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Rich in length of days and filled with honors, the golden harvest of the good deeds done, was the life that ended October 24, 1921, when Eugene Oscar Walker passed on after having completed fourscore years. He was born in Washington County, Ky., January 13, 1842, a son of David Caldwell and Martha Grundy Walker, who emigrated from Virginia before his birth. The Walkers were quite prominent in the early days of the mother commonwealth. The great-grandfather of Comrade Walker was a major in the Revolutionary War, and was present at Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington. The most prized among the Walker relics was an old sword which this officer wore on that memorable October day which marked the end of British dominion in the United States.

Filled with devotion to the South, its institutions and its cause, when the call of that beloved Southland went out to her manhood Eugene Walker answered that call by enlisting in her defense on July 12, 1862, in Company K, 8th Kentucky Cavalry, under Colonel Cluke, in the command of that famous chieftain of the South, Col. John H. Morgan. He was one of four brothers who cast their fortunes and their honor with the standards of the South.

In Morgan's celebrated raid into Ohio Comrade Walker was taken prisoner and spent the remaining eighteen months of the war in Camp Douglas Prison, undergoing hardships the like of which is known only to those who have passed through that ordeal.

Although devoted to his beloved South to the end of his days and ever loyal to he traditions, yet when the inevitable came he accepted the result with that courage and heroism born of Southern manhood, and with Father Ryan, the poet laureate of the South, sang:

"Furl the banner, for 'tis weary,

Round its staff 'tis drooping, dreary;

Furl it, fold it, let it rest."

Returning to his native county, he was on February 27, 1866, united in marriage to Miss Mattie McIlvoy, and took up his residence at Walker Heights, the old family homestead, where he continued to reside until a few years ago, when, because of failing health, he moved to Springfield to make his home.

ALthough childless, Mr. and Mrs. Walker early in their married life adopted Miss Mattie McIlvoy, now Mrs. R. L. Boldrick, and immediately there sprang up that affection between them and this niece which continued to grow throughout the years and in the practical sense amounted to the relation of parent and child.

Doubtless the predominating trait of his character was his generosity; and a few years ago when good health blessed him and his devoted wife, their colonial mansion was the scene of many festive and social gatherings at which he presided with the ease characteristic of the fine Kentucky gentleman. It was a favorite place for the entertainment of both clergymen and laymen. The sunshine of this hospitality not only was to be found on the hilltops among those in high station, but it likewise descended into shadows of the valleys beneath, to brighten the hearthstones of the poor and needy. His guests included not only those prominent in worldly affairs, but "the long-remembered beggar was his guest."

It afforded him a real pleasure to know that he was helping some friend or some person in need of assistance. Withal he was a man of modest and retiring disposition and rather preferred that little be said about his acts of generosity. At all times standing foursquare to every wind that blew, he hated all sham or hypocrisy and abhorred him whose outward acts conceal his in most thoughts.

Comrade Walker was a prominent farmer and stock raiser and took great interest in promoting the live stock industry of the county. For years he was prominently connected with the Washington County Fair Association. In all matters of public interest he was ever to be found on that side which could best promote the general welfare. The work of a life like his does not end with it, but remains as a light for the edification of future generations.

Funeral services were conducted at St. Dominic's with solemn requiem mass, and he was buried in the St. Dominic Cemetery.

By his special request the uniform which he had honored and defended in life served as his burial shroud.