A Biographical Sketch of John Riggs Murdock

Iowa land on which they might settle. The country across the Missouri, to the west of them, was the home of the red man, and a movement in that direction seem'ed quite impossible. News of the sufferings of the Saints reached the ears of their neighbors on the east in Illinois, just across the Mississippi, in Adams county. A feeling of pity was awakened and the citizens of Quincy, in a friendly and hospitable attitude, offered their good services to the people in the hour of their need. As the road went in those days, John R. Murdock had to travel with his cattle from Far West, about two hundred miles. New conditions awaited him, but he was a boy and couldforget, perhaps, sooner than those of mature years. However, by nature he was strong in his judgments, wedded to people and conditions he liked, and it was not easy for him to break loose. When he reached Quincy, Morris C. Phelps was in prison in Missouri. Mrs. Phelps was making preparation to relieve her husband or to render him, if possible, som'e assistance in making his escape, and if that were impossible, to remain near by to offer such help and comfort as her presence would give to him. At this time, however, the boy's father felt the need of his assistance, and may, perhaps, have thought that it would relieve his foster parents from some feeling of responsibility if he took his son home at this time. John was loath to leave the Phelps home; his foster parents were dear to him, and he says that ...