Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-01-13
JOHN J. MURPHy'S
EXPLANATION Of
HIS WANOER|NCS
Fatigue from OverwOrk and
Great Mental Depression
Caused His AimlesS
Journey.

Rutland, Jan 7-Former Treasurer John
j. Murphy Of the Marble Savings bank
of this city and of the Rutland Hotel
ISOLATION. who disappeared November
n, leaving his accounts all right to-day
gave the press "a statement explaining
that his strange actions were due to
fatigue from overwork and great mental
depression. Ills letter was brought to
Vermont BY his brother-in-law, DR.. John
j. Derven Of Poultney, who went few
days ago to New Orleans, where Murphy
was found. and accompanied the former
banker to Augusta, Ca. where he is now
under the care OF a physician.
Mr. Nurphys 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 tho time when I organized the
Rutland Hotel association and the re-
! modelling Of the Hotel Bardwel was
begun, / had been in my usual excellent
health and had taken exercise regularly.
Afterward however. when the inclination
came to exercise there always seemed
to be some task which should have
precedence.
THE result as ! sec IL now. was that
| became fatigued, both mentally and
physically, to such an extent that it
seemed impossible for me to concentrate
my attention on any of my duties and
the slightest task or obstacles seemed in.
surmountable ! came at last to fear that
my mind was failing I found it hard
to remember. Having always been more
! Lace
best efforts to my business, I came to
| feel that. In justice to them, / must resign
all my business connections. This, too.
seemed impossible in a way, as none
would understand why a man who APP
peared strong physically could be in such
mental distress.
The result OF it all was that at last I
ceased to reason or to try to plan for my
self and simply wished for one thing;
namely to get away from every thought
and association with which was familiar
and go somewhere, anywhere where l
could rest.
! Il wandered rather aimlessly from place
to place. sleeping great deal and walk
ing about in the streets and parks I saw
only two people whom knew after left
New York. I read little but did not read
the newspapers and did not think at al
of conditions at home and had no nclina.
ton to do So
when finally l reached New Orleans.
the plentiful rest which had been having.
coupled with the balmy atmosphere OF
this beautiful city which had so greatly
admired when l 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 unev-
planned absence must have caused my
dear mother. my relatives and business
associates and the unjust suspicion which
might be directed toward the splendid in
stitution by which 7 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.
II Immediately wired my brother-in.
law. DR.. Derven. for full information.
knowing that. of all the family, he would
; be the one best fitted to give me this in.
formation, for l feared that my mother
: might be critically H.
: DIR, Derven wired back that he was
coming to New Orleans. l met him and
on the advics of specialists We
journeyed to Ashville. n. c., and then
to Augusta, Ga, where We now are I
am under the care of a specialist here,
professor in the Georgia University
Medical school, and have a room next to
; his. | am taking systematic exercises and
rest and am rapidly rcgaining my normal
mental and physical viSor Tho doctor
thinks ! should remain here month,
= but hope to be able to go home sooner.
Il 1T is needless for me TO add how much
| regret having caused suffering to those
c who have been so kind to me and so n-
Il terested in my welfare. and I trust that
c it may be my privilege to make it up ia
u them and to all those who have so stead
II tasty believed in me in what has been
d most bitter experience.
j. JOHN ]. MURPHY"