The Washington herald., 1907-09-17

Cape Meddck, Ne. Sept 16.-Rear Ad-
miral John Grimes Walker. United States
Navy. retired, died here this morning.
relatives and friends by way of Ports
mouth, n H., which is fourteen miles
southwest Of this place.
Rear Admiral Walker viii best be
known for his services IN behalf Of the
Panama Canal. He devoted exhaustive
study TO the entire canal project and
was said to be more familiar with the
subject Of the Isthmian Canal than any
other American. President Mckinley sin
gled him out as the one best fitted TO act
as chairman Of the Isthmian Canal Com
mission, appointed in 1897.
First Favored Nicaragua Route.
At that time he made report favoring
the Nicaragua route. With the aDDOint-
ment Of new commission in 1899. Walker
was again made the chairman, and again
he reported for the Nicaragua route.
/ Then the French company offered all its
works. buildings. and rights in the 18th
mus Of Papama for 100000, and on the
passage Of the SpOoner act providing for
a further report from the same commission
Rear Admiral Walker reported In favor Of
the Panama route. HIS salary as chair
man Of the Canal Cc.umission was 1890
Il month. He also played a large part in
helping to build up the magnificent fleet
Of war vessels which now fly the colors Of
the United States.
Admiral Walker was born IN New
Hampshire on March %. 1885. He was of
i!iustrious ancestry. One Of his ancestors
helped defend the town Of Londonderry In
the Irish rebellion. and another was a
lieutenant IN the Continental army. His
uncle was Gov. Grimes. Of Iowa.
Entered the Navy in 1850.
Admiral Walker began his navaI ca
reer in 1850. when he graduated from the
Naval Academy al the head Of his class,
and was appointed a uliishipman. He
was a lieutenant when the civil war be-
gan, ana did bis first fighting on board
the gunboat Winona taking part in the
/ passage Of Forts Jackson and st. Philip.
and In the operations around Vicks5urg.
where DE particularly distinguished him
self On July j. 1852. he was commits
SlHitrI lieutenant ttIillliLlkDE.
After having been advanced 20 this
rank his first charge was the old iron
clad Baron de KaIb. and IL was not long
before ne earned an enduring name for
himself His superiors were fighting ad-
miTals Of the old school Admiral Porter
soon placed much dependence on him.
At Haines Bluff. Arkansas Post. and IN
the Yazoo River he showed that he was
a fearless and energetic officer.
In spirited engagement at Yazo0 City.
in which the enemy was defeated. the
De Kalb was blown up by a sunken tor
pedo, but although without a ship Walker
determined that he could fight Just as
well II his sUperi0rs would give him a
command. He was promptly put in
charge Of the naval battery Of the Flf-
teenth Army Corps. and his aid was
( largely instrumental in bringing about
the surrender Of Vicksburg Later Ad-
hmiral Porter took Walker with him when
ne assumed command Of the Atlantic
coast.
Commanded the Old Saeo.
Admiral Walkers first command on this
coaS was the Saco. His next was the
Shawmut. on which he participated in
the capture Of Wilmington, y. c. After
that he was employed in the coast block
aiding squadron.
Walker said an officer once, who had
served under him, was the only man who
invariably did just what was right al tile
right time. I never even heard The excel
lence Of his judgment called into question
flor a moment. His intuition was simply
wonderful. and he backed II with an
amount OF professional skill that was IN
excelled by any officer in the service"
In 1886 Walker was promoted 10 full
command, and for three years after the
war was detailed 10 the Naval Academy.
He was appointed chief OF the Bureau of
Navigation In 1881. and served as such for
eight years. On October !. ISS9. he was
appointed rear admiral and the squadron
of evolution, which had been recently built
and organized, was placed under his com
mand. He commanded the famous Eu-
ropean cruise Of the squadron in the fol-
lowing year. and it was said at one time
that he might be put in charge OF the
entire naval forces of the United States.