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Irvine Nathan "Nate" Murphy (1878-1955)
The Atlin Cemetery
Dateline: October 24, 2024.
Irvine Nathan "Nate" Murphy was born on December 7, 1878, at Popes Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. The 1891 Census listed the family members and ages: George Murphy, 44; Lavenia Murphy, 39; Charles Murphy, 18; John Murphy, 16; Etta L Murphy, 15; Francis Murphy, 13; Nathan Murphy, 11; Alice Murphy, 9; Joseph Murphy, 7; Elsie Murphy, 6; George Murphy, 4; Malcomb Murphy, 3; Ethel Murphy, 1. They were living at Tangier Bay, Halifax, Nova Scotia (adjacent to Popes Harbour), and were all, including George and Lavenia, born in Nova Scotia. The 1901 census is much more detailed - Tangier has now been changed to Shoal Bay (which is adjacent to Tangier), three more childen had been born, Nathan's birth date was given, and now 22, he was listed as a fisherman.
In 1907 Nathan arrived at Atlin, British Columbia, and soon began mining for placer gold. He would spend the rest of his life in the Atlin area, involved in mining for most of it. He died in the Whitehorse General Hospital on December 1, 1955, and was buried at Atlin.
The Weekly Star, Friday, February 6, 1914
Considerable excitement was created in Atlin recently by a display of gold dust taken from the claim of Herman Miller, Tom White, Erick Martin and Nathan Murphy on O'Donnell river and which had been placed on exhibition in the front window of the local jewelry store there by Herman Miller, one of the partners who had brought it in.
The gold was recovered by rocking and panning the gravel taken from the
end of a 430 foot tunnel which had been driven by them back into the hill from the bank of the stream. It is very coarse, with not a few good seized nuggets, and has been greatly admired by all who have seen it.
The display was divided into four parcels, of which photographs have
been taken, which are being eagerly bought up by the people of the town for distribution.
The following is the value of the gold and a description of the manner in which it was recovered:
As a result of the publicity given the discovery quite an exodus has been the order from here and in the course of the next few days other equally encouraging developments are looked for.
Wednesday, December 9, 1936: "O'Donnell River, thirty-one miles from Atlin - Twenty operators and prospectors were employed in this area during the season. The largest
operation was by Nathan Murphy, who was drifting on the high rim. Good values came from the work and the district holds high promise for next season." (The Daily Province (Vancouver, B.C.) Read the entire article describing the activity on each creek here.
Saturday, July 31, 1948: "As time went on and men diligently searched other creeks in the vicinity, they too were rewarded. O'Donnell Creek was found to contain the precious metal. This creek runs into Atlin Lake 22 miles south of the town. Nate Murphy has valuable property on this creek today." (The Vancouver Sun Magazine Supplement) From a lengthy illustrated article by Guy Lawrence - read it here.
Thursday, August 4, 1955: "Nate Murphy was admitted to Whitehorse Hospital with injuries to his hip following a fall at his home. For some years past he has been an invalid but is still one of the most cheerful persons to visit." (The Whitehorse Star)
Thursday, September 1, 1955: "Mr. Nate Murphy has returned after treatment in Whitehorse General Hospital." (The Whitehorse Star)
The Vancouver Province, Monday, December 12, 1955
ATLIN - Mourners filled the Anglican church of St. Martin in Atlin and many had to stand outside during the funeral service of Irvine Nathan (Nate) Murphy, a
pioneer of B.C.'s northland.
Mr. Murphy, who died in Whitehorse hospital after a lengthy illness, first came to Atlin in 1907. He was known for his skill as a hunter and trapper and had prospected northern B. C. over a wide area.
For the last several years he was an invalid.
He is survived by his widow; a step-son, Melvin Beckman; 13 brothers and sisters.
The Whitehorse Star, Thursday, December 15, 1955
ATLIN - His many friends filled the Anglican church of St. Martin, Atlin, and many were unable to get in, when they came to pay their last respects to one of the
early pioneers of the North, Irvine Nathan Murphy who died in Whitehorse General Hospital on December 1, after being an in-patient for 84 days.
The service both in the church and at the graveside was conducted by the resident Anglican minister, Mrs. F. J. Henning presided at the organ for the singing of the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." It is doubtful if any present had heard this hymn sung with such feeling and reverence.
"Nate" Murphy first came to Atlin in 1907 and was well known as an expert hunter, trapper and miner. He had been an invalid for a number of years and was nursed during the whole of that time by his devoted wife.
Although he was unconscious during the last five days of his life, Mrs. M. Murphy remained continuously with him. He leaves his widow and stepson, Melvin Beckman, and 13 brothers and sisters, one of whom, George Murphy, lives at Juneau.
Pallbearers were: Frank Henning, Dave Mattson, Duncan Falconer, Manne Magnuson, Peter Matson and Cyril James. Funeral arrangements were undertaken by Bruce Morton.
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