The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-19
%PHlLANTHROPIST DEAD.
Mr.. JAMES WALKER PASSED AWAY YES
TERDAY AFTERNOON AT 8 O0CL0CK.
He Was the Donor of the
Funds to Build the New City Hospi-
tai at a Cost OF $4,000 or More-The
Funeral to Take Place this Afternoon
at 4 O'clock.


been confined to his home. 1902 Market
street. with heart trouble, aggravated
by an attack Of the grippe. The peo-
pie Of Wilmington earnestly hoped that
he would survive his illness, but for
the pas few days it was foreseen that
the end was approaching. Yesterday
afternoon about 3 o'clock he passed
away and though his death was not
a surprise TO those who knew of his
condition. the sad tidings caused uni
versal pain throughout the city.
Mr.. Walker was about IS years Of
e n was a native of Scotland. He
came to America when he was II years
of and for a while resided at the
north and engaged in business as An
architect n builder. In the fifties
his first work was on the capitol build
ing at Washington. D. c.. and he also
had something to do with the con-
struction Of other government build
ings in that city. Being known in gov
eminent circles he was sent to VII
mington in 1857 to erect h United
States marine hospital and he has since
made his home in this city. Up to ten
years ago he did a large business DIS
an architect and builder and contractor
and erected many of the most notable
buildings in our city. He was the ar
chitect and builder of the First Pres
byterian church and of the handsome
brick residence of the late Captain d.
R.. Murchison, on the southeast corner
Third and Ann streets. He also super
vised the construction of the Orion and
the Y. NJ. c. a. building, for a part Of
the time was supervising architect Of
the construction of our handsome
b~rownstone postoffice building, and was
the contractor and builder of the spen-
did four-story building Of the F.
Rheinstein Dry Goods Company on
Front street. He constructed many pri-
vate residences in the city. He also
built the splendid state hospital for
structure as we'll as others is a monl-
ment to his ability as an architect and
his skill as a builder.
The browning work of Mr.. Walkers
life however. is the James Walker
Memorial hospital of Wilmington.
Something more than a year ago., Mr..
Walker, who had always lived a quiet,
unoStentatiou life, surprised the peo-
pie of Wilmington by notifying a num-
Der of our physicians that it was his
earnest desire to donate funds for the
erection of a handsome city hospital
at a cost of $4,000 or more. After
comforting with the physicians and
prominent citizens and his proposition
had been accepted by the city and
county authorities he made the bequest
for the hospital, the only condition ne
asked being that the city and county
would guarantee to appropriate suffi-
cient funds annually to adequately
provide for such a hospital as he pro-
posed to erect. He also wished to have
the management of the hospital SO ar
ranged hat it would never enter into
politics. hence the adoption of the plan
under which the members of the board
of managers were recently appointed.
The board of aldermen and the board
of county commissioners having given
Mr.. Walker all the guarantee he re-
CURED, he began the erection of the
hospital early last year at his WI ex-
pense. for the purchase of all material
and the payment of the labor. He has
also carefully and patiently supervised
the construction of the building, and
under his guiding hand it is now near
ing completion. But a little while 1t
would have been ready for use, and it
is a peculiarly sad incident of his death
that he did not live long enough to see
his noble philanthropy in full operation.
1t is not known exactly what the hos
pital has cost Mr.. Walker, but his own
estimate was that it might cost $780,
900 or more
The new hospital is indeed a memo
rial to this benevolent and kindly man
who now lays down his life work to en-
ter into rest. His generosity\and bene-
faction will cause the people Of Will
mington to cherish his memory and
future generations will be raised UP TO
pronounce his name blessed. In his
quiet way he has ever been liberal and
charitable and no n but himself ever
knew of the many generous deeds he
did r nm s11Ycf - tin~ af h,c l;hn~o1,
ty, it is recalled that after he built the
First Presbyterian church he knocked
OFF the interest on a note for a large
amount when settlement was made.
The deceased never married and had
no relatives here. He lac a brother
who resided at Washington, but we are
informed that he died a few years ago.
and left a daughter, who - far as is
known, is his nearest relative in this
country. He has been a member for
many years Of Cape Fear Lodge No.
2. /. O.. O.. F., Of this city, and during
his illness members of that lodge, we'll
as other friends. a given him atten-
ton. They also watched over the re-
mains last night. and the lodge will at
tend the funeral this afternoon.
CFrom Daily Messenger, March ID
h obseQuies of the lamented Mr..
James Walker. founder of the Walker
Memorial Hospital, who passed away
at 8 o'clock on Friday afternoon. took
place yesterday afternoon at the late
home Of the deceased. 1902 Market
street. The Rev. DR.. ]. NJ. Wells, pas
tor of the First PRESBYTERIAN church,
conducted the services. and there was
In attendance a large number of prom
inent citizens, including the members
0 the board Of managers OF the hos
pital in q body. The board OF county
commissioner was also represented.
During the services the casket rested
In the hall and upon 1t laid a very
handsome floral design. sent by the
Wilmington Iron Works Many pass
ed by the casket and took a farewell
look at the face OF the generous Donor
or our handsome new hospital, and az
ter Scriptural readings the remains
We're borne away to Oakdale cemetery,
followed by a long cortcge Of carriages.
The services e concluded at the
grave. n as a mark of respect to the