The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-25
KANSAS NEWS.
Parsons Music Teacher an Ex-
pert In His Line.
Now Discovered That He Had
Several Wives.
EXPOSURE CAME LATE.
Only After Married and Desert
ed California Woman.
Three Women Located Up to
This Time.
EXPOSURE CAME LATE.

The sensation of the day at Parsons is
the development of the case of E. NJ.
Rugby, formerly of that place. The
Sun says.
Nearly every man, woman and child
who resided in Parsons two years ago,
knew or heard of E. NJ. Rugby. the
genial but eccentric musical instructor.
Prof. Rugby came to this city from Des
Moines, Ia, and soon after his arrival;
was chosen by the board of education
as supervisor of music, in the public
schools. Prof. Rugby served in this ca
paeity for period of one month, when
he resigned, claiming that he was not
used to seven or eight hours work every
day, consequently did not care to con-
tinue.
AFTER retiring from the musical de-
partment OF the schools, Rugby gave
private lessons in voice culture and
soon had large class and was consid-
cred a good teacher. 1t now develops
that he had deserted a wife in Des
Moines, Ia, before coming to Parsons,
although no suspicion of this fact en-
tered the minds of his friends in Par
sons. He directed for a time the
choir at the Methodist church and but
for the fact that the pastor received
word of the itinerant musicians esca-
pade in Des Moines, would have been
engaged by another church in this
city.
about ten months. after which he went
to California. returning later to Webb
City, where he was employed for a
time. Later he went to California again,
where he has remained until a few
weeks ago. While here Rugby was re-
garded as an expert musician and was
the recipient of good income when he
gave up his classes
In a later issue the same paper saws.
1t develops that one McATurray a
certain Scotcbman who paraded in Par
sons some two years ago under the
alias T. M Rugby, an account of whose
career was printed in yesterdays Sun
from the Pasadena, Gala, Evening Star
Is little short of a human monster In
stead of deserving two wives, as related
yesterday, this fiend has married three.
women, each of whom he has deserted
with no explanation or without leaving
trace of his whereabouts
1t also develops today, that at least
two persons, a other and son who re-
side in Parsons. knew McMurray be-
fore he came here. This lady is well
known and her son fills an important
position, but each prefer that their
names not be used in connection with
the story. The lady in question came
to this office this morning. asking for
copies of yesterdays Sun. stating that
she desired to send one to Rugby's
other wife in Houston, Tex. This was
engaged the lady in conversati ton and
inquiry adduced the following state
ment.
That mans name is not Rugby, >
said the lazy. His name is McMur-
ray and knew him well when lived
in Houston. It was about ten years
ago when he married one Of the sweet
est little girls in Texas. She was <
Catholic AID for her sake ne also M
ted with the church. 1t was about Il
year after their marriage a baby was
born. The couple seemed 10 be harry.
but when the little one was but two or
three weeks old. McMurray suddenly
left and 10 this day. his wife does not