Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-13
Comma dcr-in-Chfef Walker.

of applause. The motion prevailed, with a
hurricane of cheers. When order was at
length restored, Commander Lawler formal
ly declared Col. Walker elected. He direct
ed some Comrades to escort the new COM
mander to the platform, which was done
midst enthusiastic shouts and cheers OF the
old veterans on all sides.
Col. Walker, in thanking the comrades,
said that he deeply felt the high compli-
ment which they had bestowed upon him in
electing him to the highest office within
their gift. He felt almost oppressed at the
thought of succeeding such a long line of
able men who had filled the office. He
would, however, devote his entire energies
to performing his duties.
In the contest for senior vice commander
both the candidates were from kentucky.
They were Gen. E. H. Hobson AMI Michael
Minyon, Gen. Hobson being elected. c. E.
Cosgrove of Washington was elected vice
comma nder over ]. o. Gregg of Montana.
Greetings of the Ladies of the Grand Army
Of the Republic were then read.
Adjourned till o'clock today.
Before the business session Commander
LAWYER said he took great pleasure In in
Producing James Whitcomb Riley. the
hocSier poet. Mr.. Riley then read an orig
inal poem.
Following this Commander Lawler said
the comrades had decided to honor Past
Commander-in-chief Gen. John Palmer of
Albany, N. Y, by presenting him with a
token of their regard for the faithful per-
Torrance of his duty while he was COM
mander.
Judge Cochran would formally present
the token-a solid silver tea set. Judge
Cochran spoke briefly and to the point. He
was sure the boys could not have presented
the gift to any one more deserving of it.
Gen. Palmer spoke feclingly:
Il can scarcely find words to express my
gratitude to you, my comrades" he said.
Il shall always keep 1t and shall always
cherish it as the most precious Of all my
possessions"
I'll
gram was the presentation of a gavel made
of gold. silver and copper and studded with
diamonds, rubies and sapphires. to Com
mander-in-Chief Lawler. 1t was presented
him by Senior Vice Commander O'Leary
of Montana. in behalf of the Montana di-
vision. 1t was given because Gen. Lawler
was the first commander-in-chief who ever
visited the Montana posts.
AS soon as the preliminary program was
over Commander Lawler directed all per-
sons not members OF the Grand Army to
withdraw from the hall, as 1t was to be a
secret meeting. When all such had gone
out Gen. Lawler directed the Rev. T. H.
Haggerty, the national chaplain of St
Louis, to invoke the blessing of the Deity.
Col. Walkers Record.
Col. I. N. Walker. commander-in-chief of
the G. A. R., was born in Indianapolis in
1872. With the seventy-third Indiana vol
rnteers, he took part in the battles of Per
ryville and Stone river. He was promoted
from captain to major; was assigned to
the position of lieutenant colonel at the
battle of Stone river. and afterward re-
ceived commission from Governor Nor
ton. At the battle of Blount's plantations,
near Gadsden, Ala, Col. Hathaway was
killed, and Col Walker assumed command.
The regiment was compelled to surrender.
The officers were sent to Libbey prison.
Col. Walker. with Gen. A. l.. Streight and
twenty-four others. in February, 1864, tun-
neled their way out from the prison pen to
liberty. Col Walker was recaptured four
days later and returned to the prison,
where he remained until exchanged in the
following May. He returned to his regi-
ment and remained until bad health from
exposure compelled his resignation. He
was a volunteer aid on the staff of Gen.
Wilson during the battle of Nashville. He
lived at Nashville several years after the
war. and moved to Indianapolis. For near
ly ten years he was assistant deputy in
the office of the auditor of March county.
He was a candidate for auditor of the state
in 1890 on the republican ticket, which was
defeated. Governor Hovey in 1891 appoint
ed him state tax commissioner. and he still
holds the office. In 1893 Col Walker was
elected vice commander of the G. A. r.