In researching our family’s history I came across this article from the October 8, 1980 Hometown, which tells the story of Richard J. Murphy and the Joslin House. Richard’s sister, Annie Murphy, married Christopher C. Gartland in 1892 and after moving around a bit (he was on the cutting edge of electricity) they settled in Cleveland in 1900. Annie’s widowed Mother remarried and her granddaughter from that marriage was Helen Hanley of Bay View who contributed the history for this article. The original piece contained a picture of the inscription plaque. This is contributed by Christopher’s great granddaughter, Leslie Korenko (LKorenko@aol.com). Thought you might be interested.

Richard J. Murphy – We Have Found You, by Edward Patenaude (of the Hometown Staff)

“Webster – Removal of business signs on the retail section of the Joslin House has exposed a granite marker inscribed: Richard J. Murphy-1939. The marker has been in place for more than 40 years, obscured by signs for the Kiddie Shop and the Webster Surplus Center, current occupants; and, over the years, by other business. Residents have recently noticed the inscription, learning that the building is separate from the Joslin House, because the façade is being restored by the present owners, Bennett J. Smith Jr. and Robert S. Baker. Several persons have wondered: Who was Richard J. Murphy?”

The Answers - Helen M. Hanley of Bay View provided some answers. Murphy was born in Ireland and came to this country when a youth. His mother, widowed, married Miss Hanley’s grandfather, Michael, who was a widower with five children. Two children were born out of that marriage. One of them, William, was Miss Hanley’s father. Murphy and William Hanley were half-brothers.

Murphy went to work at the Chase Mills (now an Ethan Allen furniture plant) and the South Village Mills, owned at the time by the Slater Co. He subsequently joined the Joslin House staff and purchased the business from Feno J. Sinclair in 1909. He operated the local hotel while managing others. He was manager of the Oaks Hotel in Springfield in 1929 and 1930. He managed the Conley Inn in Torrington, Conn., from Feb. 1, 1932 through July 1, 1939.

Two Buildings – Through most of the 1930’s, the Joslin House was actually two buildings, a wood-frame structure facing Main Street, with a main entrance and stores; and the brick section on Mechanic Street, still in place. There was a drive from Mechanic Street between the buildings. The hotel was maintained as one, with an enclosed walkway to the second floor between the structures.

The front section of the Joslin House burned down, either late in 1938 or in the early part of 1939. Murphy, then 70, left his job in Torrington to supervise construction of the new building.

Heart Trouble – He had suffered from heart trouble but was well enough to take part in the laying of the new Joslin House cornerstone. Murphy visited the project on the morning of Wednesday, July 26, 1939. He suffered from two heart attacks on returning home, with the second attack proving fatal.

Thus, Murphy never saw his Joslin House project completed. The chances are that he never saw the Richard J. Murphy granite insignia in the face of the building – the one which area residents have suddenly become aware of in recent weeks.