Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1913-06-11
(From Sundays Daily

the climax of the investigation con-
ducted by the Board of Control, and
executed Yesterday by Superinten-
dent Coldwell of the Pioneers
Home, when w. D. Murphy, mem
her of that institution packed his
grip and went out into the world
without a cent of his own-virtually
kicked out, and for no cause what
ever.
This venerable Hassayamper OF
over 70 wears of age, took his medi
cine" like many other creatures OF
circumstance" have in recent
months.
Mr.. Murphy in speaking OF the
treatment accorded him, stated yes
terday, that he was ordered to leave
the home on a peremntory furlough
of thirty DAYS by the Board of Con-
troll. Not having the money to pay
his fare home to Globe, he modestly
asked for the necessary funds. lhis
was refused and he proceeded to
await Developments. An imperative
order was then directed to Mr..
Murphy to get out and stay out
of the home for the thirty days, or
else he would be summarily dismis-
sed. Mr.. Murphy stated yesterday
that when Secretary Osburn OF the
Board of Control at Phoenix, con-
Quoted the examination short time
ago. he heard but one side OF the
alleged violation of the orders OF
the home This pioneer says he was
not permitted to open his mouth IN
defense. and neither was he asked TO
be present. During his membership
of the home Mr.. Murphy stated he
had dug with his own hand 100 post
holes three feet in depth, had work
ed on the rock pile as well had he
assisted other pioneers in perform
ing manual labor.
To add to his sorrow, as the sun
is setting on life of over "A years
of a continuous residence in Ar
zena, his eyesight is practically gone
and he is very much detected IN
spirit, over the treatment accorded
him. Friends at Globe have come
10 his rescue and he leaves today for
the old home in the shadow of the
Pinal range. where his earthly, COM
forts will be amply provided for SO
long as he may remain on this
earth.
That Mr.. Murphy has just cause
for complaint regarding his treat
ment. is evidenced by the following
letter, which was written by Assls-
tant County Attorney Joseph H
Morgan, after making an investga'
ton into the trouble:
To Whom it May Concern:
| have been acquainted with th'
bearer of this letter, Mr.. w. D
Murphy, for the last three years
and while he was guest at tht
Pioneers Home in Prescott.
have also had occasion to investi
gate some alleged charges made BY
the Superintendent of the Hom'
against Mr.. Murphy, and charge
made by two of the inmates; AM
upon which the Board of Control /
supposed to have acted in discharg
ing Mr.. Murphy from the Home
NV investigation of the allege'
charges found them to be either un
true or of a nature to be who'll,
frivolous. From what l learned,
am strongly of the opinion that MI
Murphy has been the victim OF a
unwarranted persecution on the par
of the Superintendent; a persecution
that had its inception by reason @
the refusal of Mr.. Murphy to sig
a certain document generating tn
Superintendent, Percy V. Coldwel
from certain charges which the IN
mates of the home had preferre
against him.
In discharging Mr.. Murphy froI
the Home, the Board of Control ha
been actuated immediately by reaso
of the refusal of Mr.. Murphy 1
take a thirty day enforced furlougl
Mr.. Murphy's refusal to do this wa
based on nv advice to him that til
Board of Control had no moral {
legal right to compel man VIII
was almost blind and absolutel
penniless to take such a furloug
without at least providing him wit
the means to reach his home coul
~, where his friends could provic
for him. In other words, that II
State had no moral or legal rigl
TO place an old pioneer in a positio
where he must either starve and 8
without shelter, or live for thru
DAYS on the cold charity of strani
crs.
| have to say further, that NJ
Murphy, during his stay here,
far as my observations and invest
cations can disclose, has alwa!
conducted himself in a highly cor
mendable manner He has at Z
times been an exceedingly tempe
ate, courteous and pleasant gentl
man. His conduct on the stree
of Prescott has been beyond T
proach. During his stay at the Pi
neer's Home, he labored conrin
ouslv. so long as his health PERM
ted, in identifying the premises. t
present condition of the groun
about the Home will long remain
tribute to the industry of Mr.. Mu
ply. Through his zeal and indust
the yard of the Home has be
transformed from a barren 70
pile into a level grassy plot.
II is to be regretted that I