Walter - James P. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The word was flashed about town early Saturday morning that James P. Walter was dead. The report occasioned such widespread interest that for a time it could hardly be believed, but the truth had been told and one of the city’s best citizens had been called to his reward.

Mr. Walter arose Saturday morning and as was his custom he went down to his barn and did a few chores afterward returning to the house. He stepped into the sitting room and called to his wife saying, “I feel sick.” Mrs. Walter replied that she thought it was because he had had no breakfast, and asked him to sit down on a chair which she pushed to him. Mr. Walter started to sit down, but before he could reach the seat he pitched forward on his face. Mrs. Walter ran out of the house and called for help, and James E. Evans, who happened along, rushed in. Mr. Walter lay as he had fallen and it was plainly evident that he was dying. Dr. Keegan and Dr. Taylor arrived in a few minutes but all that was done was of no avail, and Mr. Walter succumbed about half past seven o’clock. Dr. Keegan pronounced it a case of cerebral apoplexy. Mr. Walter’s two children, Harter, aged nineteen, and Mary, aged thirteen, were not home at the time, being absent in Shelbyville on a visit with relatives. They arrived home Saturday afternoon.

James P. Walter was born in this county on the old homestead four miles out on the Waynetown Road, on Feb. 28, 1848, and is the son of Henry and Susan Walter, the latter of whom survives her son. He remained on the farm until about thirty years ago, when he removed to this city. On November 27, 1882, Mr. Walter was married to Miss Annie Harter, who with the two children survives him.

Upon his removal to this city, Mr. Walter at once became interested in the horse business, which has since been his principal occupation and in which he has been uniformly successful. He was also largely interested in the lumber business, having dealings in this line which are country wide in their extent. In the horse business, however, Mr. Walter was undoubtedly premier of the United States. A man in this city, who is in a position to know the extent of Mr. Walter’s business, says that without a doubt the firm in which Mr. Walter was the senior member had the most extensive exporting business of any firm in the country. Their business in the First National Bank of this city, where Mr. Walter did all of his business, frequently exceeded $40,000 in a single month. The volume of business of this firm is something that but few people in this city was aware of, and it was through the business sagacity, together with the strict honesty and integrity of James P. Walter that it was acquired. His estate, exclusive of his life insurance, is variously estimated from $50,000 to $75,000.

“Jim” Walter’s word was as good as his bond. And there is the secret of the high regard in which he was universally held by everyone with whom he came in contact. He was a man of exceptionally wide acquaintance, his personal and business friends being numbered among the most prominent business men in many states. His business made him business friends, and to know him a short time in a business way was enough to make him a lifelong friend in a personal way.

Mr. Walter was a man who made many benefactions, yet all were in a quiet, unostentatious way, and he together with his wife are more responsible for much happiness in dreary and uncheerful homes in this city than any other couple.

Mr. Walter’s sterling worth and integrity, together with the fact that he was so well known as being a man of public spirit, led to his being elected to the city council from the first ward in the election of 1890, where he served faithfully and well.

His demise will be the occasion of true sorrow among a host of friends who had learned to love him as a typical man among men. His life was one of doing good and living in such a way as was most commendable. He was a member of the Center Presbyterian Church in this city and was one of its most liberal supporters.

Besides his wife and children, Mr. Walter leaves a brother, John, and three sisters, Mrs. Wm Q. O’Neall, Mrs. George Steele and Mrs. George T. Durham. These afflicted ones are the recipients of a profound grief, extended by the entire community. His death is a distinct loss to the city and his place as a citizen is one that can hardly be filled.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 20 June 1902

All that was mortal of James P. Walter was laid at rest Monday afternoon in Oak Hill. This beautiful place contains the earthy part of no greater benefactor than that of Mr. Walter. The funeral occurred at three o’clock at the residence on West Pike Street, a veritable host of friends being present to pay their last respects. The services were conducted by the Rev. Clarence Hall Wilson, pastor of Center Church.