It may be curious to see a funeral procession on campus, but on May 2, Sigma Alpha Epsilon will be doing just that. For the first time in five years, they are holding their Paddy Murphy coffin carry, a tradition that is held in SAE chapters across the nation.
The coffin carry was started to commemorate Paddy Murphy, a bootlegger that worked for Al Capone. Murphy was taken down by prohibition agent, Elliot Ness. Both had been members of SAE.
Justin Jones, senior finance and real estate major, explained the origins of the event.
“The story states that Ness cornered Murphy one night in a warehouse and ordered him to give up. Murphy refused and drew his gun. Ness then shot Murphy in the chest. As Ness went to read Murphy his rights, Murphy gave Ness the secret handshake of Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” Jones said. The story continues to say that Ness sat with Murphy and opened a barrel of whiskey. They “went shot for shot” said Jones, until Murphy passed away. After Murphy’s death, Ness wanted Murphy to have an honorable funeral.
“For our chapter of SAE here at UNI, I think this event is important because it reminds us, as brothers, that even though we are all going to grow apart over the years and go our separate ways when we leave college, we will always be brothers . . . we will always have that special connection and to always remember to live by our creed, The True Gentleman, and to always strive to be the best that we can be,” Jones said.
The event will be held on a wider scale next year, as UNI’s SAE chapter plans to do it again in the fall, expanding it into a “week long philanthropy event to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network,” said Jones. The money raised will go to that year’s Dance Marathon.
SAE will be seeking support in the fall, specifically October 26-29, to help raise money.
This spring’s coffin carry will start at 6:15 outside of the SAE house. There, the story of Paddy Murphy will be read before the procession, which will go through campus. After the procession, ending at the SAE house, the SAE brothers will conclude with their fraternity chant.
