Person Page 1,564

Bent Murdock went back to Ironton, Ohio, married the sweetheart of his boyhood, Frances Crawford, and came to El Dorado March 4, 1870. They had two children. Mrs. Murdock committed suicide after killing their son. Their daughter, Mary Alice, became the editor of the El Dorado Republican.

OUR AFFLICTION

Some of the Causes and the Sad Sequence

In behalf of our afflicted brother, the editor of the Times, whose mind in this dark hour of his life is illy fitted to the task, and in behalf of his suffering wife, we will give a short statement of the sorrowful tragedy which so startled the citizens of El Dorado and so shocked and prostrated those that are near and dear to us by the ties of nature. This statement is published to the end, that unwise conjectures and surmises may be obviated and that the people of Butler County, to whom he is so intimately connected as editor and publisher, may not be compelled to give ear to rumor. Our words will be few, the duty a sad one;

At Emporia, on last Monday morning, as we were leaving the bedside of a sick father, preparatory to returning to our own home and duties, a telegram was handed us which contained the painful intelligence that our brother's babe was dead – his wife in a dying condition. There being just time for us to catch the morning train west, we, in company with a younger brother, started, reaching El Dorado at sunset, when from eye witnesses all the details of the previous day's sad history was given us and which are briefly these:

The family of our brother consisted of himself, his wife, a little niece of 11 years whom they were raising, a little daughter between three and four years of age, the babe about fourteen months old, and a young man employed in the TIMES office, J. W. Hart by name. They had temporarily moved into a small house opposite the Court House about a square from the main part of the town. Upon the arrival of the mail between the hours of 12 and one o'clock on Sunday, the father and husband stepped down to the post office on the main street for his mail. In returning home, Hon. Sidney Clarke and Gov. Sharp, who were on the corner near the hotel in full view of his house with whom he stopped and conversed for a short time then started for him which he had almost reached when he heard his little girl and niece scream. Just as he got to the corner of the house the bloody form of his dying child on the ground near the other corner of the house caught his gaze. Flying to it where he could see the back part of the house, his wife, prostrate and bleeding but alive, was next seen. Taking her in his arms, he carried her to near the front door where he laid her down and called for help. Dr. McClaran was called at once, who sewed up and dressed the wound in a few minutes. Mrs. Murdock had, with a razor, first cut her child's throat and then her own. The arteries of the child's neck had been severed completely and it died without a struggle. In the attempt upon her own life she had horribly mangled her throat almost severing the windpipe but failed to sever the important blood vessels cutting too high, although an artery was grazed. As soon as the deed was done her powers of reason returned, and while the doctor was sewing up the gash she signaled for pencil and paper with which she told her distracted husband what to do with the little daughter together with other things of minor importance, winding up with the charge or prayer for him to lead a Christian life. This she wrote under the conviction that she was dying.

Without dwelling further upon the details of this doubly sad tragedy we will give the causes that led to her aboration of mind, and the committing of the deed, as told by herself and corroborated by the family. And in the contemplation of the principal cause of this dark cloud which so suddenly destroyed hope, happiness, and life, comes to our breast the emotion of indignation. The next morning, it being Monday, our afflicted and suffering sister's mind was as clear as it ever had been and then she told her agonized husband all. Upon the heads of the fiends, at best unprincipled villains, who wrote that letter dated Douglass, but mailed at Augusta and signed "Committee" rests the blood of that sweet promising boy, whose bright form we helped to lay away on last Tuesday upon the mound that overlooks El Dorado and the valley of the Walnut. From the date and reception of that letter, she says her life has been a constant dread of "vigilanters." The letter spoken of ordered the editor of the TIMES to take back the County within ten days. Sleep fled from her eyes and all desire for food left her. Hourly she was expecting that the ones who had threatened to take her husband's life sat by the window a sentinel and guard over him she loved better than her own life, momentarily expecting to see him dragged by murderers from her presence, until reason toppled and reared from its seat. Of all this her husband had not the least suspicion, as he had on several occasions in answer to her questions, endeavored to satisfy her that he apprehended no personal danger, until last week, Wednesday, upon his return from Leavenworth when from the manner of his reception and from the unrest of her eye the dreadful reality of the condition of her mind flashed upon him. Immediately communicating his fears by letters to his parents and friends in Emporia he insidiously by every power of his love and mind endeavored to sooth and comfort her, not leaving her day nor night but for a few minutes at any time thereafter. Unfortunately the letter to his parents was not received until too late. Of course the late political and county seat contest in which his paper took so prominent a part together with the fearful storm, the terribly effects of which we now see upon every hand about this beautiful town all went to intensify the fear of that poor mother's and wife's heart, - that fear, which she says herself counseled her to hide the razor with which she intended to save herself and the boy from all trouble. Many little things and notions now are plain that were not understood previous to the calamity. She says, the last incident which immediately drove her to the desperate act was the fact of her husband stopping to talk with the gentlemen heretofore mentioned. She asked Mr. Hart, who was in the house, what men they were and how many there were of them; at the same moment she saw a man walking up the street with a rope in his hand. Thinking that the fatal hour had arrived, she picked up the baby, slipped the razor into her pocket, rushed to the back part of the house and our readers know the rest.

Mrs. Murdock was born in Marietta, Ohio, was educated at Cincinnatti, and possessed not only a good education but was highly accomplished. Her physical organism is extremely delicate, illy calculated for the hardships and excitements incident to a frontier life. She lost her parents and only sister when a girl. As a wife and mother she was wonderfully affectionate and apparently perfectly happy until the life and interests of her husband became, as she thought, jeopardized by the threats of irresponsible or inhuman wretches.

At this writing our poor unfortunate sister, under the care of Drs. McClaran, and McKinsey is doing as well as could be expected, and is at times in full possession of her faculties and affections, no doubt fully realizing her sorrowful situation. She has been a consistant and devout Christian from childhood up. All that kind friends of El Dorado could do for her comfort and that of her husband whose sorrow is almost too great to be borne, has been done, for which in behalf of those we love we tender our warmest thanks. (Walnut Valley Times, July 7, 1871, Friday)

DIED

On last Sabbath, July 9, 1871, Frank C. Murdock, wife of T. B. Murdock, aged thirty years. Our readers are already aware of the sad circumstances surrounding Mrs. Murdock's death, therefore further comment at this time is unnecessary.

DEATH OF MRS. MURDOCK

The following article on the death of Mrs. Murdock, is taken from Emporia News and written by Jacob Stotler, a brother-in-law of Mr. Murdock:

"Over the river they beckon to me

Loved ones who've passed to the other side."

Mrs. Frank C. Murdock, wife of T. B. Murdock, died, at El Dorado, on Sunday, July 9th at half past twelve o'clock p.m., aged 30 years and 10 months.

The facts which led to the tragic death of Mrs. M. have been given by us, and it useless to reiterate them here. We can read of such tragedies at a distance with considerable unconcern but when they come so near home – when they suddenly take from among us an acquaintance, a friend, a relative – our grief and horror are intensified and take hold of our soul with a heavy weight.

Mrs. Murdock was born at Marietta, Ohio in September, 1840. Her father was a Methodist minister, and throughout life Mrs. M. entertained the religious feelings and opinions instilled into her mind in childhood. She maintained her membership in that church from youth and faithfully and honestly discharged the duties of life. Her nature was gentle, affectionate and true hearted. She chose to strew flowers rather than plant thorns along her pathway.

She was well educated at the M. E. female seminary at Cincinnati, was an accomplished musician, and was well read in current literature. Indeed, she had a passion for reading. Her intelligence was considerable above the average. She was naturally very sensitive and predisposed to melancholy. If these were not native to her, enough of sorrow had fallen to her lot to sudden her life. Besides losing her father and mother, she had lost two dear sisters and other relatives by that tell monster, consumption. Before leaving Ohio it was thought that this disease had taken a deep hold upon her system. She improved in our climate and became quite rugged. Lately, the disease gained upon her and a physician had announced to friends that she could not live a year. This undoubtedly depressed her spirits and made her an easier prey to the fancies which dethroned her mind of reason. She was little calculated to endure the excitement and hardships in a new country. She seemed to be in constant fear that some evil would befall her husband. It was in vain that he persuaded her that the brooded evils were imaginary. Piled upon all her sorrows, came to the terrible trial of the late tornado. Her mind was filled with frenzy. The fright of that occasion seemed to be the finishing stroke to her troubled soul and although she had acted in such a manner at times as to attract notice, it was not until that ordeal came that she was hopelessly insane. It terrifies us to contemplate that she should have taken it into her head to destroy herself and babe. Little EARLE was a beautiful bright and healthy child. He was of more than ordinary promise, with a streak of sunshine sent into the world to bless and brighten the pathway of his parents, than a bud which should so soon droop and die:

To our brother, thus bereaved in early life we tender our deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Words fail to convey what the heart feels under such circumstances. T. B. Murdock and Frank Crawford were school mates. In that early time of their lives they were lovers, and there is something poetic and romantic in the constancy with which their love withstood fifteen years of separation. They grew up one in Ohio and the other in Kansas nourishing their holy affection for each other, until on the 12th day of December, 1866, they were married. They lived together most happily and affectionately, each realizing in the other that true happiness which their constant and true love had dreamed of for so many years.

About a year and a half ago Mr. Murdock went to El Dorado and engaged in the publication of the TIMES. Possessing natural newspaper ability and taste, he has succeeded well in a business and influence. Both he and his wife were beloved by the people. Not many of the women of their town, had more or warmer friends. But it seemed that the tired spirit was weary of all earth's hopes and promises.

Few men have been afflicted as has Mr. Murdock so early in life. In the prime of young manhood, his cup of happiness is dashed to pieces, and his wife and babe, of a few days ago, lie under the sod. May the merciful Creator soften the pangs of grief which he is called upon to suffer and heal his broken heart. (The Walnut Valley Times, Friday, July 14, 1871.)

The Emporia [KS] Gazette, 10 Oct 1901, Thursday

Kansas City "Star:" Thomas Benton Murdock, editor of the Eldorado (sic), Kan., "Republican," who was in Kansas City Tuesday through Thursday, who is what Charles Dickens would call a "fine figure of a man." The natural inference would be, in looking at him, that he was a statesman in active service. He has a strong face, a fine head well set on his shoulders and is quite an adept at wearing clothes. He is a ready talker, and what he says in interesting and instructive. He knows everything about Kansas, from the days of the "troubles" up to the present moment. Mr. Murdock announces himself as a candidate for congress from the Fourth district, and expresses himself as hopeful of obtaining the nomination, which means an election. There is no man in Kansas better qualified to represent the state in such a capacity or more worthy of the support of the public. The Kansas press, especially, owes it to Mr. Murdock to do all that it can to promote his political aspirations.

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Son of Catherine Pierrepont and Thomas Benton Murdock. In 1849, his parents freed their slaves and then moved to Ironton, OH. In the panic of 1855, the family lost everything and moved to Mount Pleasant, IA, where they spent the winter. The following year, the family moved to Topeka, KS. In 1860 the family homesteaded at Forest Hill, near Emporia, and the father and mother spent the remainder of their lives there.

When the Civil war broke out Thomas Benton Murdock enlisted with his father and brother Roland in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry and served until the end of the war. He served in the Rocky Mountains in 1863. Returning from the army where he had gone "snow blind" on the plains–a calamity that hung over him all his later days–young Murdock, who had been a hod carrier and general workman as a youth around Topeka, learned the printing trade. He worked in the office of the Emporia News. Here he founded the Walnut Valley Times, with J. S. Danford. This paper was printed on an old Washington hand press, which was successively supplanted by a Potter cylinder, a Goss Comet, a Duplex and the present three-deck rotary press, with a speed of 30,000 papers printed and folded her hour.

Young Benton went back to Ironton, Ohio, married the sweetheart of his boyhood, Frances Crawford, and came to El Dorado March 4, 1870. They had two children. Mrs. Murdock committed suicide after killing their son. Their daughter, Mary Alice, became the editor of the El Dorado Republican. 2m to Antoinette Culbreth. He died in a Kansas City hospital.

He occupied his old home at 1000 Walnut Hill for twenty-eight years. Mr. Murdock was a home man clear to the core. He was best known there and best beloved, for there he showed always his best side. He kept the finest part of his heart and mind and soul for those who met him in his home. There he was in his kindest, his gentlest, his most human aspect. Home was his Heaven. There he brought all his joys. There he left the world behind. When blindness threatened him, as it did for a quarter of a century, off and on, it was in his home that he found his only solace.

As an editor he was equipped as few men are equipped–with an individual style. He expressed something more than an idea. He reflected an ideal plus a strong unique personality. He therefore in a way dramatized whatever he wrote–made it the spoken word of a combatant in the conflict, the defiance of a partisan in the contest. So thousands of people knew him as a voice who did not know him as a man.

From the first Mr. Murdock became a leader of politics in Kansas. He stood for the Walnut Valley and the Kingdom of Butler. In 1876 he was elected a member of the State Senate. In 1880 he ran for the Senate again, but was defeated, unfairly he thought. He sold the Times and moved to Topeka and became connected with the Topeka Daily Commonwealth, then controlled by the Baker family. But his heart was in El Dorado, and he returned in 1883 and founded the El Dorado Weekly Republican. A daily followed the weekly in 1884, and the paper at once took a prominent place in the affairs of Kansas. In 1888 Mr. Murdock was again elected to the State Senate. He served until 1892. He was defeated for re-election by the populist wave, and until appointed game warden by Governor Stubbs, held no other public office. However, he was a public man all the time. Gradually he grew in strength with the people of Kansas, and after 1902–-his last alignment with the old political machine–-he was easily the leader of the forward movement in Kansas republicanism.

His influence on the state has been more rather than less because of the fact that he was not in office. In every republican state convention for forty years Mr. Murdock was a power of the first class. Yet he sacrificed that power and worked for the primaries which put convention politicians out of power. He was never selfish, never little, never mean, and so it happened that he was large enough to retain his influence in the state and multiply it through the primary.

The Murdock memorial fountain in the courthouse grounds was erected to his memory by friends from Maine to California, a committee of El Dorado men fostering it. Dr. R. S. Miller initiated the movement to erect the Murdock Memorial Fountain on the court house square. This work was done by popular subscription at a cost of $600 and Dr. Miller not only carried out the project, but was the largest contributor. Many contributions were made up in small amounts of $1 or more.

The town and township of Benton, as well as the township of Murdock, all in Butler Co, KS were named after him.

T. B. Murdock in writing of the death of his brother, Marsh, January 3, 1908, said:

"There is no death. There are no dead. No waiting for the resurrection, in that it releases the spirit from the body. If there was a Christ, and there was, and if he said something while on earth, and he did, he said it to Martha at the grave of Lazarus: ‘Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' The immortal spirit of husband and father has passed through the shadow of the borderland of the shoreless river, ‘and his voice is drowned in the rushing tide.'

"He has Crost the Bar. His dying eyes had read a mystic meaning which only the rapt and passing soul may know. Let us believe that in the silence of the receding world he heard the great waves breaking on a farther shore, and felt already upon his wasted brow the breath of the eternal morning."

Funeral Service

Funeral services over the late T. B. Murdock were held from the family home on Walnut Hill, Sunday afternoon, November 7, 1909. Reverend Dean Kay of Trinity Episcopal church, Topeka, conducted the service and very beautifully expressed, sincere and true were his thoughts on immortal life, his tribute on the personality of Mr. Murdock. He was assisted by Reverend I. Newton Roberts of the El Dorado Trinity Episcopal church.

The rooms were banked with exquisite flowers, tributes from friends in this city and from over the entire state. The house and lawns were filled with people.

Brief interment were held in the west cemetery and "in the shadow of the evening," were closed with "the soul stirring simple sound—the trumpeting of "taps."

The relatives of the family who were here to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Eaton, Victoria Eaton, Mrs. R. P. Murdock, Marcellus Murdock, E. T. Allen, Victor Murdock, of Wichita; Mrs. Jacob Stotler,; Miss Leverah Stotler, Mr. and Mrs. A. Pemberton, Irene Pemberton, Murdock Pemberton, Emporia, Mrs. Emma Brady, Chicago.

Those from out of town attending were:

George Plumb, J. S. Watson, P. B. McCabe, W. Thornton and J. S. Gibson of Emporia, comrades of Mr. Murdock in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry. J. S. Watson was Mr. Murdock's "bunkie."

Other distinguished attendants: Governor W. R. Stubbs, Senator J. L. Bristow of Salina; Frank MacLenan, editor of Topeka State Journal; John Dawson, attorney for State Board of Railroad Commissioners; Henry Allen, editor of the Wichita Beacon; Mayor Davison, Postmaster W. C. Edwards, Tom Biodget, editor Kansas Magazine, E. B. Jewett, J. R. Meade, Lock Davidson and John McGinis, of Wichita; William Allen White and wife of Emporia; J. W. Moore of Marion; Victor Hodgin, superintendent of the fish hatchery at Pratt; Dan McGowan, of Emporia; E. C. Newby of the Cottonwood Falls Leader, his wife and daughter, Pauline El Dorado; W. W. Bugbee, of New York and Augusta Kuster of Los Angeles, California.

Some info from BUTLER COUNTY'S EIGHTY YEARS BIOS, Kansas Skyways

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Lyon County, Kansas Civil War Record:

Murdock, Thomas

Ninth Kansas Cavalry, Company B, Private

Mustered in October 12, 1861

Promoted sergeant November 20, 1861

Reduced at his own request, March 31, 1862

Discharged for disability, April 10, 1863 at Fort Halleck, Idaho territory.