[Interview with Mr. James Lloyd, Hubbard, TX, 27 May 2001]
[by Mark A. Murphy, murphy@tarleton.edu]

I happened upon Mr. James Lloyd, 83 year old resident of Hubbard, TX, 
when I stopped at a convenience store to ask for directions to Liberty 
Hill Cemetery.  At first he was a bit leary of me as a stranger until I told 
him I was researching the Murphey family in the area.  He asked my 
interest in the Murpheys, and I told him I was a descendent of Joseph 
Hill Murphey, as was my father in the car with me.  He immediately brightened
with enthusiasm as he began giving me information faster than I could keep 
up.  
Mr. Lloyd is the grandson of Ada Murphey, daughter of Joseph Hill Murphey, 
and wife of Waymond Long.  Joseph was one of the original "Murphey boys"
who came from Maury County TN after the Civil War.   These Murpheys helped
found the towns of Hubbard and Dawson.  Ada was born in TN and 
came with the families by covered wagon.  (Joseph Albert, her brother and 
my grandfather, and William Wesley, were also born by this time and came with 
them).  I asked Mr. Lloyd why they came by wagon when the railroad was in
Texas by that time.  He said that the railroad didn't come to this area until 1880 or 
so (this confirmed later by historical marker in Dawson- see files).  Also, they were
probably too poor to bring all their belongings by railroad.  He said the Murphys
have always been poor, except for one son of Ralus (Geralus) who became a 
millionaire.  Ralus owned a gas station in Hubbard and couldn't read, write or do
math.  He had a "calculator", a long piece of cardboard that had all the gas prices
for each gallon listed, i.e. 11 cents for one gallon, 22 cents for two gallons, etc.
Mr. Lloyd said Ralus was a fair and honest businessman that everyone liked.  The 
only Murphy still in the area that he knew of was the wife of one of Ralus' sons
who was in her eighties.
Mr. Lloyd described the massacre at Battle Creek (one mile east of Liberty Hill 
cemetery) that was told to him by the old folks.  One man survived the indian
attack and crawled all the way to Tawakani, another small local community.  This
was in the 1830's or so (see Battle Creek historical marker notes).  
Also:  Confederate veterans held reunions up until the 1930's or so at the Confederate
Reunion Grounds near Mexia.  The Murpheys were a part of these events.
Also:  One of the Hills went to the Spur area to survey land to see if it was 
suitable for families (date unknown).  Also a Mr. Post surveyed the area around
what is now Post, TX, named after him.  Mr. Lloyd said Mr. Post was trying to
build a factory that could turn maize into breakfast cereal.  "You ever heard of 
Post Toasties?", said Mr. Lloyd, "Well they was named after him, too."
(this also is found to be true- see http://www.posttexas.com/C.W.Post%20history.htm
for more on Mr. Post, his inventions, his physician Dr. Kellogg-brother to the 
cereal king W.K. Kellogg and Battle Creek, Michigan.  Is it coincidence that 
another Battle Creek was in Texas between Hubbard & Dawson in 1830's?  Battle
Creek, Michigan was first settled in 1830s and named after an indian battle also.)

(my tape player broke as I'm transcribing, will continue later- MM)