute to the cause by helping the service men in the area. Mrs. Johnson passed way at 85 years old in 1961. | |
