New-York tribune., 1890-08-28
MURPHY'S STRANGE ILLNESS
NEITHER DRUNK NOR DRUGGED, BUT IN A
VERY BAD WAY.

MESSRs. wITHERS AND GALWAY.

RESULT OF AN OFFICIAL INVESTlGAIIoN d
MEssRs. wITHERS AND GALWAY.
Isaac Murphy, the colored jockey OF renown, who
was suspended at Monmouth Park Tuesday for queer
conduct I'm riding Firenzl at the track yesterday
looking pentent, sheepsh and sober. Two members
of the executive committee, Mr.. Withers and Mr.
Galway, busted themselves between races with an
investigation Of all the circumstances attend
ing the running Of the Monmouth HahdicaP'
and inquired particularly into the causes
that led to the defeat Of the favoritc. II had Deeh
the talk of the quarerstrctch that Murphy was drunk
and AS the charge was serious one the aSsoclauoh
determined to get at all the facts Murphy deciareu
that he not drunk. He believed lie had Deeh
dragged. Fifteen minutes before the race lie was
sober and in his right mind when he returned 10 ue
naddock to weigh in he did not know even his valet
who has bocu attending him constantly for years lie
was dizzy His head swan and hummcd and felt Ike
a vacuum from the moment when he diSnOunted az
the starting post have his saddle adjusted I'LL ne
passed the scales after the race.
In brief he affirmed that he had long since given
up drinking champagne. He has been known for
years 5 the champagne jockey"
"No one that knows me- he said, "would charge
me with drinking champagne don't drink 1t be
cause don't like it,
Before starting to the track Tuesday he drank
n milk punch and white sitting beside his wife near
the end Of the grandstand set apart for the families OF
owners and tracrs. waiting for the time 10 arrive
when he should have to weigh out for the handicap,
he called a waiter and ordered bottle OF Apollnar'
and after that a bottle Of ginger ale, both Of which
he drank. Not another drop OF anything passed MS
lips
In this statement Murphy was supported by his
valet his wife and the waiter. The valet, who j.
a white boy, asserted that he had been with Murphy
all day and knew that he drank no liquor "a tout
Who hangs about the jockeys room great deal
started the report that three glasses OF whshsy were
srnucled into the room Just before NupM LETT IT,
Mr. Witlers was asked what he thought Of the
matter.
After the most careful nves stigation." he replied.
~v we have come T. the conclusion that Murphy drank
no nquor at the track. We know the condition h,
wa, I'm when he arrived aud know what he was doing
from the time lie entered the gate till lac was driven
away The evidence is conclusive that he
drank no intoxicating liquor while here. As for
his being diugsed. tahe 10 stock III that lie diah''
his milk punches at nome, and the ApollinaTs and
-incer ale a; he drank here in scaied bottles.
opeped before his eyes II that ginger ale was dragged
1t was dragged IN Belfast.
Have you reached a verdict yeti" Mr. Withers
was asned
NO we are continuing the investigation In other
directions was the reply. IL may be a day OF l"o
before We through
What is your opinion Of Murphy's condition You
Il think tie milk Of the punch probably cuIdlcd
in his stomach and the Apollnlris and ginger ale on
ton OF il gave him an attack Of vertigo lie had
been reducing more than usual, as he was to ride
-alvator today at 10 pounds. the lghcs weight le
has made in a long time. As his normal weight i
10 pOuud, he must have been very weak. y man IL
,hat condition IS easily upset.
Have you looked into the rulnors 81 enorno'l'
winnings made Oh Tea Tray by certain bookmaicrs,
and large gains made by others In laying against
frcnzi -
on. | have heard some such rumors, but don't be
Ieve they anoun; to anything. A. for Tea Tray /
was not surprised 10 sec nm WIN
Iahcand made no secret Of II. but told every
lody Ic anew 10 b,eh hin. be had
q good thing. lie told Iny trainer 10 back him. a
win IT, He the BEST horse at the WcIghts
"Fircnz, properly ridden, would have given Inn
a tGsslc.'
don't think ! thoagm Khono would Ger
tauiy De- second II he Coud s'4t the distance. had
never seen him run a mike and half"
secretary CrlcnmDrc aid tiai Mufphy'S condition
after riding ~tiathmeath n the Junior Champion wa
nearly a- bad a., u after tine Monmouth Handicap
Ilc weighed al st. but had scarcely lc the b.fi
fott er ana 10 reel H. gave every symptom OF conplc
c,llp,e before reaching the jockeys rD0m. lIc hac
Irru ENGAGED to ride Eric In The hith race at IL
pounds. bat unable 20 take the m0unt.
SIR Nithcrs- theory about the curll'd MIX ana The
mixed drinks i- believed in hy -. l. Tulsifer Mat
Iyrucs Mr Galway and many ottcrs Meanwhile.
the Jockey remains under tu-itnsiOu