File:Russell Wolfe M.D to Judge William Beard Sept. 10, 1959 (7f2e6f4d-dae4-49ff-bc13-e60bb935482b).jpg

White paper with typed black text

Mr. William M. Beard 66 Elm Street Westfield, New Jersey Dear Mr. Beard: I had long suspected that you were the personal donor of the uniform and other monies sent to us in the last five years for the use of Walter W. Williams. I am glad to receive your letter of the 1 September confirming all this. I am not at all surprised to learn that the death of General John Salling has left his family in considerable financial embarrassment. The same thing will be true here on the passing of Walter Williams although only one person, the daughter who is now taking care of him will be chiefly involved. If I ever find a good opening I will pass the information along in the interest of Linda Jean Hawkins, John Salling’s 14 year old great granddaughter. I am familiar with the rather rugged and rather poor surroundings in that part of Virginia. As for your letter and newspaper clipping of September 4, I can only say that this attack on the authenticity of Walter Williams [sic] service and age has not shaken us very much. Paul Harvey and other radio commentators have made some masterful replies and have raised a great question as to the integrity and veracity of the correspondent, Lowell Birdwell. The story got it’s start from a woman some place in Ohio who many years ago was a neighbor of the Williams near Franklin, Texas Even before this story broke we had been receiving corroborating evidence of Walter Williams [sic] Civil War service; several sources were prompted by his impending death. One elderly lady recalls the time when Williams attended the funeral in 1920 of her father who was his comrade in arms. Another oldster remembers talking to Williams at a Civil War reunion when he was a young man. And so on down the line. Governor Daniel of Texas has reaffirmed the authenticity of his pension claim which was settled some 30 years ago. Williams has a daughter who died 7 years ago, she would have been 90 years of age if living today which ties in exactly with his age of 117 years since he was married at the age of 26. He has a living son that is 83 who is the 4th or 5th of his children, although this would be quite phenomenal if he was only 103.

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