The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-04

vavs that certain air and tone Of respect
about Walker as he speaks OF. me ana
the GoyerffOr." that clearly SHOWS now
well the old ianitor knows his position,
and how careful he has been 10 never
step beyond IT. -. b., 80
a travelling encyclopedia of "reminiscences
and the term is by no means hla1i-
piled. When | sought MN out the o'nSi
morning, he was shutting along the cOlIl,
doris bearing some official message an"
in reply TO my query as 70 Whethet ne
had a moment 10 spare, ne salu' 80.
now boss, Use on my way TO dc poae
Office but soon as | gifts back, l VIII oe
please to chat you lie soon returheu,
and together. slipping into one OF the
ante rooms that surround the once Ia,
nous picture gallery, the old man anu
myself had long and pleasant talN' re
told me a number OF incidents tiiae n,sr
C, me under his personal Observation SUI
lis connection with the Capitol Ih'y
were amusing, interesting, and lnstruc-
tive lie was not 10th 10 talk ABOUT iiil,-
self and the following sketch, which
he gave me, was told "A ms quart l. u'S
way. and proved very interesting
AsKErcH OF HIS LIFE.
Walker Howard was born al Culperer
Courthouse, June II. 1873. He was one OF
a family OF ten children, OF ~hom SIN
including himself. are no" living. r.
first belonged to the Hefauoh 4tiiily
OF Fredericksburg. but being part Oi ,ie ~
dowery OF the marriage OF one OF MS
young mistresscs, he came into the pos
session Of MIR Steven French, a NiiBliild
gentleman. who she married, anu VIM
lived in Fauquier county. ,,-...
When the war broke out, walker S mas
Ter was exempted from service. being
constructive. and Of course. the OLD jam
tor who served him In the capacity Oh
body servant, was exempted from service,
and thus escaped being conscrlpte1 anu
In fIffHI AZ f-ky
About the second year Of the war MI.
French and Walker We're living near
Nicksburg, and the former feeling that
his end was approaching. made w alN"r
promise To- bring him back TO virginia
The Old ianitor undertook the journey
and he was two months and four days
I'm making the trip. Eut aiter many
hardships and trials. the TWO tnally
reached the old Dominion in time Tor Mr.
French 10 breathe his last on his nauNe
soil. and surrounded by those he loved.
Walker then went into the commissafy
dapartn ent of the army, and remained
until the surrender OF Lee at Appoina'-
tOx.
His first connection with the Capitol
In an official capacity was as messenger
for Military Governor Pierpont. lie neid
a similar position under PlerPonts SUI
cessor, Military Governor Wells. better
known as Happy Henry Walker cast
his first vote for Gilbert g, Walker, ana
I'm 1870 ne was appointed Janitor or inc
CAPITOL. He served under Governors Wal
ker. Kemper, and Holiday, and when
the Readjusters got IN power. the old
man was put out OF his place. He then
travelled In Mexico and California Tor
two wears. and returned. and was reap
pointed 70 his old position by Governor
Cameron. and according 70 his statement.
has been in Office ever since.
OF course in writing some or the rev
Incidents that the old ianitor told me,
there may be errors and historical ms
takes. but then time and he repeated
telling OF these same incidents has be-
logged Walkers mind. and whatever d.
pardonable.
MRS. GOVERNOR WELLS REMARK.
one of the most amusing occurrences
that ever happened 20 Walker and one
which fenced to show his 10y ,lty 20 ne