The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-07
Francis MrRpHY,s STORY.
EnectuaIiy Closing the Lips of those who Have
sought to Trnduce Him.

Some nine months ago Francis Murphy.
the temperance returmer. began his work IN
Troy, ind pursued II for about i've weeks win
unCNamplod success. The story that Mr.. Muir
uhy had committed some dark crime IN former
years. In Portland. Me-. was secretly whispered
ny prI-4ns who were either rnVlous 81 hlc .n,.
his wnrk; and when he nnrrnied the history ~
ms, lite, in tho opcning nights OF his lectures;
hnl r"lrrrrd tn his Imprisonment in Portland
without detailing the circumstances NJ the mis-
fortune thnt sent him to prison we felt that pos-
sihiy there wns some shadow npon the pas
which Mr.. Murphy might desire To conceal from
the public. Then when he left Troy and en-
gagged IN his temperance llburs ut Washington.
some hints were thrown ont IN the press re-
spr,tng his pnst cnrerr which seemed justify
IN" idea above oppressed. We nccur,lingly felt
81" pc 'Hr hn,y t2 shy t2 Mr MmGnny INK hn
the facts. They nrr. ns told by Mr.. MIrphy
himself and supplemented 10y abundant evil
l., ihc year iSdo was proprietor Of the Brad
hlc house. and enjoyed good reputation and
year the 81. Johns boat arrived Mt the wharf
and large number of guests entered the hoi"l
30 partake of breakfast. and some registered
With the view Of remaining in the citv. After
the guests had prepared Themselves for break
last they were all shown to TIE dining room
seated in the of1lcc. with head bowed and hands
covering his lace. asked him whether he WIS
going in to breakfast. He lifted his head and
said have got no menns,o 81 paylngfor II. y"
hade him 20 right in and gel something TO
eat. saw 10y his looks that he had brrn drink
ing. and stood in need ~ n substantial meal.
There was soar on his face. and hr said To- me-
rye boon having pretty hard time. and
would lik" To- have something To- drink moro
than food" ! took him into the bar and
gave him SOM liquor. after which ho
went into the. dining room and pnrtook
OF breakfast. Upon coming out he dcsircd Hn
interview with me-. when he told me- he WIS u
tailor bv trade an utter stranger IN the CITY. that
H. had no m"n l, nnd asked mr u wond trust
work. | said would do that and more than
that. interested myself in his welfare. and
went out and secured "A situation for him. His
name was ruterrd upon the registry ~ tho
hotr-Pairick Murray. ~. Johns. " Is. On the
evening of the 81 of Sctirmhor he rninc in nte
~ tea. The wifi " Can't. llagrr ~ New York
who was experimenting TIA" excavations In the
harhor-hrr sister and cous n. with two chill
drrn. were seated Mt their private table. MUIR
raw began in q Tree way 7. conversation with
Mrs. Hngcr. whereupon the waiter requested
him to drsst. He arose from the table in an
angry mood and LEFT the dining room. Mrs.
llngcr paid no attention to the man. and upon
concluding supper went TO the sitting room
and engaged in conversation with Mrs. MUIR
ply after which she started TO her own apart
mcnts, and Murray assaulted her. WAS sum
moncd. and, Murray. declining TO quit my
gle he fell To the foot Of the staircase with a
fractured skull. He diod four days afterward.
| WIS arrested and tried for the murder 81
that man. The trial lasted eight days and o.
casioned great excitement. | bad 10 meet the
prejudice Of the friends NJ the Maine liquor law
wns sold mud was bitterly denounced and
charged with having given the man liquor. I
never gave him hut one glass 81 liquor In my
life. and that was for medicine, and Ind done
all could To- assist him 10 n life Of sobricty and
usefulness. ! can never tell how much | suf-
tered for bcingtricd for murder in the presence
~ NV wife and family aud friends. The verdict
was mansnugltpr The case was appealed
aud | wis admitted to bail in the sum OF 5 In 900
Gen. Shepey and \. A. Stout becoming my
bundsmcn. ! returned home very much de-
pressed g. think had breu convicted OF such a
hrinous offence. when before God knew was
entirely innocent. | then began To- drink very
hard. MY wife WIS very much troubled
though patient aud kind. and bore in
her face the surrrings she endured at
the terrible calamity that had come upon
us and our children. For about one year kept
On drinking. aud became exceedingly reckless
Ny friends had mo locked NJ July 30, 1870, in
the county lail in Portland after which my
family removed from the hotel and were COM
PEELED 10 taxi" Wy quarters In n little tenement
house on what was known MS the back cove. "
and were in very destitute circumstances. |
remained IN Iail three months On the 10Th 81
August. ut n religious meeting held ia the
prison hy Capt Cyrus SturieNHnt made up my
Mimi God helping me. never To- sell another
drop or drink another glass OF intoxicating
liquor. Meantime the ease had been appealed
and the verdict sustained. was arralgnod and
sentenced for a period of sixty DAYS in the
county inil az Portland. On the expiration 81
NY sentence. WIS invited 60 deliver an address
IN th"tity Hall ON Gospel temperance. and from
that time. Auril. 1871. | date my entrance into
IN" work 10 which l have dedicated the re-
mainder OF my life.