The first musical instrument in Murray was a Melodeon. While coming with his family, from New Brunswick, Canada, Mr. A. Davis came across to the States and purchased the melodn—as a gift for his wife. Returning across the ice with it on a sled, and covered with a buffalo robe. After several years they moved to Wisconsin and later Mr. Davis and family moved down the Mississippi on a raft, bringing with them the melodeon. At Burlington they broke up the raft and brought the lumber to Murray, which built their home.

The first 4th of July celebration held in Murray was in 1869 and in front of the old warehouse back of where the Burlington station now stands. The farmers and those who owned teams volunteered and went to the woods and cut trees and brush enough to make a shade. They also hauled lumber for seats, from the lumber yard, then owned by J. E. Wick. On the platform in front of the warehouse this melodeon was used in the exercises at the celebration.

It was also used at the funeral of Mr. Horton Martindale's father, which was held in the Baptist church and was the first funeral to be held in Murray, in 1870. The next funeral was that of Ida May Hughen, niece of Mrs. Cropp. This was before the cemetery was laid out, and Mr. Martindale and Miss Hughen were buried in the field then owned by Sam Hughen. In 1871 the cemetery was laid out and the first person to be buried there was Charles Sefrit, father of Mrs. Mary Cropp. Later the other two bodies were removed from the field and buried in the cemetery.

The 1875 Business Directory included the following — Peter Hoffman, Butcher & Stock Dealer, 0. Johnson, Blacksmith; J. H. Martendale, Clothing; J. G. Henderson, Carpenter & Joiner, W. W. Wick, Druggist; T. S. Cochrun, Drugs & Groceries; John Shreves, General Merchandise; J, A. Sone & Co. Genl. Merch.; D. Barrett, Genl. Merch.; G. W. Sefrit, Grain Dealer; J. E. Wick, Hardware & Lumber; H. F. Howard, Hotel "Murray House"; Hiram Lamb, Merchant; H. B. Hermance, Machine & Repair Shop; & Prop. Summitt Iron Works; Simpson & Wood & Co. Millers Props. "Murray Steam Mills"; C. A. Anderson, Painter; T. T. Hoff­man, Stoves & Tinware.

C. H. Faulkner (left) barber shop in 1878. About where Callison Hdwe. now stands.

Starting in business in 1883. Above: 0. E. GARRETT STORE. Two of the ladies on the left are Grace Hindes and Delia Claver.

Below: Rev. J, W. Bott in Cream station and feed store across from lumber yard about 1909.