RICHARD GRIFFITH MORRIS. UTICA, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Richard G. Morris, 67, 1139 Steuben Street, Utica, New York, a printer on the Utica Daily Press, was killed instantly Friday evening at 6:30 o'clock in a fall from the rear porch of his second storey apartment.Mrs. Morris and daughter Lillian H. heard the crash and hurried to his assistance. They found him lying on the snow covered ground in the rear yard. Mr. Morris evidently went into the rear hall to place refuse in a can there. In stooping over a low outside railing, he probably slipped on ice, lost his balance and fell about 25 feet the concrete walk below.
Mr. Morris was dead when Dr. James G. Douglas arrived. Dr. Gordon A. Holden, coroner, said he died from a fracture at the base of the skull; he gave a verdict of accidental death.
Mr. Morris was born in Trawsfynydd, North Wales, and came to Utica 52 years ago and served his apprenticeship at the "Y Drych," the Welsh language newspaper. He then moved to Granville, where he was employed for 26 years on the force of the Granville Sentinel. In 1918 the family moved to Rome, New York, where he was on the staff of the Rome Daily Sentinel for ten years. He was secretary of the Rome Typographical Union for some years. In 1928 the family moved From Rome to Utica, where Mr. Morris was employed at the Utica Daily Press.
Forty-seven years ago, at Granville he married Miss Mary Grace Thomas, who survives. Besides his wifr, he leaves two sons, Edward of Rome and Milford O. of Utica; a daughter, Lillian H. in Utica; two brothers, Humphrey of Utica and William of Wales, and two sisters in Wales.
While in Granville, Mr. Morris gladly gave his assistance in civic and church activities, having served 22 years as secretary of the Independent Order of Foresters and at one time was their district deputy.
The Welsh Congregational Church sponsored the local Eisteddfods and Mr. Morris acted as secretary of the committee. The Granville residents will recall his untiring efforts. Especially will they recall the 26 page illustrated Christmas Day 1911 Souvenir programme. His name appears as ita publisher, and all the work was done at the Granville Sentinel office.
Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, a prayer service was held at the home, the Rev. R. R. Williams, officiating. The body was taken to the Moriah Welsh Church with Mr. Williams also officiating. Former Granville residents were among those in attendance at the service. The final resting place was in Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica.
Relatives and friends were present from New York City, Gloversville, Albany, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Syracuse, Rome, Granville and Poultney.
The Sentinel editor knew Richard well, and records his passing with a feeling of deep regret. Twenty six years is a long time on one newspaper, but Richard Morris knew his work, was industrious, loyal and friendly. He went out of his way on many occasions to do a favour and could be depended upon to accomplish whatever task was assigned to him.
He never visited Granville without making a friendly call at the Sentinel plant, and he was always most welcome; it was a pleasure to visit with him, and recall old times, old methods and people of this vicinty.
The Christmas Day program which is referred to above was indeed a work of art; several are now in the hands of the older Granville people.
The little "In Remembrance" folder printed for his funeral was typical of Richard Morris; it was concise, friendly and contained information of his birth and passing. The bearers were John T. Jones, Richard Evans, Hugh Owens, R Morris Williams, Thomas E. Roberts and E. LeRoy Woolworth. On the last page, from 2nd. Corinthians, "For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
For Richard Morris :
"The day is done,
And darkness falls from the wings of night
Like a feather wasfted downward
From an eagle in its flight;
But the night shall be filled with gladness,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And silently steal away"
The late Robert Potter and Richard Morris worked together on the Sentinel force for many years and upon the former's death Mr. Morris wrote a fine tribute. His verse at the close may well apply to Richard and his life's work.
"So live that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan that moves
To that mysterious realm where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death;
Thou go not like the quarry slave at night
Scourged to his dungeon but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams."