John W. Murphy

MURPHY, HAHN, SHAW, GIBSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/16/2018 at 13:39:58

24 April 1924 - West Branch Times

His neck broken by a terrific blow dealt by a falling limb, Mr. John W. Murphy, a former member of the Iowa City council, one of the most widely-known men in Johnson county, was instantly killed Thursday.

The tragedy occurred at his home on Woodlawn at Iowa City. Mr. Murphy had sawed a limb, about 20 feet long, and at a point about 20 feet high. With a rope, he was swinging the limb in an effort to bring it down when it loosened and plunged to earth with great force.

It struck at a point about half way between tip and butt, and the contact with the ground caused the lighter end--the one which he had been holding--to deal him a powerful blow under the chin, as the limb leaped into the air.

With such frightful violence was the blow given, that the jaws snapped together; actually breaking the false teeth in his upper jaw. His neck was driven backwards with equal violence and was fractured. Death was instantaneous.

Mr. Murphy had lived in Johnson county ever since he came there with his parents, from his birthplace, Natchez, Minn., when he was seven years old. He would have been 65 had he lived until June 28, 1924.

He resided in Scott township until 18 years ago, when he retired and moved to Iowa City, which has been his home ever since.

Surviving are his widow, formerly Miss Emma K. Hahn, of Graham township, whom he wed Feb. 22, 1887; and one son Ed, of Scott township; and one daughter, Mrs. Jesse (Lulu) Shaw, Cedar Rapids; and two brothers and a sister, J. J. Murphy of Scott; Charles Murphy of Boulder, Colo.; Mrs. Agnes (Louis) Gibson of West Branch.