Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-01-06
WONDROUS TALE
WINS HIM LOAN
TIME JOCKEY E~NTERTAINS Sill
YER BOW COMMISSION
Got His Names and Locations Wrong But
1t Was a Good Story So Officials Give
Him Fare to Missoula On His Way TO
Residence at BeIlingham, Wash.

They didn't believe 1t. but they adj
mitted ii was a grand tale, grandly
told. They were the board of county
commissioners and County auditor
Frank Sullivan of Silver Bow county.
The teller of the tale was one Andrew
Murphy of Beiiingham, Wash, erst-
While knight of the road, who In a
hegira through Montana's harvest
fields during the summer and auaumn
found himself tranded and AWAY from
home at Christmas. He went via the
rods to Butte, but having found the
trip one that did not recommend it.
self for the long distance to the Pa
cific coast, Mr.. Murphy called on the
commissioners and asked them as iea-
sonable men to consider his case.
That he is a man not without honor
in his W country he indicated In tell
ing the commissioners that on the Pa
cihc at BeIlingham he is the owner Of a
summer home, which serves in the vim
ter as well, which is q cabin worth a
hundred dollars. Also among his lares
and penates the speaker listed a fur coat,
which while not described In detail, gave
his listeners TO understand was some
coat"
On the strength Of his claim to being
a man Of property MIR. Murphy asked the
board TO pay his fare to Seattle. A COM
plOlilloG WtS tutCltd anu LIE wac Elftu
transportation to Missoula, where he be-
lieves he can make another negotiation
that will carry him to Spokane.
Murphy, a somewhat humorous vaga-
bond, entertained the commissioners af-
ter he learned he was among friends. He
let them know their loan would be re-
paid, but intimated that even II 1t wasn't
the fates were mere evening things up
a bit. For be it known, Mr.. Murphy was
a famous jockey in his day, and In 1890
in Butte he asserted he bought many a
good meal fof many a needy family.
THE good old days were sentimental
ly but not accurately recalled by the Wis
itor. He told his audience that he was
the famous Murphy who had ridden for
Marcus DAILY in a famous match race be-
tween Salvatore. noted equine Of the
mining kings stable. and Tenney, equally
famous. He said the race was run in
Helena. Reminded by Mr.. Sullivan that
the race was run In Saratoga n not in
Helena; that the famous jockey Murphy
was named Isaac and not Andrew and
that he was a man Of color, the caller
blithely ignored the correction. NO,
Isaac Murphy Was not a negro; he was a
Chinaman, but I'm the Murphy that rode
in that race" he declared.
That there was some foundation to his
claims of association with the turf, the
commissioners admitted. because he dis
coursed familiarly Of many old-time
Montana characters n mentioned many
who were associated with Marcus DAILY.
II he hadn't lost the money for which
he hooked his watch in Helena, Mr.. Muir
ply inferred he'd never In the world call
on the commissioner for aid. Short of
stature and not at all down on his luck,
despite the fact that years $50 or go OF
them) have robbed him of the figure
which he averred was once in demand
In the racing world. Mr.. Murphy loqua-
ciously thanked the commissioners for
their assistance and took his leave. They
all admitted they had a good half-hour's
entertainment. II they'd refused the
mans request for financial aid they
would have had to board him at the
county hospital for the winter, where he
undoubtedly would have entertained the
residents with tales OF Montana's former
grandeur until spring, when the road
would have lured him away again.