PREACHER STRICKEN IN HIS PULPIT; DIES.
The Rev. C. W. Litchfield of Epworth M. E. Church Is Apoplexy victim.
In the midst of his sermon last night, the Rev. C. W. Litchfield of the Epworth M. E. church, South, Forty-fifth and Genessee streets, fell in his pulpit. A few moments later he died from the attack of apoplexy. His congregation, although aware of illness which kept him from the pulpit last Sunday, was unwarned and much excitement followed his sudden death in the pulpit which he as occupied for the last few years.
Dr. J. H. Ralston and Dr. A. E. Eubank, called immediately to the church, pronounced the attack apoplexy. This was further substantiated when Coroner Harry Czarlinsky was called. The body was sent to the Stine & McClure undertaking rooms.
The minister was 70 years old. He had been a resident of the two Kansas Citys for many years. Seven years ago he came to the Epworth church from Rosedale, where he had been pastor of the Walnut Street M. E. church for four years. Previously he was pastor of churches in Kansas City, Mo., and for a time at Bethel, Kas.
Mr. Litchfield had been ill more than a week and was unable to fill his pulpit last Sunday. He improved in condition last week, however, and believed he practically had recovered.
Mr. Litchfield was born in Suffolk county, Virginia, on March 7, 1847. He was a veteran of the Civil war. After the war he moved to Washington, D. C., and later came to Kansas City, Kas., living there until about ten years ago.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons. Two daughters, Misses Ethel and Frances Litchfield, are teachers in the Kansas City, Kas., schools. Another is the wife of Dr. James Y. Simpson of Kansas City, Mo. The sons are William Litchfield, a member of the fire department of Kansas City, and Harry Litchfield. The family home is at 3602 Troost.
