The Chesley Artificial Limb Company of Hantsport did more than just manufacture prostheses. According to a 1917 advertisement1, “Deformity appliances and splints [are] a speciality.”
Charles Samuel Chesley and his wife Nancy also offered accommodation at his “Home Comfort Hotel” for customers while they were fitted and regained mobility. The Hantsport & Area Historical Society’s website includes an article under Business and Industry where more information can be found about the enterprise.
The 1921 Census of Canada shows four “lodgers” residing with Chesley, his wife and their daughter. Two are employees; Robert Paoli Veino age 28, and Bernice Grace Bennett age 26.
The 11 year old boy, Henry Murphy, is the subject this monograph.
Henry Murphy was introduced to readers of The Evening Mail in 1919. Along with The Halifax Herald, the newspapers were published in Halifax, N.S. by President and Editor-in Chief, Senator William Dennis.
Henry became something of a “poster boy” for the Christmas Goodfellows and Rainbow charities sponsored by Mr. Dennis.
Photos: The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, Jul 29, 1922
Henry Murphy’s pal and fellow newsboy Tommy Sulkis first came to the attention of Mr. Dennis while walking home from the office. He observed some boys coasting, and one little lad wound up with a broken sled with no rope. “Then Tommy, one-legged little Tommy, who hopped along with the aid of a crutch, came to the rescue, “Here, take mine,” he offered, generously.”
“The second time Tommy came to my attention was when the Goodfellow’s Club was organized shortly before Christmas. Ten-year old Tommy limped into the office of The Evening Mail early one cold morning and, with his small chin just reaching the edge of the counter he laid down a quarter. “This is to get something fer a little kid fer Christmas,” announced Tommy.”
“Tommy was then and there elected president of the Goodfellow’s Club and The Evening Mail further stated that the Goodfellow’s Club would always take an interest in Tommy Sulkis because he had proven that he had “the right stuff” in him. Tommy, you must understand, is not a little boy who has lots of money to spend. For four years, ever since he was six years old, he has been a newsboy. He lives with his mother and grandmother at No. 4 Grafton street and every cent that he earns is very much needed at home. The members of the Goodfellows’ Club meant what they said. Shortly after Christmas they sent Tommy to Hantsport to be fitted with an artificial limb. Tommy went to Hantsport with a whole new outfit – brand new suit, overcoat, cap, gloves, boots, everything he needed. Now he looks very much like other little boys, because unless you knew that only one of those legs was real, you would never guess it. So much for Tommy, now to tell you about Henry.”
“Probably some of the Rainbows who live in Halifax have often seen a little crippled boy on Sackville street, near the office of the Evening Mail. This little lad has two thin, crooked little legs that are of little use to him, because the only way he can get along is by using two crutches – Tommy used only one. That little boy is Henry Murphy. His father, who was a Cape Breton miner, died when Henry was a baby. There was a big family of children and the mother had a hard struggle to get along. There was neither time nor money to spare in the care of a little cripple. Thus Henry was left to battle through life as best he could.”3
GOODFELLOW HENRY MURPHY SWELLS THE EMPTY STOCKING FUND4
Of the $2,000 so far contributed to the Goodfellows Empty Stocking Fund, the secretary believes that the readers of this paper will agree that THE MOST GENEROUS GIFT TO DATE is that received this morning from Hantsport. Who do you suppose it is from? Well, it’s going to be a surprise. It is from no less a person than little Henry Murphy. The example he sets is worth hundreds, for less than a year ago Henry was a sickly, poorly clad and what was thought a hopelessly crippled child living under pathetic circumstances on Grafton Street. Nursing Sister Nora Larkin told the Goodfellow’s Club of the tragedy of this little boy’s life and asked up to co-operate in having him placed in an institution, as under existing conditions the light of his little life would soon burn out. The story appealed to the club and Sister Larkin was requested to bring Henry to Goodfellows’ Headquarters, so one bitterly cold morning, Henry hobbled in on his crutches — an object of pity and a member of the Club in the Mail office at the time was so impressed with the little fellow that he secured permission to take him to his own home, where Henry was fitted out with new clothes, spent several weeks and was then taken to the Children’s Hospital for medical attention. Modern supports were secured for the twisted little limbs and the boy soon showed signs of improvement. In the summer he was sent to East Dover where he had a delightful time and when he came back to town this fall, the Goodfellow who was interested in him arranged to have him taken care of in the home of C. S. Chesley, Hantsport, manufacturer of limb supports and artificial limbs, where Henry is receiving massages twice a day and where the once useless little limbs are daily showing improvement. His improvement is nothing short of phenomenal. He has gained at least 25 pounds in weight, goes to school every day, is a bright little scholar and is now – in less than a year, able to write a most interesting letter in a very creditable hand. The Goodfellow who was interested in him wanted him to come to Halifax for Christmas, but Henry is having too good a time in Hantsport as will be observed from the following letter:
There is the story and the secretary of the Goodfellows’ Club is the most delighted person in Halifax, at the thoughtfulness of Henry Murphy. Just think – a little child in his circumstances saving up his odd pennies, that most children with lots of money would spend on themselves, sending his contribution to bring happiness to the little boys and girls he knows are in need of Christmas cheer. Henry Murphy has set a splendid example. He realizes the experience of having been FORGOTTEN BY SANTA CLAUS and the fact that he saved up his pennies until he had a dollar should set an example to every reader of this paper.
Hantsport school registers confirm that Henry Joseph Murphy was a student in 1919/20 (age 7, grade 1) and again in 1922/23 (age 12, grade 5) with Mr. Charles Chesley listed as guardian. George Chornier, the other “lodger” from the 1921 census, appears in the school registers for 1922/23 and 1923/34 also with Mr. Chesley listed as guardian.5
Newspaper clipping: The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, May 7, 1921
The history of the Chesley Artificial Limb Company says “Splints or metal supports were made for a number of Polio victims. One of these, a little boy from Halifax, Henry Murphy, boarded with the Chesleys for several years. His expenses were paid by Mr. Wm. Dennis owner of the Halifax Herald after he found Henry selling papers on the street.”
Henry Joseph Murphy was married at Halifax in 1942 to Ivy Alice Rout6. His occupation is recorded as accountant with the Dept. of Works/Buildings – Naval Station. His wife Ivy also had an interesting background. She arrived in Halifax from England as an infant in March 1913 with her widowed mother Alice Rout and two older siblings, Fred and Edith, on board the ship “Victorian”.7
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Murphy appear in the 1957 Federal Voters List living at 54 Connaught Ave. in Halifax, his occupation is given as accountant.8
Henry Joseph Murphy died at Halifax on 26 January, 19689 and is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville10.
Ivy A. Murphy died in 200411 and is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Hubbards with her mother, Alice Rout.
Sources:
- 1917 McAlpine Gazetteer of Nova Scotia
- Library and Archives Canada, 1921 Census of Canada, Nova Scotia, Hants County, Sub-District No. 28 Hantsport Town, p. 2
- The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia) · Sat, Apr 12, 1919
- Ibid. · Fri, Dec 19, 1919
- Hantsport School Registers 1886-1953, Hantsport & Area Historical Society, 2020
- Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Registration: Year: 1942 number: 115164
- “Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922” , T-4746, Library and Archives Canada
- “Voters Lists, Federal Elections, 1935–1980”, R1003-6-3-E (RG113-B), Library and Archives Canada
- Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics, Death Registration: Year: 1968 number: 1406
- Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax, Gate of Heaven, Interment Date: January 29, 1968, Section 1. Plot L, Grave 19A
- The Chronicle-Herald, Halifax N.S., 27 January 2004