The Way it Was

100 years ago

Smallpox in Walker; eight cases reported

There are eight cases of smallpox in Walker. Five in Joe Withrow's family and three in O.P. Kennedy's. They are both under quarantine. Up to the hour of going to press no new cases have developed, and it is hoped that the disease will be speedily stamped out. A proper and thorough quarantine always proves effective. Dr. Ramsey who has charge of the cases in confident that is proper care is taken that this will be the last of the smallpox in Walker, says the Walker Herald.

50 years ago

Last Union Army vet dies today

DULUTH, Minn -- Albert Woolson, last Union Army veteran of the Civil War, died to day and the Grand Army of the Republic died with him. He was 109.

The old drummer boy, who was "scared to death" the first time he fired a cannon, outlived some 2,675,000 of the Boys in Blue.

Woolson died in St. Luke's Hospital where he had been confined several times recently because of lung congestion. Doctors said the congestion was brought on chiefly because of his advanced age.

He lapsed into a coma early Saturday. Since then he had been fed intravenously and had been given oxygen.