The Washington times., 1925-12-07
Poison of Old Wound
Ends " VET Wy,n's
Pension Fight
By JIM RING

Walter Wynn today was led into
q land where no one is forgotten
not even the men who give their
country everything = their eyes,
their limbs, their strength. as Wal
ter did. The broken, tortured shell
that, until o'clock this morning,
housed the unconquerable spirit Of
the little warrior. lay covered by
. sheet in a bed room at 21s Third
street northwest.
And upon Capitol Hill, the gavels
pounded and the chaplains prayed
SIS the Representatives of the people
the nation to do the viii OF the
millions.
To these men. Walter Wynn,
who had served his country only
too well, was to have addressed his
plea for q square deal today. He
S was to have told them how the
blow of an artillery gun against
his knee, during his army service
in the Philippine Island In 1915,
had made a poison that coursed
through his body, binding him and
causing the amputation OF both
legs.
His Joke Of Pension.
He was to have told them that.
as a reminder that the people of
the nation appreciated his sacrifice,
he was receiving So a month for
his support. And then he would
ask for more than a cruel joke of
a pension.
But the kindly hand Of death had
interviewed before most of the peo-
pies representatives had arisen.
And as the important and well-fed
the friendly few who had helped
Wynn through his last years were
whispering over the arrangements
for the funeral
Tomorrow-tomorr I'll show
them" Wynn was murmuring yes
terday to his friend, Timothy O.
Mcdowell. The harder they throw
you down the higher you bounce. .
AS the twilight came Mcdowell
noticed that his comrade had lapsed
into silence-a strange silence.
Claimed by Old Poison
He attempted to arouse the little
fighter. but was unable to do so.
Mcdowell then notified Doctor Craig
of Georgetown University Hospital,
who had been attending Wynn.
He may not last through the
night" said the physician after an
examination. 'IIs the old poison
at work
The deadly virus within 'wynn's
body, that had thwarted him of a
chance to live and love, was in
deed Eat work
sat at the bedside of the dying
man, a smile of victory flickered IN
the lips of Walter Wynn.
The hour of three drew near
the darkest hour-the hour when
another man, neglected and despis-
ed, had given his life that love
and charity might come into the
hearts of the world.
And as the striking of the clock
died upon the quiet air of that aw.
full hour, the spirit OF Walter Wynn
passed out of its shattered shell.
Timothy Mcdowell sighed and
covered the face of dead. Then
he tiptoed out of the room.
Will Rest In Arlington
Requiem mass for the repose OF
the soul OF Walter Wynn will he
said by the Reverend Francis J
Hurney, department chaplain of ti,t
American Legion, at Q O'Clock. We'd
nesday morning at st. Patrick's
Church.
luIGFHlEDL VIII De al AfIlnRlOT
National Cemetery. The burial viii
be accompanied by military honors
Members of the service men where
Wynn lived through his last years
will act as pallbearers.
Wynn was thirty-three years old
On July Is, 1914. he enlisted fol
a term of seven years in the lrrny
The accident which disabled hin
occurred the following year, and or
May 6, 1916. he was discharged be
cause of his injuries.
When Wynn left the hospital a
San Francisco, he had only on,
object in view-to come to Wash
ington, where he might presen
his case to the high minded head
Of the nation. and obtain relief
Mcdowell accompanied him.
For years, Wynn lived In oh
security here, unattended save b.
Mcdowell, unable to earn a livinl
of any kind, utterly helpless.
Eventually his case reached tn
public, and hearts and pocketbOok
were opened to the blind, legIes
veteran.
= But Wynn was anxious to ge
= his case before Congress.
On March 4 last, he went to tn
Capitol to "see" Vice Presiden
s. Dawes sworn in.
Ne was waiting In the office Q