Murphy, John James, 1878-1920

MURPHY, GOSNELL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/9/2016 at 20:46:08

From the Rock Valley Bee, November 5, 1920:

FORMER RESIDENT DEAD

John James Murphy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy, former well known residents of Rock Valley, but now located at San Diego, California, died at a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 24. The deceased was well known in Rock Valley, having spent the greater part of his life here. He was born at Sheldon, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1878, and was forty years nine months and twenty three days old.

The Ogden Standard gives the following sketch of his life:
J. J. ("Maggie") Murphy, former baseball star in the old state league days in Utah, a member of the team managed by "Dad" Gimlin, passed away at Salt Lake last Saturday evening after a short illness, according to word given out by relatives here today. Murphy is survived by his parents, three sisters and one brother, his wife and one son. His wife was formerly Miss Lena Gosnell of Ogden.

During the State League days when Ogden was represented in the base ball world, by a fast aggregation, Murphy was one of the stars of the team. He was a pitcher and his work on the slab turned the enemy back on, on several occasions. Murphy was one of the first pitchers in the game to use the slow ball. He used it to perfection in his days with the Ogden club. He was one of the greatest pitchers ever developed in the state and fans who attended the old state league games will recall some of his performances.

The body was to arrive in Ogden this afternoon from Salt Lake City, and will be taken to the Gosnell home 2550 Van Bueren[sic?] Ave. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at St. Joseph's church. Monsignor P. M. Cushnahan will officiate. Interment will be in Manhattan View cemetery.

Mr. Murphy has been a resident in Salt Lake and Ogden for the past ten years and was formerly a manager of the O. S. L. Café.