The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-04-22
A BELLIES BAD BREAKS.
A Texas Paper Reproduces the
Latest Developments in
the Murphy-Eaton
Scandal.
The Daughter Of a Well-Knowu
Clergyman, Among Other Of
lenses, Charged With
Embezzlement.

Three years ago. Friday, the terrible
cyclone which almost totally DESTROYED our
neighboIing city of Brownsville, and
caused great loss of life, occurred. Apro-
pos of this event. there now comes to hand
a partial recapitulstion of the famous
Murphy-Eaton scandal, given in a special
from Fort Worth To the Dallas, Texas,
Herald. The origin of this scandal, to-
gether with most of the particulars, are
known to the readers of the BAZOo. At
the time, il caused great excitement in this
community, owing to the prominence of
| the parties and their extensive acquaint.
ance here, especially of Miss Murphy,
who was a we'll known society belle Of
Csrrollton, and daughter of the pastor OF
the Baptist Church, Rev. DR.. Murphy,
who was highly esteemed, not only by his
parishioners, but by all who knew him.
While at Carrollton, Mo, Miss Murphy
became the custodian of funds raised by
the ladies of that city for the relief of the
victims of the Brownsville cyclone and the
sufferers rendered destitute by the forest
6res in Michigan. 1t is charged that Miss
Murphy appropriated these funds to her
own use and benefit, and that only con-
sideration for her father and friends pre-
vented her from being prosecuted. The
story of Miss Murphy's secret marriage,
the box of poisoned candy, and the other
sensational details Of the case, are already
familiar.
Following is the special under recent
date from Fort Worth to the Dallas Her
aid:
For some time past there has been talk
of what was going to be shown in the Muir
ply Eaton case when Mr.. o. Eaton came
back from Missouri. He has been back some
time, and since then much has been said
about an indictment fornd in Missouri.
For several days past members of The Bsp-
list church have been receiving copies OF
the Carrollton, Missouri, Democrat, which
is found to contain the following: The
Democrat has refrained from taking sides
in this case and has simply republished such
news concerning the affair as was made
public by other parties, and previously
given to the world through other channels.
Because of the fact Rev. Mr.. Murphy and
family once lived here. and that his daugh-
ter, Miss Fannie, was a prominent member
of our society, there was Of course great in
terest felt in this community In all the de-
velopments OF the casee and everything
bearing thereon was eagerly sought for and
that be enjoyed the confidence of our COM
munity, and was respected as q minister
| and Christian gentleman. As regards the
Fort Worth affair, published as the Eaton
Murphy sensation, and Investigated at the
hands Of a church committee, resulting in
the withdrawal of the charges preferred
against her, Miss NJ J, neither we nor our
people know anything Of the merits of the
case, and whatever feeling there was in the
matter here grew out of the fact that Miss
Murphy, when a resident of this place. had
the handling of certain funds contributed
by our generous hearted people, first In
response to an appeal made for aid for suf-
ferers in Michigan, and subsequently Tor
the victims of the Brownsville cyclone.
The latter case was one that especially ex-
cited the sympathies of the citizens of Car
rollton. They were our neighbors, and our
good ladies worked hard to raise q purse
to help in the hour of their distress. The
sum of SAG so was handed over to Miss
Murphy as the result of their labors, not q
cent of which ever found its way to Browns
vile. In addition to the amount contrib
uted at this place for Brownsville, there
was also at previous date contributed the
sum of $4,000, for the benefit of those
overtsken by the terrible Michigan
fires, which amount of money was also
transferred to Miss Murphy for remittance,
but only SO of which, as we understand,
reached its destination. And it is current
ly reported that the grand jury, which
closed its session yesterday, found an in
dictment in the latter case, chad it written
up,) and was about to report 1t, when that
body was informed that on account of the
offense having been committed more than
| twelve months since, the case was barred
by limitation, from prosecution. Thus the
matter ends, for the present, at least.
This article has had the effect of causing
the famous case to be discussed aud re-dis-
cussed, and people wonder what next. As
far as known the grand jury has not inves-
tigated the case here and the friends of
Miss Murphy saw they are anxious to have
the matter looked into. 1t would seem as
if the case was not settled by considerable.