Many were the hardships endured by the first residents to settle in and around the town. This section deals with a few of the people that were early pioneers of the area. It's by no means a complete listing and undoubtedly many others worthy of mention have been overlooked. These are a few that were called to our attention.

During the early years, to obtain a market, live stock had to be driven to Eddyville, 90 miles over a buffalo trail, and while there they would have grain ground for flour and corn meal. These conditions were bettered in 1868 with the coming of the railroad.

J. E, WICK. as described in the early history of the town, came to Murray in 1868. Mr. Wick saw the necessity of a local paper and with a T. L. Cochrun in the year 1872issued the first edition of the Murray News. Mr. Wick operated a lumber yard for many years and Mrs. Wick operated a general store for some time.

JOHN H. MARTINDALE, early editor and proprietor of the Murray News, came to Clarke Co. with his parents in 1869. After coming to Murray he found profitable employment as a carpenter. From 1873 to 1876 he was engaged in merchandising. He then served as postmaster and justice of the peace until 1880.

In 1879 he was chosen representative for this county to the General Assembly in which he served one term. In 1881 he entered the field of journalism. He was married in 1866 to Jane Clark. He served in the Civil War from 1862 til the close of the war in July 1865, The Martindales had six children— Ella, Hersey, Edmund, Mary, Ralph (Later editor of the many years) and Gertrude. Mr. Martindale was a Good Templar and a member of the G. A. R.

D. O, DUFUR, came to Murray at the age of 16, in the year 1854. His brother, Abe, and later his father, David, also arrived in Murray. David Dufur operated a grocery in the corner east of the present post office.

O. H. P. ANDREWS, and family came to Murray in 1870. He operated a general store on the corner south of the three buildings that burned Jan. 1, 1968. Later he sold the store to his son, Stephen Andrews, who changed over to a variety store and was in a frame building on the side of south building that burned Jan. 1, 1968.

HENRY B. HERMANCE, early insurance and real estate agent and dealer in agricultural implements at Murray, came to Murray in 1874. He was married to Elizabeth Mc Cave in 1857 and to this union was born seven children--Ivy, Alice, Mary, Carrie, Henry, Charles and Cora. During the civil war and served in detached service much of the, acting as scout and spy, and once was taken prisoner, but by the aid of a friendly rebel he succeeded in making good his escape. He held the office of justice of the peace for five years and township clerk. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a comrade of the Grand Army post.

SAMUEL LANDIS, physician and surgeon, located in Doyle Township as early as 1856. He came with his father to Clarke County in the spring of 1845, the rest of the family following in the fall of same year. In 1866 he married Margaret, a daughter of Dr. Jesse Emery, of Murray. They were the parents of three children—Jesse, Samuel and Bertha. Dr. Landis, practiced at Hopeville until 1869 and then re­moved to Murray.

Ralph Martindale