LIFE AND WORK OF DR. A. A. MURPHREE


would take the presidency of the University of Florida the
growth and success of that institution would be assured.
 "We called Dr. Murphree in and tendered him the place.
He turned to Governor Gilchrist and to the other members of
the board and expressed deep appreciation for the trust thus
displayed in him, but declared he did not see how he could
accept the position. He pointed out that his wife was born
and reared in Tallahassee, and that his home life, which he
loved so deeply, centered there.
 "'But Dr. Murphree, you will consider the matter, won't
you?' he was asked.
 "'Yes,' he responded, 'I will consider it. Let me go and
talk it over with my wife.'
 "He did so,_and later reported to us. 'If you gentlemen
now on the board will stay by me in the task, I will go,' he
announced. I do not know of any one thing that could have
been done of greater importance to the University and of
greater good to the young manhood of the state."
 It was the appeal of leading young men that won Dr. Mur-
phree to Gainesville. It meant a tremendous sacrifice in many
ways. It meant severing ties of close association with mem-


bears of the faculty of the
hassee citizens who were
preciative of his work, an
of his family was there 1
loved ones and home ties


College, with students, with Talla-
outstandingly loyal to him and ap-
i greatest of all from the standpoint
the sacrifice of moving away from
in the capital city.


 Dr. Murphree appreciated deeply the loyalty and spirit
of his beloved wife, to whom the sacrifice of leaving Tal-
lahassee was greatest. They were living in the very home
where she was born, reared and married. The roots of the
Henderson family went far back in the early history of the
city and that section of the state, but loyal to what she felt to
be the outstanding consideration in the matter, that of living
where her honored husband could best accomplish his work,
she agreed that he should accept the position with the Uni-
versity.
 Those who knew Dr. Murphree best, realize that he was
happiest in the leadership of young men. The success of the
University was assured with his acceptance of the successor-