The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-09
MRS. MARY E. WALKER.
A Most Remarkable Woman Died ir
 This City Sunday.

| This City Sunday. Mrs. Mary E. Walker died at the res ldence of her son. Hon. Benjamin W. Walker. in this city, yesterday morn ing at 1 o'clock. She had been a suf- terer for more than ten years, but the illness which proved fatal was of only q few days duration. She retained her mental wGor to the last and those l who were so fortunate as to know and meet her were highly edified In hearing her talk of the past.
 Mrs. Walker was daughter of Gem eral James F. Watson. who was living Tn Milledgeville. Ga. when she was born on the 9th of January. 1924, and she had, therefore passed her Soth tnent in the business, political and so- cial life of Georgia. He moved to Co., | lumbus. in the early youth of Mrs. | Walker and in that city she grew to womanhood. Her education was at the best schools of her home, and several years at famous institution fin Phil adelphia. Her mother was a Miss | Woodward. a sister of General Thos. s. Woodward. well known in the South west during his life as one of the pio- neers in Alabama and as an able man. It will be seen that Mrs. Walkers progenitors on both sides were strong Tn character and intellect.
 Soon after leaving Philadelphia she was married to Benjamin W. Walker Their first home in Alabama was at Mt. Meigs. but the greater part of their married life was spent In Macon Coun- ty, on their plantation. Before she came here with her son to live she had been a frequent visitor to Montgomery and was we'll known and greatly es- ! teemed by all the older citizens. She was a woman of great beauty and the highest accomplishments; she was strong in her character and made her impress upon all who came in con- tact with her. on account of her great store of information and practical learning. She was thoroughly inform ed on nearly every subject and 1t Is said of her that she was ready at all | times to meet those of any profession or in any calling and to discuss with them special subjects in their respec~ l tive spheres, generally coming out ahead in the conversation and surpris- ing them with her wonderful knowI- edge and splendid mind. She was kind and considerate of others; always be- ing in affiuent circumstances. she was. constantly in search of those in need of her bounty and of all worthy cases distributing 1t with lavish hand; she was for the weak against the strong. the humble against the naughty, and made her impress upon the times in which she lived. by her resoiute and noble character. It has often been said of her that hers was n most mas terful mind. and men of prominence and leaders in the professions and in official station have said that she had the greatest mind they had ever seen." Added to her learning she possessed great tact and unerring Judgment. She seemed born to command, and general ly did whatever she undertook and did 1t well.
 Mrs. Walker represented that gener- attion of great Southern womanhood which has made a lasting imprint upon the age in which she lived and set an example that Is well worthy of imita- tion by those who come after her. She was fearless for the right, and yet ladylike and retiring in her manner She could carry her point by the force of her intellect and strong individual ity.
 One instance that is recalled will H. illuminate the real character of the sub ject of this sketch. and go to show how she could sway those who were charged with power and authority When Wilson's raid came through Alabama in 1865. Mrs. Walker, who was then a widow, was living near Cross Keys in Macon County. She had accumulated quite desirable proper | ty, large number of stock. horses, | mules. cows and the like. and when the raiders came, they took all of her stock, along with that of her neigh bors, who were also widows, thrown upon their own resources. As soon | she found that her property had been | taken she started out to see the Gen eral in command to get 1t back. She went on to Tuskegee and missing him l there she went on to Columbus. but missed him there, and she pushed on to Macon Ga, two hundred miles from her home. where she found General | Wilson. and so strongly did she pre- sent her case and that of her neigh hors. that he had the property of her
 self and neighbors delivered to them
 and they were taken back to their
 homes.
 She accomplished what she under
 took and the Federal Commander
 could not resist her eloquence and
 power
 Her life was a long and useful one
 wonderful one in many ways and
 those who fell under its hallowed in-
 nuences feel that they are better Tor
 having known her.
 sbc was an earnest member of the
 Methodist Church. Her only surviv-
 ing relatives are one son, Benjamin w.
 walker. with whom she has lived for
 many years. and his children. two
 grand sons. and one grand daughter.
 children of her son. the late Watson
 Walker, and one neice.
 The funeral services will be conduct
 cd at the home of her son at 80 this
 roorntns. by Revs. Dr. Rice and Stake lIv She will be taken to the family
 hurvinp ground in Macon County at 1
 o'clock and be laid to rest at 3:3O this
 afternoon