The crime spree of two murderous brothers was brought to an end in Tempe by the efforts of Constable Ralph McDonald and resident Cruz Reyes.
He was famous and he toured with the “Greatest Show on Earth.” But, it was not the life he chose, it was imposed upon him and he hated it.
He was tall, handsome, verbal, and charming. He was an eloquent debater who gave an address in his speech class at Arizona State Teachers’ College at Tempe titled “The Perfect Crime.” Tragically the ASTC student, Bob Bergunder, actually tried to carry out his perfect crime.
He spoke five languages, kept a well worn library, read Roman and Greek classics in the original language. However, like many frontiersmen, he was not concerned with tidiness, formality of dress, or genteel manners, and he liked his whiskey,2 leading to intoxication and brawling.
She taught elementary school at age 15, earned her Master’s degree at 42 and her doctorate at 55. She wrote books, magazine articles and a newspaper column. She worked as a college professor and as a Washington D.C. Capitol tour guide. She was in demand as a speaker at conventions and schools. She did this while raising three children and serving as clerk for her husband, Congressman John R. Murdock.
Almost forgotten, is Congressman John R. Murdock. He served in the U. S. House of Representatives for 16 years, taught at the college in Tempe for 24 years, and wrote textbooks that were used in Arizona schools for years But today, few Tempe residents remember John R. Murdock.
One of Tempe's Founders, “with a “nerve of
Iron who did not know the meaning of fear”
