The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-09-06
JAMES nIURRAY.DEAD.

a Complication of Diseases EBd. Ella Life
This MorninR-He was an "Honest Jim',--
Alter Serving Two Terms In Council He
Is Appointed a street Coinmissioner-A
Charitable Man
James Murray died at his home, No.
1908 West Fourth street early this m orn-
ing from a complication OF diseases In tha
Goth year Of his age. He was one of VIII
mington's most prominent and influential
citizens and his death has caused general
sorrow in the community. MIR. Mnrray'6
life was ono OF charity. honesty and fair.
ness. For his honesty he acquired the
title of Honest Jim" years ago and by it
he was addressed by his more intimate
frlends until his Illness.
His works of charity wore never with
any great display, but quiet and In every
instance where helping hand could be-
given. He was born in Donegal, Ireland,
but settled In this country when young
man. He learned the quarrying business
and In after years controlled the large
quarry at 5th and jackson streets. He
was afterward carter and contractor and
while In the latter business erected quite
number OF houses on the western side
of tho city. the income from which had
since made him comfortably fixed mar.
In politics he was u staunch Democrat.
but never took an active part In any polit-
ieal work until 1888 when he announced
himaelf as a candidate for City Council
from the Tenth ward. He WAS elected by
q large plurality and 1t was at this period
OF his life that he became widely known.
There were two faetions OF Democrats in
the body and Mr.. Murray was opposed to
one because OF Its extravaganza.
The members charged axtra for oil CONS
mittee meetings and little tncidentals
while MIR. Murray did not He vigorously
opposed such action denouncing II as
HI 4.
faction was smotherad. But still Mr..
Murray spoke in the interest of the cItys
finances and thus 1t was he acquired the
tiale of Honest Jim.p
So popular was he In his own faction
that he was re elected to Council In Jdne
1885 by an even larger plurality tnan he
had received at his flrst term election.
Although the body was new one 1t took
up the precedent established by the pre-.
vious council of charging the city for
committee work and equally as vigorous.
ly did Mr. Murray oppose It, He WIS a
member of the Law Committee but even
In that position coutd do nothing.
In 1888 he Mas appointed street com.
missioner. He served with Alien Il NV.
thfop and Joseph l.. Carpenter who com.
posed the first commission under the
present law. AZ a com missioner Mr..
Murray served for two yeare, retiring In
1890. Since that time he has lived retired.
His illness dates back nearly a yenr.
About u month ago his condition became
30 serious that Dir. John q. Fahey. the at.
tending physician. ordered him to go to
the seashore In the hope that the salt air
would benefit him. But II did not nnd
two weeks ago the patient was brought
home. Since then he has no vered between
life and death. and when he expired this
morning 1t was looked for. but with gen.
eral sorrow.
A widow and one daughter survive him,
be was deyout memher of st. Paul.s
Roman Catholic Church and his funeral
will take place from that church but no
arrangement has yet been made.