The New York herald., 1921-06-25
CRAZED NEGRO SLAIN
IN TWO HOUR BATTLE
Leader of 'Live and Never Die
Movement Wounds WOm-
an and Policeman.
BARRICADED In HOME
Atlantic City Character Ex-
changes Shots With Police
in Siege of House.
BARRICADED In HOME

SpeotoI Despatch to TIE New YORK HERALD
ATLANTIC CITY, June 24.-"Doc" Muir
ply, the negro leader Of a religious
sect known as the Live and Never
Die Movement" who has for some
years been a familiar figure about the
city with his long white beard and a
shepherds crook, was on trial for
fraud in police court here this after
noon, when he suddenly gave a loud
shrek and dashed from the court
room. On the steps Of the building he
drew a revolver and began shooting
at every one who came near him.
Pursued by policemen, at whom he
turned and shot from time to time,
the negro ran down the street and
finally reached his own home. There
the second floor and stood off the po-
lice. more than a score of them. and
two companies Of firemen, for moro
than two hours. Detectives killed him
finally, but not until he had shot two
policemen, Patrolmen Frank Gaines
and Charles Thorogood, and negro
woman, Mrs. Edith Chapelle. de-
tective shot him after he had Crept
up the stairs unseen by the maniac,
while above his head the plastering
and timbers were tumbling, knocked
down by water pouring from high
pressure hose.
There were only a few persons In the
court room when Murphy screamed and
ran into the street, but the thoroughfare
into which he plunged was crowded. so
that HIS first shot caused tremendous
excitement. It was here that the negro
shot Mrs. Chapelle.
Detectives and patrolmen to the num-
Der of ten or more were In the crowd
when the negro reached the house, but
before they could catch or shoot hin, he
had run into the building and dashed up
stairs to the second floor. There he
could be heard piling furniture against
the door. and then his hands reached
out and the shutters banged. But almost
at once the shutters opened again and
the old negro, with his white beard
flowing over his shoulders and his shep-
herds crook grasped in his left hand.
began firing at the crowd which was
gathering below the house.
Two of his shots struck Patrolman
Gaines and Patrolman Thorogood. They
fell, but were drawn behind other build
ings by their comrades and the crowd
scattered for shelter as the negro fired
from n window every time he saw any
one Several times the detectives rushed
the house. but were not able to face the
hail OF bullets which the crazed negro
sent at them.
The firemen were sent for TO bring
their high pressure hose and try to knock
the house down. and while waiting for
them a steepleJack climbed a tree and
tried to shoot the negro from that point
OF vantage. He failed. as did a former
soldier who tried to pick the man off
with an army rifle. Finally. after the
firemen had arrived and were pounding
the house with streams Of water. De-
tectlve Mcdowell made his way into the
house and to the stairway without being
seen. II was dark on the stairs. but at
the top he saw the dim outlines of a
man. He showed his gun forward. but
before he could fire Murphy shot at him
and missed. Then Mcdowell fired. His
bullet hit Murphy In the heart and the
body of the negro plunged down the
stairs and fell in his arms
The charge against Murphy was that
he had obtained $40 from n negress. Mrs
Nettie Spencer. under false pretences.