The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-31
THE LATE MRS. MURPHY.


It is fitting that word OF tribute shonld
b e laid. on the tomb of a lady whose lie
was largely interiinked with the history of
this Slate and whose private virtues en-
deared her to all who came within the range
of her gentle influence. The late Mrs.
Mary Murphy was modest and retiring;
her name seldom figured in the public
prints; but her husband and her sons have
filed conspicuous places in the annals Of
California, and her own life. which was de-
voted to works of benevolence and piety,
gave sweet example 10 her sex.
A native of Ireland, Mrs. Murphy emf
grated when a child TO Canada, and IN 1881,
al Quebec, was married to Martin Murphy
They lived ten years at aFrampton in tine
townships" then moved to Missouri, which
they abandoned in 1S43. In that year Martin
Murphy, his wife and his children crossed
the plains with party Of emigrants bound
for California. His son, Bernard, ex-Sena-
tor from Santa Clara, and the presiding
officer Of the late Fresno convention. rode
across the plains with his father. and his
gayety helped to beguile the tedium Of the
journey. They found the State in con-
fusion. Michel!Orena was Governor. but
his administration was seriously disturbed
by disputes with the Indians and by the
controversies which had arisen over the
secularization of the pueblo lands. The
Governors chief trouble was that lie had no
body Of men upon whom he could rely
when the disputes had to be adjusted by
force of arms Most of the native CRlifor
mans had laid 10 heart the proverb that hi
who fights and runs away will live to figh
another day; they proposed to fight a good
many other days. Martin Murphy was MOI
of the running away kind uHf. pgeFefcd Is
Of other members Of his emigrant party
and he was willing TO take his pay in land,
OF which the Governor had a superabun-
dance aHd which had little or no peeuniary
value. The bargain was closed, and when
:he next battle with Indians or insurgents
took place Michet0rena's enemies discoy-
cred that the Government troops did not
understand the rules Of the game. and in
stead OF ruanlng away went on friag, ana
firing with very good aim. This unkind
policy Disguised them and they went home
Ia bad hum0r.
be upshOt was that Michetorena was
allie to conduct the government Of tie
Mexican province in pesce, and that Martin
Murphy received tracts OF land which even
IN this State oE large ranches seem pro-
digiou$. 1t has been said that at one time
he could ride his horse from the Mission
Dolores 10 the Mission Santa Barbara with
ont scarcely going off his own land. Much
Of this properly he sold as purchasers turned
M Tor ANYTHING he could get But he re-
tanned SO much that when he died in 1884 he
was cassed with Miller & Lux aud Haggin
among tie heaviest landowners in=the State.
He and his wife were lovely characters.
They were always helping some one with
money or counsel Their hand was ever in
their pocket when institutions Of charity or
plety needed assistance. or many years
before their deaths tne concerns of this
world troubled them little. They had far
more than they needed for their simple
wants. a large family of children had
grown TO manhood and womanhOod around
them, had married and raised families Of
their own. There was enough for them all.
Land in Santa Clara County which Martin
Murphy would have been only too glad to
sell foI few dollars al acre at the time of
the American occupation had grown TO be
worth $1,000 and over. The wise old man
and his gentle wife could 90 down to their
graves with the feeling that none OF their
progeny would ever know want, or need to
beg his bread.
How well Martin Murphy and his wife
Mary were appreciated by those who had
watched their daily life was shown when
they celebrated their golden wedding eleven
years ago. 1t vas decided that no invita-
tons should be Issued 1t was merely made
Known-t that the venerable couple would be
glad to met their friends at Mountain View
ranch on such day. Seven thousand peo-
pie assembled the feeling with which old
men and women wrung the hands of their
entertainers was 50 touching that strong
men cried at the sight. And the tears were
well shed. Many a man aud woman 20 to
their rest in this State leaving a fortune be-
hind them, but not many pass away leaving
so honorable record aud so sweet q MEM
CRY as Martin and Mary Murphy