Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-02-22
DR.. MARY WALKER
DIES AT OSWEGO

Distinguished Woman Civil War Lieu.
tenant Authorized by Congress to
Wear Male Attire and Awarded Con-
gressionai Medal Dead at Bunker
Hill Home.
Washington. Feb. 2e.-Dr. Mary E.
Walker. aged 81 years. died at her
home on Bunker Hill. near Oswego.
last night after a long illness. She was
a surgeon In the civil war; and was
awarded a congressional medal of hon
or. She gained considerable fame by
being the only woman allowed to ap-
pear in male attire by an act of con
gress.
DR.. Mary f. Walker led a pictur-
esque career. Four years were spent
on the battle fields of the civil war
The remainder of hsr active life was
spent in fighting for feminine dress re-
form and wornan's right to political
suffrage, in which movement she was a
pioneer. She frequently claimed to
have been the first American woman to
attempt to cast a ballot in a legal cleo
ton. Her livelihood was earned dur
ing all these years by her private med :
ical practice and by writing.
BY special authorization from the
federal congress DR.. Walker adopted
male attire during the civil war and for
the half century since she had con
tinued to wear II in civil Hfe- 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.
Dr. Walker also was DISTINGUISHED
as the only woman in history who
when held as captive in war. was ex-
changed as a prisoner Of war for a man
Of equal rank in the army of the foe
She was also the first woman to be
regularly enlisted in an army as sur
geon.
Born IN Oswego. n. z, In 1882. Miss
Walker was a graduate doctor with the
degree Of NJ. D. at the age Of %. Be-
ginning practice Immediately she soon
adopted masculine clothes. Her wal
career began at the age of -. Che vol
unteered her services. entering the un
ion army as an assistant surgeon with
the rank Of first lieutenant. She dress
ed like her brother officers. having a
gold stripe running down the trousel
legs, wearing felt hat with gold cord
and an officers overcoat. Her jacket
was cut. like blouse and fitted loosely
at the neck. ~-.'
when I had on my overcoat," DR..
| Walker declared, 81 looked every inch
the man. and am sure acted it."
DR.. Walker never married. Her
proudest possession was the bronze
medal she wore on the bosom Of her
frock coat. On the back was engraved
this legend: Presented by the con-
| gress of the United States to Mary E.
! Walker, A. A. surgeon, q. S. army"
She became celebrated in the United
States and England as lecturer dur
| ing the half century following the civil
war. 49, ~
DO 7 ever have unkind things said to
me-" she once said, echoing an in
reviewers question. "Yes-of course
by ill-bred people. But they are few.
When anyone does say anything un-
pleasant I usually have something to
say in return which makes us quits
Oh, tell you, trousers are a great
, thing"
Altho a pioneer In the woman, o..
| frage movement. DR.. Walker was out
Of sympathy with the methods Of some
of her sister workers.
| women will get suffrage Just az
soon as they stop making fools OF
themselves" she declared recentls
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 >thsy want and
stick to It," "a;