Emily was a resident of Swan River for a short period of time, 1904-1907. She later became a well known, controversial woman who devoted much of her life to improving the conditions and priviledges of the women of Canada.

She was born Emily Ferguson near Cookstown, Ontario, in 1868 of Irish parentage. One of her grandfathers was an M.P. for twenty-seven years. A cousin of this grandfather was a Supreme Court Judge who later became a Senator. Three of Emily's brothers became lawyers so it was not surprising that she showed a high degree of competitiveness in all her activities. Her motto was, "Whenever I don't know whether or not to fight - I fight!"

At nineteen she married Arthur Murphy, an Anglican minister twelve years her senior. They lived in a number of towns in Western Ontario, where she always worked diligently to help Arthur in his ministry. During this time she began writing - comments and observations of what she saw in the different places she lived. Arthur became a Mission preacher in 1894 and his success was such that he was invited to spend two years in England at similar work before returning to Toronto. He continued preaching and she continued writing using the pen name "Janey Canuck". Early in the century, both Emily and Arthur contacted typhoid fever and were very ill. The youngest of their daughters died of diphtheria at this time. Recovery from these adversities was slow so their doctor suggested they move to another area and enter a new type of employment.

They arrived in Swan River in 1904, where Arthur secured a timber berth, north-west of Swan River in the Porcupine Mountains. This berth was about thirty miles from town in what was then known as the North West Territories. He soon set about arranging for the timber cutting on this berth.

Emily spent much time touring the area on horseback, often accompanied by her daughter, visiting and gathering information for her writing. She also made journeys to Arthur's timber location to see what it was all about. While in Swan River, she became involved in the development of the first Swan River Hospital known as the "Cottage Hospital". It was situated on the site of the present day Church of God of the Prophecy.

During her stay in Swan River, Mrs. Murphy became very fond of Mrs. Peyton, who had arrived in the Valley to housekeep for her sons Arthur and Tom. It is thought that it was their Irish background that caused them to get along and made Emily want to make regular visits to Mrs. Peyton. They also belonged to the same church.

Emily loved her horse but it was only because it was said that she thought riding a horse would help keep her weight down. She was described as a plump lady, barely five feet tall, sometimes refered to by her husband as "Dear old girl," or "Tubby".

In 1905, Arthur Murphy sold his timber holdings to Ashdown and Bossons. They then moved to Edmonton, Aberta in 1907.

In Alberta, Emily became more involved in community affairs and issues of the times, especially those applying to and affecting women. She realized that women in Alberta, as in other parts of Canada, did not have any legal rights in regard to their husband's property. To this cause she began to devote her efforts. An ally was found in a young lawer, M.L.A. from Calgary, named R.B. Bennett. He introduced a Bill in the Legislature which was defeated. Time after time a Bill was presented until 1911, the Dower act was finally passed.

Emily Murphy became the first woman Magistrate in the British Empire. Her appointment was made in 1916 amid a great deal of controversy. Refused admittance to observe the trial of several prostitutes, she and a group of ladies proposed that a woman's court should be established for such cases. When she brought this to the attention of the Attorney-General, he asked, "When will you go to work?" Shortly after, a lady was appointed to a similar position in Calgary. Emily was known as a stern but kindly judge, quick to penalize people if she thought they were guilty, but showed great concern for those that were inocent. Many girls who experienced her Court ended up guests in the Murphy home, receiving assistance and counseling from her. Some even returned to her home for their weddings.

Emily worked very hard for the right of women to be appointed to the Senate. The original BNA Act never clearly outlined the status of women. Emily and a group of women challenged the Act in the Supreme Court of Canada which, at that time, ruled against women appointments. Never one to give up a fight, she then dispatched her lawyers to the British Supreme Court, that ruled, after a lengthy study, that it never was the intent of the BNA Act to discriminate against the ladies, it was only an oversight. Many felt Emily should be appointed the first woman Senator. This suggestion was offered to the Government of the day by the women's organizations, other groups and individuals across the country. This position was given to another woman from Eastern Canada.

Emily was involved in a number of organizations whose efforts were directed to improving conditions for women: President of the Canadian Woman's Club; Vice-President of National Council of Women; and first President of Federated Woman's Institute of Canada.

Emily resigned as Magistrate in 1930 and died in 1933 at the age of sixty-five.

In our time we hear and read immense amounts of material on "Women's Rights" and "The Status of Women". This concept is not new but a fight begun by Emily and her followers many years ago. These first rights attained can be attributed to her untiring efforts. For a short time this illustrious Canadian lady lived among us in our Valley, leaving a small portion of her talents and pioneer spirit behind. For this she will be remembered.