The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-01

DEATH OF A GIAST-SKETcu OF A REMARK.
ABLE MAH.-Mr. james Murphy, Jr., 4 giant,
who has been keeping Il restaurant AT l5l
south Chester street, on Fclfs Poirt, in thi.
city, for year or two past. died clry yCs.cr-
daY morning Of Il broncalat al .c'ion or con-
sumption. MIR. Murphy was born in Water
ford, ireland, and was therefore tutl-blood-
I'd Irish giant, and Il large one, Standing
nearly eight feet in his stockings. He was
,hirly-thrrc years Of age and unmarried.
some months ago, When he WAS in cOmpala-
lively. good health. he weighed 33l pounds.
He he'd weighed more when his health was
better. He had been in this country TWEEN
ty.f5ur years, having been brought here by
lis father and mother, who still 1--we at the
bou>c on Chester street. The giant travelled
three wears with Barnum as one OF the great
liying curiUsit,eS of the world. In his pro-
tc,>ionai career he visited every part OF this
country, from Maine to California and the
cXtrcEc South. After terminating his en-
gtgcnent with Barnum the giant travelled
with a circus, where he contracted the bron-
cha disease which tinnly ended his life.
When in good health he had fresh, plea.
SAINT face. aud, like all large men, and par
,iculariy all giants, cXtep, those OF the story
books aud nursery tales, Was Is amiaDle as
Ac Was great in ststure. He had very
Youthful expression OF countenance, coal
black hair, and his hands were so large that
one OF them could cover the llrgest head Of
an ordinary man, just As an ordinary hand
would cover an orange. His feet were not
- large proportionately rs the hands, but
beside an ordinary shoe one OF his shoes
would seem 10 be q sufficient habtation for
The old woman" Of the story-book, who
bad 80 many children she did not know
%hat 10 Dc"
" hen the undertaken came to measure the
dead giant for bis coffin it was found that
the deceased was full eight feet long. surely
thr measure of "a man Is correctly known
when he i. dead. The coffin will be nearly
) icrt long.
The body was visited by hundreds Of peo-
pie yesterday, the giant being well known on
lc.i'> Point, where he was justly esteemed
Tor his aniabiIi:y, especially oy the children,
Who, after the Fist shrinking, generally
liked 10 be taken 10 bis arms and elevated so
FAR above the beads Of their parents as he
could conveniently hold them. Some Of the
little boys ID the neighborhood knew him
only by the name Of "Tne Gl'nf." The body
1y IN small room, about twelve feet square,
aSts'n,t the south wall, feet towards the west,
''tSA'H'uS aiuCSL aClOSs tuc al)dllul ilOlIl
sidc 10 side. Candles were burning at the
lead, and foot, and sides OF the corpse,
which Was covered with black pail, with u
large white cross on the breast and crosses in
i1c corner, Of the cloth.
The father OF the giant, who is Sixty-fve
Years Of age, probably older, is large man.
When at his best he stood over Six feet in
bis stockings, though he is now little bent.
The mother ~ not a large woman, being not
above tue meG'am eze for the sex. She is
l"ariy her huobapd's aye. Both the old
i'e0Plcare in good lss.Ith, and seem vigorous
:9r their years. Iae2ndiug the giant, they
s!-Vc had born 10 them tive sons and three
daughters. One son only is alive. Some OF
lAc children were understood. Only one "a
''h) attained The size Of the father except
Tux sian;, VINO exceeded the growth Of the
rSteh' by nearly two feet.-Battimore SIN,