The evening times., 1897-06-24

AANalt'b0s ~ - oeNS 81 - S<@NHs VI si@A
tyruom was presented to Gov. Griges
Tuesday by the Rev. A. w. WishaTt,
pastor OF the Central Baptist Church, OF
this city, and Mrs George X. Cline, wife
OF a grocer. The sufferer is John w Muir
ply. who was sentenced two months ago
at Burlington TO three years in the State
prison f0r enbeZzlement.
Murphy was township clerk. but was
employed in John Nanamaker's store ia
Philadelphia He left ali the details or
HE office to the care OF his son, Reeves,
the handsomest young man in town, the
most fashionably dressed, and, apparently,
the moSi Desirable catch in Burlingtons
school 0f boys.
Reeves is the only son, and boosted that
he would never have TO work or be de
prived of money. His father his mother
aud even his grandmother were his obedi-
ent and trembling slaves, and me the most
exacting of taskmasters-
IL was WITH great oondescension tha, he
consented 10 serve his father as acting town
clerk when the latter was elected about
year ago. Reeves astOnished the natives
by apparently attending TO business. His
father. touched with gratitude ana rever-
ence, it is to be supposed, allowed Reeves
To take entire cnarge He presided grace
fully over the city's clerical affairs, but
found plenty OF time 10 lavish money an a
good time.
Friends frequently spoke to the elder
Murphy regarding Reeves prodigaI living,
but the father turned deaf ear-he could
Nan mot n5ntr lint only "a
Finally his bondsmen demanded that tLey
look oyeT the books. They found de-
ficienCy Of more than 81, 500
The young Murphy was away on one
OF his pleasure trips at the time aud was
not questioned regarding the short ige.
When his father saw the embeZzlemant
staring nim in the face he acknowledged
his guilt. was indicted, and sentenced TO
imprisonment for three years. Every one
knew that John Murphy was an honest
man aud Notwithstanding he insisted lie
was guilty., no ohe believed it.
4 brother Of the convicted man has
frequently pleaded with him to tell the
truth about The shortage. but with mo-
satisfaction. few days ago he visited
him at the state prison.
.'John. lie said. in the name Of God
Almighty, ] want YOU 60 tell ne every
thing you know regarding tie shortage.
Your fg1nily demand it ard your friends,
the citizens of burlington, also request
it,"
The father broke down and acknowI-
edged that he knew nothing of the short
age until he inspected the hooks at the
demand "f his bontSnen. He said that he
never took d DOLLAR in his life from any
source that did not belong 10 him. He
Vatheticany referred to his son. and said
he could not see the latter suffer and pre-
fcTred 10 90 To prison himself and atone
for the crime OF his only toy.
Tie hrutH.r reported The matter to the
Rev Martin Han. pastor OF tie Baptist
Church. f which Mr Murphyisa member,
andlt was decided e. make a Jealous effort
t. secure pardon John Wan9maker was
communicated with. and replied that he
would not only subscribe his services but
that MUrphy's place in his store had been
waiting for him since the day Of sentence,
ansl would uutI his liberation
MI Murphy was formerly a salesman in
Baumrartneg' dry goods house in this city
and Iefr under the most favorable circum-
stances to represent Armour & Co in Bur
Ntlil " u lE Shttof-IfhAiS AftiaAul>iltH
foI a position with Wanamake lie is very
popular. has been a councilman, and was
the Republican candidate for ma yor OF Bur
iingtou two years ago, being defeated hy
Ma vnT McNcal
A petition is being circulated and nu-
rerouSly s.gne,l asking clemenCy foI Muir
phv. 1t is believed that the governor
viii PARTON him Judge GaSEIl, who sen
tcnCed hIm, SAID mat il was the saddest
and hardest act Of his life.
When Murphy was seen in prison TO
day he broke down and acknowledged
that his son had taken the funds, and
not himself. as he had formerly insisted.
He said that he hoped the fact would
not gain much publicity he feared il
would ruin his already spoiled son.
Mr.. Murphy said that he pleaded non |
vult, n he thought few months in Jail |
and a fine would be punishment.