Andrew
Calvin Walker,
after attending medical school, appears to have started
his practice in Forkvale in Campbell
County just over the Union
County line. From Nashville, he wrote his uncle,
Isaac
Walker;
Isaac was his oldest living blood uncle on the Walker
side and essentially the patriarch of the clan at Straight
Creek. He writes of his first death as a doctor and
also apparently some money problems. Letter courtesy
Bill Walker, Issac's great grandson. Transcription by
Roma A. Walker. Click any image for a larger version.
Forkvale Tenn
Oct. 7th 1890
Dear Uncle
I write you a few lines this morning as I can
not hear from Claiborne Co. any more[.] I have
been trying to get to come up there for some time,
but it looks like I can't get off soon as the
Typhoid Fever is thick un my Territory which keeps
m[e] busy riding. I lost one cas[e] yesterday
for the first in m[y] life. I have had very good
luck since I came here yet I have lost a few cases[.]
Well in regard to my Note which will be due some
time soon. It looks like I can't collect any for
a while. Yet I aim to try my very best to collect
or have it done. I have tried to sell my horse
to meet that note, but I cant find a buyer it
seems. Now I wan[t] you or Dr. Miller or both
to lift and hold the note ti[l] I can pay it off
which will be as soon as possible[.] how I hate
to have to say this but I have tried to borry
money but it seems like the[re] is no money in
these parts[.] I want you to put in the Gray Note
& Julias Mcbee has some $20. or $25. in notes
of mine if you can get them put them in too[.]
How I hope you will write soon & tell me
all the news of Straight creek[.] what about mother
now how is Billie Walker [Isaac's son] getting
along now. what about the Boys in Mo. So I will
close for this time by say[ing] I will will [sic]
be up as soon as I can get off from my practice.
Yours Truly
