Christmas Past

1976
December 23. Made cup-cakes. Knob which turned on hot and cold water in kitchen sink finally gave up its ghost. A little tired, faced with an army of dirty dishes used in making cookies. Ran up stairs to get water (out of breath). Telephone. Rosy. I couldn't explain to her what happened but she kept asking if I was well. Finally washed all dirty dishes, pots etc.

December 24. Made jello, cole slaw, cooked ham.

December 25. Ann came at 12:30. Children opened gifts, ate lunch, played with music master. Michael pleased with money. Mike not well (not a hangover). Susie at first seemed dazed with all presents, began appropriating all under the tree. She looked pretty as all of girls did. Rosy, Joe, Joey came while D. was here. Ann left about 3:30. Rosy later to visit Sherry's.

December 26. Sunny morning when Tom called. I got dinner ready - turkey. About 3:30 started to snow, a heavy snowstorm with clouded skies. Spent hours - restless, anxiety-ridden. Sadie came over with a gift she had made for me - (How thoughtful) - for bathroom. Tom and Lynn with L. Tom got here at 7:00. They were exhausted. Little Tom described conditions, cars in middle of snowstorm.

December 27. Another cold day, slushy roads. Lynn, Tommy, and I went up to Toy City, almost sold out (or have stored away seasonal things, games etc). Bought motorcycle ($0.69). Walked up to post office - too cold for Tommy. Daddy and Tom went to Charleroi to get fixture for sink which he installed in a short time. Joe, Rosy, Joey came up - stayed a couple of hours - brought red boots for Tommy. At night television picture kept faking intermittently; became so dark that it was no fun to watch. Tommy would not take his red boots off.

1977
December 23.  Katy called. Got her package--beautiful pillow, wreath, and tablecloth, all handmade.

December 24. Tommy came about 3.

December 25. Hectic but most enjoyable. Joey sick.  Ann's children were beautiful. Suzy a little destructive with toys, too impulsive.

December 26. Little Tommy, never saw him so relaxed and happy. Dressed as a little policeman. Cold.

1989
December 22. Hair done by Annette. Betty went with me. Met Betty, illegible Santos, Arlene Gabick. Made me feel so alive. Hair so clean. Baked a ham. Kathy did some food shopping. Called Judy, coming on Sunday.

December 23. Joey took me to Rosie's about 9:30. Helped Rose make cookies with chocolate kisses for Michael. Joe, Pat and Joey went to Steelers game as did all the Doughertys. Rose had snacks for them at 4. Michael ate many cookies. Tom (family) came about 5. They had a good time. So happy to see them all. I missed Kathleen and family. Annie coughed several times.

December 24. Tom bought cough medicine for Annie. Judy went to Toy City. Tom went to Rosemary's to get Tommy who did his Christmas shopping. From 7 to 9 we went thru Roscoe, Stockdale, Monessen. All slept well.

December 25. A Christmas to remember. Strange - power out on Christmas. All went to Rosemary's. Kay and Ed were eating lunch. Luke took a long nap. Kay T. brought beautiful gifts for Annie and Luke and a flowering Christmas cactus. Spent an enjoyable day. Rose had a delicious dinner - new recipe for Chicken breasts, best I ever tasted. Home about nine. Tom had to put my table together. I sleep so well when Judy and Tom are here.

1992
December 20. Expecting Heidi and Ilsa today, probably about 7 or 8. Must have something for them to eat. Ilsa called about 12 - will be here at 6:30 or 7. Grandfather Klebingot took them out for their lunch. Were here about 6:30 - we went to Rego's for dinner. Seeing the brightly decorated homes brought me back to the present time. Both loving girls. How blessed I am.

December 22. Weather still good. Heidi's new car is a striking red and necessary for her. Both up before me - ready to go shopping, especially to Gabe's. Rose gave them directions. Home about 4 - bought a short coat for Katy- cut rate prices - shoes for Ilsa - other necessities. We all rested before going to Back Porch for dinner at 5:30. It was so bright in this restored old home - shining - very good food but not cheap. $63.  Girls loved the atmosphere and many antiques. Must bring Katy some time.

December 24.  Up at seven - light snow.  Will I be able to walk up to Annette's to get hair done at 11. Father Harvey here at 10 with cookies from Ladies Guild and communion for me. Later walked with Betty up to Annette's, hair done. Customer made remarks about teachers' salaries but I interrupted - gave my insight - a teacher has a difficult job and only a few get top salary, with a master's, 20 or more credits, or 20 years of service.

December 25. Joe came for me about 11  - picked up Kay and Ed Fiorill took us to Rosemary and Joe's. Mark, Patrick there to welcome us. The home always is so shining, especially so at Christmas, beautifully decorated, so many artifacts, many made by Joe and Rose. Ate a lunch - Ed was good - heard every word we said. Dinner was delicious - stuffed chicken breast and all the necessary other food. We got home about 9:30 - no snow until we came close to home. Such beautiful presents - pale blue woolen sweater, slacks - walking type, a digital radio and others.

Finding God

There is about as little resemblance between "popular" religion and genuine theology as there is between Santa Claus and St. Paul.
When a parishioner is pleased with a sermon, he has been listening to the wrong sermon for if one leaves the church feeling self-satisfied the time could just as profitably spent on the golf course. 
Sydney Harris

Circa 1985
Many people go to their church regularly and many others rarely go. In my estimation a Church Going Individual be no better than a non one. You can find God in many places, in a crowd, listening to music, looking at the beauty of nature. But I was always one from 6 years old and regardless or in spite of sermons I always found something to give me hope, make me more peaceful, help me to live a more Christian life, if only for a day. The Church today is too rigid, not the early Church of Jesus.

Musings

A caress is better than a career.  Elizabeth Marbury (1856-1933)

A caress may be better than a career but in today's world many women find that a caress and a career make a fulfilling life.  In many instances it is necessary for financial reasons to have a career and especially married women with a family. Others pursue a career who have no financial reasons but need work which keeps them alive, keeps them growing and fulfills them.  In so doing some are happy, contented individuals.  I would advise any young woman no matter what her life style to continue growing in a career which may insure that caresses keep coming.

[Note from Ilsa:  Grandma reflected on quotes in one of her journals.  These will be documented in blogposts under Musings.]

Circa mid-1980's.

Brand New Day

The Days of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, 1981
Getting ready for the Big Day. Every day is a brand new one where I forget yesterday and live today, dedicating my day to my idea of God, to live it with gladness and humor.  Work is therapy, especially preparing for a Turkey dinner with Plum Pudding, ordering beer, making salads, etc. Doing cleaning up after is no easy chore but my mind was not troubled.

Thursday, 1975
Went to Ann's for dinner. Waiting for us. Katy, George and children there. As we approached I noted a large mobile home on wheels in Ann's driveway. (Mike repossessed it. Children really had an uninhibited time playing in it.) Cold day. Ann's mother-in-law brought the turkey, browned as I like it, at 4:30. We had a good dinner. Mimi showed us her birthday presents. Got home at 9:00. Ilsa and Heidi dropped into bed.

Friday, 1992
Brighter day. I resolved to live as happy as possible, forget the dismal days - make every day a sunshine day. Hair done - Annette's husband there. Mary a little down. Walked over to Dora's - Virginia and she went to Joe's for dinner on Thanksgiving. Never does she pity herself, because of her sight -- she is thankful for many blessings. I must try to control my excessive talking- a definite symptom of age- over glamorizing. Rose called at 8. Went shopping at Gabes - got bargains for Christmas. I notice Christmas lights outside in Roscoe.

The Wig Transformation

November 19 – 25^th 1975

Wednesday,

Went to Charleroi – bought an outfit for Ilsa’s birthday (quilted top, Chinese influence, brownish with little pink designs). Got home, prepared to box it but it was the wrong size. Boxed clothes (maternity) for Katy, couple of Amy’s dresses for Heidi, and prepared Ilsa’s card.  Another warm day, wore no coat to Charleroi.

Thursday

Went with Dora at 10:00 for her wig appointment at Bonafeds (sp?). Took a suede coat (10 yrs old) to Pete’s to have it cleaned, exchanged Ilsa’s outfit for size 8, and went to Bonafed’s to watch the wig transformation—a very good complement for Dora’s hair, a fine wig.  She looked good in it.  Home – boxed Ilsa’s gifts, Daddy took to the Post Office. Another warm day.  However a pollution alert was sounded for Allegheny County.  Washington County was told to be ready for one also.  Cleaned bedrooms.  Got my retroactive check – 1095. 

Friday

Colder, took in all the dahlia tubers – stored in cellar. Cleaned rest of the rooms. Ann called, all is well. We promised to go there for Thanksgiving. Banked check (850) and  [illegible] Savings. 

Saturday

Hair fixed. Ate lunch with Daddy at Rego’s.  Met Sara Matheson. Home. Washed several articles by hand.  Called Rosemary, still not too [illegible].  Told me about Parkinsons.

Wedding at Fire hall. Cold day – wore a winter coat.  Daddy finally bought a pair of Earth Shoes in Paganos (30). Wanted him to buy a winter jacket but no, no.  Paid my bill at Fantasia.  No bills now. 

Home – finished all my washing by hand – little else.

Sunday

Cold – went to Mass. Fr. Smith must have forgotten about Charismatic Movement, platitudes.  I wish I could believe he is sincere but I can’t. He looked tired. Asked about John Cairns. Read papers. Made tarts, cookies.  What makes me so tired to-day! Called Ilsa on her birthday. They’re coming on Wednesday.

Monday

Another cold day.  Made fudge.  Black walnut. Baked cookies. Southern Pecan tarts and chewy coconut. Washed curtains and walls in living room.

Tuesday

Went to Monessen – picked up bread at Helen’s. Circus (book on espionage). Made more cookies – borrowed Mary’s [illegible] – so many antiques Mary has. Finished chocolate chips (too hard). Daddy – stiff neck – went to his weekly pool game.  Tired. Cold 24 degrees, a little snow.

Autumn Contemplation

October 12^{th –} 18th, 1981

Every time I glanced at Daddy, walking towards Dr. Greggs office with Judy, I was filled with an ache which will never heal. He looked so unresponsive, so weak, I could not help my feelings. Judy was definitely in charge, he followed without any resistance. Dr. Gregg was shocked, he said his heart was fine but blood pressure too low. He promised to write to Dr. Hauser with his recommendations, one to find a neurologist not far from home who could understand his condition.

It  was a beautiful day for Judy’s trip home, left about 10. Daddy was able to sit out on the front porch the greater part of the day.  I think the zinc tablets are beginning to have an effect on his eating, drinking, and sleeping at night. I am able to spend several minutes a day, completely obliterating all conscious thoughts, shutting out extraneous noise, and get in touch with my subconscious mind. This meditation refreshes. I try to spend time in prayer, meditating on some aspect of Christ’s life.

One sharp ring awakened me this morning (no one). I will never be able to shake that fatalism which is my Irish heritage. Why did it alarm me, was it presaging some bad luck? As the day, progressed, I made progress in my thinking. Life presents problems which are complex and difficult to accept. Oftentimes I resent the conditions which exist now but it is only momentary or when the going gets difficult. How ironic it is that I had few problems when I was young but now at my age tension and anxiety about Daddy are ever with me. I do not carry on in a martyred fashion, but I answer only to myself and ignore other eyes. Whatever must be done, will be regardless of what other’s think.

It was a bright but windy cold day. I finally got Daddy to walk with me because I think he needs exercise. He was restless, sleeping little but eating and drinking better. What good neighbors we have. Mary Nicoletto picked up and paid for (against my wishes) bread Mrs. Popellas (sp?) had made for Daddy.  Later on that night Dr. Hasuer called after receiving a letter from Dr. Gregg. He will try to find a competent neuropsychologist in the area who will help us with Daddy.

There is a close correlation between Indian philosophy as outlined in the lives of Wanegi and Ahbleeza (sp?) in Hanta Ya and the Roman Catholic Christian philosophy as evidenced in the life of St. Theresa. The Indian (the real seers) believed that one moves from one level to the next on a spiral path, a spiritual path upon which you evolve toward the wholeness of the One. One self, one consciousness, one eternal self is you, your soul. From my limited reading, very few Indians reached the highest level. The Christians believe our spiritual life passes through definite developmental stages. Few reach the highest, that of fully internalizing Christ’s message, which St. Theresa calls the seventh mansion, where the soul has a special kind of knowledge, sees things clearly and simply and realizes what they actually mean.

The highest stage of contemplation can be reached by never entering an institutional Church but I do not expect to get even close to the seventh stage on this earth but hope to be cleansed in the next. I must go to Mass as often as possible to keep sane. Today it was a chore for me to get Daddy ready to go with me but it was worth the effort. Called Judy and Tom, Rosy and Katy. Ann called, sounded happy.  Every day gets a little colder.

Pirates beat Astros

July 11, 1980
Daddy's one eye looked strange, as if it had been suddenly struck.

July 12
Daddy sick at stomach. Ann called. (Ate some spaghetti the previous day).

July 13
Daddy ill in bed. Rosy, Tommy, Judy called. (Never mention job again.) Tried to fix Dora's dress, but couldn't concentrate. Dora understood.

July 14
Went to Dr. Park - Bobby M took us up. Daddy in Brownsville hospital - fear of dehydration. New medicine for ulcers.

July 15
Confused.

July 16
Home. Still confused.

Next two weeks sometimes frightening.

August 1980
1.  Birthday
2.  Katie a permanent job
3. Katie a bad cold
4. Rosy went to Fla. home on 23.
5. Bought drugs at Standard
6. Daddy seems to be less confused but watches television constantly.

September 3
Day warm, not humid. Bobby M. cut hedges. Flowers still blooming but zinnias getting straggly. Daddy's appetite not as good, little confused at nite. Can't cope alone but there is so much to be thankful for. Call Jack James about car inspection. Thought about Ann all day but didn't call. Integration in Pittsburgh schools - few problems. Pirates beat Astros 10 - 4--night game. Must start picking seeds.

Knowledge of our faith grows in response to questions, not the silencing of them.

True religion

To become a real person [one] must not cut himself off from the real world but belong to it, caring, helping and working with his unique gifts to help other people. Action oriented is true religion - sense of commitment to their activities.  Positive confrontation is acceptable and needed. To confront means to present someone with new or opposing ideas for the sake of acknowledgement, agreement, contradiction or clarification. Level of service to others high, striving for fulfillment always. Caring and helpfulness. Working with zeal.

Summer of 1980

Life patterns.

Does destiny control our lives or are we the designers? Mother was sixteen when she found her first job with the Snowden family in Brownsville, a caring, loving one and with this first job the future patterns of her life were set.  This was a wealthy family where the father had extensive [missing word] in mining and transporting coal but the family was a saving one, nothing was wasted. Mother's family saved from necessity but this one because of their innate values. On Monday, the remnants of the turkey served on Sunday became stock for soup and left overs were carefully (prepared), taken to the many needy families in the vicinity.  Another pattern in their life which influenced Mother was the method used in child development: firm but loving, carefully nurtured. Mother's job was helping with household choses and babysitting. Another incident, I never tired of its repetition, told about the Sunday night when the cook failed to appear and Mother had to prepare the light lunch in the evening. When Mrs. Snowden asked Mother to make corn pone for this lunch, Mother, inexperienced, was terrified but her boss gently insisted, telling her she could do it and placed the recipe before her. After serving it, Mother left the house walking in the fresh air, full of misgivings and fearful of criticism but when she returned, the loving lady of the house complimented her, saying it was the best they had ever eaten and asking her to take the job of cook with her assistance. She did but eventually left to find work closer to her mother in Granville.

Happy is the little stone
That rambles on the road alone
And doesn't care about careers
And exigencies near fear.
-Emily Dickinson

The California Normal School was situated within walking distance from Granville. Mother never wanted to enroll there and even thought the students were strange individuals as most of her friends thought also. From standpoint of intelligence and academic training she and many of her friends could have mastered the work. But she found a job in this school working with those friends - waiting on tables, washing dishes, and cleaning up after meals. These girls lived nearby and their nights were their own, full of fun and laughter, entertaining themselves going to Revival Meetings (many of the girls Roman Catholic), dances, picnics, and seeing live plays enacted on the show boats moored near the river bank advertised by the calliopes music, and of course, weddings were the greatest attraction.

One such wedding especially significant to both the McManus and the Murphy families was that of Sarah McManus and Thomas Wood. During the period preceding the 1900's, there was no Church near but there was one in Brownsville--St. Peters. It would necessitate traveling several miles, difficult in this time and this area and I assume that the Priest did the traveling to Elco Hollow where the marriage took place. Dad and Mother were the two attendants. Dad seemed to be always around during these times and did not want to marry Mother then. How difficult it would be to make the right decision, but Mother took the least traveled road, a woman ahead of her time, dubious about bringing children into the world whom she could not properly take care of and aware of my dad's roaming inclinations, would he ever settle down and be as dependable as Sarah's husband, Thomas Wood. Did this road she traveled bring her the happiness and security she wanted.

As I review her life, I marvel at her courage because I could never have done what she did.  She went by train to a strange city to find work. The Employment Agency found her first job where I again marvel at her strength. In her first job, the lady of the house appeared arrogant and snobbish to her but she worked there for a short time until the lady complained to her about the Irish who came here in steerage, prospering until in a few years they could hire help. Mother's words to her were "What is my nationality?" "German," lady said. "With a name like Murphy", Mother retorted, "I'm one of the Irish and I quit." Living in a city far from home can be a lonely and difficult life but she stayed and found a job which suited her. Many times I ponder over Mother's character and wonder why I could not leave home, seek a different life, and take the road overgrown with brambles. And I explain it, my life was always a cloistered one, always protected, happy in my own surroundings really living in a cocoon, never daring to emerge. My mother had had a different life with several tragic events and was a better and freer person because of it. She soon found work which she enjoyed doing in a wealthy family who were good to her.

In this environment, Mother worked for several years. Here her employer wanted to finance a pastry shop which she would manage and supervise the baking but her mother in Granville became ill which necessitated her going home. Before leaving Pittsburgh she married my dad in St. Patrick's with two attendants in 1901. My grandmother died soon after this. Mother often remarked that she walked to Mt. Calvary Cemetery to visit her mother's grave, trying to dim the ache and ease her tensions, a person so alone. Irish were mystical but had strong enough faith to let the dead go. The McManuses first home was in upper Roscoe where James was born on August 25, 1902 and was baptized soon after in St. Thomas Church, Coal Center (St. Joseph, Roscoe was in the planning stage at this time.)

The search for a better life never ends for many. My father moved his family to Horning, Allegheny County, another mining town. The Union ideology was gaining strength at this time in the minds of many, especially Dad, an idealist who often sacrificed reality for his beliefs. Basic principles of Unionism helped the workers and gave them rights which had often been denied them - their union gave them strength with which they could fight for their demands but it also created conditions which were difficult, especially the use of strikes to force owners to meet their demands. LIke many organizations, the early Unions showed evidence of corruption. My Mother and my dad differed on this concept and I think she was more realistic than he who continued to lead men out on strike, losing weeks of wages and hurting his family financially. As the years passed, he became interested in working steadily, providing for his family and seeing that his children were educated - gone the radicalism of his early years. And as the grandchildren came, they were his joy, he loved them and they reciprocated.

Many incidents I remember about Horning which I will include in the story of my life. From notation in an old notebook in Mother's handwriting, the family moved back to Roscoe (Lucyville) on July 29, 1907. If that is correct, Bernard must have been born in Horning, January 8, 1907. (I was always under the impression that he had been born in Edward's house, opposite the McManus home.) Later, probably the following year, we moved in the house I live in today where Patsy was born August 20, 1909. Mother had three more children, all stillborn. Life goes on, we accept the joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, light and dark.

(Many incidents I will include in stories of our lives for James, Bernard, Patsy and me.)

Mother and Dad bought our home for $850 from Aquila Underwood, Aunt Maria's father. They bought a piano. I was ten years old.  One sad event I will include here. Seized with the old wanderlust, Dad left his family on April 21, 1909, a complete surprise to Mother who was heart broken, as young as I was, I felt her pain. She must have been strong, left with three children, pregnant, how could she cope - we never went hungry and as one day passed and another came, life went on. Then one night I heard a loud knock on the door. Dad was back. I could not sleep but sensed Mother's feelings and I heard her walking the bedroom floor but he did come in. That was his last solo trip away from us. How hard it must have been to forgive but the reality of a woman trying to provide for four children must have been the reason for permitting him to come back. And each year Dad became more loving, helpful, and caring for all of us.

Conclusion of The History of the McManuses and Murphys.  Undated.

The Monongahela.

The Murphys' story continues...

Another son Patrick had a clerical job, married a girl who lived in a suburb of Pittsburgh, where they moved to, had several children and apparently lived a long life.  The second daughter, Mary, a Normal School graduate, taught in Roscoe School until her marriage to Thomas Timlin. They then moved to Brownsville to be close to his work in the mine. When Mary was a young girl, she took her two brothers (Eddie and William) James and me to the movie theatre every week.  It cost five cents a piece, nothing for me since I was only five. Thomas Timlin was a pit boss in Hillman Mine in Brownsville where they lived until they bought the Drum house in 1926 situated next to the Murphy home. She had two children, Marion Thomas and Edward. Mary was the church organist in St. Joseph Church, Roscoe and taught in St. Jerome Parochial School for several years. The last two boys of Maria and Patrick Murphy were Edward and William, one year younger than I. My brother James and Edward (Skinner) were inseparable, a relationship never lost. Edward became a Supervisor in the Railroad Yard which necessitated his crossing the Monongahela River to Roscoe from Newell every day. (I have a separate account about a tragic accident during one crossing).  Marrying later than James he had four children. Another one of the unfortunate, he died at age fifty of cancer. The youngest, William, one grade below me in school, a Business School graduate, found an excellent job with the Railroad, married a Roscoe girl and located his family in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. He also died young. We were close to this family visiting often and my mother’s family. We were almost one. Many descendants of this family are living and may have recorded many other pertinent facts.

“There is no such thing as security, only a caricature of it." James Thurber

Security is one reason why many people moved from one place to another. The Murphys who had remained in Scotland, my grandmother, Kathleen, Bernard, and Mother prepared for their move to America. What were their feelings and thoughts at going to some alien place, different from the city they had lived in for years. With what anticipation did they get ready to leave? John Murphy would be there to claim them. Mother rarely talked about the trip across the Atlantic but did say she was often sick and disliked the crowded conditions in steerage. Added to the physical discomfort was the insistent emotional one—going from friends to strangers. Also troubled by probable detention in Ellis Island and the possibility that their brother John would not be there to insure their landing.  But he was there and a happy reunion dispelled all misgivings.  Then the trip by train to Southwestern PA to John’s home in Newell on the Monongahela.

“The mind turns, seeks a new nativity, another place, simple, less weighted down by what has already been.”  Unsettling of America. Wendell Berry.

The new region naturally had a different effect upon each member of this group, depending upon their ages and hopes. Each member must have viewed their surroundings differently; with resignation, apprehension, fear or delight. Since each one had had a different life in a crowded city in Scotland. Such a different environment could have been frightening in Fayette County, Jefferson Township, their first home but time alone would tell.  Life goes on as it does everywhere with joy and sorrow, light and darkness, promise and heartache but what love does not know the ache of fear and what joy is not tinged with regret.

“The river looked at him with a thousand eyes green, white, crystal and sky blue. Water continually flowed and flowed but it was continually there it was always the same but every minute new. The river enchanted him.”  Siddharta.  Herman Hesse.

The Monongahela River always had a special attraction for Mother, 12 years old, a focal point in her life. The shore was her playground where she soon met other children, McGuinnesses, Darrachs, Clendaniels, (all of Irish descent), who continued as friends for many years. As time passed Mother learned how to propel a boat, small, adventuring out on the river, her lack of fear was ignorance because the river was dangerous. I always, although attracted to it, feared it.  Often her mother came to the river bank to watch, fearful always. Many years later, married, she would take us out in such a small boat for a ride. To me it was always an entirely fearful occasion.  Soon the family moved to Granville, farther away from the river.

Deeds in my possession have names and dates of property deals.  One stated that on May 3, 1886 Duncan McGivern to Mary Murphy – Jefferson Township, Fayette County for six hundred dollars – all that land or lot of ground situated in Granville, East Pike Run Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, lying on the west side of of Harrison Street in Granville being fifty feet in front and running back maintaining the same width one hundred feet.  A home was built on this lot. During the summer Mother, about 14, explored the area, free from restrictions of a city.  She climbed the hill near her home, marveled at the lush fields, amazed at the rich products – apples, pears, peaches, berries, grapes, often wandering near the farms and became acquainted with the farmers. This summer after spending many months in the fields she became strong and healthy.  In her words, “brown as a berry”.

Under the winter moon

The river wind

Sharpens the rocks.  Chora

Although winter can be a beautiful season, its coming often brings anxiety. It meant an end to many outside activities, makes many people captive indoors, and often brings sickness. This was more true of people living 1886 than it is today.  And it did bring a sickness to Bernard Murphy, three years older than mother. Physicians in 19^th century knew little compared to those today but no physicians can understand how difficult it is for those watching a loved one get weaker day by day.  Irish were stoics, strong willed but would be broken hearted when a young boy (17) was slowly dying.  He was buried in a cemetery near St. Peter Church Brownsville (no Mt Calvary then).

When James bought his first car, he took mother and me to Brownsville where we found his grave. It was James’ first car and I felt we might not reach Brownsville with our bodies whole. 

Tragic events rarely singly come. The next one left a void in mother which was never filled.  Her sister Catherine (Kate) could never adapt to this new life in Granville, isolated, far from her Scotch friends, the city life, her work in a factory.  At twenty-one she became depressed, pining for what had been, glamorizing her life in Scotland.  Respecting her uniqueness, the family finally agreed that she should go back to her previous home sensing within themselves that they would never see her again.  News traveled slowly. Many months later they received news of her death.  Mother was inconsolable, the wound smarted for a long time, felt something die in her heart, depressed, and it never did completely heal.  She went tramping into the hills, fleeing from reality but never able to get away from her grief, she had to accept the inevitable.  Life sometimes can be cruel but these tragedies made the Murphy family more understanding, more compassionate, and more loving.

From The History of the McManuses and Murphys.  Undated. 

The Murphys

"Truth is a hidden feeling which teaches us to rejoice in our days and wish to all mankind that rejoicing." Gibran

During Mother's stories what was fiction and what part was truth?  In those days when a family member went far away to another country there would be little rejoicing. Around 1880 the two oldest Murphys, John and Patrick, set off to the land of opportunity...America.  We were sad at parting but happy because their lives would be better and they promised to send for us when they had saved enough money. At that time our family must have known the McManus family -- two oldest McManus men, John and Bartley went with them. News from America did not come quickly. One special day a young boy came to the Murphy home with good news. It had been a safe journey for the young men. It was the first my mother saw Patrick McManus, remembering him standing at their door with his cap in his hand, her future husband. (Both very young).

This America has been a beacon of light luring people of many ethnic backgrounds to the land of security, opportunity and freedom- the Biblical land of milk and honey. Here in this land four young men began a new life.

John Murphy located in an area adjacent to California (PA) situated on the Monongahela River. Information upon which this is based can be verified in deeds in Grandma Murphy's name. John Murphy did not marry for many years and played a definite role in the family in Scotland, always my loving Uncle. Patrick Murphy settled in Lucyville (now Roscoe). Later he boarded with Aquilo Underwood in the home where I now live. From deeds in my possession I will reconstruct the building of this.  Aquilo Underwood bought lot on June 8, 1881 from Louis S. Miller and wife Mary situated in the Latta plan in the town of Lucyville, Allen Township, Washington County surveyed by Allen White on February 7, 1887 known as Lot 9, laid out by the Alpha coal company fronting 48 feet and running 174 feet to Morrison Avenue.  It cost $115. The building of the lot began immediately. A strong houses with a foundation of stone, mud and cement. It had four large rooms on two levels heated by three coal burning fire places. One entered the parlor from an outside stoop and entered the kitchen, which extended from the parlor, from a large partly enclosed porch. An outside entrance led to the basement. Water for cleaning and washing was available from a cistern near the house. But drinking water came from a drilled well in the Morrisson house next door. (Later a much deeper well was drilled on the property across the street from which one carried it.  Paid a fixed price). Lumber came from a saw mill in lower Roscoe, strong wood. When the outside walls were covered with siding, the carpenter said they were in good shape. (1957). It is in good condition weathering a century, a marvel in this age of impermanence and transience, today's throw away society.  Here in this home Patrick Murphy fell in love with Aquilo's daughter, a dark haired beauty.

"In friendship, in love, two side-by-side raise hands to find what they cannot do alone."

Such was the love between Maria Underwood and Patrick Murphy. The marriage was not without problems. The Underwoods were Protestants and Patrick a Roman Catholic. In an age living in a town where prejudice was rampant they were married Catholic rites. She became one many years later. This marriage was destined to be a happy, prosperous and prolific one. This family was blessed with seven children, six sons and two daughters (one died in childbirth) who lived in a home built at the base of a hill in the central part of Roscoe. This home is in good condition today and can be seen from route 88. Today one could walk up the pavement to its end and there stands the home. Aunt Maria lived in it until she died. This home with the attached store had happy memories for me. The names of the children listed chronologically follow (I do not know their birth dates) Annie (Collins), John (1889 - born year of the Johnstown flood) others were Arthur, Thomas, Mary, Patrick, Edward and William (1904 or 05) born posthumously. Their father Patrick intelligent, ambitious and outgoing was working at a whiskey refinery as an inspector in the distillery. The family prospered. It was not destined for him to live. He developed an illness which Mother although vague about said it was in his kidneys. He was a total abstainer from any alcoholic beverages. Aunt Maria with the help of Aquila who lived with her was able to cope with the loss of finances after Pat's death. She opened a store in a room attached to her house, bought a cow, had chickens, and a large garden. She was able to send the two girls to California Normal School to become teachers and the boys to Business College in Charleroi which enabled them to do clerical work. Annie graduated from Normal School, taught school in Stockdale first, later for many years in Roscoe and told her pupils she had eyes in the back of her head, could see everything. She also played piano and organ. She was St. Joseph's organist. Taught one year of music in Roscoe Public School. John helped his mother with the garden, livestock, and the store and delayed marriage until 38 years old, no children. Thomas, graduate of Business School, married a non-Catholic without Catholic rites, a victory for his wife, a beautiful girl but bitter hater of Catholicism. (My Dad said if he ever entered St. Joseph let the ceiling fall on him.) Both sides had the same the prejudice about religions. But it did not seem to affect my mother. Tom visited Mother regularly for many years. He went steadily upward in his job until he became vice president in a railroad company in Philadelphia. In my hearing he said "in my wildest dreams, I never thought I would have such a prestigious and prosperous job." His wife's name was Jean Thomas, they had no children but raised her dead sister's son who was an excellent scholar.

Next came Arthur, Mother’s godson whom she always loved.  Also a Business School graduate who became paymaster for Alice Coal Mine, the office was attached to Company Store in Roscoe.  On the same street was a Jewish family with several girls.  It was rumored that he fell in love with one of the girls.  The marriage of a Gentile to a Jewish girl meant to the Jew loss of family, expulsion from home.  No marriage took place.  Later he married Mamie Roberts and had two children (Mildred and James). After his marriage he began to show evidence of alcoholism and the condition worsened until it had an effect on his job in Brownsville where he worked  as paymaster at the Hillman Coal and Coke company. This illness was responsible for the loss of his home in Brownsville and the collapse of his marriage. Although he tried, he was never able to control it.  Finally while working in Cleveland, he was found dead in the street, isolated far away from who loved him.  Gone at fifty-six.

As long as I live, I’ll never forget the day when we received news of his death. Mother and I were cleaning the living room as this tragedy reached us.  Visibly hurt she said to me keep on with the work, the stoicism of the Irish.  It was a blow from which she never recovered. 

From a draft "History of McManus and Murphy Families" Undated. circa 1980?