Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-12
DEATH or Ex-GOv. WALKER.
a VICTIM or CONSUMPTION.

ne Breashss His Last Ia New Ysrk -Sbesch
Of His rauer-Eany Eduessies-As covers
nor Of visssuis.
(Isy telegraph to the Dispatch.l
NEW YORK, May il.--Ex-Governor
Gilbert c. Walker, Of Virginia, died at
his residence in this city this morning.
He was fifty-two years old, and had
suffered for many years from consump-
ton. AT the time Of his death he was
president Of the Newark City Under
ground Railroad Company. His re-
mains will be taken to-day to Bingham
ton, N. Y, for interment.
sketch Of His Career.
tGilbert Carlton Walker was born
in Bingbamton, New York, August
l, 1882. After receiving good COM
mon school education he entered VIII
liams College. Massachusetts,. He re-
NAMED at that institution year and
then went to Hamilton College, New
York, from which he was graduated in
1854. In September Of the following
year he was admitted to the bar and
commenced the practice Of law at Oswe-
20, Tisgo county, New York. In 1856
be made his first appearance in politics,
standing for the district attorneyship Of
his county, and although be ran several
hundred votes ahead Of his ticket, was
defeated in the general defeat Of the
Democratic party under Fremont. In
1858 he was a member of the Demo-
cratic convention which nominated
Amasa g. Packer for Governor of
New York. In June, 1859, he re-
moved to Chicago, and continued
the practice Of his profession in that
city, and in the spring of 1861 was
nominated by the Democrats and Con-
servatiye Republicans for the position
of corporation counsel of Chicago. He
made a good run, but was defeated,
owing, it is said, to the intense feeling
that had been excited by the firing on
Fort Sumter, which took place a few
days before the election. In 1863 he was
nominated for Judge Of the County and
Surrogate Court Of Cook county and
the city Of Chicago, but declined on the
ground that he was not eligible, as he
hsd not been resident Of the State for
the length Of time provided in the Con-
stitution. In the fall of 1864 Gilbert
c. Walker took up his residence in
Norfolk, Va, and entered upon
the practice of law there, but
in the course Of a few months abandoned
the law and accepted the presidency Of
the National Exchange Bank Of that
city. He took an active part in the
business Of the community, and was
largely interested in the Atlantic
Iron Works and Dock Company of
Norfolk, Of which he was elected
president in 1867. This latter position
and the bank presidency he held until
he was elected Governor Of Virginia.
In 1867 he was the white peoples can
didate for the Constitutional Conven-
ton, but was defeated, owing to the
large negro vote against him.
In 1869 Colonel Robert Z. With
ers was the Conservative candidate for
Governor. Walker had been nomi-
mated for Governor by the Petersburg
Convention Of "True Republicans as
their candidate. ii. ii. Wells was
the regular Republican candidate.
The Withers ticket was With
ers and against the Constitution.
However, the famous Committee Of
Nine having obtained from Grant per-
mission for the voters to vote out the
features Of the Black-and-
Tan Constitution, Withers withdrew,
and though Walker was not officially
endorsed, the Conservative party went
over to him. and he was triumpbantly
elected. Lewis was returned on the
ticket with him as Northumberland.
but was afterwards elected to the
United States Senate, and Hon. John
l.. Marye was elected Lieutenant
Governor in his stead. One of the most
notable acts Of Walkers Legislature
was the passage Of the funding bill of
1871. The same Legislature passed nu-
merous laws carrying into effect the new
Constitution, including the provision
public schools. After his re-
tirement from the gubernatorial chair,
Governor Walker was nominated for
Congress from this district. He was
elected in the following November, and |
served for two terms, being succeeded |
by General Joseph E. Johnston. He
was also for several years president of |
The Granite Insurance Company of this |
city. Upon leaving Virginia he |
went to his old home in Bingham
ton, but subsequently located in
New York city, where he devoted |
himself to the law until his death. Gov
srnor Walker was man of command |
ng appearance, and was strikingly |
and had many warm friends |
here. He served as Governor dur
ng the most trying period of our
history since the war. His administra-
ion was successful one; and as the in
'trument of saving us from the domin-
on Of carpetbagism, Governor Walker
must be held in grateful remembrance by
he people Of the State. Whatever else
nay be said Of his official record land
t has not escaped criticism), he was
Tue to us in the hour Of our sorest
reed. He stood firm when to stand
irm meant something, and on more
han one occasion let the United States
military authorities know that he was