The evening times., 1897-01-13
Or. MARY WALKERS WISH
She Would Like to Start a Hos
pital for Consumptiyes.
HAS A CURE ALL HER OWN
The Famous Dress Reformer Chats
Pleasantly With a Times Re-
porter-Takes Great Z ride In the
Medal Voted Her by Congress.
Only Woman Surgeon in the Army.

years a conspicuous figure in the streets
of Washington, but who left the city seven
years ago, is again making a sOjourn here.
Dr. Walker, Ii will be remembered, was
rendered prominent by her stand in the
matter of woman's attire. Many years ago
she declared against the awkward conyen.
tionaIities OF skirts and bonnets, and de-
cided to adopt the more convenient habit or
the sterner sex. And she did.
The business hich has brought DR..
Walker to Washington is an appeal OF her
claim which was refused by the Pension
Office some time ago.
Learning that she was stopping at the
Crosby House, Times reporter called On
her last night. There were other guests
in the parlor when she entered, and after
/. bowing and smiling to the acquaintances
about, stepped toward the reporter with
outstretcbed hand. From the tips of her
weu-polisled boots to the side part in her
short dark hair, she was the same dapper
little being that Washington has known
ever since the war. Even the neat black
trousers and Prince Albert coat, showing
an immaculate shirt front and black tie,
seemed tile identical suit she has worn
through all her long years or ridicule, un-
til today size can pride her small self on be-
ing the only woman in America who can
walk her way in mans attire without ma
terializing mob.
Yes she said. slipping into big
rocker after the guests had drifted in to
dinner, 81 left here seven years ago and re-
turned early Sunday morning. ] expect
to remain some little time, but business
will cali me way, l am sorry to say, be-
fore inauguration
Thinking perhaps she might be tired out
with her days worry over business matters.
and not care to discuss them, the reporter
asked the doctor how her farm was getting
along.
She sat upright with an animation that
expressed itself in spirited rocking OF
er chair.
No Form for BIoOmer Girls.
"somcbody published that story about my
starting q home where girls could wear
bloomers and work out OF doors, but /
never knew thing about il until | read
it in the papers. I do own a small farm near
oSwego, and as the story originated there,
of course it was credited. but there wasn't
a word of truth in itfrom beginning to end.
II really do think though she eontin-
ued, earnestly that it would be a good
idea if the affair were properly managed.
After that story was printed ] received
letters from England, France, Germany,
Austria and Nova Scotia, all written by
young women OF culture and refinement,
who wanted TO come with me so that they
could do agricultural and horticultural
work a nd dress like men.
What am anxious most todo, however,
Is to have some one furnish the means to
start a home and school for consumptives.
There is no physician living who has
had so much experiencein lung and throat
troubles as l. was at deaths door with
tuberculosis and treated myself when l
was so weak I could barely write my
prescription. I was at Providence Hos
pitaI, and people frcm all walks oflife and
denominations called on me, and every
newspaper in the city had my obituary
in type, butI made up m Y mind that had
more work to do in this world, and so
cured myself with methods OF treatment
known only to myself.
II haven't a very long lease Of life, and
1 would he glad TO start hospital and
school. l would devote the rest OF my
days to testing my methods. and leave the
institution all 1 had when l died. If
Congress would pass my 81 GOO BILL"
she continued, with an earnest look at the
reporter, who was looking earnestly at her
in turn, II should Immediately proceed to
ereetthe buildings. The government ought
to have such hospital, anyhow, and il it
would give me my money and let me get to
work, it would be the best Investment Con-
gress has made for many year.
ut is most shabby" she went on, in
response to the reporters hope that Con-
gress would do the fair thing, 1.-The way 1
have been treated-I, who was the most
prominent woman during the war.