The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-11-17
DEATH CLAIMS
: %OLD DAN" MURPHY

Dan Murphy, aged prisoner Of the
penitentiary. who created consider
ahlc surprise early his year when he
announced that he would not accept a
pardon II Governor Cooper should see
nc to grant executive clemency to him,
but who lated asked Governor Harvey
20 grant him pardon because life
at-the prison had become "too rough" !"
died yesterday morning in his cell
shortly after 8 o'clock from heart
trouble.
"Oid Dan," as he was known at the
prison, was perhaps the Oldest man
In the penitentiary from the point Of
service, having been placed there in
1875. With his passing the prison
lost a unique figure. His death was
f'udden, coming before medical atten-
ton could be summoned. He was
over 65 years Of age. :
Early in the morning he had been
iet out of his cell to get drink of
water and again at 8 O'Clock he was
let out. He complained to his cell
mate, James Faulkner, of terrible
burning in his heart" but Faulkner
did not suspect anything serious. A
few moments later Faulkner told Dan
his feet were cold and Dan replied
that "he felt peculiar" a feeling that
he had never experienced before. With
sigh Dan turned over and said,
God bless you, my boy" and passed
tc the other world.
DR.. r. T. jennings, penitentiary
physician, examined the body and pro-
nounced death due TO apoplexy. Cor.
oner Scott was notified, but. after d
consultation decided that an inquest
was not necessary. \
Dan had served nearly a quarter of
century in the penitentiary and until
the riot there come months ago had
been happy. He ran q little store in
The prison yard and had accumulated
Q rood deal Of money from his sales
Of soft drinks, tobacco and other. arti-
! cles. After the riot at. the prison
rome Of the "hard boiled" prisoners
thought Dan had taken the side of the
authorities and, according to his
story, were "after" him. He express
edS desisesAe lssss because the men
were getting "too rough" for him.
Col. "A. Z. Sanders, superintendent
I 0fsthe psnitentiary, has always be-
= hnaf IN sp4lsSlses
klssost worshiped the colonel He
often said he would never leave as
long as Colonel Sanders remained su-
perintendent-.-and when the pardon
board recommended that the governor
grant him full executive clemency he
announced that he would not leave.
Governor Cooper never offered the
pardon, but the pardon board favored
clemency for Dan.
1t was only last year that Dan was
brought up the street to a moving
Ficture show, the first he had ever
seen. Colonel Sanders brought the
old man up town and gave him the
treat Of his life by riding him around
the streets, carrying him to show
and riding him on an elevator. 1t
"as Dams first "joy trip" the rirst
time he had ever ridden in an auto
mobile and an elevator and he was
delighted at the sight on Main street.
1t was like a new world to Dan. q.
When Dan was thinking of the pos
s;b.iity of a pardon being offered him
he said he was "away behind the
times,1 having been behind the grim
walls for many years. He did not
think he could get out in the world
again. and keep progress with bust
ness. He was content to remain with
his friend, Colonel Sanders.
Dan was convicted Of killing Robert
fopes, treasurer Of Orangeburg coun-
'ty. The evidence against him was ex-
ceptionally strong, but there were no
eyewitnesses. Dan always said he was
innocent. Last year he expressed deep
regret that he had not taken the stand
during the trial and told his story,
but It was too late.
Treasurer Copes was making the
rounds of the county collecting taxes
when he was slain. Evidence at the
: trial showed that the gun used be.
longed to Dan and It was also brought
out that the tracks around the scene
nf the killing were made by shoes
worn by Dan, certain tacks in the heel
Pointed cc1clrssvaly &c this, The
killing occurred on May 6, 1895.
Dan was convicted Of murder and
sentenced to be hanged March g. 1897
Governor Ellerbe granted him re,
spite until March 26, 1897, and or
March 25 commuted the sentence to
life imprisonment. On March 26
1861, Dan entered the penitentiary to
{ begin his life sentence.
On September 20, 1900, Dan escaped
and went to the Philippine islands
where hs joined the cavalry. He re-
z sfufned 70 the United States and, while
prlking III Georgia, became involved