The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-05-26

Last week at his home near Mon
terey, California, James A. Murray,
pioneer of Montana, who rose from
a penniless prospector to be the sec
ond richest man in the state, died
as a result of a paralytic stroke, the
third one he had suffered during the
past Is years. He was 83 years old.
1t was more than so years ago that
James A. Murray came to Montana.
He was born in County Clare, ire
land, and when quite young his par
ents emigrated to Canada. An older
brother was drawn to California in
the gold rush of 40 and in the early
sos James A. Murray followed. He
remained there about five years and
then moved into Montana when the
Alder gulch excitement extended to
the California diggings.
Later he moved to Deer Lodge and
in the COS made his first appearance
in Butte. For the next few years
he wandered back and forth between
the numerous mining camps spring
ing up in the territory. About SO
year ago he settled in Butte and
since that time had called that city
his home, although living a large
part of the time in California.
Mining early claimed his attention
and he acquired numerous properties,
many of which developed into valu-
able holdings. At various times he
owned and operated such claims as
the Heating at Radersburg and the
Ticon in Butte, which he owned at
the time of his death; the Blue Bird,
Hesperus, Orphan Boy and Orphan
Girl and the Czarina. About Is
years ago he disposed of a number
of his properties to the Anaconda
company.
His Large Holdings
Gradually his holdings extended to
other lines of industry and to other
states. He owned very valuable
properties in Mexico and in Arizona.
He built and operated numerous wa
ter works systems for municipalities,
among them those at Livingston and
Pocatello, Idaho. He owned the wa
ter company at San Diego, Cal. The
P~ocatello water works were sold to
the city three years ago. Murray
also had extensive business holdings
in other lines in the Idaho city.
Among those which he owned in
Montana are Hunters Hot Springs
and Boulder Hot Springs.
Going to the coast some years ago
Murray realized the possibilities in
Washington cities and made extern
sive investments in Seattle and Ia
coma. He was the president and a
stakeholder of the American
Bank and Trust company, owner of
the Arctic building and numerous
other pieces of real estate in Seat
tie. In Tacoma he owned a theater
and a bank and also considerable =
real estate. h
Sixteen years ago Murray pur- il
the extensive estate at Mon I
terey, Cal, to which he gave the q
name of Murray hacienda. This is f
one of the most beautiful places in =
the state and here he spent his days T
of rest and quiet. il
Mr.. Murray is survived by his wife A
and a step-son, Stewart Haldorn. 0
Two of his nephews, James E. and d
Marcus NJ. Murray, live in Butte. ST
Mr.. Murray's closest relative in
Butte, his nephew, Marcus M. Muir Ii
'ay, gave IN interesting summary of ii
lis uncle's career in Montana. One n
Incident which Murray recalled hav- M
ng heard his uncle tell about was his te
rip to South America soon after he v,
lad come west. He worked his way II
~ serving as fireman on a steamship CO
remained only a short time, when h;
lie decided to return, again working te
lis passage. B
Early Business Career til
1T was in Deer Lodge" said Mr.. at
Murray, that his business career ac- OF
.ually started. His first venture M
along this line was loaning money.
He remained at Deer Lodge until
about the summer of 1878, when he lii
moved to Butte. OF
Recognizing the vast mining pos sa
abilities there, he at once secured bl
United States patents to a large por-
ion of the property now constituting pc
he greater part of the city proper W
n addition to many of the rich min OF