Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Half a century ago DIR. Mary Walk
er, who achieved fame by persisting
Dr. Walker n IN wearing ,gr1 masculine IS Inc
Elected Advance 1;hs1nS . Of the p ss
mime attire, was regarded as more or
less Of stormy petrol" in Wash.
ington. In The Star Of March %,
1877. is the following news account
Of one Of her characteristic adven-
lures:
I'm the. Police Court, Judge Smell.
today Walter r. Baker, doorkeeper
OF the Treasury Department, was
charged with assault on DIR. Mary
d. Walker, who testified that on the
18th instant she went to- the Treasury
to attend to some business with the
Secretary. She walked deliberately
up the steps, passing the doorkeep-
ers. She walked into the anteroom
and commenced writing a letter, when
Baker came in and ordered her to
| citizen of the United States and had
as much right there as anybody.
Baker said he had been ordered to
keep her out and II she did not leave
he would have to put her out. She
caught up her writing and walked
away from him, when he followed her
up and caught hold Of her wrist with
one hand and put his other arm
around her waist, and walked her out
through the door and down the steps.
During this time she called loudly to
the Secretary and others to come and
see how an American citizen was being
treated in a public place. All this
time he held her violently by the
wrists, which panied her very much
indeed She had spoken to no one:
finding she was too late to see the
Secretary, she commenced to write
a note she desired to leave. She
was elected at the southeast door.
She resisted the best she could. She
could not strike him for the reason
that he had his arm around her waist.
She refused to answer whether or not
she struck her assailant with her
parasol or threatened to shoot him.
"Mr. KimbalI. chief Of the Life Saw
ing Service, was called for defense
and was asked what orders he had
been required to make with ref
erence to permitting DIR. Mary Walker
to visit the department. Counsel Of
Government objected and 1t was
ELECTED that the order was issued by
Secretary Morrill,. The court held
that It was OF no use. as 1t did not
affect the present Secretary, and that
no verbal order from a Secretary or
other official could prevent any citi-
zen from visiting the public depart
ments In an orderly manner. No act
Of disorder had been shown against
her. The citizens have a right to go
there and all are equal.
y X X
"Mr. Particle, a special policeman,
testified that DIR. Walker called him a
miserable villain andstalked quite loud:
names. She called out very loudly
that she was a citizen Of the United
States and demanded her rights. Wit
ness reminded DIR. Walker of the
standing order that she was not to
visit that department, and that IL she
would dress like other women she
would be treated as other ladies'.
Counsel for defense claimed no more
force was used by the officer than
was necessary to carry out the in
structions of his superior officer. The
court said there was some doubt that
any such order as alluded to could
be legal, but, in view OF the fact
that complainant behaved somewhat
disorderly, calling the officials hard
names, and struck a watchman-at
this. point DIR. Walker asked to make
a statement In rebutta1, which was
granted. She denied having raised
her voice above her usual tone. but
she simply said in a calm manner that
she claimed her rights as a citizen.
When the Waterman insulted her by
abiding to her mode Of dress It
certainly did rile her, but she man.
aged to keep her temper as best she
could. for 1t was an insult to a lady
to ridicule her dress. and when the
time comes when a pure woman can.
not repel an insult offered. then fare
we'll everything that Is dear in this
country.
X n y \
1.-THE court directed Mr.. Baker to
take the stand and make his state
ment. He detailed what transpired
between himself and DR.. Walker; that
she slipped in while he was too busy
to prevent 1t: as soon as he could
he repaired to the anteroom and told
her that she had gotten into a dread
full scrape, alluding to the standing
order which the doctor knew existed.
and asked her in respectful manner to
so out, when she fatty refused. Dur