AThe Times-Picayune New Orleans, Louisiana Tuesday, May 23, 1871 — Paul Morphy, the chess player, has turned corner grocer at New Orleans.
The Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont Wednesday, January 17, 1872 — Paul Morphy, of chess celebrity, is practicing law in New Orleans.
The Daily State Journal Alexandria, Virginia Monday, March 25, 1872 — Paul Morphy, the chess player, now keeps a grocery store in New Orleans.
Buffalo Courier Buffalo, New York Saturday, March 23, 1872 — Paul Morphy, the chess-player, now keeps a grocery store in New Orleans.
It's not absurd that “a grocery store” is managed by a lawyer. After a review of D.E. Morphy's business, “…Particular attention paid to real estate, succession, stocks, scripts, cargoes, underwriters, portwarden sales…” et cetera. The Morphy family also owns “a general store” with groceries.
Google Maps reveals exactly where “47 Magazine Street” is located, and there is a “corner” there just as described. The article says, Paul Morphy (1872-1873) had turned 'corner' grocer. Therefore Paul Morphy was gainfully employed. Not a “poor, destitute” barely eking out an existence, as some of his northern detractors claimed. Nor the “idle aristocrat” as described by others among his vindictive northern detractors. Morphy retired from chess and carried on with his legal business, and as reported from New Orleans could be seen on the street daily. All the while, till his death was viciously slandered in national newspapers with such an onslaught of absurd, abusive and contradictory hearsay.
