The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-21

ginia had been swept away, having
been In the path laid waste by tho
storm Of FIRE and sword following the
evacuation OF the capital
Stagecoach Driver.
AT the close of the war, IKE many
young men, he was attracted oy the
charms offered bv the great West,
and MS went to Missouri, where he Sc
cured employment with Holiday ana
Carlisle. famous ataKecoach operators,
between Missouri and California. That
section OF the country was known as
the wild and woolly'' West. and from
tales and experiences related ny
Colonel Murphy. the appeilation fitted
the territory, Shortly after having
accepted the position, through ms IN
domitahle courage and grit and MS
ability TO overcome all obstacles he
WIS made general manager OF sup
ply train system at salary which
was considered fabulous In those days.
He soon earned for home. and in
1865. he was back struggling for for
tune in city slowly arising from
flames and piliage In 1872 he estab-
tlshed himself In business on the cor
ner now occupied by the magnificent
Murphy's hotel. Eighth and Broad
streets. The building WAS one OF the
few shncks left unuolested In the
progress of time. II was small and
not attractive In general appearances
But young Murphy had vision. and
he strove against every barrier tie
~olied up his sleeves and served the
meals In the little hosteiry. and month
by month dropped the dimes ana the
nickels In the old cigar box. UNTIL he
had a snug little bank account. lie
added few feet 10 the length Of his
restaurant, so he could feed few
more customers, ard his customers
always came back. for they liked the
Food and the treatment received
Month by month, and year by year,
he added q little more 10 the building.
until Il grew into q. reasonably fair
looking hotei II gradually got into
the clasa with the other Richmond
hotels. and the name OF Murphy was
one TO conjurs with along the route
Of the travelling man.
Murphy's Hotel r. Porn.
In 1885 hotel four stories high
rooued up into the vast blue. and
PEOPLE used to GO down town to look
nj the big building, The years FOL
lowing gave Colonel Murphy tine 10
get hts breath. for hs was ar indie
fatiFable worker. and was always one
OF the boys IN his oWn esta Enlistment.
lie was never ''stnck up, and min
Eled with his employees IS one ~
them.
Il am one OF Them" he ssit orce
The worked with nae 70 make thls
place \ Success and II II had not
been for their assistance Il would
not have proven success To them
In due as much credit as TO me"
And Colonel Murphy always took
care Of his employees None OF them
ever complained ~ his treatment, and
mona ~ them ever left him. When
they got tno ola to work hN provided
places for them, and when certain
divisions OF the business were clint
mated or consolidated the men ip
those departIn snts vera given other
duties TO perform, and ne kept what
he called his little family around
him
Year after year Murphy's hotel
grew, until now II ts one Of thu largest
End most successful In the South.
While Colonel Murphy did not give
himself all the credit for the success
of the enterprise his hosts Of ac-
quaintances and business associates
did give him credit for having one OF
the keenest senses ~ successful bust.
ness operations OF almost any mar OF
bis day. He would go into enterprises.
beth public ana private, which had
been given UP by others hopeless.
and bring them out into pronounced
success.
Besides being a successful business
man. Colonel Murphy was a success
ful philanthropist OF whom the gen
erai public heard hut little He per
formed services at all hours and In all
veasors for the good Of his city and
Tor the love OF his fellow citizens who
were less fortunate then he In the
worlds goods. He spent thousands Of
dollars every year in helping others
% get along" as ne used to put IT.
And he did not expect 20 get material
returns from these good deeds All
he wanted was regard and affection
and the consolation that he had per-
formed a good deed, and had made
rome unfortunate happy.
Colonel Murphy had been identified
for much more than a quarter of a
century with every movement for the
advancement Of Richmond and it's
business interests. His name IL prom
lnentiy associated with a Ecore Of com
msrciai. social. patriotic, civic and
military organizations OF the city and
OF the state While devoted 10 the
Confederate veteran cause, Colonel
Murphy is almost we'll known
among tho Grand Army force and in
recent years has been guest of honor
ut various celebrations conducted
nnder tho Grand Army organization
north OF the Mason ard Dixie line.
In 1890 Colonel Murphy was made
director OF the virginia State ARri-
cultural society. and for two years
1iled the ONCE OF vice. president Ini
1898 Governor ] Hoge Tyler appoint
ed him member of the board of di-
rectors of the Virginia penitentisry,
In 1885 his comrades OF the Lost
Cause" chose him for commander OF
r. e. I-se camp, Confederate veterans.
lie was for eight years president of
the Richmond Whist club, was for
eighteen years a member of the board
of directors or Lee Camp Soldiers
home.
He had been a director of the
Broad-Street bank since that financial
Institution was founded in 1909.
In politics Colonel Murphy was "a,
staunch Democrat: in religious
preference. he is a Roman Catholic.
When asked once for a recipe for
happiness, he replied. First. let In /
toxicating liquors severely alone; sec
ond, avoid speculation, and third, |
own your own home"
He was twice married, his first wife j
being Miss Jane McCabe, who died
some years ago. and his second being ,
Miss Mary Louise O.Connor. of /