Murphy, Thomas Herbert “Judge”

Thomas Herbert Murphy was born in Pictou County, N.S. on November 8, 1842, Thomas went to sea at an early age and became 1st Mate on a coaster running out of Halifax. He travelled to S. America, India, Africa, Australia, (where he mined at Ballarat) and Great Britain. Returning to sea Thomas  became a longshoreman at one of the Atlantic ports.

Thomas came west to Nevada where he worked as a sheriff. In 1886 he made his way to Granite Creek and occupied in mining. In 1910 Thomas settled in Tulameen until his death. Thomas was well educated and he was a judge in 1913. Listed prov. directory 1900.  His most promising claim was the Pogue Hydraulic Claim with Joe Newton.  Thomas owned and worked the Pogue Tunnel with a partner named Bill Kyle in the late 1800’s. This tunnel was at Granite Creek. In the January 5, 1901 Similkameen Star, a story appeared that was credited to Judge Thomas C. Murphy (likely the “C” was a typographical error and should have been “H”).  Entitled “The Lost Mine – A Tale of Early Days”, it was a multi-page tale about a lost gold mine, ghosts and murder.  No one knows if this was a true account, or a fable made up by Murphy.  On January 12, 1901 Murphy placed a notice in the Similkameen Star of his intent to prospect for coal on the north side of the north fork of Granite Creek (known as Blakeburn Creek today).

He was a Justice of the Peace, member of the licensing board, and was several times on deputations and was sent to Victoria to speak with government officials.

Thomas Murphy died November 19, 1930, and is interred in the Tulameen Cemetery.