The Washington herald., 1911-12-25
'SELF-MADE MAN
TELLS W HY She
WEARS HIS COAT
DR.: Mary Walker Talks to
The Washington Herald.
KEEN FOR PUBLIC GOOD

Thinkers, reasoners, and pf1iloso-
pliers consider clothing for its use first,
and if there is a clinging to fine an
cestral ornaments, with a touch of the
barbaric, we all bow, because we love
ancestors. Numerous old bosom pins
worn by men are often looked at and
sighed over because men wear them no
longer-these heirloom treasures"
HER FIRST FRoCK COAT.
My first frock coat was made to or
der, so that the bottom of the skirt met
or Tapped a little while standing, and
men thought the change a good one
Since then all the fine tailor made frock
coats have been made in that style
Dress is a matter of selection from
what the market affords. Few persons
have any taste or originality, and 1t re-
quires a high order of moral courage to
do differently from the masses"
Thus said DR.. Mary Walker, the only
''self-made man" in America, who yes
terday gave an interview to a reporter
for The Washington Herald at the home
of friends. after an absence of three
years from Washington.
Il served during the civil war as a
surgeon attached to the Union army"
DR.. Walker continued, "and adapted my
self during those troublous times to the
garb of man for the sake of convenience,
comfort, and health.
II had heard men complain of collar
buttons digging into their necks; but not
until I experienced the trouble myself
did I think of a remedy. I called upon
a dealer in mems Wear and suggested a
soft and smooth rubber base for the but
ton and the cloth protection on the band
of the shirt between the button and the
neck. That put an end to the old trouble.
I was so deeply interested in the Ques-
tion because believed that the pressure
of the collar button on the neck might
result in serious brain trouble"
As to Public Affairs.
yes, I still take the keenest interest
in all public affairs" continued DR..
Walker. Last winter I offered a plan
to the New York legislature for break
ing the senatorial deadlock. Later
when Senator O'Gorman was named, I
wrote to him urging the election of
Senators by popular vote.
IF I am devoted to any other thing
as much as to dress form, il is fighting
the inroads of tuberculosis. 1 have al
ways held that diseases can be fought
successfully, and my great ambition is
to establish a sanatorium for it's treat
ment."
DR.. Walker is regarded as one of the
worlds unique women. She lives now
in what might be called retirement at
Oswego, n. Y. She was once the lead
ing topic of discussion when she was
touring the country attired in the con-
ventional garb of man and lecturing
upon the proper dress for women. 1t
has been many years since her name
became famous, and il has also been
many years since she ceased to try to
impress her views upon American fem
ininity.
offered Sacrifice.
Several months ago an advertisement
appeared in various newspapers stating
that a woman would pay a large sum
for right forefinger.
DR.. Walker was one of the first to
answer the advertisement, and she was
the only one who made any vigorous
effort to locate the advertiser and
bring the transaction about. DR.. Walker
was willing to part with her right fore
finger or her whole right hand or her
right arm to gain funds for her pro-
posed sanatorium.
DR.. Mary called at the White House
on Saturday. She was attired in a
mans frock suit. a woman's fur cape,