The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-04-26
of
Tam m any.
Hall Dies
Charles +. Murphy, Who
Fought Way From Stoke
hold TO Quarterback Of
Party Fame, Succumbs.
Throngs Gather at House

New York, April 25.--CharleS +.
Murphy. grand chieftain Of Tammany
hall and for many years a powerful
factor in democratic councils OF the
state and nation. died today Of heart
disease induced by acute Indigestion.
A product OF the east sides pic
turesque gas house district" he had.
first with fists and then with brains.
fought his way from the stokehold
of ward politics 10 the quarterback
OF party fame and financial fortune.
In a span OF SIS years he had been
poor mans son. ward heeler. bar
tender. saloon keeper, Office holder,
fnancier, and finally local director and
national adviser to his party.
He had graduated from the sobri-
quei OF FISTS Murphy" through that
OF "Hurly- -Burley." Sport" Silent
Charles" and at the last, &C. r. NJ"
the initials by which all knew him,
although few of those who obeyed
his commands ever had seen him.
And always, from merest youth, his
name and that Of Tammany were
linked together.
Dies Few Minutes Later.
He retired last night. after busy
day and q hearty dinner. TO be awak-
ened this morning by feverish chllls
and the pangs Of indigestion. charact-
erIstically. he insisted upon breakfast
inr at the usual early hour. I'm.
mediatcly he became aiarmingiy III
and died a few minutes later in the
presence Of his physician. priest, his
daughter Mable. and her husband.
Surrogate James A. Foley.
The faciturn genius. who had ruled
the destenies Of Tammany hall for
20 years as successor 10 the late
Richard crocker. remained conscious
10 the end, unaware that death was
near, He submitted docileIy to the
bypodermic injected when his physi-
clan recognized that collapse was I'm
mInent and his only comment was Of
surprise that indigestion should have
awakened him. and that his heart
caused him pain.
Mrs. Murphy, who was In Atlantic
city, was summoned home. Although
her husband died before she could en-
train, she was not aware OF II until
she was met by friepds at this end
Of the journey.
Flag Half-staffc6.
Tanmany hall was the first 10
learn that death had invaded the
home OF its leader near Grsmercy
park. The party's Big Wigwam on
Fourteenth street haIf-staffed Its flag
and went into mourning. Party
chiefs and Tammany workers assem-
bled from all outlying wigwams to
pay tribute TO the memory OF their
leader and speculate as TO his sue
ccssor. Police and traffic reserves
controlled the throngs that gathered
about the old fashioned mansion
where he died.
Coming at n time when Tammany
has girdcd itself for strenuous
presidential campaign. and 80 soon
after his protege, Governor Alfred II.
Smith, had formally entered the lists
for the democratic presidential nords-
nation, Mr.. Murphy's death was
mourned by high political leaders as
q party misfortune. II not an actual
calamity.
Successor Sought.
TanimaDy's greatest concern 70
night was the choice OF q man big
enough TO carry on where Murphy
left on. A meeting Of the executive
committee hastily was called 10 dis
cuss the situation. although II was
understood that a new chicftsin
would not be named until after the
funeral.
II was considered probable that the
committee would follow the precedent
frnrn To Page Two, Column sesen.)