1877

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February 15, 1877

• The Leeds Mercury Leeds, West Yorkshire, England Thursday, February 15, 1877 - Page 5 — Leeds Chess Club

March 09, 1877

• The Newcastle Weekly Courant Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England Friday, March 09, 1877 - Page 7 — Chess - “Game Played By Morphy When He was 12”

May 04, 1877

• The Aegis & Intelligencer Bel Air, Maryland Friday, May 04, 1877 - Page 3 — “The statement that Paul Morphy, the great chess player, is insane is denied. He is said to be practicing law in New Orleans. He never plays chess in public now.”

Statement that Paul Morphy is insane is DENIED. He is Practicing Law and never plays chess in Public 04 May 1877, Fri The Aegis & Intelligencer (Bel Air, Maryland) Newspapers.com

• The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland Friday, May 04, 1877 - Page 4 — “Paul Morphy, the noted chess player, who is now practicing law in New York city, wishes it distinctly understood that he is not insane, statements to the contrary not withstanding.” ★ / ★ / ★

Paul Morphy, Now Practicing Law, is Not Insane 04 May 1877, Fri The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) Newspapers.com

• The Cincinnati Daily Star Cincinnati, Ohio Friday, May 04, 1877 - Page 2 — A friend of Paul Morphy publishes a card to correct the erroneous statements that have been made about the great chess player. The card is dated in New Orleans, and says Morphy is an able and successful lawyer in that city; is not insane; never has been, and is never likely to show the slightest symptoms of insanity. As to chess, though his name is never mentioned in that connection, it is claimed that he is still the best player in the world, and though he plays social games with all the great players that visit New Orleans, giving the odds of a knight to the best, he rarely ever loses a game. His disappearance from public view is thus explained: “The publicity and lionizing which attached to him for a time, both in this country and Europe, were always distasteful to his family, and especially so to his mother. On his return from his European triumphs, he entered into an engagement with his mother never again to play for a money or other stake; never to play a public game or a game in a public place, and never again to encourage or countenance any publication of any sort whatever in connection with his name. This last clause in the agreement has been so strictly construed as to prevent any denial by him or his family of the numerous silly publications that have been made concerning him.” ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

May 05, 1877

• The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky Saturday, May 05, 1877 - Page 3 — Every once in a while a newspaper paragraph appears, in which it is asserted that Paul Morphy, the chess player, is insane in New Orleans, but he is only practicing law there. The repeated republication of the paragraph is exasperating to the great man.

Paul Morphy Is Only Practicing Law in New Orleans. 05 May 1877, Sat The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com

• The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee Saturday, May 05, 1877 - Page 3 — The Truth About Morphy. — He has Never been Insane, But is Still the Best of Chess Players. — New Orleans correspondent of the New York Sun. The Sun of the 24th instant contains a repetition of that off-told lie about the insanity of Paul Morphy— that he has not played chess for a long time, and so forth, ad nauseam. Will you have the kindness to publish the following, which contains all the facts concerning Paul Morphy with which the public have anything to do? He is now practicing law in this city; and has never been insane, or spoke of in that relation by his family or friends. As to chess, he is unquestionably to-day the best chess player in the world, although he does not play often enough to keep himself in thorough practice. He gives the odds of a knight to our strongest players, and is seldom beaten, perhaps never when he cares to win. His disappearance from public view as a chess player has just this explanation—no more, no less. “The publicity and lionizing which attached to him for a time, both in this country and Europe, were always distasteful to his family, and especially so to his mother. On his return from his European triumphs, he entered into an engagement with his mother never again to play for a money or other stake; never to play a public game or a game in a public place, and never again to encourage or countenance any publication of any sort whatever in connection with his name. This last clause in the agreement has been so strictly construed as to prevent any denial by him or his family of the numerous silly publications that have been made concerning him. It is now time, however, that the thing should be stopped.” ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

The Truth About Morphy. He Has Never Been Insane, But Is Still The Best of Chess Players. 05 May 1877, Sat The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) Newspapers.com

May 06, 1877

• Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, May 06, 1877 - Page 5 — The various stories concerning the condition of Paul Morphy, the chess-player, are set at rest by an authoritative communication on the subject from New Orleans, where Morphy is residing. He is now practicing law, and has never been insane, or spoke of in that connection by his family or friends. He is still thought to be the strongest chess-player in the world, but has retired entirely from public contests in consequence of a promise made to his mother after his memorable European tour. ★ / ★ Read More

The Various Stories Concerning the Condition of Paul Morphy are Set at Rest 06 May 1877, Sun Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.com

• Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, May 06, 1877 - Page 16 — The Game of Chess - The Truth About Paul Morphy. He Has Never Been Insane—He Is Still The Best Of Chess-Players. — …Will you have the kindness to inform the public at large, and newspaper paragraphers in particular, that Paul Morphy is engaged in a strict attendance upon his own affairs, and that his family and friends do not at present adjudge him in need of any assistance therein? Very respectfully, M. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ Read More

The Game of Chess - The Truth About Paul Morphy 06 May 1877, Sun Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.com

May 10, 1877

• The Osage County Chronicle Burlingame, Kansas Thursday, May 10, 1877 - Page 1 — The reported insanity of Paul Morphy, the great chess-player, is denied by authority. He is now practicing law in New Orleans and has never exhibited the least taint of insanity. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★

Reports of Paul Morphy in Connection with Insanity Denied 10 May 1877, Thu The Osage County Chronicle (Burlingame, Kansas) Newspapers.com

May 11, 1877

• The News-Courant Cottonwood Falls, Kansas Friday, May 11, 1877 - Page 6 — A New Orleans correspondent of the New York Sun, under date of April 28, speaking of Paul Morphy, the great chess player, says that he is practicing law in that city, and has never been insane, or spoken of in that relation by his family or friends.

• The Times-Argus Selma, Alabama Friday, May 11, 1877 - Page 2 — “Paul Morphy is not crazy, but is practicing law in New Orleans.”

May 12, 1877

• Alabama Beacon Greensboro, Alabama Saturday, May 12, 1877 - Page 1 — “Paul Morphy … reported some weeks ago to have committed suicide … is now, says a News Orleans telegram of the 28th ult., living and practicing law in that city.”

• The Ottawa Free Trader Ottawa, Illinois Saturday, May 12, 1877 - Page 4 — A letter in the New York Sun, apparently written by Paul Morphy himself, flatly contradicts the reports which had such a wide circulation in the newspapers, that Mr. Morphy, through his intense devotion to the game of chess, had become insane. The letter says Mr. Morphy, whose profession is that of the law, at the earnest importunity of his mother to whom the notoriety he had gained as chess player was very disagreeable, some years ago made a solemn vow never again to play a game of chess, a vow which he has sacredly kept, devoting himself assiduously ever since to his profession, in which he has a large and lucrative practice. The story of his insanity never had even the slightest foundation. ★ Read More

A False Report Without Slightest Foundation 25 May 1877, Fri North Star (Danville, Vermont) Newspapers.com

• The Pantagraph Bloomington, Illinois Saturday, May 12, 1877 - Page 1 — The New Orleans Republican has this item: “It appears to be a regular thing for letter writers and newspapers to report that the once famous chess player, Paul Morphy, is confined in an insane asylum. Mr. Morphy is a harmless little gentleman, who can be seen any afternoon on Canal street attending to his own business, and apparently willing that other people should do as much for themselves.” ★ Read More

Mr. Paul Morphy and People Should Mind Their Own Affairs 12 May 1877, Sat The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) Newspapers.com

May 16, 1877

• Racine Journal Racine, Wisconsin Wednesday, May 16, 1877 - Page 1 — The reports that the famous chess player Paul Morphy was insane, are now denied by the best of authority.

Reports the Famous Chess Player Morphy was insane is Denied 16 May 1877, Wed Racine Journal (Racine, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com

May 24, 1877

• Winfield Courier Winfield, Kansas Thursday, May 24, 1877 - Page 2 “‘Paul Morphy, the chess player’, is not insane, but he is in their employ. He is practicing law in New Orleans and in good health.”

Paul Morphy, the Chess Player 24 May 1877, Thu Winfield Courier (Winfield, Kansas) Newspapers.com

May 27, 1877

• St. Louis Globe-Democrat St. Louis, Missouri Sunday, May 27, 1877 - Page 7 — Chess Witch Hunt — “Our exchanges are filled ad nauseam with reports of the insanity of Paul Morphy. Let poor Paul alone. If he be insane, these multitudinous publications only tend to increase the sorrow of his friends and relations, and if not, they are sufficient to make him go crazy.” Read More

Ad Nauseam Slander 27 May 1877, Sun St. Louis Globe-Democrat (St. Louis, Missouri) Newspapers.com

May 30, 1877

• The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Brooklyn, New York Wednesday, May 30, 1877 - Page 1 — The Champion at Clark's Rooms — Mr. James Mason, the American chess champion—vice Paul Morphy, retired—will visit Clark's chess rooms, 129 Myrtle avenue, near Duffield street, this evening to play a match with Mr. Clark. A very interesting display of chess strategy may be expected. Play will begin at 8 P.M. Chess players are invited to be present on the occasion. Read More

May 31, 1877

• Glasgow Herald Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland Thursday, May 31, 1877 - Page 5 — International Match For the Draughts Championship

June 06, 1877

• Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah Wednesday, June 06, 1877 - Page 7 — A New Orleans letter to the New York Sun says Paul Morphy is not and has never been insane, is practicing law in New Orleans, is yet the best chess player in the world, but seldom plays at it, not enough to keep himself in practice. ★

New Orleans Letter Says Paul Morphy Has Never Been Insane and Seldom Plays to Stay in Practice 06 Jun 1877, Wed The Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) Newspapers.com

June 29, 1877

• The Newcastle Weekly Courant Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England Friday, June 29, 1877 - Page 7 — Chess. — “I have a positive fever coming over me. Give me the board and pieces and I'll show you some of Anderssen's games.” And with his astounding memory he gave me, says the narrator, battle after battle with different adversaries, variations and all… “There.” said Morphy, “that shows the master.” “I never heard him (the noble hearted Anderssen) make a single observation to Morphy complimentary of his skill; but to others he was loud in admiration of the young American.” Read More

July 13, 1877

• The Newcastle Weekly Courant Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England Friday, July 13, 1877 - Page 7 — Chess. — “All this dilatoriness is so very different from the chivalrous daring which ought to accompany the pursuit of the game, and, as a rule, does accompany it—witness notably the cases of Morphy, Anderssen, and others. If we cannot all be first in Rome, then let us be first in our village, retire to it, cultivate our cabbage garden, and, un-Cincinnatus-like, eat saur-kraut in sober-mindedness and phlegmatic contentment.” Read More

July 15, 1877

• The Daily Appeal Carson City, Nevada Sunday, July 15, 1877 - Page 3 — A Great Chess Player. — A rival to Paul Morphy himself seems to have arisen. In the New York Sun of July 4 we find the following account of an extraordinary player's performances: The Cafe International was the scene last evening of an unusual spectacle, James Mason playing seventeen games of chess simultaneously against seventeen different players. The latter sat in rows at their tables, pondering over their pieces, while Mason passed from one to the other, pausing only long enough to see the last move made in his absence and to make an answering move. The seventeen games were finished within about three hours. Three were drawn, and fourteen were victorious for Mason… Read More

July 22, 1877

• Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, July 22, 1877 - Page 12 — The Game of Chess. “I had the gratification of witnessing some of Morphy's games here recorded, which I reckon among the white-stone occasions of my chess experiences. I have now before my mind's eye the aspect of the youthful American Chess Chief as he sat, cool as a cucumber, and grandly calm, before his game. So still was he, that but for the searching intellect which glittered in his full dark eye, you might have taken him for a carven image as he pondered his moves. His bearing was mild, and that of a refined gentleman, and he dealt the most crushing blows on his adversary with almost womanly ease and grace. No. 116 is worthy of the student's attentive consideration. This is not one of Morphy's dazzling triumphs, in the accomplishment of which his opponent is swiftly and irresistibly born to the earth, but a specimen of his calculation as displayed against Harrwitz. The ending is a position which, in the hands of a large majority of players, would probably terminate in a draw, but the astute Paul, by a series of apparently harmless moves of his king, now forward, now backward, now circuitous, contrives to insinuate his majesty through a maze of pawns, and plants him at last in a winning position.” Read More

July 28, 1877

• Council Grove Republican Council Grove, Kansas Saturday, July 28, 1877 - Page 3 — “The young edition of Paul Morphy still continues to clean out everything on chess.”

July 29, 1877

• St. Louis Globe-Democrat St. Louis, Missouri Sunday, July 29, 1877 - Page 7 — Chess. — “In 1861 he defeated Herr Kolisch, and in 1862, at London, he won the first prize in the general tourney and the third in the handicap. In 1858, however, Herr Anderssen lost to Morphy, and in 1866 to Steinitz, in regular matches. In 1870 he gained the first prize at Baden, but in 1871 succumbed to Zukertort, and in 1873 secured only the third prize at Vienna, Blackburne and Steinitz preceding him.” Read More

August 08, 1877

• Glasgow Herald Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland Wednesday, August 08, 1877 - Page 5 — A Famous Chess Player.—Mr. Paul Morphy was one of the best chess players in New Orleans when only 10 or 12 years of age, and at the age of 21 he beat the best chess players of Europe. ★ / ★

August 30, 1877

• New-York Tribune New York, New York Thursday, August 30, 1877 - Page 4 — The Best of Its Kind — “So it was even with the most pertinacious of landsmen when our yacht carried off the cup in British waters. People who never played a game of chess in their lives relished, like true patriots, the chess exploits of Morphy, and grave and learned gentlemen in Boston gave him a complimentary banquet… Read More

September 06, 1877

• The Times Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 06, 1877 - Page 3 — Rosie. — Paul Morphy is alive and in New Orleans. We have not the slightest idea when, if ever we published an article about him.

September 23, 1877

• Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, September 23, 1877 - Page 10 — The Game of Chess

October 07, 1877

• Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Sunday, October 07, 1877 - Page 12 — The Game of Chess

December 02, 1877

• St. Louis Globe-Democrat St. Louis, Missouri Sunday, December 02, 1877 - Page 9 — Chess — “Another valuable game, at the odds of pawn and move, we taken from the Westminster Papers. Played in Paris in 1861, between M. Devinick and Mr. Paul Morphy. The notes are by Mr. Potter. … Mr. Morphy's opponents all had to contend against two Morphys—first, the great player himself of whose towering pre-eminence experience makes me convinced; second, the Morphy of the imagination, who was a kind of enchanter, a presumably had unlawful dealings with ancient Nicholas. A player of M. Devinck's evident strength would not have made this futile move against any one else. I do not say that he has much on, but KR to K sq would have promised well.” Read More

“The happiness of “the Bohemian Caesar,” as Steinitz fondly called himself, was not unalloyed. Paul Morphy was his bête noire. He attempted to undermine the pedestal upon which Morphy's glory is everlastingly established. But he did not succeed. If Blackburne makes a brilliant combination, he calls it a “bit of Morphy.” But no one ever heard anybody call a brilliant finish a bit of Steinitz…” — The Age Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Saturday, June 19, 1897 Poison Pen Blackmail and Defamation of New Orleans Lawyer Paul Morphy: These articles were part of 1860s-80s campaign of stalking. Attempts by friends of Morphy vouching for his sanity & to stop such false rumors (New Orleans Republican 11/21/1875; Tennessean Nashville, 5/05/1877, “The Truth About Mr. Paul Morphy. He has Never been Insane”; Detroit Free Press 11/30/1880, etc). 1884 at age 47, Mr. Morphy “suddenly died”. The stalker's press release claimed ‘due to a bath on a hot day.’ Forensic toxicology was still in its infancy and no investigation ever performed. ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★ / ★