The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-05
Gen. Walker Died Of Apo
plexy in Boston Today.
He Was President Of Institute
of Technology.
Had a Remarkable Record as a Sol
der and as An Educator.

A. walker, president OF the MASSACHUSETTS,
Institute OF Technology and widely
known as political economist and liter
eteur, was stricken with apoplexy at his
home, 237 Pelcon street, early this morn-
ing, and died soon sfterward. He was 90
years OF age. He had just returned from
a trip to New York and Baltimore.
Francis Amasa Walker was the second
son of Amasa Wslker, l.. l.. d., one OF
Americas most distinguished writers on
subjects relating to political economy
and science. lie was born at Boston but
his father removed to North Brookfeld,
when he was but three years OF age. he
graduated from Amherst College and
entered the law office OF the men later
known as Judge Devens and Senator
Hoar then in partnership at Worcester.
But when the civil war broke out the
young man forgot al his aspirations In
the profession he had entered and was
made sergeant major OF the 18th Massa-
cu.etts Regiment, which Major De,ens,
his old teacher In law, commanded. This
regiment was recruited at Worcester and
left for the South on Aug. s. 1861. lie
remained in this station but o short time,
for on Sept. IA Of the same year, he was
appointed az assistant adjutant general
of the brigade commanded by General
ID. NJ. Couch.
When General Couch was given COM
mand of division of the Second army
corps, General Walker was made Adju-
tant general, and under Act of Congress,
he was raised to the rank OF lieutenant
colonel on the same staff. In this posi-
tion he served during the battle OF Chan
cellorsville, W here he was wounded. When
General Hanc ock assumed command,
General Walker served with him at Gets
burg. After the battle Of Gettysburg be
was appointed chief OF the corps stan
with the rank CT assistant sojutant gen.
eral. 1t was in this position that General
Walker served with distinction and honor
to himself and corps.
| Gen. Walker was captured while carry
| ing orders to the skirmishers after
| dark. He was taken to Richmond and
| confined In Libby prison until early in
| January, 1865, when he was exchanged.
| But he had suffered SO severely by bis
confinement In this terrible Confederate
| prison, that he was Obliged to resign his
| commission on January II. Upon his re-
tirement from the army General Walker
| returned to his home st North Brookfield,
where be gained his health. He then
taught for two years at the Wilistor
I, Seminary at East Hampton, after which
he accepted a position on Springfield
| paper as an assistant editor, where h'
remained until bo was appointed by Pres
| ident Grant, chief of the bureau o.
ststistics. His faithful service in this posi-
tion served to give him the appointment
of supervisor of the United States census
in 1870. Under his supervision tho cen SUI
OF 1870 enlarged it's scope over that o
previous years and it is said to be one o
the most complete and correct which
has ever been taken.
I In 1871, General Walker was appointed
by the Preside mt as Indian commissions
and he served In that position until 1872
when he was elected professor Of politics
economy and history In the Shehel'
Scientific school at Yale College. He tille'
| the chair in a manner that won a pam
for him as an economist, which va
known throughout the country.
When, in 1850, the government offere
| General Walker the position as supervise
OF the United States census. he resigpe
his professorship, anu accepted the posi-
| ton offered him. As the head OF thi
gigantic work he carried it on In mos
systematic manner and as result, tn
, 10th census was tie most thorough whic
has ever been made in this country
Early In 1881, he was elected PRESIDENT {
the Massac husetts Institute Of Technology
He accepted this position and at ono
threw all mis- energies into the buildin
, up Of this institution. The result OF tn
! mas been most svident in the growth c
, the institution. lie was considered one {
: the most prominent educators in tf
country and this is attested TO by II
, many offers from professors of warrior
3 colleges to become their president, bt
he preferred bis position at Tcchonoiog
J. to any that had teen offered him.
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