Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-22

bn0utd oS Wode OF WAtkSf Blaine Ire.
tan hes been contained in she selegrsphic
despafches which chronieled his desfh snd
his burial. He vss born ia augusta. Maine,
sa the 9Th Of Nay. 1856, IN the veil knova
hose on Green street where bis mother
alse, vss born II has BEEN long known -
the "oid Stanvood house. and vas bailf n
the close of the last century by Benjsmin
WhitveIl, . we'll known lawyer vho came
histses from BOSTON.
Walkers boy haod vzs spent here almost
continuously until he entered PHILIPPE Aead-
emy II Andover in his fourteenth year.
His great taisnts were early recognized.
lie vas not only proficient IN all his stud
lee 10 school, but vas an exfrsordi-
nary reader, and . writer Of singular ma
tarisy Of expression for his age. In 40
and Q half years be graduated from 40
dover and vas admitted 10 Harvard College
In 1871 He did not At once 90 forward ia
his College coarse, bu. Immediately sailed
for Paris. His design vas u spend gear
In French school 70 learn TO speak the
French language, and While doing il 70
read la French . course of European his
tory.
He sailed quite sione, though barely six
Hes years Of age. He made . tour of
England, ireland and scotIsad, sad crossing
the Channel he reached Paris Al the close
Of The Summer travelling by way Of Brus
seis, the esld Of Waterloo, the valley Of the
Rhine from Cologne TO swsssurs, and thence
direct 10 HE journeys end. In Paris be IA.
un.isr the care. aad for nearly q month tn
personal gusst, Of Ainistsr Wsshburne, for
whom be conceived . strong attachment.
vhlca was cordially reeiproeated- lie re-
turned home In July 1872
The letters he rrote during his years
absence we're remarkably interesting for
BOY His remarks on the CUR. ns politics
Of France In that mott interesting perioi
disclosed . very acute observation sni q
very high intelligence. They ~ere f-aa IN
a small circle OF intimate family friends
Those still living recall them wi.h pleasure
lie remained at Harvard only through
his Fssshmsn year aed hn'sh''; hs
coiieg ate course in three years a. Yale.
graduating in 1915 He maintained 8
respectable but not b gh rank 20 his class.
In fact he was such an Omaissrops render
that he neglected bis studies, especially Ia
the department Of Mathematics Bot he
graduated with a variety Of knosledge ans
With q maturity aud elegance OF style m
writing, seldom surpassed by a yolng nan
Of tsenty one.
His nert t~o years we've spsn, 10 Colum
bia Las School, where h. graduated in
1873. He then spent half year in tfav-
cling on the Pacific coast, 10 Mexico and
through California, Nevada, Oregon aud
Washington, thence TO a most interesting
trip to Alaska. He wrote a valuable and
Interesting sketch OF his Northern tour, for
tho columns Of the New York Tribune
In 1879 he went TO SAINT Paul. iDrending
to engage in the practice Of Law. He EN-
tered the office Of Hon. c X DAVIS, al
present senator from Minnesota, who has a
high appreciation Of Walkers ability. He
foand the climate of Minnesota somewhat
too severe for him. as he vas never of
robust strength.
When his father was appointed Secretary
Of State in 1881. Walker va, appointed his
private secretary. IL happened that he
prepared two or three papers for President
Garfield. who was so much pea'ed With
what he thought their merit that he appoint
ell Walker third Assistant Secretary OF
State only few days before b. was smlt;en
by an assassin. The President had known
Walker from his childhood and from the
first was anxious to signallze his friendship
for him.
Daring the Early months of President
Arthurs administration Walker was sent
TO south America on diplomatic errsud
and spent some seven months IN Peru, Chill
and Bolivia. On his return. in the summer
of 1882, he was appointed by President Ar
thur Assistant Counsel in the CDnr; of Al
ALBANIA Claims tie was employed four
y..r. IN that rn.tttnp ant his H. IA.