The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-24
A WESTERN POETS WIFE.
MRS. JOAOUIN MILLER TELLS THE
STORY OF HER DITORCE.

MRS. JOA0UIN MILLER TELLS THE
STORY OF HER DIVORCE.
Her Husba nd Went to Europe for Five
or Six Years, and she got Divorce
She would not Blcmtsh his Reputa-
tion though her Babes were Starving
-Checkmating the Mrs. Stoves OF the
Future.
To the Editor of the Portland Daily Oregonian:
SIR-As Joaquin Miller Is now expected to
arrive in Portland. deem 1t my duty 10 say
q few words in his behalf TO the people of
| Oregon. I have received many letters from
| different sources requesting me to disclose
as much of his conduct towards his children
as will Although 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, aud have remained silent until
| remarks have been carried so far as to make
my children subjects of idle gossip. and deem
1t right to now ask truce to charges and ac-
cusations, and request you TO behold the poet
/ and receive him IN manner that will give
due tribute to his genius and success. Mr..
| Miller has earned fame, and an apprecia-
! ton of his efforts should be awarded him. He
is man of literary culture and research; he
has read constantly. industrlously, and had
command of the very best literature, ancient
aud modern.
1T HAD BEEN HIS SOLE AMBITION
| for years to go to Europe and acquire a lite
| rary fame. He felt, and Justly, that he was
gifted. and his mind being Of fine, poetic
structure, and his brain very delicately or
ganized, the coarse and practical duties of
providing for family and the annoyance of
children, conhicted with his dreams and lite
rary whims. So, when he wrote me that he
would be absent in Europe five or six years,
and in the meantime 1 need not expect to
hear from him often. as he should be very
busy, asked for and obtained divorce in
the courts of Lane County, and your singer
was loose and free, and no Longer chained to
the annoying cares of family BE could
give his whole attention to his pen. J, my
self, sympathize with him in his desire to
have time and money to ''tamper with the
Muses." and cultivate his taste and talent for
literature, and feel that all poets and au-
thors will also sympathize with him.
DID NOT INTEND
that my misfortunes should be publicly
known. Illness overlook me ln Portland,
aud, by irregularities of the mails aud acci-
dents, We were cut off for time from COM
muncalion with our friends. My younger
brother was with me, and did not ask for
assistance, but, by accident, my friends found
me. must ever remain grateful to them for
timely and generous assistance; but they can
bear me witness that I made no public COM
plant, and the charges made against Mr..
Miller were not made with my knowledge. l
was as much surprised to see them as any one.
II, in five years of labor and complete tsola-
ton from my relatives and the world,
worked with him, and not even my nearest
neighbor or dearest friend heard one 0Om-
plant of murmura from my lips; II. through
that long winter In Portland, sewed humbly
day after day, and night after night, as long
as was able; passed the offices and resi-
dences of our mutual friends. who were lead
ing and wealthy people, and chose rather to
Jet nv babes come upon the verge OF starva-
tion than 10 blemish his reputation BY letting
my circumstances be known, 1t Is not likely
that after the day of hope came and all was
over, should publicly make known what
had tried so hard 10 conceal. As said be-
fore, Mr.. Miller felt that he had gifts of mind,
and, If his system of economy was rigid and
hard to endure, 1t was, at leasr, success;
andif
HE NEEDED ALL HIS MONEY
to carry out his plans, am satisfied that he
thus used 1t. The bitter experience of the
past cannot come again. My babes lived
through ALL md am more than satisneu.
am grateful and oil is well. The absurd state
ment Of the Eugene Journal, that had indig-
nantly returned money that Mr III. sent me is
incorrect and his infOrmerS are as econOmi-
cal of truth as they are of affection for their
own flesh and blood. 1t would be sad time
to show indignation towards father when
his babes were suffering for the necessarles OF
life, JOAQUIN Miller does not claim that he
has ever sent dollar to his children, or pro.
vided anything for them in any way from the
time Of his leaving oregon until about two
months ago, when he sent me twenty-five dol
lars. He has since sent fifty dollars to Mrs.
B. Cooke, for my little girl, and twenty hVe
dollars to my mother VINO mas h,aso the care OF NY
explanations which viii! be satisfactory to
those interested when he returns. 1t Is true
that had home with my widowed mother,
but the place was dreary and secluded, ana
there was not church or school-house Wltnin
fifty miles Of my mothers home. SO did not
deem 1t a proper place to educate my chll'
drsn, and came away. bringing them with
me. which was contrary to the decree OF the
court. which gave the two elder children to
the care of my mother. AS brought them
away, he was released by law from caring for
them, and have no reason to complain, nor
can any one have, justly.
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS YEAR
alimony was allowed, but as it was not
secured you will readily see that Mr. NJ. was
entirely released from any obligations. The
marital relations between Mr.. Miller and N.Y.
self are dissolved, but that does not prevent
our holding our precious babes in mutual
love and protection; and. although there are
many false sentiments in society in regard to
these things beg the privilege of exercis-
ing my own Judgment 10 regard to my duty
towards the father of my children and my
children. AS. We are both mortals, 1t would
be affectation in me were to profess to take
upon myself all the blame, but ask to bear
NV full share. The many who feel an inter-
est In him are of more consequence than the
few who know and love me, and henceforth
| would have you deal only with him as o
poet and author. Pronounce your Judgment
upon his books.
KNOW HIN By HIS EPIC HEROES.
No mortal man can go beyond himself in
any conception. When he attempts 10 he
only strikes against the border of his imagi-
nation aud rebounds further back; and when
man attepts to image go he takes step
back and pulls upon The shoulders OF his god
wings which belong to lower order of crea-
ton Good sometimes comes of evil; the
most deadly piIlil exhalcs q delicate perfume,
and our separation and sorrows produced the
poems of .'Myrrh" and "Even So. If have.
after all, recovered my health anu sometimes
smile as others do, | feel that nave some
kind of apology. if am not today Inc
shadowy, faded woman that might be expect
ed. | beg pardon; and If, as facetinus editor
writes II mu>t gI down the stream OF liie
alongside of Lady Byron, Mrs. Bulwer. and
the obstreperOus wife OF the au nor OF BOZ
LET that be my punishment. M. h. MILLER.
Salem. Oregon. November 5, 1911