Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-09-06
OLD EMPLOYEE TELLS
OF MURPHY'S LIFE
Former Apprentice Writes Appre-
citation Of Veteran
Editor.

tBy George II. Hines. Secretary of the
Oregon Historical Society. in Port
land Oregonian.)
The permanent retirement from ac-
tive newspaper work of John Miller
Murphy, the founder of the STANDARD
Olympia, Wash, on November II. 1860.
most 81 years, easily making him the
dean of Pacific Coast journalistic
for more than a passing notice.
In 1850 Mr.. Murphy crossed the
plains to Oregon with his brother-in-
law, George A. Barnes, starting from
Fort Wayne, Ind, the last week in
March, and arriving in Portland in
the month of August.
Mr. Barnes and his wife first crossed
at Oregon City On October II. They
left that place on April Z, 1S49, over
land for the California gold mines, and
two months later arrived at Sacra-
mentO. Mr. Barnes secured stock of
miners goods, took them to Auburn,
IS miles from Sacramento, and estab-
lished store. This he sold out to
good advantage, and on November %
left San Francisco with his wife for
Fort Wayne, via the lsthmus of Pan
anna, on the ship Edward Everett, max
ing the voyage in So days, with loss
of five of the 80 passengers. After a
few days rest they rode on donkeys 35
miles to GOrgona, then embarked in a
canoe and went down the Chagres riv-
er to Chagres, and took steamer there
for New Orleans, arriving eight days
later. They engaged passage on a riv-
err boat and made the trip in 16 days
to Cincinnati. From that city to Fort
Wayne the journey was made by stage
and private conveyance.
In the three weeks following Mr.
Barnes fitted out a train, including all
his fathers family, and Mr.. Murphy,
as already stated, and started across
the plains the second time, and fin
ished the journey to Portland in 95
days. In September, 1850, Mr.. Barnes
Front street, West Side, just north of
Alder. In the winter he took an &C.
tive interest in public affairs, and on
April Z, 1851, was elected a member
of the first city council of Portland. In
February, 1852, he sold out and re-
moved to Olympia, Wash, where he
still resides, just entering his 92d year,
although in very poor health.
student In Portland In 1851.
Soon after the arrival of Mr.. Muir
ply in Portland he was pupil in a
subscription school taught by Rev. Ne
hemiah Doane. Nights, mornings,
Saturdays and the time between school
terms. he was employed as an errand
boy and clerk by his brother-in-law
Early in 1851 DR.. E. H. Griffin, who
died in this city few months ago, or
ganized choir of 16 persons for SER
vice in the Taylor street (First) Meth
odist Episcopal church, and Mr.. Muir
ply, having an excellent tenor voice,
was the junior member of that organ
izatfon. This was the first church
choir on the Pacific Coast. He went
with Mr.. Barnes to Olympia in the
spring of 1852, and clerked for him
about two years.
became an apprentice in the printing
department of the Oregon Weekly
Times. He was employed in the same
capacity on the Democratic Standard,
also of this city, and in the Argus Of
fee, Oregon City. While at work on
the latter paper he was the correspond
ent of the Portland Daily News, the
first daily In this city. and the first In
Oregon. and his pen name was "Sar-
tlanapalus."
Mr.. Murphy left Oregon City early
In June, 1860, and In partnership with
L. e. v. Coon, a newspaper man of
considerable experience in California,
and in Roseburg, Ore, issued the
at Vancouver, w. T.. on June
80, 1850. Three months later, finding
that Mr.. Coon-better known at al
phabetical Coon"-was exceedingly
sly" In business matters. the partner
ship was dissolved, whereupon MUIR
ply chose Olympia as the field for his
future life work. A newspaper plant
was ordered 1T once from San Fran
cisco, including q Washington hand
press, 1t cost OF $1,000. including ev-
erytnine, ana on November II, 1860.
the nrst number OF The WASHINGTON
STANDARD was issued. In the begin
ming the paper was six-coiumn folio,
put Tor many years II mas been an
eight-coiumn folio. Originally 1t was
printed ON nand press, II the rate OF
lz6 perfect papers per hour. About IS
years ago the hand press was set aside
and drum cylinder press installed.
Ideals Always High.
In the outset Mr.. Murphy had q high