Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-09-05
from the Sunday Timsa1
The Governors of Louisiana.
JOS PH w ak Err

JOSEPH WALKER was born in New Or
leans, in July, 1886. His father WAS
native Of old England and his mother was
Creole of Louisiana. -..
Not much is known Of his early history.
Though he did not enjoy oil the advant-
ages of education, he acquired knowledge
Of the French, English md Spanish Ian
g,1ages; ail Of which he wrote and spoke
with ease and fuency. eaFI.gF
When he was twenty or twenty -one he
went to Mexico, where Lieut.. Pike met
him in 1907. He WAS then O lieu tsnsnt Of
dragons la tho Spanish service, md mas
ter Of the military school ut Chihuahua.
Having resigned bis commission, he re-
turned to civil life, and went into the
horse business, which he followed several
years. Buying horses in the interior of
Mexico, he brought them to hatcher,
where ho found ready market for them,
When his native State was invaded by
British army, Mr.. Walker FASTENED to
meet the foreign invader on the plains Of
Chalmette, but he did not participate in
the great victory won by Con. jackson, as
he was on particular service on that mem
orable day, far from the field of battle.
About the year 1917 MIR. Walker settled
in the parish Of Rnpides, which became
his permanent place OF residence for the
rest of bis days, except when called from
it by public duties. In 1892 be was called
into public life by tho Democratic party
by being elected member Of the Lower
House Of the Legislature. and he served in
that capacity until 1924.
. On the 22d OF January, 1922, he was
created Brigadicr General Of the Fifth
Brigade of the State Militia. In 1887 he
was again returned to tho House, OF which
he was chosen Speaker by Aattering
vote. Having been elected State Senator
in 1871, no remained in the Senate years.
On the meeting of the Convention in
1874, held for the revision of tho State
. Constitution, Mr.. Walker took his scat 10
that body, aud was called to preside over
its deliberations. At the close Of the Con-
vention, handsome vote of thanks was
passed upon the acceptable manner in
which the more than ordinary difficulties
of that position were performed.
In 1914 he was nominated for the Uni
ted States Senate, but WAS defeated by the
election of the late Governor Henry John
son. But two years after-~that is, in 1886,
the Legislature elected him State Treas
urer--a position he held until l8d9. His
administration of the fiscal affairs Of Che
State was very satisfactory.
His Democratic friends having present
ed his name as q candidate for the office
Of Governor in lS49, be prevailed over bis
opponent. According to the official vote,
he received 1866 votes, and De Clouet
1853.
Governor Walker was installed into the
Office of Chief Magistrate Of Louisiana on
the 18th Of January, 1850, and relinquish-
ed it on the Goth of january, 1863, the
term of his administration having been cut
short by the adoption Of the Constitution
of 1862. ..z..
The condition of the State was peaceful
prosperous and happy during the time hs
remained at the helm of public AFFAIRS
Those who believe in the vigorous enforce
ment of the penalties prescribed by Law
for offences, condemned his tender-heast
edness when appealed to in behalf 81
criminals who had been condemned to un
dergo the punishment decreed by crime
In truth, he WAS too kind hearted for tn,
4 Office Of Governor.
On vacating the gubernatorial chair
Governor Walker Withdrew entirely from
public life, and retired to his estate in th,
parish Of Rspides, where he passed away
after a protracted illness, on Tuesday, th'
22d day Of January, 1856. He was 81
enthusiastic Free Mason, and had long be
fore his death, attained to the highest
grade Of that ancient and honored frater
nifty. Governor Walker had twelve chill
dren. He survived his wife sixteen years
Mrs.. Walker was born in Mississippi or
the l7th Of May, 1887, and died on tn,
18th of November, 1910.
Governor Walker" wrote one who
knew him we'll, "wss by no means an or
binary man. A creole of the State, he hst
striking personal advantages, and his 10
was cast amid mon and scenes that CAV,
him clear Wow of human nature in it;
ever changing phases. and proper appre
citation of the Legislation requisite for
population at one time peculiar, and yield
ing slowly to that spirit Of progress whicl
is now distinguishing feature of the age
He had mind Of rare sagacity, quick il
PERCEPTION, and prompt in execution" +
''Abler men there were in the land Ii
his time, but nobler or more honest citi
zen could not be found. TWAS priucipl
of his nature to do right, regardless of per