Friday’s Charlotte News had the following about the death of Morley Kilpatrick, formerly a resident of this county:
Morley Kilpatrick is dead, and to whatever heaven goes the souls of much-loved men went up Friday the tear-laden farewells of those who knew him.
Life was harsh to Morley Kilpatrick. His potion was a twisted body, constant pain and a death of agony. Even the balm of unconsciousness was denied him. Above it all, like the golden tinge of a sunset cloud, was his spirit of cheer. Scores of people gathered Thursday night at his home, at 415 Rozelle Ferry Road, and wept.
A heritage of his mother, typical o
f the unkindness of the fate which was his, was her collapse at the moment of his death Thursday morning. She was expected momentarily to follow him.
Kilpatrick, keeper of a refreshment stand just west of Irwin’s Creek, on West Trade Street, was one of those rare unfortunates who laughed at his misfortunes and drew friendships by the overflowing cheer of his spirit.
School children stopped to spend their pennies and confined their small troubles in him. Stalwart policemen thought it no injury to their dignity to stop in his humble establishment. Business people in that section looked upon “Morley’s Place” as a sort of refreshment and social headquarters.
Kilpatrick was deprived of strength and normal activities from extreme youth by infantile paralysis. He reached his 27th year, however, before succumbing to his discouraging burdens.
Mrs. J.H. Taylor, a neighbor, told the story of his death. “He was stricken with acute indigestion at his place of business at 9 o’clock Wednesday night,” she said. “He managed to get home some way, and he suffered torture until 8 o’clock Thursday morning, when he died. The doctors could give him but little relief. The moment he stopped breathing, his mother collapsed and since has been in a critical condition. She was stricken with paralysis.”
The funeral was held at the Kilpatrick home Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and the body was taken to the family burying ground near Concord. Rev. T. L. Cashwell, pastor of Durham Memorial Baptist Church, was in charge of the services.
The funeral procession moved slowly down West Trade Street and passed a humble streetside refreshment stand. It was closed. In it’s door a breeze gently stirred a streamer of crepe. The mourners turned their heads away.
The demonstration of grief was probably more than Morley Kilpatrick ever dreamed of. He had lived in obscurity and knew himself to be but a broken cog in the great scheme of things. That, overnight, he should stand out publicly as a valued citizen in his sphere and should be accorded the tribute of public sorrow probably never occurred to him.
His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Kilpatrick, formerly of Cabarrus county, survive him. His brothers and sisters are Roy and Grady Kilpatrick of concord, Mrs. Bertha Duncan of Concord, Miss Pearl Summerlin of Rutherfordton, Mrs. Hallie Miller and Aubert, Ruby and W. D. Kilpatrick of Charlotte.
From page 5 of the Brevard News, Saturday, Sept. 18, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92074063/1926-09-16/ed-1/seq-5/
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