Edith Maude Murphy wrote 72 pages of daily diary entries while traveling from her home in Lincoln County, Nebraska, to Kansas and Colorado from June 25, 1907-August 13, 1907. She accompanied her aunt and uncle, Maude and Edward Murphy, and her cousins Myrtle, Bertha, Fulton, Milton, and Nevah (or Nivah) of Brady, Nebraska to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She titled her diary "A Trip to the Middle West."
In her first entry, Murphy commented on the family's traveling wagon, which was driven by two ponies, and their supplies, which included a tent, cooking utensils, clothing, and food. Throughout the diary, she described towns in southwest Nebraska, northwest Kansas, and central Colorado, sometimes mentioning interactions with local residents. The Murphy family occasionally met with acquaintances or relatives such as Joe Murphy, who joined them for part of the trip. While heading west, the Murphys followed the Rock Island Railroad and other railroad lines, and Edith often made observations about the weather and scenery. She collected rocks and Native American artifacts. In her entry of July 4, she discussed Independence Day celebrations in Goodland, Kansas, and the increased police presence. The party neared Pike's Peak on July 10 and ascended the mountain on July 19. On July 27, Murphy noted her birthday and resolved to maintain her dignity despite aging. The Murphys remained near Colorado Springs for several days in mid- to late July, and returned home by way of northeast Colorado. Edith reached home on August 13.
The final 2 pages contain signatures by May Gustafson and Edith Maude Murphy, various scribbles, and a brief poem. The volume was originally intended as a "Local Medical Examiner's Record" for the "Supreme Tent Knights of the Maccabees O.T.W."
Edith Maude Murphy was born on July 27, 1888 in California to Ida E. (Robins) Murphy (1862-1929) and Frank B. Murphy (1858-1901). She grew up in Brady, Nebraska and later resided in Kearney, Nebraska. Murphy worked as a stenographer at Farmer's Bank in Gothenberg, Nebraska, deputy county clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska, and was a member of the Epworth League. She attended the Normal School in Kearney and later the University of Colorado Boulder where she also worked as secretary for the director of publications. Edith Murphy married Charles Sumner Davies on September 5, 1923, in Denver, Colorado, and they had two children: Helen Louise Davies (1924-2009) and Donald D. Davies (1929-2012). Edith Davies died following an operation in Denver on November 8, 1939.
