William 'Squirrel' Murray: Clues to Identify Him

Clues to Identify William S. 'Squirrel' Murray, a writer, poet, philosopher, and shoemaker, of Murray County and Whitfield County, Georgia. It includes clues to identify some of his friends and peers (other local writers and neighbors).

"Squirrel Murray, Carl Kenner, Charlie Glenn and Burroughs Sanders spent yesterday in Rome."

Burroughs Sanders in North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Georgia) 1868-1924, 11 May 1899, page 8 (digital image 8).
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1899-05-11/ed-1/seq-8/print/image_578x817_from_331,3187_to_1285,4535/ (accessed 11 March 2022).

Trying to find connections:
1900 census, Dalton

Burroughs [Burrus] Sanders: G94S-2LZ - 7/106 - p.2,
       W. Dalton, Thornton Avenue, age 27, Clerk
Carl Kenner: KZKQ-JNG -7/106 - p.12
       Cleveland Street, off Hamilton, age 25
       Cotton Buyer
William S Murray: LVLP-L9N -7/107 - p.11, E. Dalton
    age 40, shoemaker
        North Hamilton by Tyler, near Depot Street

Will S. Murray shot at Bob Holland:
Bob Holland: Family Search PID G68K-8WVC

Bob Holland in Census: -7/106 - p.11, W. Dalton

       Hamilton Street, age 21, Merchant

Lank W. Barrett: Family Search PID: 9J4L-9F3
      
George Glenn, P. Rooney, and Squirrel Murray are mentioned as poet-writers for the newspaper. George E. Whitman and P. Rooney sign columns mentioning Squirrel Murray and the others. James Wells. S.A.R. Cousin LANK (L. W. Barrett, later a Washington correspondent), The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, March 10, 1906, page 6 (digital image 6).

Research Question: Is Samuel Thomas Rooney a.k.a. P. Rooney?
    Family Search PID 24F2-TDW

Other cronies: Charlie Glenn, W.C. "Bill" Glenn (later, is in DC, I think), George E. Whitman, George Glenn (maybe a.k.a. George Whitman), "Bird" Jones (sells exotic birds?), Henry Hamilton, P. Rooney, Cousin Lank, S.A.R.

Giddens might be Riley Giddens, works on road laws, etc. In a later, 1912 piece, he is R.W. Giddens. I believe his daughter, Myrtle Giddens, is also a correspondent.

Was Squirrel Murray given a smackdown by Dalton's poet laureate? D. R. Loveman kind of insults Bill (hits Bill's ego): The Dalton argus. (Dalton, Ga.) 18??-????, March 23, 1895, page 1 (digital image 1).
__________________

Squirrel or Bill Murray:

"George Francis Train "Squirrel" Bill Murray will spell from a Blue Back Speller, purchased from Farnsworth Bros." (Inferred: Will Murray must be in charge of a spelling bee. It's possible that he is a contestant, but as an adult, he is probably the teacher.)

https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053937/1894-01-20/ed-1/seq-1/print/image_509x817_from_2718,4312_to_3636,5784/
    ALSO CLIPPED DUPLICATE?:
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053937/1894-01-20/ed-1/seq-1/print/image_509x817_from_2708,4271_to_3669,5812/

BILL MURRAY in 1894: mature adult, handsome, dignified; probably middle-aged. He chaperones young people on a moonlight stroll: The Dalton argus. (Dalton, Ga.) 18??-????, August 18, 1894, Image 1.

A joke about Bill Murray (supposedly quoting him): terms of endearment, "Old Beeswax"
The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, July 28, 1894, page 1 (digital image 1). https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053937/1894-07-28/ed-1/seq-1/print/image_529x817_from_945,3825_to_1886,5277/

Another reference: V. L. Ran identifies Bill Murray as a resident of Dalton, who formerly lived in Murray County. The author of the letter takes offense at a joke Murray had made about the Texas boys and moonshine, and says that Murray has become stuck up since moving to Dalton.

[Source]: "Locke Ran's Letter" (dtd. Trinity Mills, Texas, 9 March 1895), The Dalton Argus (Dalton, Whitfield, Georgia), 16 March 1895, page 4, (digital image 4).

The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, April 27, 1895, Page 3, page 3, (digital image 3)

The Local Observer writer identifies Bill as owning a shop: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, May 16, 1895, Image 3

The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, February 27, 1897, Page 7, Image 7. LANK expects a visit from Bill Murray (it is a dotters' get-together); praises Bob Loveman (poet) on his success;

https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1897-08-26/ed-1/seq-8/print/image_566x817_from_1071,5654_to_1994,6986/

Bill is strong: The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, July 08, 1899, page 9, (digital image 9).

Philosophical piece, with humor: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, December 28, 1899, page 2 (digital image 2).

North Georgia citizen. (Dalton, Ga.) 1868-1924, January 18, 1900, page 2 (digital image 2). (Politicians and Hogs)

Silliness on marriage: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, February 01, 1900, page 6 (digital image 6).

Letter about coffin factory, highly ironic:
North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, February 08, 1900, page 8 (digital image 8).

Funny, cute letter poking fun at county correspondents, of which he is one:
North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, February 15, 1900, Image 2
  (Right after it is a hilarious response from a country correspondent).

Citizen complains about Dahlonega paper not crediting the Citizen with Bill Murray's articles.
North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 22, 1900, page 4 (digital image 4).

Praises the old blueback speller (which earlier he had used in a spelling bee, according to an 1894 item.
   North Georgia Citizen (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, October 11, 1900, page 3 (digital image 3).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, October 11, 1900, Image 3 ) Poking fun at the ScandaLouisville Gazette.

Bill Murray: crazy description of one Bill Johnson: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, January 31, 1901, Image 2

Bill Murray plays the fiddle (mentioned by another correspondent): The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, February 02, 1901, Page 5, Image 5

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, February 07, 1901, page 2 (digital image 2).  Philosophy of life.

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 13, 1902, Image 4 (about lying; funny, philosophical).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 20, 1902, Image 4 (Silly quips, words of wisdom).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, April 03, 1902, Image 4 (Silly fishing trip)

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, April 10, 1902, Image 2 (Silly politics)

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, May 01, 1902, Image 4 (Funny. Local happenings).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 12, 1903, Image 2 (Silly, about a goat)

Bill Murray letter about job consideration:
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1903-08-06/ed-1/seq-6/print/image_600x817_from_3338,48_to_6329,4116/
   ("four small children" fits; two others were 17 or older, and the 7th was not yet born).

Bill Murray letter to the Government about worthless seed:
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1904-06-09/ed-1/seq-6/print/image_623x817_from_2513,50_to_4863,3129/

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, July 07, 1904, Image 8.  Bill Murray, the Mount Rachel philosopher.  https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1904-07-07/ed-1/seq-8/print/image_623x817_from_1745,4832_to_2557,5896/
        ******No town in Whitfield County will
        standardize as "Mt. Rachel," but one place
        name in Whitfield County, that can be
        identified as Mt. Rachel, is a summit at
        the dead end of (now) Ashworth Drive,
        off of the north terminus of Hamilton St.
        It seems to fit W. S. Murray, but check
        the dates of residence.

1904: Will S. "Squirrel" Murray shot at Bob Holland. The trouble goes back a year. Murray was arrested.
         North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Georgia) 1868-1924, 25 August 1904, Page 1, Image 1
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034046/1904-08-25/ed-1/seq-1/print/image_623x817_from_4141,1343_to_6027,3813/

NO MENTION 1904 - 1906 UNTIL:

1906: Shake writes; misses Bill's letters.
North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, February 01, 1906,  page 2 (digital image 2).

In charge of fiddlers at the fair: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, August 02, 1906, Image 8

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield,  Ga.) 1868-1924, August 30, 1906, Image 2. SCANDALouisville Gazette again, laughing at correspondents. Hilarious!

Goofy poem: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 15, 1906, Image 4 ("He hasn't done anything since.")

********1907-1908 Bill Murray's "RETIREMENT"
This article says Bill Murray has come forward from a year's retirement to do a piece on socialism (this refers to it as "funny," but it sounds like a sincere push for socialism):
-----North Georgia citizen. (Dalton, Ga.) 1868-1924, September 03, 1908, Image 4
-----Socialism in "Political Parties," North Georgia citizen. (Dalton, Ga.) 1868-1924, September 03, 1908, Image 6

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, September 24, 1908, Image 4. Funny, philosophical letter to the editor about progress.

Bill Murray, about aeroplanes: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, January 06, 1910, page 6 (digital image 6).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, July 11, 1912, page 4 (digital image 4). (Long piece on socialism).

Bill Murray also takes photos: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, May 23, 1912, page 2 (digital image 2).

North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield,  Ga.) 1868-1924, July 04, 1912, page 5 (digital image 5).  Cute poem.

Image 1
North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, October 17, 1912, Image 1. Reunion of the Citizen's Correspondents have dinner and visit the county fair; Bill Murray took a group photo.
******In next issue, C.R. Vance, who clipped the photo, identifies the photographer as "SQUIRREL" Murray.   North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, November 07, 1912, page 6 (digital image 6).

Old correspondents: Philom and Junius, James Wells, Mr. Giddens, Shope, McCamy. Bill "Squirrel" Murray took a picture of them Ref. North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, November 07, 1912, Image 6). C. R. Vance, the new correspondent, wrote about them more than once.

_________

RELATED, BY LANK: Lank's letter, from Washington DC, alludes to the shoes that Bill Murray half-soles shoes with (and, considering the affectionate repartee that passes between these correspondents, who all know each other, it has to be Bill "Squirrel" Murray). This, and shoe-shop ads that appear at the time Murray is in Dalton, helps identify William "Squirrel" Murray, and William "Will" or "Bill" Murray, the shoemaker, as one and the same. The occupation also helps identify Murray in census.
  ---- The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, February 06, 1897, Page 6, Image 6
   The Washington letter reports on an event related to the presence of Queen Lil (quick lookup, last queen of Hawaii, protested Hawaii being ceded to the US).
       Note: LANK is L.W. Barrett.    : The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, November 29, 1902, page 8 (digital image 8). He is in Washington DC.

Lank mentions Bill Murray, and also tells of W.C. Glenn [Bill Glenn] arguing a case: The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, May 04, 1895, page 6 (digital image 6).

LANK: Congratulates Frank on having Bill Murray to write for him; is enjoying the letters. Is this when Bill becomes a regular????
       North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, March 22, 1900, page 3 (digital image 3).

LANK in DC:
The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, December 15, 1894, page 6 (digital image 6).

LANK in DC: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, May 03, 1900, page 6 (digital image 6).

I think Bill Murray also plays the fiddle. Mentioned fiddling twice, but not specifically that he plays it.

Bill Murray must be a grown man, probably married and middle aged, in 1895; his joke (per a writer) complains about boy next door slamming the door.
    North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, June 27, 1895, Image 4

LANK in DC mentions Bill: North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, August 09, 1900, page 2 (digital image 2).

Sager, of Rocky Face, hopes Bill Murray will give us a speech at the dotter's picnic. (Dotters are writers; the country correspondents sometimes call themselves dotters and call their writing "dots."
    North Georgia Citizen. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 1868-1924, May 17, 1900, page 5 (digital image 5).

MRS. W.C. GLENN is appointed postmistress of the House of Representatives: The Dalton Argus. (Dalton, Whitfield, Ga.) 18??-????, November 12, 1898, Page 5, (digital image 5).
****Bill Murray's possum poem is here (but is like blackface humor).

Three Deeds Originating in Clarke County, Georgia, Filed in Murray County, Georgia. Surnames: Barber, Vincent, Murray, Robins

Three Deeds Originating in Clarke County, Georgia; filed in Murray County, Georgia

Half of Lot 318 in the Tenth District, Third Section of Murray (Originally Cherokee)

Murray County Deed Book G, pages 456 – 457

Superior Court, Murray County, Georgia

Deed 1: Allen Barber to Isaac S Vincent

Deed 2: Isaac S Vincent to William Murray

Deed 3: William Murray to Thomas J. Robins

[Transcript begins, page 456, Deed 1]

______________________________

Allen Barber

Deed to

Isaac S Vincent

½ of Lot 318 - 10 - 3

_______________

Georgia. Clarke County } This indenture made this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty between Allen Barber of the county & state aforesaid of the one part and Isaac S Vincent of the same place of the other part Witnesseth that the said Allen Barber for & in consideration of the sum of three hundred & fifty dollars to him in hand paid at & before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold & conveyed & doth by these presents grant, bargain sell & convey unto the said Isaac S Vincent his heirs & assigns the undivided half of all that tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the County of Murray known and distinguished as lot number three hundred & eighteen (no 318) in the tenth (10th) district & third (3rd) section of Cherokee County & state aforesaid the whole of said lot containing one hundred & sixty acres more or less one Moiety or half of which is hereby conveyed as aforesaid, To have & to hold said undivided half of tract or parcel of land unto him the said Isaac S Vincent his heirs & assigns together with all & singular the rights members & appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to his & their own proper use benefit & behoof forever in fee simple And the said Allen Barber for himself his heirs executors & administrators the said bargained premises unto the said Isaac S Vincent his heirs & assigns will warrant & forever defend the right & title thereof against themselves & against the claim of all other persons whatever In witness whereof the said Allen Barber hath hereunto set his hand & seal the day and year above written

Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of ?T?est Ranson A Whitehead Richard Daken P. Recorded & certified for the 20th November 1848

Allen Barber {seal} Robert McCamy Clk

______________________________________

[End of page 456; deed continued on page 457]

[Transcript begins, page 456, Deed 2]
______________________________________

Isaac S Vincent
Deed to
William Murray
½ of Lot 318 - 10 - 3
____________________

Georgia. Clarke County } This indenture made this third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four between Isaac Vincent of the county & state aforesaid of the one part and William Murray of the other part Witnesseth that the said Isaac Vincent for & in consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars to him in hand paid at & before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold & conveyed & do by these presents grant bargain sell & convey unto the said William Murray his heirs & assigns the undivided half of all that tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the County of Murray in said State known and distinguished as lot number three hundred & eighteen (No 318) in the tenth 10th district & third (3rd) section of Cherokee County & state aforesaid the whole of said lot containing one hundred & sixty acres more or less one Moiety or half of which is hereby conveyed as aforesaid, To have & to hold said tract or parcel of land unto him the said William Murray his heirs & assigns together with all & singular the rights members & appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to his & their own proper use benefit & behoof forever in fee simple And the said Isaac S Vincent for himself his heirs executors & administrators the said bargained premises unto the said

______________________________________
[End of page 456; deed continued on page 457]

[Transcription begins, page 457 (continued from 456)]
______________________________________

William Murray his heirs and assigns will warrant & forever defend the right & title thereof against themselves & against the claim of all other persons whatever In Witness whereof the said Isaac S Vincent hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day & year above written

Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of
Thomas Borthe }
M.M Sheals J.P. }

Isaac S Vincent {seal}
Recorded & certified for the 20th day of November 1848
Robert McCamy Clk
___________________________
[End of Transcript]

[Transcript begins, page 457, Deed 3]
____________________________

William Murray
Deed to
Thomas J Robins
Lot 318 - 10 - 3
__________________

Georgia Clarke County }
This indenture made this nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty eight between William Murray of the county of Clarke & state aforesaid of the one part and Thomas J. Robins of Murray County in said state Witnesseth that the said William Murray for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred and twenty five dollars to him in hand paid at & before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold & conveyed & by by these presents doth grant bargain sell & convey unto the said Thomas J. Robins his heirs & assigns all that tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the County of Murray & State aforesaid known & distinguished as lot number three hundred & eighteen (No. 318) in the tenth 10th district & third 3rd section in Originally Cherokee County Containing one hundred & sixty acres more or less To have & to hold said tract or parcel of land unto him the said Thomas J. Robins his heirs and assigns together with all & singular the rights members & appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to his & their own proper use benefit & behoof forever in fee simple And the said William Murray for himself his heirs executors & administrators the said bargained premises unto the said Thomas J. Robins his heirs & assigns will warrant & forever defend the right & title thereof against themselves and against the claim of all other persons whatever In Witness whereof the said William Murray hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day & year above written, Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of

John Calvin Johnson Wm Murray {seal}
Wm. Dicken J.S.C.

        Recorded & certified for this 20th day of November 1848
        Robert McCamy Clk

_____________________________
[End of Transcript]

History notes: From at least 1831 to 1832, the territory now in Murray County was part of Cherokee County, Georgia. Murray County (and several other counties) were formed out of Cherokee County during the 1832 Cherokee land lottery. Prior to 1831, the territory was transitional, as it had been part of the Cherokee Nation and was usurped by the State of Georgia at the time of the Indian Removal Act of 1829. Many Murray County deeds use terminology such as “…formerly Cherokee now Murray County” or “…Murray County, formerly Cherokee.” The above deeds originated in Clarke County, but refer to land in Murray County, formerly Cherokee.

Transcription Notes: Transcribed by D.K. Pritchett on 28 December 2015 from handwritten record on file in the Superior Court of Murray County, Georgia, Deed Book G, page 457. Writing is somewhat compressed. Old style of leading “s” written as “f” is used within the document (transcribed herein as “s”). There is yet another deed beginning at the bottom of page 457, not transcribed here. That deed is from Charles Silas to D. I. Rials, for Lot 294 in the 12th District, 3rd Section, originating in Wilkinson County and filed in Murray County. It appears to be unrelated to the above deeds. In the first deed, the names “?Test” Ranson and “Daken” are hard to read—it could be some other name. In the second deed, the second set of names is actually placed in the right-hand column, but cannot be done here because of space and layout considerations.