New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-25
Negro Miracle
Man. Is Killed
1n3-HourFiglnt
Atlantic City Seer Pastor
of Colored Cult, Runs
Amuck and Wounds Two
Policemen and a Woman
Holds Whole Force at Bay
Repels Rush After Rush of
Patrolmen, but Finally
Is Trapped and Shot

ATLANTIC CITY, N T., June 24.--
"Doc" Murphy, leader of a negro reli-
gious sect known as olive and Never
Die was killed to-day in three-h hour
battle against policemen and firemen
who besieged him in his home while
thousands of spectators. both from
the Boardwalk and backtown sections,
looked on. Two patrolmen and a woman
We're wounded.
Murphy was a wizened, bandy-legged
| little black man with long beard and
/, the gift of tongue. In token of his
office as shepherd OF the Live and
Never Die" Church, he carried long
crook and the little man with the
! lengthy stave was familiar sight III
! the negro section of the city.
| He styled himself divine healer
and in addition to contributions to his
church. obtained fees from credulous
negroes whom he treated for ailments
of all kinds, real and imaginary. Yes
terday Nettie Spencer, one of his pa
| tients, who had begun to doubt his
powers, obtained warrant for his ar
rest, alleging that he had obtained $40
from her under false pretences.
Levels Gun at Officer
Special Patrolman Allen served the
warrant this morning, taking his pris-
| oner to the office of Magistrate Will
| lam Roberts for hearing. They had
| to wait for the magistrate, and the
negro strobe up and down the room
mumbling fragments of Scriptural quo
! tations into his beard and bewailing
| the lack of his shepherds crook, which
| he had left at home in his excitement
! Suddenly he drew revolver, levelled
| it at Allen, the only other occupant
| of the room, and began to sidle toward
/, the door.
"Them as lives by the sword shall
| "White man, watch yo' step, for the
proud shall be humbled and the meek
| shall inherit the earth! You moves an
| I humbles you with bullet!"
| He backed out Of the door into the
! street, Allen following at discreet
distance. For more than block they
held their attitudes, to the amazement
! of passersby, the negro backing slowly
| toward his home at 116 Disston Ave.
nue., and hurting Biblical jargon OF
threats at the uniformed white man
| who proceeded slowly after him.
Takes Refuge in Home
On reaching his home Murphy whirl.
ed and darted inside. The door was
slammed and Allen heard only the
sound Of footsteps retreating hastily
! upstairs. He got Patrolman Frank
Gaines and Joseph Ford, who live
! near by, and the three entered the
| preachers house and started upstairs
i A door at the top of the stairs
swung open and Murphy appeared, his
| crook in his left hand and his revolver
in his right. He fired five shots with.
out stopping to parley. Four bullets
went through Gaines's coat and the
fifth inflicted slight wound in his
shoulder.
The attacking force withdrew ant
summoned help, By this time ths
small frame house tenanted by the
crazed negro was surrounded by thou
stantiy were endangering themselves
/ by pushing forward to seek vantage
points from which to view the battle
/ Ten patrolmen and detectives par
/ ticipated in the next assault, which
was repulsed by q furious burst of fire
One of the bullets struck Mrs. Eliza
beth Chappelle, a negro, of 1l6 Disstor
Avenue, in the back. Another wound
ed Patrolman Charles Thorogood in tht
hand.
/ More policemen were summoned. Th,
! house was surrounded by meI
! in uniform, who poured constan'
hail of bullets into it. The blacl
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