The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-22
DYINGWHEN MARRIED
John 7, Walker and Katherine
kirkpatrick Made Hus.
band and Wife.
BRIDE SAIURDAY;WIDOWfO DAY
the Well known shoe Man when In
business Adversity. his Purpose
was TO Make Uer III. Heir.


Like a page from fiction is the story
which tells how Mrs. John Il. Walker. nee
Fitzpatrick, came into the possession of
after being welded thirty hours. The
story has for It's foundation a simple act
OF kindnesB Gnd that act brought for Miss
Katherine Kirkpatrick return which
proves that truth lie stranger than hctlon.
Back about 1865 John L, Walker came
here from Baltimore poor man. he was
alone and having to provide for himself
he looked about the city for some means
OF support. His efforts were successful
finally and Mr.. Walker engaged with
Daniel McCusker the west Second street
shoe maker and dealer until he had mas
tered the humble vocation ola cobblsr.
The Young mans advantages were
meagre, and IL was with great difficulty
that he managed to save little money
for the future. Yet he did. and when he
had accumulated quite a snug sum he
launched out into the world for himself,
and here the story begins. Having some
experience as q dealer Mi. Walker rented
the building No. 10 East Thlri street and
opened a fret GLASS shoe store. But the
building In those years was not the one II
10 to day.
1t was then two story dwelling con-
Btructed according to those times and In
it the venturesome merchant Invested his
las. dollar. At first the business fiourlshed
DeyOuu uub buutC Chiuo u tlttlo
when dullpess prevailed. During for.
mer years Mr.. Walker haG met and formed
the acquaintance OF Katherine kirkpatrick
but 1t was not generally known that they
were lovers. although he paid her the at
tention consistent with the acquaintance.
And when thel depression la business came
Katherine proved herself a friend not
only in time of prosperity but in need, and
when Mr.. Walker was about to fail utter
iy she came to his assistance by the loan.
ing OF $3.50. with which amount he settled
all his troubles aud began business anew.
In the meantime eight years had PASS
ed, the shoe business iiourished more than
eveHye Mr.. Walker and Miss kirkpatrick
remained single.
OF course everybody knew Of the cou.
pies relation and wondered why they did
not marry, there were plenty oil excuses,
but the most probable one was that which
came from the friends OF Mr.. Walker, who
had known him before coming here, and 1t
was that he had wife living In Baltimore
and they were not divorced. Whether or
NOT this ia true no one to-day knew, but
several old citizens. who were personally
| acquainted with the shoe dealer, recol.
! looted the report as circulated In those
| days. However, the marriage took place,
but the relation of the couple appeared to
he the same.
Year after year passed and the business
grew until II demanded larger quarters.
| The little structure, cramped by increas-
ing trade. was demolished and a large
new building erected and from that day
until now Mr.. Walker was regarded as the
most successful chloe merchant In Will
minRton. Whether or not Niles Kirkpat.
rick assisted him 10 not known, but II Ia
known that the proprietor continued his
attentions upon the woman who had as.
sisted him at time when business pros.
pecie were far from encouraging.
Matters progressed smoothly until sew
eral months ago. when MIR. Walker was
stricken with q serious illness. lie was
confined to his home and among the al
most daily visitors was the woman he
had loved Tor yeare, yet for reason only
known to himself had never married. His
illness, when 1t became known to the
patient was incurable. caused him to con
slider his relation with Miss KlrkDatrlck,
and he finally determined to make her hie
wife and sole heir. the former for the love
he had for her, and the latter for the con
s!deralion she had shown him In business
relations.
This determination was reached after
thirty years, rather long courtship, ant
OF 1t Rev. John ID. 9. Hanna OF Unior
Church was informed on Saturday. He
went to tho home OF Mr.. Walker. which II
at No. POI EnsL Third street. and fonD(
him In dying condition, yet conscious o.
his physical condition and OF the las
earthly act he would ever be a party to-
The pastor was at first opposed to oillel-
atiug, but after becoming convinced ina
the man was In a proper state OF mind L
give consent to the marriage. he decided
to act. Witnesses were secured. ROber
G. Fraim Eeing among them, and together
the ereNved bridal party entered the
death chamber.
Miss kirkpatrick stood by the bedAid
and clRsped the hand of the dying maj
and when no WAS asked the usual ques
tons, gave satisfactory answers. Alls
Kirkpatr cks ans wers were also satisiac
tory and they were then made HUSBAND
and wife
Mrs. Walker remained with her hushan
during tho night. and until his death
which occurred ut 5 o'clock thls IN oruinG
Although bride of but 50 hours sh
coInes into possession of tho estate @
Mr.. Walker. which was his Intention an
which he had said upon taking her to /
bis wife
The only relatives MIR. Walker leaves ar
q brother and half sister, who reside nei
Baltimore, and there 10 already talk of
contest of the will on the ground TN
Mr.. Walker was not In proper state {
mind when he consented to the marrlnR
John L. Walker was 63 years OF age an
Mrs. Walker is - years his junior. =
arrangement has yet boon made for tt
funeral
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