New Britain herald., 1928-07-30
Death Takes J. J. Murphy Former
Owner of New Britain Ball Team
Retired Baseball Magnate
Passes Away at Hospi-
tai Where Daughter Is
Nurse.

uFudN NIX III aL ct. TIdHtlS iospildi,
Hartford, whittier he had just been
removed from sanatorium at Nor
Vich. Mr.. Murphy, who was 81 years
OF age, had been i'll for fully four
months with heart trouble. and for
several weeks he had been at Nor
Wich for treatment. On Saturday he
asked TO he removed to the Hartford
institution, where his daughter Ia a
nurse. but he died unexpectedly
within five minutes OF his arrival
there,
Mr.. Murphy was born in Spring.
field. Mass, on August "a, 1876. and
attended school in that city. In
June 1899. he married Miss Mary
Flynn OF plainville and went to
Utica y. Y, to assume a responsible
position with the Savage Arms Co,
About 90 years ago he came to
PlainNille and assumed charge Of Il
cafe which had been owned by his
wifes father, Joseph Flynn. This
cafe, located on the corner of Main
and Whiting streets where Thralls
drug store now stands, was for many
years the center of the sporting fra
ternity in Plainville.
Shortly after his return here he
purchased the franchise of the New
Britain professional baseball team
and for three years he was flnan-
cially Interested in this sport.
Team Removed 20 Plainvillc
Soon after taking over the New
Britain team. Mr. Murphy removed
| its headquarters from this city TO
4 Plainville. creating storm among
local fans. Prior to the switch the
team had been Qnartered at IN" Oh
Relon hotel or Church street. New
Britain Mr.. Murphy believed that
{ the players should be under his sur
VIGILANCE in the interest of dis"inlin.
and he moved them, bat and bag
go~e to PlainviIle.
He CHARTERED them ut tn" old
Clarendon hotel, now the Central
building. which stood across, the
street from his cafe.
Discipline was not enforced as rig
orously in those days as II is az
the present time. 4 good player
knowing his worth to the team. fire.
ouently exercised his Individual iudg-
ment in connection with his conduct
realizing that he would not be sub
iactcd tn criticisms as long as he
continued to hit the ball or fl'l ms
folding po:ition i" ? manner that
nlea~cl the fairs. Mr.. Murphy. know.
ing that his PLAYERS We're fndepenc
cnt so far AS training rules were
concerned, decided on Plainvillo a:
the locale of their residence. New
Britain fans nrot"Tted vigorc"''v BIZ
without avail. Soon after this. in
tnrest in the fortunes of the team
began to decline. The fans c"rle Il
tho conclusion that it wSs n PAIN
Vile team rather than New Britain
team and attendance dropned t
UGH Il low point that th" club nj
Longer was PAYING nrnnosition.
As a club owner Mr.. Murphy was
ponular with the PLAYERS hut h.
lacked the iron hand which the re-
sponsibilities Of ownership required
for success. He was lenient by No
ture and the players soon realized
this. taking advantage Of his cas-!
going spirit.
Although he sank a considerable
amount OF money in his baseball
ventures. Mr.. Murphy's teams neVeI
responded well enough and no pen
nants We're won under his owner
ship.
Attempted sunday ISall
Mr.. Murphy also made an earl!
effort to bring Sunday baseball t
this state He arranged for ;
game one Sunday at the old Elec
trio field but First Selectman c. H
Calor was a bitter foe of Sunda
sports and prevented the game d,
attending with the assistance OF
deputy sheriff.
While he owned the New Britain
club Mr.. Murphy had an intens
rivalry with his brotherin law
George NJ. Cameron. who held tn
franchise in New Haven at tn
same time. He was also an inter
!. estcd follower of other sports, In
Guiding horse racing, football an
, track.
: About 1910 Mr.. Murphy was in
iUrnd in a trolley accident at Whit
Oak. being blinded in one eye. Tn
superior court awarded him $1,000
Z j,, rEb. t,,i ny rnpn}ya6
this crash broke down his health
, 4 great extent.
p With the coming of prohihiuo
. Mr.. Murphy closed his cafe. Shor'
( ly aftnrvard he entered the auto
mobile. and, later, radio-battrr
service business. which he COZ
tinued until his last illness.
] He was a prominent member {
] the Elks for OK years. having hel
: Office in the New Britain lodge. an
/ city and to Court General Lawtol
'orestcrs of America. of PlainNill
He was a mcrnhe OF the Church I
our Lady of Mercy.
Mr.. Murphy is survived by h
WIFI = daughter Miss Anna Mn
ply. nurse AT ST. Francis hospita
thro" brothers. Thomas Murphy m
Robert Murphy of Springfield an
Harry Murphy Of Miami. Fla; ar
two sisters, Mrs. John Boyle
Springfield and Mrs Connie Toolc
'oughhe"pSie. n. Y