THE HOME LIFE OF DR. MURPHREE 131

 seems to lie in journalism, for which he has unusual aptitude.
 Dr. Murphree was a believer in the broadening influences
 of travel upon the growing minds and lives of boys and girls.
 Vacation trips for the children of the Murphree home included
 excursions into various parts of Canada, in particular to Nova
 Scotia. There were stop-overs on these trips at New York,
 Boston and other cities of interest, with appropriate and eager
 sightseeing.
 About fifteen years ago Dr. Murphree purchased the
 splendid home on East Seminary, so definitely associated in
 the minds of Gainesville citizens with his home life and that
 of his family. From here radiated the warmth of his per-
 sonality and hospitality.
 A tragic blow struck him in the passing of his beloved wife
 in 1923. It was approaching Easter time. Mrs. Murphree
 had been suffering severely with headaches. These headaches
 became acute and for several days her life hung in the balance.
 On March 27, at Easter Eve, the life of the charming com-
 panion of Dr. Murphree went out. She was buried the fol-
 lowing Monday in Tallahassee, back among the red clay hills
 she loved all her life.
 With characteristic fortitude and with his abiding trust in
Providence, Dr. Murphree sought to carry on without the one
he loved. For weeks following his sorrow he found it a most
difficult task. It was at this period of his life that he began
the outdoor exercise, in golf and other recreation, that he grew
to love so well
 By the beginning of the next school year the educational
leader was striding forward into the glorious years that
marked his greatest success. He found a refuge from care in
his home, particularly in his library, where his own mind kept
pace with the best minds of the day. To his children he was
still the loving and tender father. To his friends he still held
forth the warmth and affection of his nature.