The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-12-19
NO. DAKOTA PIONEER
DIED N MINNEAPOLIS
Major Helm 8. Murphy, for Years
State Political Boss, Succumbed
- Ane0ia After Long Illness
GDeat Man Has Departed.

Aajoy John S. Murphy, the pio-
neer North Dakota resident who died
several days ago at Minneapolis, had
the distinction Of being largely re-
sponsible for the elementary school
system for Indians in the United
States. He is survived by a widow,
three sons, Paul B., now in training
at Camp Zachary Taylor; John S., Jr.
= second lieutenant at Camp Grant,
and Arthur, who is in the navy, and
one daughter, Miss Evelyn Murphy.
Major Murphy was born at Wells
vile, N. Y, on May 4, 1864; of Irish
American parentage. He came to
North Dakota in 1883, first settling in
Ransom county. Three years later he
was appointed Indian agent on the
Fort Berthold reservation, which post
he continued to hold until President
Cleveland named his successor in 1895.
The deceased was first elected to the
legislature in 1894 as member from
Ward county and he was several times
reelected, becoming leader in that
body.
He was father of North Dakota's
wolf bounty act; championed an ex-
tension of the time required for the
residence of Divorces, removing this
state from competition with Nevada
for the favor Of those suffering from
ties which CALLED, and he was author
of constitutional amendment requir-
ing a literary test for voters in North
Dakota.
The Legislative session of 1896
unanimously endorsed the major for
United States Indian commissioner
Following his withdrawal from ac-
tive politics, Major Murphy became
agricultural and industrial commits
sioner for the 500 line at Minot, a
post which he held until ill health
compelled him to retire two years
ago.
Few men had a more exciting or
picturesque career than Major MUIR
ply. He was politician Of the old
school, and he had his bitter enemies
as we'll as his warm friends.
His close relationship with the
tribes in western North Dakota and
eastern Montana, provided him with
material which he used in many arti-
cles concerning the Indians of the
west.
The last article written by him was
published less than a month ago, deal
ing with the history of Curley Head,
the last survivor of the Custer massa-
ere. In it Major Murphy wrote:
"Curley Head was at this time
(1876) 19 years of age. He was in
the battle of Little Big Horn, ki!!e1
Sioux warrior, took the Sioux blan
ket and in the excitement escaped
through the lines, made his way to tho
Missouri river and Intercepted GeE-
eral Banteen, who was on his way up
the river on the steamboat Greatwest
with reinforcements. The first ac-
count given of this battle was wired
to New York paper by Colonel
Lounsberry, editor and founder of the
Bismarck Tribune. Col. Lounsberry,
usually correct narrator, erroneous
" referred to Curley Head as Grow
scout from the Grow reservation in
Montana. This statement exempllfies
the practical impossibility of catching
up with an error of this kind, as prac-
tically all subsequent writers on the
battle Of the Little Big Horn refer to
Curley Head as Crow Indian scout.
II speak with some authority on
this subject regarding Curley Head
as President Harrison appointed me
United States agent for those In.
gians 20 years ago. had charge Of
them for four years. knew Curley
Head very we'll, and as government
agent I gave him land in severalty
and issued him a span Of brood mares,
four cows and a limited supply OF
farm implements. In 1893 sent Cur
lev Head to the Worlds Fair at Chi
cago, where he rightfully posed as
the ''last survivor" for which he re-
ceived SIS month for five months.
Curley Head died on his homestead in
1910"
The above is taken from press
dispatch and gives a fairly good ac-
count of the Majors activities. The
Independent is glad to add something
to the account Of the life of our old
time friend.
Mr.. Murphy died at his home in
Minneapolis last Friday afternoon at
two o'clock, following an illness Of
more than two years from pernicious
anemia. The Major had made brave
struggle for life and had won the dis