DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — and it's a story worth tellin'. William Martin Walton came into this world on January 17, 1832, born in Mississippi, and from the very start, he seemed to be reachin' for something bigger. He attended the University of Virginia, then studied law in Carrollton, Mississippi, and by 1853 he had set his sights on Austin, Texas.
Now, his very first law partner in that new city was a man named A. J. Hamilton — who would go on to become governor of Texas.
Not a bad person to share an office with when you're just gettin' started. When the Civil War came, Walton enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862, serving in Company B of the 21st Texas Cavalry. He came out of that chapter of his life with the rank of Major, and the name stuck with him the rest of his days.
By 1866 he was elected Texas attorney general — a measure of just how quickly this Mississippi transplant had earned the respect of his adopted state. In the courtroom, Buck Walton was something to behold. He had few peers in land litigation, and he was considered one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the whole state of Texas.
Not one of the better ones — one of the best. Esteemed for his generosity, he was also a well known public speaker, an author, and a civic leader. The kind of man a town builds itself around.
He finally retired in 1907, though retire might be too strong a word — he remained active right up until his death on July 1, 1915, at the age of 83. He is buried here alongside his wife, Lettie Watkins Walton — sixty years of marriage between them — and their four children, and other family members. Sixty years.
Some folks never find a law they can argue their way out of. Turns out Buck Walton wasn't one of them.
What the marker says
(January 17, 1832 - July 1, 1915) Mississippi native William M. "Buck" Walton attended the University of Virginia and studied law in Carrollton, Mississippi. In 1853 he moved to Austin, where his first law partner was A. J. Hamilton, later governor of Texas. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving in Co. B, 21st Texas Cavalry. He was elected Texas attorney general in 1866. In the practice of law he had few peers in land litigation, and was considered one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Texas. Esteemed for his generosity, Major Walton was a well known public speaker, author and civic leader. He retired in 1907 but remained active until his death at age 83. He is buried here with his wife of 60 years, Lettie Watkins Walton, their four children and other family members. (1999)