The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-09-12
4 Remarkable Family.


The Moravian Falls correspondent or
the Statesville Landmark has the fol-
lowing to say of a Wilkes County fam
lily: Last week this writer had occas-
ion to visit a family hear Boomer, this
county. a sketch of which we are sure
will interest the readers of the Laud-
mark. The family in question is that
of Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Walker. both OF
whom have lived to a ripe old age.
Mr.. Walker was born August "a, 1912.
making him 80 years old the cath OF
this month. Mrs. Walker Is his junior
by two years and IS days, she peing
born August 6, 1914.
They were married January %, 1884.
and have passed their list year OF
married life. To this union were born
II children. 10 of whom grew to man
hood, two dying in infancy. Mrs.
Walkers health failed about the year
1870 or II. she finally taking her bed
April 8, 1871, and has never sat up a
day from that date till this, being con-
fined to her bed over "a years. About
Is years ago her hearing became i'm
paired, gradually growing worse, and
now it is exceedingly difficult to talk
loud enough to make her understand.
Three or four years ago she lost her
eyesight to a great extent and can IN
ly see well enough now to observe the
outlines Of a person standing near her.
1t has been the talk of the commun-
ity. and is yet, that during these long,
trying years Of affiiction Mr.. Walker
never lost interest in his invalid wife.
-or, - Irn a. 80
hel wants, either night or day, but
was always ready to respond whenever
his service was needed for her COM
fort, and eve now during these hot
days, he will sit by her bed nearly half
a day using a fiy-brush till his hands
almost fall motionless by his side. In
his younger days. when Mr.. Walker
labored on the farm. on starting 20
the field he would ask his wife how
long she thought IL would be till she
would need his help for something.
She would tell him sometimes an hour.
sometimes an hour and a half. What
ever the time was he would leave his
work in the field and be at her bedside
promptly on time ready TO administer
to her needs. Mrs. Walker. like many
OF the older women, Is fond OF her pipe
and 1t always seemed TO be a plea3rre
for Mr.. Walker to fill the pipe with
tobacco, light IL and carry IL TO her
bed. where she enjoys the smoke TO the
fullest extent, afterwhich he wouIi.
with the same good cheer. take the
pipe, empty il of its contents and place
1t away till IL was called for again
This remarkable couple have ~
grandchildren living. eight dead, Is
great grandchildren and four great,
great grandchildren. Mr.. and Mrs
Walker are beth members OF Baptis.
churches, the former having been q
member for Sc years, the latter CO
years. Mr.. Walker was licensed to
preach at about 40, held his creden-
tiais and did local preaching till The
infrmities of age compelled him 10
Civ. up his work. which he did several
years ago. Their daughter, Mrs
Gibbs, has always lived with them and
has oecn untiring in her devotion to
her Invalid mother. She remained
single for about 56 years becoming
the second wife of Nj. Thos. Gibbs.
one Of the famous Gibbs triplets, abcu.
two years ago. Since that time 31r.
Gibbs has made his home In the Wal
ker family.|Lumberton Argus.