New Britain herald., 1919-02-22
led a Picturesque Career.

Dr. Mary F. Walker led a pic-i turesque career. Four years were spent on the battIefields of the Civil war The remainder of her active life was spent in fighting for fem mine dress reform and woman right to political suffrage. in which move ments she was a pioneer. She re quently claimed to have been the first American woman to attempt 70 cast ballot in a legal election. Her livelihood was earned during all these years by her private medical prac- tce and by writing.
 By special authorization from the federal congress pr. Walker adopted male attire during the Civil war and for the half century since she had continued to wear it in civil life the only woman in the country who ever had her rights in this respect prescribed by the national legislators. She wore a black frock coat, trousers and a high silk hat and carried a cane.
 Was Prisoner of War.
 Dr. Walker also was distinguished as the only woman in history, who, when held as a captive in war was exchanged as 8 prisoner of war for man of equal rank in the army of the foe. She was also the first wo- man to be regularly enlisted in an army as a surgeon.
 Born in OswegO, N. Y, in 1882, Miss Walker was a graduate doctor with the degree of M. D. at the age of 23. Beginning practice immediate ly she soon adopted masculine clothes Her war career began at the age of 29. She volunteered her services, en- tering the Union army as an assistant surgeon with the rank of first lieu tenant She dressed like her brother officers having a gold stripe running down the trouser legs, wearing a felt hat with gold cord and an officers Overcoat. Her jacket was cut like a blouse and fitted loosely at the neck When I had on my overcoat," Dr. Walker declared, tT looked every inch the man, and I am sure I acted it."
 Prized Medal Highly.
 pr. Walker never married Her prOudest possession was the bronze medal she wore on the bosom of her frock coat. On the back was en- graved this legend: 'Presented by the Congress Of the United States to Mary F. Walker, A. A. Surgeon, U. s. Army"
 She became celebrated in the United States and England as a lec- turer during the half century follow ing the Civil war.
 Do I ever have unkind things said to me?" she once said, echoing an r interviewer's question. Yes, - of course-by ill-bred people. But they are few When anyone does say any thing unpleasant I usually have some thing to say in return which makes 1 us quits. Oh. tell you, trousers are 1 a great thing"
 Was Frequently Arrested. Occasionally, a policeman failing 1 to recognize the little, gray haired woman, placed her under arrest. l This recently happened in Chicago. l Showing the documents which gave l her the right to wear masculine at l tire she was released. Her only re- mark regarding the guardian of the ! law was :
 He's an old idiot" Although 9 pioneer in the woman ! suffrage movement, pr. Walker was ! out of sympathy with the methods ot | some of her sister workers. "Women will get suffrage just as soon as they stop making fools of l themselves" she declared recently with considerable vigor. '"They've got ] to stop talking so much and do some work These everlasting amendments will never get them their rights. They want to state what they want and l stick to it.