The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-08-01
Francis Murphy's Story OF his Life in
Portland.


In conversation with Chicago reporter,
Francis Murphy made the following allusion to
an event in his life while residing in this city:
In 1863 was proprietor of the Bradley Ho-
tel, corner of India and Commercial streets, in
Portland. opposite the landing of the St. John
boats On the morning of September Sd,
party of travellers from that boat came up to
my hotel for breakfast After they had washed
up and gone into breakfast, L found one of
them remained in the Office and sat with his
face in his hand. L asked him if he wasn't GO
ing in to breakfast, and he said he had no
money. told him to go in and get some break.
fast and it would be all right. He said he did
not feel well. and would like a glass of liquor,
and gave it to him. saw from his face that
he was recovering from debauch. He told
me that his name was Murray; that he was
tailor, pennileSs and a stranger. L felt sorry
for him, and told him that if he would avoid
drink and get work L would trust him for
weeks board. He seemed grateful, and soon
got work in tailor's shop. Two days after
wards unknown to me, he began to drink
again. and few days later, while drunk, he
insulted lady boarder at supper, and after
supper when she was going to her room he at
tempted to outrage her. My clerk rescued her.
aud L ran up stairs and took hold of MURRAY to
get him down stairs. He resisted some, bnt
got him down to landing eleven steps from
the floor when he tried to throw me over the
banisters but failed, and threw him over.
LILO uiuu oCOm uuIt, duu hGdTl6U 10 come I'D
stairs again. but forced him back, called a
policeman, and had him taken to the station
house. That night he was very sick A medi-
cal examination showed that there was a slight
fracture of skull and in few days the poor fell
low died: was tried for murder. The case
came before Judge Goddard. The prosecuting
attorney was then VIM. P. Frye, now member
OF Congress, and he was assisted by Nathan
Webb. My counsel were George f. Shepley,
now United States Judge. and Col. Bradbury.
was convicted of manslaughter. In the first
place there was great rivalry between Frye
and Shepley, and Frye would do anything to
beat Shepley. In the second place, people be-
lieved that Murray got liquor at my place, and
they were fanatcal enough to feel that liquor
seller ought to be hanged. The fact is Murray
had never had drop IN my house except the
glass gave him the first morning. My case
was appealed and L was let out on bail, Shep-
ley being by bondsman by permission of the
court, though it was contrary to usage But
the charge OF murder hung over me. All my
property had gone to defray the expenses of
my trial. My family was in poverty. L was in
drank some, but had not previously been dis
spated. Three weeks after got out of jail
my wife died. That threw me into great mis-
cry, and drank more. drank to such excess
that NV friends had to put me back in Jail as q
place of safety. While there Chaplain Sturdi-
want visited the Jail and held religious services,
and was converted. The result of my appeal
was that was sentenced to 30 days imprison-
ment After got out of Jail Mr.. VIM. Deer
ing, now Of this city, befriended me, and induc-
ed me to quit liquor and lead useful l;fe
Pretty soon after L was released L went into
this temperance work.