Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-09-27
The Man Who Beat Eugene Hale.
VARIED CAREER.

The Boston Herald furnishes the follow
ing account oil 7. II March. Ecgene Hale's
successful competitor in the Filth c, ngres-
siona District .! Maine:
Thompson H. Murch was born in limp
den, Me-, in 1888. and is therefore now 40
years cid. He WAS the son OF Capt. ThOmp-
son Murch, a well known and respected
ship-master. Like many other Penobscot
boys, much of his carly life was passed at
sea. lie commenced 10 go ecLs;ing at tho
age of IL years, and when oaly Ii went on
foreign voyages. Joining q new ship, he
went to Cuba, England ard Tr.. /. There
he ioined this Rorkland chip Charles A. Far
well, and on her went 10 ) .hlstOpOi during
the Crimean war, ~ Convey t-O0pS and sup
plies to the allied armies Many of the i'm
portant events OF the territl, struggle before
that city rranspired under his view Re-
turning to New Orleans. he made voyage
in the ship Lcmucl Dyer to Ilavre and back
lie then LEFT the sta and went to ST Louis,
and aiterwarj To Michigan. where he en-
gagged in numbering. The Winter OF 1867
he passed in Illinois on dairy farm. At
this time he met with Il railroad accident
ny which he was di-ahled for some time
On his recovery he started for Saltwater,
Mimi through an unhroken wilderness
from Prairie du Chitn. lie made this Jour
ney all on foot IL was during war be-
tween two lndIGn tribes and band of saw
ages on the warpath met hun and robbed
him OF all his money, clothing and camping
equipments. Alter many adventures and
hardships he reached saltwater. and went
to work a. cook IN Il mill clearinghouse.
From there he went down the Mississippi
100 miles to Dubuque. and then, after
work. ing Il short tine IN illinois. came back |
to his home in Name
In 1859 he went TO work On Fort G0rges,
Portland harhor. first As rigger in putting |
NJ the derricks and aftcrWard as stOnecut- |
ter lie was married the same year. and at |
present rcjOiccS in a beautiful aud amalble |
wife and family OF promising boys. lie
worked On the tort until 1867 and then went !
to Groton Junction, Mss when he cngag- |
ed la the stone business on his own account
lie was successful. and :, Id out after re-
there three years lie then went
to work on the Boston Pos tliHce job at Cape
Ann. and in 1871 went 10 DIX Island to
work on the New York Postoliice job lie
worked one year rs journeyman, and vas
then made foreman. liz January, 1876,
be went to Carvei's llarbur and worked
until the September election. when he voted
The Democratic ticket and was at once dis
charged for doing so lie got a job at
Elark'5 Island, but was discharged in
February, 1877.
While a, Clark's Island he commenced
he work OF organizing the granite cutters
II America into unIon--an undertaking
y hch had been much talked of before, hut
gwen up by most as impossible. Ii is pIin-
,ipally due to Mr.. Marcus efforts thar the
lnl0n was brought into existence. la Feb
-usry it was organized, and it, headquar-
ers established in ROckand, Me- lie was
elected a. secretary of the union by
unanimous vote. and that position he now
lOlds. The union now has very extensive
branches all over the United