James Turnbull Taken By Death

James Richard Turnbull, 69, former treasurer and controller of Lewiston, and veteran steamboatman, died at 11:30 o'clock yesterday morning at his home at 605 Eleventh avenue after an illness of almost three years. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

Mr. Turnbull was born at Vancouver, Wash., Sept. 20, 1874, the son of Capt. and Mrs. William Turnbull. His father and his grandfather pioneered in steamboating on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The lure of the river gripped Mr. Turnbull and he entered the traffic as purser on bots plying the Snake as far inland as Lewiston, this at a time when Capt. Ephriam Baughman and Capt. Harry Baughman were colorful figured on northwest waterways.

Served Trust Co.

Coming to Lewiston in 1897 in his capacity as purser, he continues in river work until 1900 when he became assistant secretary of the old Idaho Trust Co., a position he filled until 1914 when he resigned to become treasurer of Lewiston, which position he held until the death of City Controller Charles F. Leland when he was appointed controller-clerk of the municipality. On June 30, 1926, Mr. Turnbull resigned his city post to engage in the insurance business which he followed with the assistance of Vern Rognstad up to the time of his death, although not able to be at his office in the Salsberg building.

Mr. Turnbull married Miss Caroline Roos on Oct. 11, 1899. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Roos, among the city's early residents. He was a member of the Episcopal church and of the Lewiston lodge of Elks.

List Of Survivors

Survivors are his wife; his son, Richard R. Turnbull; two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Coovert and Mrs. May Tilden, both of Vancouver, Wash., and two grandchildren, Rose Caroline Turnbull and Grace Ellen Turnbull.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow at 2 o'clock from the Vassar-Rawls chapel with the Rev. William A. Gilbert as officiant. Interment will be at Normal Hill cemetery.