The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-07

Remains VIII Reach Wilmington
Monday Morning. y f.s;tsrl
A telegram received by MrSJames
Sprunt/ on YESTERDAY mornhgS from
Baltimore brought the sad and unex-
pected tidings nat Colonel Kenneth
M. M%urchison, one of the most prom
inent and widely knewn citizens of
Wilmington, was dead, az 80
The news was a great shock to the
whole community, Colonel Murchison
only a few days ago being on the
streets of Wilmington, well and
hearty. He passed away at the home
of his so~n-in-law, Mr.. Shirley Car
ter, In Baltimore. His wife and his
daughter, Mrs. Carter, were with him
when the end came. <f.5.
The following telegram was re-
ceived from Mr. Shirley Garter last
night:
Mr.. Murchison was engaged in
conversation with Mr. and Mrs.
Shirley Carter and Mrs. Murchison
up to about 10 o'clock. Was appar-
emily il perfect health. He retired
to Wis DON at that hour and in ff-
teen minutes was taken with evere
pain in his heart. He remarked to
his wife that he had never before
suffered with such pain. He almost
Immediately relapsed into nco
seriousness and expired in fifteen min
utes from the time of the beginning
of the attack. His end was peaceful
and apparently without pain"
Colonel Murchison had suf-
fered from heart trouble, and in fact
he had always had excellent health.
He always spent the summer months
in the north, and left here Monday
night for Baltimore. When he left
Wilmington he Was In fine spirits and
was APPARENTLY In perfect health. Let
tiers written by him on Friday were
received in Wilmington yesterday.
The first news of Colonel 'Murchi-
sons death cache the city early yes
iterday morning and in a short time
1T had become known all over the
city to the great regret of all.
The Murchison National Bank and
The Orion Hotel were draped in
mourning in respect to his memory.
Colonel Kenneth Mckenzie Muir
Gibson was born at Manchester, N.
c., in February, 1881, and was con-
~seQuently 73 years of age. He was
the second son of the. late Duncan
Murchison, a prominent and wealthy
business man of Cumberland county.
His early life was spent in Fayette-
Vile, where he received his prepara-
tory education and then went to the
University of North Carolina. from
which institution ne graduated in
1853. Mr.. David G. Worth, who died
- fnuy noO xIrn ~ hnr of
the class of '53 and was the room
mate of Colonel Murchison during
their term in college,. These men up
to the time of. Mi. .Worth's death
we're devoted friends, and there was
a striking resemblance in their per-
Sonal characteristics.
Soon after leaving college Colonel
Murchison married Miss Kate Will
liams, daughter of the Late Joel Will
liamS, of Cumberland county They
moved to Wilmington soon after their
marriage and lived here about a
year, when they moved to New YORK,
where Colonel Murchison engaged in
the mercantile business until the
spring of 1861, when he returned
south to enter the Confederate SER
vice
He entered service as a captain in
Shaw's Eighth North Carolina regi-
ment, butSwas absent on special duty
"IIcI GIAdl was Gu O.
Roanoke Island. He then raised a
company and was soon afterwards
promoted to colonel of the Fifty
fourth North Carolina Infantry,
Hoke's Brigade. He look a promi-
nent part in the battle of Fredericks-
burg, having led the charge across
the railroad and won a splendid vic
tory for the Confederates. On July
18th. 1863, he was especially entrust-
ed by General Lee with a responsible
position at the battle of Williams
port He received honorable men
ton seven times in the official records
of The Confederate and Union armies.
published at Washington. He was d
brave and faithful soldier. and his re-
ports to General Hoke were charac-
teriStie of his modesty and superior
Intelligence. He served from h be-
ginning of the war unit he was cap
tured, towards the end. m impris-
oned on Johnson's Island.
After the war he returned to New
York and again engaged in the mer-
cantiies business, the New York firm
being Murchison and Company; that
at Wilmington, Williams and Murchi-
son, "a at Fayetteville, ]. d. Will
Hams and Company These three
firms did an enormous business and
remained united for about twenty
years, until the death of two mem
DerS Of lHe HILuS, SoLouel JUN
Williams, of Fayetteville, and Mr.
George w. Williams. of Wilmington
After the death of these gentlemen
Colonel Murchison continued to con
duct his business in New York undel
the same firm name, until a few year:
ago, when he decided, on account O
his age, to retire from active bushes
life.
Colonel Murchiskn then returnes
to Wilmington, and Sduring the las
few years la spent. much of his time
at Orion Plantation with his friends
gathered around him. .
He was prominently identified witt
several OF the leading fenterprises a
the city. Some years ego ne hadsth'