The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-03
A REMARKABLE FAMILY.
\ Wife's Long Affection and Hus-
bands Untiring Devotion.

The Moravian Falls correspondent of
the Statesville Landmark has the fol-
lowing to say of Wilkes county fam
lily: Last week this writer had occa-
sion to visit family near Boomer, this
county, a sketch of which we are sure
would interest the readers OF me
Landmark. The family in question is
that of Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Walker
both of whom have lived to ripe old
age. Mr.. Walker was born August "a.
1915, making him 80 years old the
gath of this month. Mrs. Walker is his
junior by two years and Is days, she
being born August 6, 1871
They were married January %.
1884, and have passed their list year
of married life To this union were
born twelve children, ten of whom
grew to manhood, two dying in in
fancy. Mrs. Walkers health failed
about the year 1870 or IL she finally
taking her bed April 8. 1871, and has
never sat up a day from that date till
now. being confined to her bed over
thirty-four years. About fifteen years
ago her hearing became impaired,
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 eyesignt
to q great extent and can only see
we'll enough now to observe the out
lines 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 aff1iction MI. Walker
never lost interest in his invalid wife.
nor grew weary of administering to
her wants. either night or day, but
was always ready to respond Wnen-
ever his service was needed for her
comfort, and even now during theSe
hot DAYS he will sit by her bed near
VI (
his hands almost fall motionless by
his side. In his younger days, when
Mr.. Walker labored on the farm on
starting to the field he would ask his
wife how long she thought it would
! be till she would need his help for
something. She would tell him some
times an hour, sometimes an hour and
| a half. Whatever the time was he
would leave his work in the field and
i,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 it always
seemed to be pleasure for Mr.. Walk
err to fill the pipe with tobacco. light
it and carry it to her bed, where she
enjoys the smoke to the fullest extent,
after which he would, with the same
good cheer take the pipe empty it Of
its contents and place it away till it
was called for again.
This remarkable couple have thr-
ty-seven grandchildren living, eight
dead; forty-fve great-grandchildren
and four great, great grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are both mem
bers of the Baptist church, the form
er having been member for So years.
the latter sixty-six years. Mr.. Walker
was licensed to preach at about forty,
held his credentials and did local
preaching till the infirmities OF age
compelled him to give up his work,
which he did several years ago. Their
daughter. Mrs. Gibbs, has always lived
with them and has been untring IN
her devotion to her invalid mother.
She remained single for about nifty
six years, becoming the second wife
of Mr.. Thos. Gibbs. one of the fa-
nous Gibbs triplets, about two years
| ago. Since that time NJ Gibbs has
made his home in the Walker family.
A widows effort to get married is