Salem Democrat
December 9, 1898
Salem, Washington County, Indiana

WILLIAM SANDERS WALKER
Pioneer Gone, Death of William S. Walker,
Who Lived a Century In This County

Wonderful Changes of a Hundred Years.

[The Salem Democrat, December 9, 1898] -

About the time America was mourning the death of its most illustrious citizen, George Washington, and when Napoleon Bonaparte was first consul of France, there was born in this county William S. Walker, who died at his home, near Chestnut Hill last week, lacking but a few months of being 100 years old. At his birth the entire population of this vast country was much less that 6,000,000. John Adams, the second president of the U. S. was at the head of our national affairs and was preparing for war with France. The seat of our general government was at Philadelphia. Only twenty years before his birth the present site of the city of Louisville contained but 13 families. The constitution of the U. S. was but 10 years old and there were but sixteen stars represented on our flag. The whole territory, embracing nearly 1,500,000 square miles and extending from the gulf to the Pacific Ocean belonged to Foreign powers. Every foot of Indiana soil was the property of France and her residents were subjects of Napoleon Bonaparte.

One hundred years ago! What changes have taken place in that time. Then but few white men had touched their feet on the soil of Washington County. One of the tribes of the Algonquins roamed at will over Washington County, which was covered with vast woods and plains abounding with game of every description. Their heaven was a happy hunting ground rich in game, and abounding in fruitful fields and sparkling waters, where the warrior, "after life's fitful fever," spent eternity in the enchanting chase. Now, on every hand we see the lovely farms, the pleasant abodes, the shops, the churches and hundred of evidences of civilization and progress. All these changes were witnessed by the pioneer, William Walker, and he had a large fund of stories about the Indians, and he delighted in chatting with his friends of the days when the red-skins roamed over this section. Deer were plentiful and he was a sure shot. He was a member of the M. E. Church and took a great interest in religious affairs. He was laid away in Conway's graveyard followed to his last resting place by the entire neighborhood.

The Republican Leader
South Boston, Washington County, Indiana
December 9, 1898

WILLIAM SANDERS WALKER, Sr.

Another old pioneer gone. William Sanders Walker died at his home of old age, November 29, 1898. He was born in Virginia January 14, 1804 to William and Jane (Burton) Walker. He moved at an early age with his widowed mother, a brother and 2 sisters to an uncle in Kentucky. He was married at the age of 18 to Miss Louisa Leffler and at age 22 removed to Indiana. He was a faithful member of the Methodist church for 50 years. He was confined to his bed for a long time, but never complained, always greeting his friends and neighbors with a smile and saying that he did not suffer any. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. S. Applegate, after which his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near by.

He & Louisa (who passed away in 1892) were the parents of 11 children. Surviving are Mary Jane (Benjamin) Brim, Thomas Burton Walker (Julia), Nancy E. Walker, Sarah A. (Benjamin) Smith, James H. Walker (Phoebe), Elizabeth B. (James) Williams, William S Walker Jr (Malissa), Martha (W. Randolph) Meadors, Lucinda B. (Richard) Elrod, Benjamin F. (Nancy) Walker. A son Andrew died during the Civil War.