Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XI.djvu/862

MORPHY. MORRIS MORPHY, Paul Charles, an American lawyer, celebrated as a chess player, born in New Or- leans, La., June 22, 1837. He early exhibited a fondness for the game of chess, and at the age of 12 had encountered successfully the best amateurs of his native city. He entered St. Joseph's college in 1850, and during his col- lege course exhibited his remarkable skill in various contests with Lowenthal and others. At the chess congress in New York in 1857, he defeated in a majority of games, many be- ing at considerable odds, the first players of the United States. In 1858 he first exhibited his ability to play without seeing the board,, sometimes conducting seven games at once. In the summer of that year he played 14 games with Lowenthal in London, in which Morphy won 9, Lowenthal 3, and 2 were drawn. On Aug. 26 Mr. Morphy attended the annual meet- ing of the British chess association at Birming- ham, where he played eight games simultane- ously without seeing the boards, winning six games and losing one, and one being drawn. In September he went to Paris, where he first played a match of seven games with Mr. Harr- witz, winning five and drawing one ; and after defeating the best French players at the cafe de la regence, including Riviere, Laroche, Jour- noud, and Devinck, he encountered on Dec. 20 the celebrated Adolph Anderssen, considered the champion of German chess. The result of the match was : Morphy 7, Anderssen 2, drawn 2. Mr. Morphy continued in Paris playing with his usual success till April 4, 1859, when he returned to London, and during the remain- der of his stay exhibited his power in matches and in blindfold play as before. On his return to the United States he was admitted to the bar, and since then has resided and practised his profession in New Orleans, with short in- tervals of residence in Richmond and Mobile. MORRIS* L A N. county of New Jersey, bounded N. E. by the Pequonnock river, E. and S. E. by the Passaic, and drained by Rock- away and Whippany rivers and the head branches of the Raritan ; area, 650 sq. m. ; pop. in 1870, 43,137. It is traversed by ranges of hills, some of which, as Schooley's and West Trowbridge mountains, reach a considerable elevation. It abounds in copper, iron, zinc, marble, limestone, sandstone, and manganese ; there are 27 iron mines, which give employ- ment to a great number of the inhabitants. It is intersected by the Morris canal and the Mor- ris and Essex railroad, the latter passing through the capital. The chief productions in 1870 were 80,897 bushels of wheat, 23,776 of rye, 608,024 of Indian corn, 290,721 of oats, 49,- 764 of buckwheat, 168,611 of potatoes, 18,361 Ibs. of wool, 535,274 of butter, and 34,859 tons of hay. There were 5,170 horses, 8,595 milch cows, 5,883 other cattle, 8,770 sheep, and 7,046 swine; 4 manufactories of brick, 13 of carriages and wagons, 1 of cotton goods, 13 of iron in various forms, 3 of machinery, 4 of paper, 1 of roofing materials, 5 of sash, doors, and blinds, 4 of woollen goods, 5 tanneries, 4 distilleries, 24 flour mills, and 15 saw mills. Capital, Morristown. II. An E. central county of Kansas, watered by the Neosho river and other streams; area, 655 sq. m. ; pop. in 1870, 2,225. It is traversed by the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railroad. The soil in parts is fer- tile. The W. portion is level and destitute of timber. The chief productions in 1870 were 41,714 bushels of wheat, 89,815 of Indian corn, 15,341 of oats, 17,549 of potatoes, 30,590 Ibs. of butter, and 4,991 tons of hay. There were 1,033 horses, 3,604 cattle, 682 sheep, and 642 swine. Capital, Council Grove. MORRIS, a city and the capital of Grundy co., Illinois, on the Illinois and Michigan canal, and the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific rail- road, 53 m. S. W. of Chicago; pop. in 1870, 3,138. It is the shipping point of the county, and has an important trade in grain. It is the seat of St. Angela's academy, an institution for the superior instruction of females, under the control of the Roman Catholics, which was established in 1857. In 1873-'4 it had 10 in- structors and 190 students. The city has graded public schools, including a high school, two national banks, two weekly newspapers, and several churches. MORRIS, Charles, an American naval officer, born in Connecticut in 1784, died in Washing- ton, D. C., Jan. 27, 1856. He entered the navy in July, 1799, and served in the war with Tripoli, 1801-'5. In January, 1807, he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and in the war of 1812 served as first lieutenant of the frigate Constitution, distinguishing himself during the chase of that ship for three days and nights by a British squadron in July, 1812, and by his gallantry in the action between the Con- stitution and Guerriere on Aug. 19, in which he received a severe wound. He was made captain, and in 1814 appointed to the command of the Adams of 28 guns, in which he made an important cruise upon the coasts of the United States and Ireland, harassing British commerce. In August, 1814, Capt. Morris entered the Penobscot river, and running up to Hampden made preparations to heave out for repairs. While he was engaged in this, a strong British expedition entered the river to capture the ship. A militia force assembled for her protection gave way, and Capt. Morris destroyed her, directing his crew to break up into small parties and make their way for 200 m. across the thinly inhabited country to Port- land. After the peace with England he con- tinued in active employment, being off duty but about 2 years in a professional career of 56. At the time of his death he was chief of the bureau of ordnance and hydrography. MORRIS, George P., an American journalist, born in Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1802, died in New York, July 6, 1864. At an early age he removed to New York, where he wrote for the "New York Gazette" and the "Ameri- can," to the first of which he contributed