The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-02

x,ud. OF Northern HoiIy in Seeking - Hntt-
,,,d Contrnct-IIis Hopes OF "a Return.
H. March la 1t Excise Commissioner Owen
vprrhy sailed from Halifax for Great Britain.
II, MAS accompanied 10y n sincere friend who
had been largely Interested in railroad con-
,ras. They arrived in Ireland before the end
of,he month. and made the tour OF that island.
Several days were spent in Cork. and wceklor
more was passed very pleasantly ON the shore
n Killarney. After trip to Maeillicuddys
Rocks they visited Dublin. and then ran over to
London. On the reception OF the American
rsvspauers Mr.. Murphy gave up all hopes OF a
rturn 10 the United States He looked upon
himself az fugitive. and talked fcelngly OF his
snuatinn He declared that his downfall was
caused hy hisidesire TO serve his friends. and
addict that if he could have STAYED of the OK
posurc for few days longer he might have
squared his accounts with the Excise Board.
and squeezed through his dilemma without
dishou,r lie drowned his sorrows In wine
and often shed tears At times he was on the
wrgeo' suicide.
learning OF the success OF Col Harry Mciggs
in South America after his dsfalcation and flight
rom California. Mr. Murphy determined TO fol-
hw his example. Meiges had become mil
lonaire through railroad contracts in Chilli and
lsru. \ like field was open along the eastern
coast Of South America. Dom Pedro was en-
deayoring to develop the resources Of Brazil.
Mr. Murphy resolved 20 visit that empire. fan
cying that lie might get valuable contracts. and
eventually win fortune. His decision was un-
doubcdly influenced more or less by the advice
Of his friend, who was an experienced con-
tractor. Murphy is n person OF good address.
pleasing manners. and has keen eye to bust
ness. His sagaclty and energy could not
g..N-
cal succcss and his willingness to moro than
pay all debts contracted previous to his
escapade. had In measure wiped out the
stains on his character. Winning similar
success Mr.. Murphy might in due time revisit
New York. and again hold up his head among
his aoIuaintances. Spurred by this hope. he
spent only u short time in London. He took
passage In a British steamship to Para and
went W the Amazon. Going up the Madeira
River. he landed at San Antonio. Here he
found tho Americans. Messrs. p. and T. Collins
building the Madeira and Mamord Railway
This railway is TO rum around the rapids Of the
Madeira River. thus giving Bolivia an outlet to
the markets OF the world. Mr.. Murphy spent
several weeks in and around san Antonio. He
paid Il short visit to the comparatively unknown
country In upper BOLIVIA. but saw no promising
business opening. Thereupon he determined
10 20 on TO Rio Janero. He retraced his steps
down the Madeira and Amazon Rivers. and
stopped at Para.
On the 10Th OF August the steamship City OF
Rio Janeiro lay ut anchor in the harbor Of Para.
She was on her way from New York to the Bra
lillian capital. A man boarded her from small
boat. and engaged passage. He wore a straw
hat and an English suit. A close-cropped full
beard fringed his face. One Of his fingers was
missing. The passenger registered rs Eugene
Murphy. TWAS x-Excise Commissioner Owen
Murphy. After the City OF Rio Janeiro steamed
out Of Para he had his chin shaved. and there
after Wore mutton-chop whiskers.
Mr.. Murphy was recognized by two gentlemen
the instant he stepped ON board. They had
seen him repeatedly in New York. and could
not be mistaken. As they gave him no sign OF
recognition. he thought himself utterly I'M
known. He made himself a general favorite.
Something was said or done. however. that
aroused his suspicious. and he asked one OF the
gentlemen whether he knew him. The gentle
man answered in tho affirmative. and called
him by name. Mr.. Murphy made no further
concealment. He readily acknowledged him
self rs the fugitive Commissioner. and said that
II the true facts concerning his defalcation were
known, they might produce a change in public
feeling in New York city He made no secret OF
bis intention TO procure a railroad contract but
seemed 10 have very little ready money and
lite baggage.
On the arrival OF the vessel at Rio. Mr.. Muir
ply went ashore and put up AT one Of the hotels.
Before the City OF Rio Janeiro returned to New
York he was seen in the streets wearing the
fashionable silk hat that seems to be tho distin-
gushing mark 81 Il gentleman In that city. He
Seemed confident of future success. and said
ulht II lie did not get contract In Brazil he
should 20 up the Rio de In Plata and seek his
fortunes in Uruguay. Paraguay. or the Argen-
tine Republic
Mr.. Murphy was Treasurer Of the Excise
Board ot New York. On Saturday. Dec. %.
lsft. he attended a meeting OF the Board In the
tioners in tho afternoon. Failing in this. he
Was to meet them certainly on Sunday morning.
q, " b. nppolhtol uine COMMISSIONERS Morton
M l'aiterson were IN the Boards room. but
hutphy was missing They waited an hour
fHd ~ he did not appear. went 10 his house.
ms W SAID that he had gone to mass. They
Matted another hour. but he did not come.
ihrS visited the priest. and the priest said he
bad not attended mass. Mr. Murphys wife said
" went 10 the BARRIERS before attending mass
", IL" barber had not seen him. Morton and
Iauerson grew suspicious. and called upon the
Ifrsiaclt Of the German Exchange Bank,
SHtte we eA'l-" moneys were Kept. The Pres
iusbl t"ll them that Murphy presented check
,Sas3p'vp GA saturday afternoon, but was told
tIIW ne utnk could not cash II Mt tho moment
H. l.k certified check for the amount. and
c,r" ". mon from various banks. He also
,,lil % A"al al the excise money taken during
~, "''A. y the new year was approaching
u'e sum was Considerable.
,Alter maxim. very effort in a private way to
WlS'n reported To- Inspector rhorne at II T. NJ
tH' inspector pat several detectives on the
an ana ~ once sent out general alarm
,WNe nouns lelora that Murphy had landed
~ ahadh. He had sold all his property, bor-
.p"'iWhulmo hccOuld from friends, tapped
" o.WhA' ~ the excise money. and sOped
~ OrI7ut"r OF the Board. hundreds OF thou
flnl7 u. dollars passed through his hands. No
Tuns Tor their safe keeping were required
~" most ~ this money was paid in by
,t!Hgr sellers applying for licenses. AS
u'e hcenae law had leen declared unoonsiitu-
ulha ~ the Court Of Appeals the Board did not
.uHfe grant licunse without proof positive that
We man who applied i0r 1t was snuiue hotel
proprietor. and rs such entitled 10 H. The tenn
prfauce people stood over them with q threat
shed in licturut II they violated this law and
t'.a "LiedIurcd 10 break up all unlicensed
iIuot saloons. To aid the liquor dealers the
'nlu .se'uhrrs took their money. aud gave
49, iHIrrs showing that they mad applied
sf i!'rn9'a in due form. but that said licenses
W.T. AWAITING investigation.
~ Wa nai"lslo0d That the police authorities
nn"ulu h"Hnr these papers. They did 80 for
,'lI' NM", Nlt Tie pressure OF DR.. Crosby anu
tn W.n ,W rance societies was so great that they
prEA1 20 W"ttrn. Finally an indictment was
srr r,'',',i ~ ia i4cir iaces, ana they began 10
urn,. ' u'.e WHO had paid their money for
H. hh,. ".'' "i alarmed Comm ISIS Toner Murphy.
=, ~. ..' .l'li iH" races no Long Branch and
excise n", ",' u, y sad. Put much Of the
r~snT va U' pool boNcs with but sorry
L.