Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-01-21
FROZEN TO DEATH.
A Young Man Meets Death In Storm
Within Five Miles Of BLK Poiut.


A Young Man Meets Death In q Storm
Within Five Miles Of BLK Point.
Probably as sad a case of death by
accident as has occurred in this vicinity
for years took place last Sunday night
in the demise of William H. Murphey,
the telegraph Ope ratOr at the depot
On Sunday Agent Cummins, Edward
Browning. Frank Callihan and Will
Comfy, all left for the Sioux river on
hand car. with shot guns to spend the
day hunting for jack rabbits. They
left the railroad yards at IL o'clock and
reached the bridge over the river in
the course of an hour. 1t was agreed
among the hunters that they should
meet at the water tank later on for an
improvised dinner. The party then
started out on their hunt going up the
river He was with his friend Agent
Cummins until 2:30, when Mr.. Cum
minis told him to start for the tank,
and to be sure and walk on the bank
rs the river was full of holes. At that
time he was feeling as good as anyone
in the party. Later on he was seen by
Mr.. Browning hunting for quails and
no one ever dreamed that he could not
make his way back, as the wind had
gone down and practi ally the storm
had abated At the appointed
hour all met at the tank
except young Murphey. Alter waiting
some time the young men became
alarmed and started out to hunt the
missing one. They travelled up the
river and tramped over the ground,
shouting and firing their guns and
kept up their search until dark. Then
they concluded that the young man
had probably become tired OF the sport
and walked back to town. The hunters
took the hand car and came back to the
city where their worst fears were con-
| frmed-the young man had not re-
turned. Organizing a party they re-
turned and hunted again until or 2
o'clock in the morning. At an early
hour on Monday large number Of the
citizens joined in the seal Oh and at II
o'clock o. NJ. Walters found the body
abody about 80 rods from the water
tank on the Iowa side of the river
frozen stiff-life having been extinct
| evidently for several hours. The
young mans brother John 7. Murphy,
assistant train dispatcher in Sioux
City for the Milwaukee railroad COM
pany, had come up on the Monday
morning train and joined the search
i ing party 1t was evident from the
tracks that the deceased had gone up
the river mile on the Dakota side,
and crossing at the Stickney place.
At this point be had started back for
the place of meeting. As he was going
in bee line for the tank. His feet be-
came chilled as he had taken his
rubbers off. Shortly after this he
stumbled. dropping his gun, and at the
next stumble his pipe, finally sinking
never to rise again. Both barrels OF
the gun were empty, and two chambers
|.of his revolver. The remains were
brought to the city and taken to
Eslick's undertaking rooms, where
they were prepared. They we're ac-
compauied on the afternoon train for
Chicago. where they we're placed in
the family burial ground.
The deceased came to Elk Point sew
eral months ago. being In very poor
health. His purpose in coming here
was to rest and for time he did
nothing but lay around. When Oper-
} atOr Reel was called to another station
he took his place and filed it ably up
J to the time of his death. He was
} about II years OF age, quiet. modest,
unassuming and very gentlemanly In
his habits and tastes. Agent Cummins
feels particularly keen over the loss,
he having taken the young man into
his home and both became very warm
friends. He was very anxious to 20
, out hunting with the party and the
: agent would not let him 20 unless he
: had the consent OF his brother, who
, gave it to him, never imagianinQ for q
uoment Of the ultimate result. II ID
indeed very sad case, and anyone Of
I ordinary strength could have with.
> stood the severity Of the weather.
. The general impression which seema
I to prevail 10 that the young man va
{ overcome BY faiuting spell or some
illness which resulted In his losing
: consciousness.