Dennis Murphree
Encyclopedia
Dennis Herron Murphree (January 6, 1886 February 9, 1949) was a Mississippi
politician. He was twice elected to the lieutenant governorship
, once in 1923 and again in 1939. In each instance, he succeeded the governor who died in office and completed the term of his predecessor.
He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923. In March 1927, he became Governor of Mississippi after the death of incumbent Henry L. Whitfield
and served for about ten months until Theodore G. Bilbo
, who defeated Murphree in the Democratic Party
primary
by 10,000 votes, was sworn into office in January 1928. With the death of Gov. Paul B. Johnson, Sr.
in December 1943, Murphree finished out the three weeks left in Johnson's term, serving until the swearing in of Thomas L. Bailey
in January 1944.
Dennis Murphree conceived the idea of the Know Mississippi Better train in 1925, in response to Governor Whitfield's wish to create an exposition of Mississippi to the rest of the country. The train was very successful, and continued to tour on an annual basis until at least 1937. The train visited 47 states, Canada and Mexico, taking a showcase of the state's industry, entertainment and commerce sectors.
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
politician. He was twice elected to the lieutenant governorship
Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
The Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi is the second-highest ranking executive officer in Mississippi, right below the governor. The office of lieutenant governor was established when Mississippi became a state, abolished for a few decades in the first half of the 19th century, and restored later...
, once in 1923 and again in 1939. In each instance, he succeeded the governor who died in office and completed the term of his predecessor.
He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923. In March 1927, he became Governor of Mississippi after the death of incumbent Henry L. Whitfield
Henry L. Whitfield
Henry Lewis Whitfield was an American politician who was Governor of Mississippi from 1924 until his death.-Biography:Whitfield was born in Rankin County, Mississippi. He began his teaching career at the age of sixteen...
and served for about ten months until Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore Gilmore Bilbo was an American politician. Bilbo, a Democrat, twice served as governor of Mississippi and later was elected a U.S. Senator . A master of filibuster and scathing rhetoric, a rough-and-tumble fighter in debate, he made his name a synonym for white supremacy...
, who defeated Murphree in the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
by 10,000 votes, was sworn into office in January 1928. With the death of Gov. Paul B. Johnson, Sr.
Paul B. Johnson, Sr.
Paul Burney Johnson, Sr. was a judge, United States Representative and Governor of Mississippi. From 1907 to 1908 he was a judge of the city court of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Two years later he became circuit judge of the 12th judicial district, with his tenure ending in 1919. From 1919 to 1923,...
in December 1943, Murphree finished out the three weeks left in Johnson's term, serving until the swearing in of Thomas L. Bailey
Thomas L. Bailey
Thomas Lowry Bailey was a politician from the state of Mississippi.-Biography:Bailey was born in Webster County, Mississippi and graduated from Millsaps College. Bailey was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives as a democratic candidate in 1915 and served from 1916 to 1940...
in January 1944.
Dennis Murphree conceived the idea of the Know Mississippi Better train in 1925, in response to Governor Whitfield's wish to create an exposition of Mississippi to the rest of the country. The train was very successful, and continued to tour on an annual basis until at least 1937. The train visited 47 states, Canada and Mexico, taking a showcase of the state's industry, entertainment and commerce sectors.
External links
- Dennis Murphree's grave at Find-A-Grave
- Profile at National Governors AssociationNational Governors AssociationThe National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...
website - http://personalpages.tds.net/~rosediamond/thestorybehindthesong.html