ILL SEVERAL MONTHS
Friday morning about twelve a telephone message carried the word to anxious relatives and friends in Protection that Allie Murray who had been very ill at the Wichita hospital, had departed this life. While to many the news of Mr. Murray's death occasioned a shock, to the near friends and relatives who were familiar with his illness, it did not come unheralded.About two weeks ago Mr. Murray went to Wichita to consult specialists regarding a chronic trouble of several months' standing. Diagnosed as gall stones he submitted to the surgeon's knife for relief on Saturday, March 18th. A large gall stone was removed and at first it was considered that Mr. Murray's recovery would be rapid as he seemed to rally splendidly from the operation. Within a few days, however, anesthetic pneumonia set in and this so affected his heart that death came to him as a blessed relief from suffering as given.
A. H. Murray was a fine citizen. Courageous, kindly, even handicapped such that to most men would appear insurmountable, he made a success in his life in kindly action, thoughtful deeds, a peaceful, joyous home and in the hosts of grief stricken friends who now pay tribute to the man, his life and character instead of to those, more noticeable perhaps but less lasting attainments of material prosperity which too often, alas, are sometimes by the shallow thinking taken as the measure of a man.
He came to Comanche county in the pioneer days of the eighties. He saw this country in his young manhood settled rapidly, and more rapidly as the evil days of drought and depression of the early nineties settled over this part of Kansas, depleted. But he stayed and lent his might to rebuilding.
The death of Allie Murray as commented on universally brings forth expressions of sorrow, regret and personal loss. The body was returned from Wichita to his home in Protection, Saturday accompanied by relatives and the funeral was held Monday with interment in the local cemetery.
OBITUARY Allen Hughes Murray was born June 8, 1873, at Murrayville, Morgan county, Illinois, and died at the Wichita hospital, Wichita, Friday, March 24, 1922; aged 48 years, 9 months and 16 days. The immediate cause of death was heart failure super-induced by anesthetic pneumonia as the after effects of an operation for gall stones.
He was the fourth son of Stewart F. and Harriett E. Murray; and the youngest child of the family of eight children.
On January 2, 1902, he was married to Miss Eva B. Myers of Protection and to this union three children were born.
He is survived by his loving and faithful wife, his two sons; Wilbur and Gordon, both at the family home in Protection; one son having died in infancy; three brothers; John A. and James O. Murray, both of Protection; and Oliver S. Murray of Beardstown, Illinois; and two sisters, Mrs. D. E. Dunne of Wichita, Kansas, and Mrs. H. E. Crummer of Rockford, Illinois, and one foster brother, Leonard B. Ross of Wichita, Kansas.
In 1880, at the age of 7 years, he moved with his parents to Sumner county, Kansas. The family home was near Mayfield in Sumner county until the spring of 1886, when the family moved to Comanche county, settling in the vicinity of Protection, where he had since largely made his home, principally on what is known as the "Murray" home place, 3 miles south of Protection. He received his education in the common schools of Comanche county and shared in all the incidences and the hardships of the pioneer life of Comanche county in the late eighties and early nineties.
Principally his life was spent in farming, but for four years from 1906 to 1910, he served as treasurer of Comanche county being elected for two terms, at which time the family home was at Coldwater. He filled his public trust faithfully and well and received the merited reward of appreciation for his services to the county. He was a good, consistent, constructive citizen of a quiet and retiring disposition. He was loyal to his friend; consistent in his life. He actively participated in the affairs of his community. At the age of ten years, he united with the Presbyterian church.
He was a loving and considerate husband and father. His home life was ideal and the touch of divine affection, the love of a true father and husband, made the home atmosphere one of peace, joy and happiness, and herein will his presence be most signally and sadly missed. The grief of immediate relatives and friends at his untimely death; time alone can assuage.
As the youngest child and bearing a physical handicap from the age of 18 months, he was a favorite in his family circle. Ever under misfortune of a cheerful and brave disposition, he faced the world without asking odds. He counseled the trouble of his mortal life with none, not even the immediate relatives, and went bravely on his way, bring to others the sunshine and buoyancy of his natural cheerfulness.
The funeral conducted by the Rev. E. S. Corrie of the local Methodist church, was held from the church edifice on Monday, March 27th at two-thirty and the remains accompanied by a large number of relatives and friends, were by loving hands laid to rest in the local cemetery to await the call for the just.
Card Of Thanks We desire to express to our friends and loyal neighbors our deepest gratitude, our heartfelt appreciation for their kindly assistance so willingly rendered, and for sympathy so feelingly expressed, during the recent illness and following death of our dear husband and father, and brother. And for the floral offering. May a like return be theirs in a time of distress. Mrs. A. H. Murray and sons, and brothers and sisters.
Was County Treasurer for Two Terms.
The sad news reached this county on last Friday that Allie H. Murray had died that morning in St. Francis hospital in Wichita, where, a couple of weeks before, he had gone for medical treatment. He underwent an operation for gall-bladder trouble and for appendicitis, and it was thought that he was getting along quite well until Thursday night when unfavorable symptoms developed. The body was taken to Protection on Saturday and burial was made in the Protection cemetery on Monday afternoon following appropriate funeral services which were conducted from the Protection M. E. church, the pastor, Rev. E. S. Corrie, being in charge. The funeral was largely attended and all the services were very impressive.Allie Hugh Murray was born in Sumner-co., Kansas, in the year 1873. At the time of his death he was 48 years and 9 months of age. At the age of 11, or in the year 1884, he moved with the family to this county and settled 3 1/2 miles southwest of Protection, thus the family became pioneers in this county. On January 22, 1902, in this city, Allie was united in marriage with Miss Eva E. Myers. To this union three sons were born, two of whom - Wilbur ages almost 17 and Gordon nearly two years younger - survive. One son, Ray, died at the age of five months. The bereaved wife and children, who now mourn the loss of a dear husband and father have the sincere sympathy of all.
Allie Murray was a good citizen in every sense of the word. No one questioned his integrity and uprightness of character. For many years he had been a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a resident of Coldwater for several years and with that exception had made his home in Protection-tp. since coming to this county. At the general election in 1904 Mr. Murray was elected to the office of county treasurer of Comanche-co., defeating W. T. Holland, and two years later he was re-elected without opposition. He made a good officer and was universally respected. Last fall he moved from the farm southwest of Protection into that city. Besides the wife and two sons, Mr. Murray is survived by three brothers and two sisters - John and Oscar Murray of Protection-tp., Ollie Murray, whose home is in Illinois, Mrs. H. E. Crummer, of Rockford, Ill., and Mrs. Darcey E. Dunne of Wichita, Kans. Leonard Ross of Wichita, who was adopted into he family, also survives. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Crummer. Allie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Murray, died several years ago - the former in December, 1900, and the latter four or five years later.
Also see:
Comanche-co's Eleven County Treasurers
The Western Star, February 4, 1927.John Alexander Murray, brother of Allen Hughes Murray.
Harriet Elizabeth (Hughes) Murray, mother of Allen Hughes Murray.
Comanche County Officers, 1885 - 2007
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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