MURRAY — As Dave Miller sang "The Legend of Molly B'Damn" on Saturday, he sensed the presence of two people. 

"I feel Molly and my dad right there," he said as he stood in Murray Park shortly after delighting the crowd with a rendition of the classic ballad written by his father, Dale Miller. 

"My dad did years of research into that song," Miller said as he packed up his guitar. "It's for Molly. She was so cool. There was so much that she did." 

Hundreds arrived in the Silver Valley's tiny town of Murray, population about 25 roughly 25 miles north of Wallace, for the annual celebration of Molly B'Damn Days.

Music, a car show, a street fair and a parade were part of the fun. The highlight came Saturday afternoon for the crowning of the Molly Queen.

Four young women, Lacey Darnell, Melissa Grebil, Grace Klinkenberg and Hailey Smith, were up for the honor, which went to the person who raised the most money for the community fundraiser. 

Between them, they collected a record $9,164. The sash and the crown, though, went to Grebil, who smiled as the crowd cheered on the sunny afternoon. 

"You rock, Melissa," a person shouted. 

Grebil said it was an emotional moment. 

"It feels really good," she said after receiving hugs from family and friends. "I wanted to do it for my grandma." 

Melissa Grebil was born and raised in Murray. Her parents, Greg and Kim Grebil, still call Murray home. Her grandmother, Leila Grebil, owned the historic Bedroom Goldmine Bar on Pritchard Creek Street in Murray and under her leadership, it became a community center. 

"She was very special part of my life," Melissa Grebil said. 

Leila Grebil passed away July 17, 2017, at the age of 77 and Melissa misses her grandmother. 

"So, I’m doing this for her," she said. 

Melissa laughed when asked how she sold so many tickets for the drawing to win the prize of a Kimber 1911 pistol. 

"Basically, I just hit the streets like Molly did," she said with a grin.

Grebil, who will hold the title of Molly Queen for a year, wasn't quite sure about her duties. 

"I don't know. I think I just flaunt it, she said, smiling.  

Joe Musgrove, president of Molly B'Damn Days, described the event's namesake as a "lady of the evening with a heart of gold," who arrived in Murray in 1884.

The University of Idaho Library offers this outline of her life: 

“Born in Dublin, Ireland to a Protestant father and Irish Catholic mother, Maggie Hall set sail for America at the age of 20. After arriving first in New York City, Maggie found work as a barmaid and married a man named Burdan, who soon convinced her to sell her body for money and gave her a new name: Molly. She left her husband after four years and headed west for a new life.

“Travelling through California, Oregon, and Nevada Molly was a much sought after prostitute. Her earnings garnered her an expensive wardrobe and a lavish lifestyle, and when she heard of a prosperous gold strike in the Coeur d'Alenes in Idaho, Molly set off for Murray, Idaho.

“On her way to Murray by pack-train, the party rain into a nasty blizzard. Molly left the group to save a young mother and her child, who were not dressed for winter weather. She ordered the pack train to go on without them, and the three huddled together in a makeshift shelter with Molly's furs and horse to keep them warm. The next day they rode into town and Molly was celebrated as a hero.

“Molly became a successful madam in the small mining town and was beloved by the people. She fed anyone who was hungry and offered shelter to the homeless. During a smallpox outbreak, Molly called a town meeting to rally the healthy to help the sick and worked tirelessly to tend to the ill miners and their families. Eventually the disease dissipated, but Molly never recovered. She succumbed to consumption and died in 1888.”

Musgrove, a retired carpenter who also worked at the Lucky Friday Mine for five years, lives in Murray. His grandfather was a miner. 

"I got the mining out of my blood, then came carpentry," he said. 

Musgrove said organizing Molly B'Damn Days is hard work, but he's proud to step up as he has done each year for the past five.

"It's not that I'm anything great. When you retire, you've got to have something to do," Musgrove said, laughing.

This year came with an additional challenge: Musgrove overcame a stroke just five months ago.

His recovery also took hard work, but he was determined to see Molly B'Damn Days carry on. 

"It's my town," he said. 

His daughter, Angie Reagan, was Molly Queen in 2020. 

"The best thing is, the money that we raise goes to the community," she said. "We get to help out people in need and it keeps this tradition going on year after year." 

Dave Miller said he still visits Molly B'Damn's gravesite in the Murray Cemetery. 

"She really helped this town," he said. "So, when I sing, it's for Molly." 

    Dave Miller sings "The Legend of Molly B'Damn" written by his father, Dale Miller, during Molly B'Damn Days in Murray on Saturday.
  

    Molly B'Damn Days President Joe Musgrove is joined by daughter Angie Reagan, 2020 Molly Queen, and wife Teresa Musgrove, secretary/treasurer, after the naming of the Molly Queen on Saturday.
  

    Melissa Grebil, left, and Hailey Smith wait to learn who won the title of Molly Queen in Murray on Saturday. Smith was first runner up.