The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-01-13
JOHN J. MURPHY IN
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
Former Rutland Business Man ES-
plains His Course in Going Away

DR.. John J. Dervin of Poutney
brother-in-law of John j. Murphy
who mys.eriously disappeared from
Rutland November 26 and was found
later in New Orleans, La, where DR.
Derven went to meet him, has re-
turned He brought back with him a
signed statement from Mr. Murphy
in which the young man explains that
exhaustion from overwork and mental
depression was the cause Of his un-
usual actions.
Mr. Murphy's letter follows:
"In view of the fact that my absence
has been given considerable publicity
and has caused so much public concern
on account Of my business connections,
| feel it my duty to publish this ex-
PLANTATION.
"Up to the time when ! organized
the Rutland Hotel Association and
the remodeling Of the Hotel Bardwell
was begun, | had been in my usual
excellent health and had taken exer-
else regularly. Afterward, however,
when the inclination came to exercise
there always seemed to be some task
which should have precedence.
"The result, as | see it now, was
that became fatigued, both mentally
and physically, to such an extent that
it seemed impossible for me to con-
centrate my attention on any of my
duties and the slightest tasks or OBJ
stacles seemed insurmountable. |
came at last to fear that my mind
was failing as | found it hard to re-
member Having always been more
or less conscientious about giving my
best efforts to my business, came 20
feel that, in justice to them, ! must
resign all my business connections.
This, too, seemed impossible in way,
as none would understand why man
who appeared strong physically could
be in such mental distress.
"The result of it all was that at
last ceased to reason or try to plan
for myself and simply wished for one
thing; namely to get away from every
thought and association with which !
was familiar and go somewhere, any
where, where | could rest.
81 wandered rather aimlessly from
place to place, sleeping a great deal
and walking about in the streets and
parks. saw only two people whom |
knew after | left New York. | read
a little but did not read the news
papers, and did not think at all of
conditions at home and had no inclin
alton to do So
"When finally ! reached New Or
leans, the plentiful rest which / had
been having, coupled with the balmy
atmosphere of this beautiful city
which | had so greatly admired when
] visited it two years ago, aroused
anew the spark Of interest in life, Of
hope for the future and restored my
perspective and sense of proportion so
that at last ! came fully to realize,
to my great distress, the suffering my
absence must have caus-
ed my dear mother, my relatives and
business associates and the unjust sus-
picion which might be directed toward
the splendid institution by which
was employed and which had worked
so hard to help make what it is to-
day, one of the strongest and cleanest
banks in this country.
81 Immediately wired my brother
in-law, DR.. Dervin for full informa-
ton, knowing that, Of all the family,
he would be the one best fitted to give
me this information, for feared that
my mother might be critically i'll.
"Dr. Derven wired back that he was
to New Orleans. ! met him
and on the advice of specialists w
to Ashville, N. c., and then
TO Augusta, Ga, where we now are.
am under the care of specialist here,
a professor in The Georgia University
Medical School and have room mex.
10 his. | am taking systematic exer-
Use and rest and am rapidly regain
ng my normal mental and physical
yigor. The doctor thinks ] should re-
main here a month, but hope to be
lble to go home sooner.
at is needless for me TO add how
much / regret having caused suffer-
ng to those who have been so kind /
o me and so interested in my well
are, and | trust that it may be my
privilege to make it up TO them and TO
Ill those who have so steadfastly be-
ieyed in me in wha. has been most
litter experience.
JOHN J. MURPHY"
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