Murray City History
From the 1907 Merchant Directory
transcribed from original booklet by Sandra Mitchell-Quinn
The mining town of Murray City is situated in the eastern portion of Ward Township, Hocking county, (and in the north western portion of Trimble township, Athens County), and has a population of over 2000 inhabitants.
It is the newest mining village in the Hocking Valley and has emerged from the usual surroundings of a mining hamlet to the appearance of a very prosperous and growing village.
It is reached by trains via the Hocking Valley Railway from the city of Nelsonville. Four trains daily carry a large number of passengers.
Murray City is located ten miles from Nelsonville, five miles from Straitsville, and seventeen miles from Logan, the County Seat of Hocking County. The principal streets are wide thoroughfares with substantial sidewalks on either side. Many of the business blocks are imposing structures which would be an ornament to any village. The population is cosmipolitan in character, many nationalities being represented.
At first the inhabitants were mainly Americans and Eastern European Immigrants--a combination which makes the best community in the world. But with the opening of new mines above the village an influx of Southern European Immigrants poured in. The Americans, Scotch, Irish, and English people still predominate in the business and social life, and it is to be hoped that these later arrivals will be gradually assimilated and become good American citizens.
Under the flag of the free we should all be Americans in sentiment and deed, and assist those who come to us from the oppressed nations of Europe to rise.
At the time the mining towns of Straitsville and Nelsonville were at the height of their properity, the region around Murray City was a wilderness. It was generally known that the towering, tree clad hills which hem in the narrow valley were filled with great seams of coal waiting for the enterprising miner to develop. A few log cabins with clearings around them were scattered along the sides of the valley and on the hilltops, but beyond this the silence of the woods prevailed, and the creek now laden with mineral deposits, pursued its clear, tranquil course undisturbed to the Hock-Hocking.
As early as 1875, Murray Brown, from whom the town received its name, began a project for the opening of the mines in this section of the Hocking Valley. Brown built a large hotel on the site of the Old Company Store and laid out a town site: but capital not being forthcoming, the project was abandoned and the hotel later destroyed by fire.
About ten years later the Greendale Co's Mine No. 7 was opened, and soon the Valley was a scene of activity and enterprise. Settlers and miners poured in and a town soon sprang up which became a rival of the other towns in the valley.
For several years it was thought that Murray City was destined to go the way of all mining hamlets and remain a corporation ridden, monopolized community, but with the incorporation of the municipality in 1891 came a turn for the better and a new impetus to her growth resulted. Additions were laid out and homes were built in increasing numbers by people who had decided upon the town as a place of business or residence. Naturally, the rough element controlled the town for a long time, but with the building of the new M. E. Church a change for the better occurred; order has become more prevalent, and the law abiding people of the town have gradually made their influence felt politically and socially to the effectual betterment of conditions.
A Municipal Water Works Plant supplies the people with water for all purposes and insures adequate fire protection. A move is even now on foot for the beautifying of the streets and by-ways. The main street of the town could be easily made into a handsome thoroughfare with the proper co-operation of officials and citizens. In fact Murray City, with its picturesque setting, is a good place of residence, and could easily be transformed into a beautiful village were the people so inclined. All any town needs is the cooperation of a few citizens who will take the intitiative in Civic Improvements.
The religious and social life of the community is a pleasing feature:--The Methodist Church is a factor in affairs tending to better the life of the inhabitants, and boasts of a large membership. St. Philip Neri's Church, recently erected, affords a place of worship for the Catholic Brethren.
The United Brethren Church has no little influence in the moral uplifting of the people. Churches have their influence, and one of the most useful things to a community in general which a church can do, outside of the genuine spiritual and moral influence exerted, is to lend an air of respectability and progress to the town, and is generally found on the side of law and order.
As stated before, Murray City was incorporated in 1891 and the first minicipal election was held in April, 1891.
The Mayors who have held office are: William Snowden 1891-1893; A. J. Bennett, 1893-1895; William Hudson 1903-1905; H. H. Albaugh 1905-1907.
The growth of Murray City has been very rapid during later years; just to the north of the Village lies New Town .
Two large mines contribute to the support of the people and one lately projected will materially add to the prosperity of the community.
Business houses generally report prosperity, and as the village is a drawing center for the whole Branch on which are located six or more towns, it is an exellent trade metropolis.
The town is distinctly a Union stronghold. Murray City suffered as no other mining village did during the great strike of 1884, but wages have gradually increased and the wishes of the Miners Union have generaly prevailed in all cases where the cause was just and right.
Wages in the mines are excellent, and when the mines are working steadily Murray City presents a scene of activity and business hustle which is noteworthy. The miners thoroughly believe that in "Union there is Strength", and the Union sentiment is thoroughly impregnated into all walks of life in the Village.
Several competent physicians minister to the people.
A good school system, here in described is the pride of the Village, and is in the hands of a competent Board of Directors.
An excellent newspaper, "The Murray City News" chronicles the weekly happenings, and affords an opportunity for the merchants to advertise their wares.
The merchants herein represented are the most progressive of the Village, and are keenly alive to the advancement of the best interests of the town and likewise their own interests.
Selfishness is an attribute which has ruined many business men who possessed it. The succesful business man is liberally inclined to look upon the towns best interests; he realizes that whatever helps the town will help his business. Publicity to a business, to a man seeking preferment, to any person desiring success, is essential.
This volume is intended to give the right kind of publicity to your town, to inform the outside world of your progress and last but not least to acquaint the people more intmately with a knowledge of the business, professional, and religious interests of our bustling Village.
May the town of Murray City go onward and upward in the paths of true progress; may this volume lead to closer relations between the people and her institutions; may all her institutions, social and educational, continue to flourish and be a power for good in the community for all time is our wish.