W.T. Cardin was County Clerk Clerk for Union
County, Tennessee, who wrote to Andrew
Calvin Walker
asking for his support. Although Andrew was living in
Forkvale
in Campbell County, Forkvale was just across the Union
County border; presumably because he was a physician,
he carried some influence there.
To modern ears, the letter may seem a little strange.
However, in that time period, the very few local government
jobs available were usually reserved for men who were
too disabled to do manual labor. Apparently, Cardin
had originally intended to serve a single term but decided
he wanted a second.
No record remains as to how Andrew replied. Below the
text appears to be a note from Andrew about an examination
of a John Draper, presumably for a pension.
Letter courtesy Robert Emmit Walker. Click any page
for a larger version.
Maynardville Tenn Aug. 13, 1893
Dr. A.C. Walker / Forkvale / Tennessee
Dear Sir:
I contemplate being a candidate for re-election
to the office of County Court Clerk when the time
arrives, and being very desirous to have your
support and influence in the next election I take
the privilege to write you this letter knowing
as I do that you have an influence in that part
of the country that will be felt either one way
as the other.
In the first place I hereby tender you my thanks
for past favors, and what you did for me in my
last race. I will always be grateful to my friends
for what they did for me, should I never get an
other office. I will be a candidate before the
Primary election or what ever the Republican Party
desires. Now Doctor I want your advice in regard
to my being a candidate. It is usless for me to
tell you this is my first term as you know it
alredy [sic] or that I am crippled and unable
to perform manual labor. As to my proficiency
in this work I refer you to any of the busness
men here except
one or two here who are seeking to down me in
order that they my [sic] rise on my down fall.
If you are not obligated to any one I ask you
to help me this time and then I will give way
to some one else.
Any suggestions or any thing you may have to
say on this subject will be gladly accepted by
me. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain
Yours as ever
W.T. Cardin
[Andrew appears to use the bottom of this letter
for notes:]
John Draper
Disease of kidney. Pain & weekness back at
times urin [sic] high colored & scanty at
other times clear & profuse
Pain in frontal part of Head generaly [sic] some
times in back of Head. Eyesight very week sometims
wore than others sometimes become inflamed &c
fullness on catery[?[ &c inactive liver causing
stomach trouble tenders constipation & Piles.
Also Rhumatism [sic] in armes [sic] & ankles
causing weakness &c. Palpitation Heart Pulse
78 sitting 90 standing. Temperature 98 morning.
[continuation apparently of John Draper's report]
I find [unreadable] him now to be afflicted with
Hypertrophy and debilitarion of the Hearts Suffering
with a severe pain that around the heart roaring
in ears and on [unreadable].
He is once[?] very nervous And believe from my
examination that said Applicant's condition is
as bad or worse than it was in 1889 as I have
been aquainted with said application ever since
1889 and talked with him on the subject at different
times &c.
