LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C.
Murphy Destroys an Indian Village. He Hides in a Hollow Log. A Peculiar Shot from the Rear.
At one time Murphy and a small body of riflemen were despatched to destroy an Indian and Tory village near Unadilla.
After a laborious march through marshes and over mountains, in which they endured innumerable privations, they arrived in sight of the village, which lay in a beautiful valley.
They remained on the mountain until midnight, when they advanced slowly and cautiously.
Luckily most of the Indians were absent, and after a warm contest, in which clubs, fists, feet and tomahawks were used by the old Indians, squaws and papooses, and were resented by the riflemen with fists, feet and the ends of their guns, the village was reduced to ashes.
They had not returned far before they were attacked by the Indians and most of them destroyed.
Murphy, -who was in advance of the rest ran some distance and crawled into a large hollow log that lay near a small stream.
He had not remained there long before he heard the voices of Indians, and as they came nearer, found to his amazement, they were going to encamp there.
They came up and one of them, perceiving the cavity of the log, stooped down, but seeing a spider's web hanging over the aperture, (which luckily Murphy had not displaced), he took no pains to examine further.
They then built a fire beside the log in which he was.
After which they lay down to sleep with their feet towards the fire.
Murphy lay quiet until they began to snore, when he crawled softly to a split in the log, looking through, observed eight Indians laying with their rifles beside them; while one set with his tomahawk and scalping knife in his belt, to keep watch.
Murphy drew himself back to his former position, concluding it most expedient to remain where he was for the time being.
His position was by no means an enviable one, as ever and anon his olfactories were saluted with a discharge of light artillery, and the log was so burned that he could see the Indians through the holes made by the fire.
Early in the morning one of the Indians (who was dressed in English style), went down to the stream, and bent over to drink, until his coat flaps fell over his back.
Murphy saw him through the end of the log, and being irritated by the heat, and having the end of his rifle in that direction, he fired — the Indian fell headlong into the water.
The other Indians fled precipitately, when Murphy backed out of the log, scalped the Indian, and running as fast as his feet would carry him, escaped.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
How he Captured a British Officer. Battle of Saratoga.
Just before the battle of Saratoga, he went out of the American camp, and having ascertained the British countersign, he went into one of their camps, and seeing an officer writing alone, he whispered to him [pointing to his hunting knife], that if he spoke a word he would make daylight shine through him.
The officer not having sword or pistols near, reluctantly' marched before him to the American camp.
At the last battle at Saratoga, in which both armies were engaged, Murphy was, as he states, within five feet of Arnold, when he passed over the fortifications sword in hand.
Murphy ascribed, to the day of his death, the chief honor of Burgoyne's defeat to Gen. Arnold, and believed Arnold would never have betrayed his country, had he received the honors which he so richly merited.
At Unadilla, be also went into a fort, several years afterwards, where he made important discoveries of the strength of the enemy.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
How he Captured a British Officer. Battle of Saratoga.
Just before the battle of Saratoga, he went out of the American camp, and having ascertained the British countersign, he went into one of their camps, and seeing an officer writing alone, he whispered to him [pointing to his hunting knife], that if he spoke a word he would make daylight shine through him.
The officer not having sword or pistols near, reluctantly' marched before him to the American camp.
At the last battle at Saratoga, in which both armies were engaged, Murphy was, as he states, within five feet of Arnold, when he passed over the fortifications sword in hand.
Murphy ascribed, to the day of his death, the chief honor of Burgoyne's defeat to Gen. Arnold, and believed Arnold would never have betrayed his country, had he received the honors which he so richly merited.
At Unadilla, be also went into a fort, several years afterwards, where he made important discoveries of the strength of the enemy.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Another Shot from the Rear.
On one occasion, when tramping through the woods, Murphy discovered an Indian in a sitting posture attending to a peremptory call from nature; such was his haste to shoot, that he fired ramrod, load and all through the body of the Indian.
The Indian fell over backwards, and as Murphy states, his rifle was responded to, some forty times by the Indian, in his incompleted operation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Another Shot from the Rear.
On one occasion, when tramping through the woods, Murphy discovered an Indian in a sitting posture attending to a peremptory call from nature; such was his haste to shoot, that he fired ramrod, load and all through the body of the Indian.
The Indian fell over backwards, and as Murphy states, his rifle was responded to, some forty times by the Indian, in his incompleted operation.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Murphy and Follok Kill a Tory.
As Murphy was passing towards Summit in company with Follok (a half blood), who generally acted as his pilot, he saw four Indians headed by a Tory, with scalps hanging on their bayonets.
They crawled through a swail, and as they came within plain view, they saw on the bayonet of the Tory, what appeared to be the scalp of a woman.
They moved carefully, but at last one of them stepping on the limb of a tree, which made a cracking, three of the Indians fired.
The balls struck in some limbs that hung before them.
They both aimed at the Tory, who fell, when they escaped by running.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Murphy and Follok Kill a Tory.
As Murphy was passing towards Summit in company with Follok (a half blood), who generally acted as his pilot, he saw four Indians headed by a Tory, with scalps hanging on their bayonets.
They crawled through a swail, and as they came within plain view, they saw on the bayonet of the Tory, what appeared to be the scalp of a woman.
They moved carefully, but at last one of them stepping on the limb of a tree, which made a cracking, three of the Indians fired.
The balls struck in some limbs that hung before them.
They both aimed at the Tory, who fell, when they escaped by running.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
They Capture Canadians.
On another occasion as himself, Follok, Tufts and Evans were passing through the woods, they saw 10 or 12 Canadians marching towards them in Indian file, with what appeared to be muskets on their shoulders.
The four secreted themselves, until the Canadians got between them, when what appeared to be guns, were mere clubs of black birch.
They all arose simultaneously and presenting, ordered them to- surrender.
Being unarmed (except with hunting knives), they complied, and very demurely marched to the American Camp.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
They Capture Canadians.
On another occasion as himself, Follok, Tufts and Evans were passing through the woods, they saw 10 or 12 Canadians marching towards them in Indian file, with what appeared to be muskets on their shoulders.
The four secreted themselves, until the Canadians got between them, when what appeared to be guns, were mere clubs of black birch.
They all arose simultaneously and presenting, ordered them to- surrender.
Being unarmed (except with hunting knives), they complied, and very demurely marched to the American Camp.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Tories Fire a Building. Murphy Shoots a Tory who had Killed a Boy.
Soon after Murphy came to Schoharie, he went on a hunting and scouting excursion, and as he was returning, late in the evening he saw several men setting fire to an outhouse of a building near the Schoharie river.
When he arrived within half a mile of the place he saw several tories standing at the corner of the house and one peeking in the window.
After a short time the inmates were aroused and a man, a negro and two boys came rushing out of doors to extinguish the fire.
The tories then hid behind the fence, excepting one, more resolute than the rest, who fired, most probably at the man but hit one of the boys, who fell, and was carried into the house by the mother, who had been elicited by his cries.
This aroused the vengeance of Murphy, who stood on his knees behind a stump, and laying his rifle over the stump, he shot the tory to the very heart.
The others on seeing him fall, and hearing the report in an unexpected direction, scampered away.
Murphy then walked up, and was hailed by the habitants with tears of joy.
No sleep was enjoyed by them that night.
In the morning, the tory killed was found to be no less a person than ____________, who had pretended to be a whig.
Verily he received the reward of his treachery!
The next day the family removed to the fort, where the boy recovered in a short time from his wounds.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
Tories Fire a Building. Murphy Shoots a Tory who had Killed a Boy.
Soon after Murphy came to Schoharie, he went on a hunting and scouting excursion, and as he was returning, late in the evening he saw several men setting fire to an outhouse of a building near the Schoharie river.
When he arrived within half a mile of the place he saw several tories standing at the corner of the house and one peeking in the window.
After a short time the inmates were aroused and a man, a negro and two boys came rushing out of doors to extinguish the fire.
The tories then hid behind the fence, excepting one, more resolute than the rest, who fired, most probably at the man but hit one of the boys, who fell, and was carried into the house by the mother, who had been elicited by his cries.
This aroused the vengeance of Murphy, who stood on his knees behind a stump, and laying his rifle over the stump, he shot the tory to the very heart.
The others on seeing him fall, and hearing the report in an unexpected direction, scampered away.
Murphy then walked up, and was hailed by the habitants with tears of joy.
No sleep was enjoyed by them that night.
In the morning, the tory killed was found to be no less a person than ____________, who had pretended to be a whig.
Verily he received the reward of his treachery!
The next day the family removed to the fort, where the boy recovered in a short time from his wounds.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
An Occurrence at Gallupville.
Shortly after the war, a 4th of July was celebrated, at a tavern near Gallupville, which Murphy attended.
In the evening they commenced drinking healths, and after several patriotic toasts were offered, a tory gave in ridicule, "A health to George III."
This Murphy determined not to suffer with impunity, and rising, as the tory walked towards the door, he pitched him headlong from the stoop.
The tory picked himself up and left for Canada or some other country, as he was never heard of afterwards.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
An Occurrence at Gallupville.
Shortly after the war, a 4th of July was celebrated, at a tavern near Gallupville, which Murphy attended.
In the evening they commenced drinking healths, and after several patriotic toasts were offered, a tory gave in ridicule, "A health to George III."
This Murphy determined not to suffer with impunity, and rising, as the tory walked towards the door, he pitched him headlong from the stoop.
The tory picked himself up and left for Canada or some other country, as he was never heard of afterwards.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
The Sagacity of Our Hero Saves His Own Life and Enables Him to Kill His Would be Murderer.
The following story has been questioned, and we publish it as it has been related to us, without vouching for its entire correctness.
Just before the conclusion of the war, as Murphy was at labor in clearing a piece of woodland, he saw a tall Indian approaching him from the woods with a rifle on his shoulder.
As he came nearer, a belt might be seen around his waist in which were a tomahawk and scalping knife, that were partially concealed by a large blanket thrown over his shoulders.
"Which way are you traveling?" asked Murphy.
"Don't know," said the Indian.
"Where do you live?" enquired Murphy.
"There," returned the Indian (pointing towards Canada), "and where do you live?"
"Down here."
"Do you know old Murphy?" was the next question.
"Well—well—yes!" was the response.
"Where does he live?"
"Away off — yonder (pointing in a wrong direction), but what do you want of him?"
"Oh, nothing," said the Indian apparently embarrassed.
"Murphy was a wicked old devil."
"Yes," said the Indian, "he kill my brother — he kill Indian — he scalp Indian."
"They say he witch — he shoot without loadin' — Indian no hit him — he kill good many Indian — but he no kill me — I kill him."
Murphy's blood began to boil, but he concealed his excitement as much as possible, and remarked: " You've a very good rifle there."
"Yes."
"Did you ever shoot at a mark?"
"Oh, yes — do you shoot at mark?"
"Well, suppose we try," said Murphy.
The Indian then ran off some distance and putting' up a mark against a stump, returned.
"You shoot first," said the Indian.
"No," said Murphy, "you shoot first."
The Indian then shot, and to the astonishment of Murphy, pierced the center of the mark.
The rifle was then reloaded, and on Murphy's receiving it he bounded back, exclaiming, "I am Murphy!"
The savage gave a yell that reverberated through the hills, and drawing his hunting knife, sprang towards Murphy; but ere he reached him a ball from the rifle entered his breast.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, continued ...
The Sagacity of Our Hero Saves His Own Life and Enables Him to Kill His Would be Murderer.
The following story has been questioned, and we publish it as it has been related to us, without vouching for its entire correctness.
Just before the conclusion of the war, as Murphy was at labor in clearing a piece of woodland, he saw a tall Indian approaching him from the woods with a rifle on his shoulder.
As he came nearer, a belt might be seen around his waist in which were a tomahawk and scalping knife, that were partially concealed by a large blanket thrown over his shoulders.
"Which way are you traveling?" asked Murphy.
"Don't know," said the Indian.
"Where do you live?" enquired Murphy.
"There," returned the Indian (pointing towards Canada), "and where do you live?"
"Down here."
"Do you know old Murphy?" was the next question.
"Well—well—yes!" was the response.
"Where does he live?"
"Away off — yonder (pointing in a wrong direction), but what do you want of him?"
"Oh, nothing," said the Indian apparently embarrassed.
"Murphy was a wicked old devil."
"Yes," said the Indian, "he kill my brother — he kill Indian — he scalp Indian."
"They say he witch — he shoot without loadin' — Indian no hit him — he kill good many Indian — but he no kill me — I kill him."
Murphy's blood began to boil, but he concealed his excitement as much as possible, and remarked: " You've a very good rifle there."
"Yes."
"Did you ever shoot at a mark?"
"Oh, yes — do you shoot at mark?"
"Well, suppose we try," said Murphy.
The Indian then ran off some distance and putting' up a mark against a stump, returned.
"You shoot first," said the Indian.
"No," said Murphy, "you shoot first."
The Indian then shot, and to the astonishment of Murphy, pierced the center of the mark.
The rifle was then reloaded, and on Murphy's receiving it he bounded back, exclaiming, "I am Murphy!"
The savage gave a yell that reverberated through the hills, and drawing his hunting knife, sprang towards Murphy; but ere he reached him a ball from the rifle entered his breast.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, concluded ...
His Appearance.
In stature Murphy was about five feet six inches and very well proportioned, with dark complexion, and an eye that would kindle and flash like the very lightning, when excited.
He was exceedingly quick in all his motions, and possessed an iron frame that nothing apparently could affect.
And what is very remarkable, his body was never wounded or scarred during the whole war.
Murphy's Family. His Death. His Hatred of Tories.
He had nine children by his first wife, and was married again in 1812 or 1813, to Miss Mary Robertson, by whom he had four children.
Soon after this marriage, he removed to Charlotteville, in this county, where he remained until a short time before his death, when he moved back to Fulton.
He had suffered many years from an obstinate cancer on his neck, which finally terminated his existence in 1818, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.
He was a good and charitable neighbor, but inveterate to his enemies.
He detested the very name of Tory, and if possible with more acrimony than that of Indian, and took the greatest delight in relating the feats and adventures in which he participated; saying that he was resolved to kill himself rather than be taken prisoner, knowing that they would inflict on him the most inhuman tortures.
He repeatedly declined holding civil office, considering it would infringe on his natural independence; he always refused a promotion during the war, on the ground that it would confine him to one fort, and frequently prevent his joining scouting parties.
In his pecuniary transactions he was perfectly honest and generous, and liberal to the indigent.
That he had faults, we are not disposed to deny, but his greatest errors were in furtherance of what he conceived to be the best interest of his country, rather than from any selfish or sinister designs.
Those who knew him best speak most in his praise.
And it is to be hoped that it will be long ere the citizens of Schoharie will forget the name of Murphy.
"He was a man, take him all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
ANECDOTES, &C, concluded ...
His Appearance.
In stature Murphy was about five feet six inches and very well proportioned, with dark complexion, and an eye that would kindle and flash like the very lightning, when excited.
He was exceedingly quick in all his motions, and possessed an iron frame that nothing apparently could affect.
And what is very remarkable, his body was never wounded or scarred during the whole war.
Murphy's Family. His Death. His Hatred of Tories.
He had nine children by his first wife, and was married again in 1812 or 1813, to Miss Mary Robertson, by whom he had four children.
Soon after this marriage, he removed to Charlotteville, in this county, where he remained until a short time before his death, when he moved back to Fulton.
He had suffered many years from an obstinate cancer on his neck, which finally terminated his existence in 1818, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.
He was a good and charitable neighbor, but inveterate to his enemies.
He detested the very name of Tory, and if possible with more acrimony than that of Indian, and took the greatest delight in relating the feats and adventures in which he participated; saying that he was resolved to kill himself rather than be taken prisoner, knowing that they would inflict on him the most inhuman tortures.
He repeatedly declined holding civil office, considering it would infringe on his natural independence; he always refused a promotion during the war, on the ground that it would confine him to one fort, and frequently prevent his joining scouting parties.
In his pecuniary transactions he was perfectly honest and generous, and liberal to the indigent.
That he had faults, we are not disposed to deny, but his greatest errors were in furtherance of what he conceived to be the best interest of his country, rather than from any selfish or sinister designs.
Those who knew him best speak most in his praise.
And it is to be hoped that it will be long ere the citizens of Schoharie will forget the name of Murphy.
"He was a man, take him all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY
LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY MURPHY, BENEFACTOR OF SCHOHARIE, continued ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
THE TIMOTHY MURPHY MEMORIAL.
Unveiling of his Monument in Middleburgh Cemetery — Great concourse of people honor his memory on Oct. 17, 1910 — the 130th Anniversary of his heroic deeds in repelling the attack of British and Indians on the Middle Fort.
On Thursday the 13th of October, 1910, Counsellor Dow Beekman, President of the Fort Defiance Historical Society, was advised by Mr. Francis O. Winslow, of Boston, Mass., the executor of the estate of Mr. Thomas G. Foster, that the monument to the memory of Timothy Murphy, would be completed and unveiled on the Anniversary Day.
There was little time and much work to be done to make suitable arrangements for the great occasion.
This work, in all its variety and detail, Mr. Beekman performed.
The people most heartily and joyously responded to his call.
The early morning sun shone on hundreds of decorating flags, the places of business were closed, and the beautiful day was a holiday indeed.
At noon, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, the sculptress, Miss Evelyn B. Longman, the architect, Mr. Henry Bacon, and the surviving officers and trustees of the Fort Defiance Historical Society, Messrs. Dow Beekman, W. E. Bassler, J. Edward Young, G. L. Danforth and Daniel D. Frisbie, partook an elaborate lunch at Hotel Baker.
At one thirty P. M., a great procession formed on Main street, Mr. Winslow's party, relatives of Timothy Murphy, the officers and trustees of tbe Historical Society, the Board of Trustees of the Village, the Board of Trustees of the Cemetery Association, the Trustees and Faculty of Middleburgh High School, more than 200 scholars of the school, each scholar bearing and waving a flag, citizens of the village and town and of the surrounding towns, and escorted by the companies of the Middleburgh Fire Department and the Cornet Band, and directed by Paul B. Mattice as marshal, and Norman J. Vroman as aide, in uniform of Spanish American War Veterans, took up the march to the cemetery, a mile away.
To while away the time and to express their enthusiasm and rivalling the band, the scholars on the way sang:
"Timothy Murphy's body lies a molding in the grave,
But his soul goes marching on,
Marching on, Marching on, Marching on."
Arriving at the gates of the cemetery, the occupants of motor cars and carriages alighted and the procession, more than a half a mile long in double file, wended its way up the wide winding walks of the cemetery, and disposed of themselves in a semicircle to the north of the Murphy monument.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE
Paul B. Mattice, Editor,
August 1, 1912.
LIFE OF MURPHY, continued ...
THE TIMOTHY MURPHY MEMORIAL.
Unveiling of his Monument in Middleburgh Cemetery — Great concourse of people honor his memory on Oct. 17, 1910 — the 130th Anniversary of his heroic deeds in repelling the attack of British and Indians on the Middle Fort.
On Thursday the 13th of October, 1910, Counsellor Dow Beekman, President of the Fort Defiance Historical Society, was advised by Mr. Francis O. Winslow, of Boston, Mass., the executor of the estate of Mr. Thomas G. Foster, that the monument to the memory of Timothy Murphy, would be completed and unveiled on the Anniversary Day.
There was little time and much work to be done to make suitable arrangements for the great occasion.
This work, in all its variety and detail, Mr. Beekman performed.
The people most heartily and joyously responded to his call.
The early morning sun shone on hundreds of decorating flags, the places of business were closed, and the beautiful day was a holiday indeed.
At noon, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, the sculptress, Miss Evelyn B. Longman, the architect, Mr. Henry Bacon, and the surviving officers and trustees of the Fort Defiance Historical Society, Messrs. Dow Beekman, W. E. Bassler, J. Edward Young, G. L. Danforth and Daniel D. Frisbie, partook an elaborate lunch at Hotel Baker.
At one thirty P. M., a great procession formed on Main street, Mr. Winslow's party, relatives of Timothy Murphy, the officers and trustees of tbe Historical Society, the Board of Trustees of the Village, the Board of Trustees of the Cemetery Association, the Trustees and Faculty of Middleburgh High School, more than 200 scholars of the school, each scholar bearing and waving a flag, citizens of the village and town and of the surrounding towns, and escorted by the companies of the Middleburgh Fire Department and the Cornet Band, and directed by Paul B. Mattice as marshal, and Norman J. Vroman as aide, in uniform of Spanish American War Veterans, took up the march to the cemetery, a mile away.
To while away the time and to express their enthusiasm and rivalling the band, the scholars on the way sang:
"Timothy Murphy's body lies a molding in the grave,
But his soul goes marching on,
Marching on, Marching on, Marching on."
Arriving at the gates of the cemetery, the occupants of motor cars and carriages alighted and the procession, more than a half a mile long in double file, wended its way up the wide winding walks of the cemetery, and disposed of themselves in a semicircle to the north of the Murphy monument.
TO BE CONTINUED ...