The Legend of Paddy Murphy is one of the most famous and storied tales in the history of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It is the story of greed, heroism, life, death, and brotherhood. Many ΣAEs for years have honored the memory of Paddy Murphy by committing to a week-long period of philanthropic generosity, capped off with a social celebration to the memory of one of ΣAE’s finest. Yes, many ΣAEs love the week that is Paddy Murphy's but so few know the significance of the life of this Irish-born son of Minerva.

On January 17, 1920, the 18th Amendment went into effect and effectively banned the legal manufacturing transportation, and sale of alcohol in the United States. By the early 1930s, prohibition had left behind waves of amateur and organized crime throughout the country, from moonshiners and bootleggers in the hollers of the Appalachia to the mafia bosses in the nation's major cities like New York and Chicago. One such boss was the infamous Al Capone, who had built one of the most successful bootlegging operations in the city of Chicago. Capone had a knack for recruiting strong and young influential men to work for him with promises of unimaginable wealth. Any man willing to risk his freedom or life could expect Capone to make good on his offer. There was plenty of money in the vice. One such man was am Irish born immigrant named Paddy Murphy.

Murphy emigrated to the United States in 1926 and focused on getting a quality education to provide for his family with a quality job. While in school, he joined the local Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter and proudly wore his brother's badge. Upon graduating in 1930, Murphy moved to Chicago to search for work, but the Great Depression took away the hope of finding any. One night he was introduced to Al Capone by a friend and employee of the mafia boss. Capone was impressed by Murphy's natural strength and quick wit, so he offered Murphy a job within his organization. Without many options and thinking of his family back home, Murphy reluctantly agreed.

Across the windy city in a stuffy Federal office sat a young federal agent named Eliot Ness (University of Chicago ‘25). Capone's operations had led to dangerous gain activity such as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Taking down Capone became the top priority for the US Justice Department, and Ness had been handpicked to be the one to carry out the honor. Ness and his team of prohibition agents, known as " The Untouchables " for their reputation of integrity and honor, began wiretapping several of Capone’s top men to intercept large shipments of alcohol and make several key arrests. Ness and his men inflicted major financial issues on the Capone business.

In less than a year of service to Al Capone, Paddy Murphy had made a name for himself within the crime syndicate. Murphy was revered for his hard work, loyalty, and strength. He was Capone’s ideal employee and was paid handsomely for his commitment. On the night of March 9th, 1931, Murphy was assigned to oversee a shipment of alcohol being delivered from Canada. Furious that Elliot Ness had disrupted several of his operations already, Murphy was given the order by Capone himself to “defend the shipment with your life.” Murphy and his men waited at the warehouse where Lake Michigan fed into the Chicago River. The night was frigid, and an eerie quiet fell across the water. As the shipment arrived, Murphy's men began to unload the casks. Suddenly, the front doors burst open as Elliot Ness and his squad of untouchables demanded the outlaws surrender. Murphy and his men took cover and fired on the G-Men.

A large firefight ensued, resulting in several casualties. Murphy had several opportunities to attack Ness but could not bring himself to pull the trigger for some reason unknown to him. it wasn't long until Murphy and his men were pinned by gunfire behind several casts of alcohol. In an attempt to get a better vantage point, Murphy got up and ran for a barrel across the warehouse. Ness spotted Murphy and took aim and hit him. As the fight came to an end, the G-Man began making their arrests. Ness approached the Irish outlaw with his pistol drawn and, upon inspection, realized that his shot would prove fatal to Murphy. The mortally wounded outlaw glimpsed at Ness's lapel as leaned over to check the wound. Shocked, Murphy saw the distinguishable badge indicating Ness as a son of Minerva. To Ness’s surprise, Murphy reached for his hand and gave him the girl that only ΣAE’s know and whispered the motto that only ΣAE’s utter Murphy pulled his coat to the side to reveal his badge on his lapel in his last moments.

Ness, unable to control himself, wept with the realization that he had killed his own brother. Ness ordered that Paddy Murphy receive Chicago's Finest traditional Irish funeral. He arranged for the Chicago Police Department's brigade of bagpipers to play in the wake of his brother. If bringing Capone to Justice had not been a priority for Ness, it was now as he blamed the mafia boss for bringing his brother into a life of crime. Paddy’s wake lasted a full week, and his body was sent back to his family in Ireland. In his coffin, Ness placed his badge and a bouquet of violets. It was said that Ness never fully recovered from what took place on that night in March 1931. And so, we remember the lives of Murphy and Ness. Two men on different sides of life's roads, separated by the world but united by the brotherhood.