University of Arizona

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L.G. Murphy and Company Records

Lawrence Gustave Murphy (d. 1878) and Emil Fritz (d. 1873) owned the mercantile store at Fort Stanton, which later moved to Lincoln, NM. After Fritz's death, Murphy formed a partnership with James J. Dolan. Both Murphy and Fritz were army majors stationed at Fort Stanton, and both served as post commanders for brief periods, then served together as post sutlers until July 1873 when they moved operations to nearby Lincoln, NM. Murphy was a prominent businessman and rancher as well as a key figure in events leading up to the Lincoln County War in 1878.

Store ledger covers Fort Stanton accounts, from May 1, 1871 to Dec. 31, 1872, including accounts for Troop "D" 8th U.S. Cavalry, Company "I" 15th U.S. Infantry, and Troop "B" 8th U.S. Cavalry. A second daily journal includes Fort Stanton store, from May to June 1873, and Lincoln, NM, store from July 1873 to Jan. 1874; it lists customers and items sold.