Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-22

my duty to say few words in his behalf
to the people of Oregon. | have re-
ceived many letters from different
sources requesting me to disclose as
much of his conduct toward his children
as | will. Although l feel that these
things concern no one on the face OF the
earth but my children and me. still he
belongs to the world now, and l have re-
mained silent until remarks have been
carried so far as to make my children
subjects of idle gossip, and deem IT right
to now ask truce to charges and accu'
sations, and request of you to behold
the poet and receive him in a manner
that will give due tribute to his genius
and success. Mr.. Miller has earned a
fame, and an appreciation of his efforts
| should ioe awarded him. He is man of
literary culture and research; he has read
constantly, industriously, and had COM
mand of the very best of literature, ancient
and'modern Ithad been his sole ambition
for years to 90 TO Europe and acquire
literary fame. He felt, and justly, that
he was gifted, and his mind being Of fine,
poetic structure, and his brain very deli
cately organized, the coarse and practi-
cal duties of providing for family and
the annoyance of children conficted
with his dreams and literary whims. So,
when he wrote me that he would be alb
sent in Europe five or six years, and in
the meantime need not expect to hear
| from him often, as he should be very
busy, asked for ami obtained a divorce
in the courts of Lane county, and your
singer was loosed and free, and no
longer chained to the annoying cares Of
a family. He could give his whole at
tention to his poems. /, myself sympa-
thize with him in his desire to have time
and money to "tamper with the muses.
and cultivate his taste and talent for lit
erature and / feel that all poets and au-
thors will also sympathize with him.
1 DID NOT INTEND
that my misfortunes should be publicly
known. Illness overlook me in Port
land, and by irregularities of the mails
and accidents we were cut off for time
from communication with our friends.
Nv younger brother was with me, and |
did not ask for assistance; but by aeci-
dent my friends found me. | must ever
remain grateful TO them for timely and
generous assistance; but they can bear
me witness that ! made no public com
plant, and the charges made against
Mr.. Miller were not made with my knowl-
edge. | was as much surprised to see
them as any one. If, in five years of la
Dor and complete isolation from my rel
atives and the world, ! worked with him,
and not even my nearest neighbor or
dearest friend heard one complaint OF
murmer from my lips; if, through that
long winter in Portland, sewed humbly
day after day and night after night as
long as | was able; passed the offices
and residences of our mutual frien DIS,
who we're leading and wealthy people,
and chose rather to let my babes come
upon the verge of starvation than TO
biemish his reputation by letting my
circumstances be known, it is not likely
that. after the day of hope came and
all was over, | should publicly make
known what had tried so hard to con
ceal. As said before, Mr.. Miller felt
that he had gifts of mind, and if his
system of economy was rigid and hard
to endure, it was, at least, success and
if
HE NEEDED ALL HIS MONEY
TO carry out his plans, | am satisfied
, that he thus used it. The bitter expe'
rience of the past cannot come again
Ny babes lived through all, and all is
well. The absurd statement of the Eu'
: gene Journal, that ! had Indignantly re
, turned money that Mr.. NJ. sent me is
= incorrect; and his informers are as eco
nomical Of truth as they are of affection
for their own flesh and blood. 1t would
be a sad time to show Indignation to
ward father when his babes we're suf
fering for the necessaries of life. Joa
, duin Miller does not claim that he has
ever sent dollar to bis children, ol
f provided anything for them in any way
a from the time of his leaving Oregon
j until about two months ago, when be
sent me twenty-five dollars He has
> since sent fifty dollars TO Mrs, b. Cooke
for my little glrl, and twenty-five dollars
to my mother, who has the care of my
Younger children. He will doubles:
make explanations which will be salts
factory to those interested when he
returns. 1t is true that ! had a home
with my widowed mother, but the place
was dreary and secluded and there was
not n church or schoolhouse within fifty
n miles of my mothers home. SO did
not deem it proper place to educate
my children, and came away, bringing
them with me, which was contrary tC
the decree of the court, which gave the
two older children to the care Of my
mother. As / brought them away, he
was released ky law from caring fol
them, and have no reason to complain
nor can any one have, justly
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS YEAR
alimony was allowed but as it was no
secured you will readily see that Mr.. NJ
was entirely released from any obliga
tons The marital relations between
Mr.. Miller and myself are dissolved, bu
that does not prevent our holding ou
precious babes in mutual love and pro
lection; and although there are man!
false sentiments in society in regard t
/, these things, beg the privilege Of exer
cising my own judgment in regard I,
my duty towards the father Of my chill
dren and my children. As we are boil
mortals, it would be affectatiou in nj
we're / to profess to take upon mysel
all the blame, but / ask to bear my ful
share. The many who feel an interes
in him are of more consequence thai
the few who know and love me, ani
heneeforth / would have you deal onl.
with him as poet and author. Pro
nounce your judgment upon his books
KNOW HIN BY HIS EPIC HEROES.
d No mortal man can 60 beyond himsel
in any conception. When he attempt
to, he only strikes against the border o
'e his imagination and rebounds back; an
1t when man attempts to image a god h
,e takes a step back, and puts upon tn
y shoulders Of his god wings which belon
T. to lower order of creation. Goo
y sometimes comes Of evil the most dead
s. ly pistil exhales a delicate perfume, an
AT our separation and sorrows produced tn
as poems Of "Myrrh " and Even So"
ID have, after all, recovered my health
te - .,,,of;,,ee emile as others do ] fec