The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-09
OBITUARY.
Death of Gen. John f. Miller, United States |
Senator from California.

senator from CALIFORNIA
WASHINGTON, March S.-Senator John F. Mil
Ter, of California, died at his residence, on Con-
necticut avenue, in this city, at las o'clock this
afternoon, after prolonged illness. While his
condition has been regarded as precarious for
many weeks past his death to-day was sudden
and unexpected. At no time since his arrival in
this city to attend the sessions of this Congress
has he been regarded as entirely out of danger,
but he showed such wonderful recuperative pow
ers and rallied so often from attacks, which were
regarded at the time as necessarily fatal, that
his friends have been encouraged, and even
looked for his ultimate recovery. His
death was the result of compiled
ton of disorders arising primarily from
severe wound in the eye, received during
the war, twenty three years ago. The bullet re-
manned in his head for about twelve years before
it could be extracted, and the wound Slapped his
strength and rendered him an easy victim to
disease Loss of sleep debilitated his system,
and asthmatic symptoms kept him In almost
constant pain. Brights disease subsequently
began its work, and then dropsical disorders
were developed. But through all his i'll
ness the Senator showed such nerve and
will-power that mis- physicians were encouraged to
hope that he might possibly recover Several
operations were performed, and seemed to give
much relief. When the storm passed over the
city, last night, the Senator complained of feel
ing much worse and was troubled with asthma
His physicians were promptly summoned, and
their attentions seemed to have built him up
again. HIS ElOTuluR the dLLeHuluk physician,
DR.. Pope, made a careful examination of the pa
tent and reported his condition as more favora-
BILE than it had been for several DAYS past Miss
Miller reminded her father that she had made
an engagement with her cousin, Major 0. G.
Miller, to 60 to the Capitol, but she did not
think she ought to go under the circumstances
Her father said it was wrong for her to think OF
staying at home on his account The doctor had
said he was better, and. in fact he did feel much
stronger He urged her so strongly that at last
%ka1 fhx11f hav> nod hat xyh
fathers own consent. she was away from his bed
side when he breathed his last. The news of her
fathers death unnerved her completely. The
Senator remained quiet up to about l20 o'clock,
when he became restless and asked for the doc
tor. messenger was sent for Dr. Pope, bat
before he arrived DIR. Miller had passed away.
He was conscious to the last, and took sad fare
well of his wife, who had been at his bedside all
day. Mr.. and Mrs. John Davis had called few
minutes before, and were also present when lie
died The Senator leaves a widow and one
daughter There is no Legislature In existence
in California. A new one, to be elected in the
autumn will meet next January. Governor
Stoneman. who has the appointment of General
Millers successor. is a Democrat The remains
will be taken to California for burial
John F. Miller was born in Indiana, in 1884,
his parents being Virginians He received
academical education at South Bend, and was
fitted for college at Chicago, but did not enter.
He hogan the study of law in l849, and gradu-
ated at the New York State Law-school in 1852.
He began practice at South Bend, but soon went
to California, where he practiced law for three
years, when he returned to Indiana and re-
sumed practice. In 1860 he was member of
the State Senate, but resigned to enter the
army as colonel He commanded the Twenty
ninth Indiana Volunteers, and was soon placed
in command of brigade, serving under Sher-
man, Buell., Rosecrans and Thomas, receiving
severe wounds in the battles of Stone river and
Liberty Gap. He was promoted to brigadier-
general, and in the battle of Nashville COM
manded the left division, of 5000 men. He was
breveted maj general for conspicuous bravery.
At the close of the war he was offered high
commission in the regular army, but declined
it, returning to California, whore he was col
lector of the port of San Francisco for four
years He declined reappointment. He was
Republican candidate for presidential elector
in 1872, 1876 and 1880, and was member of the
California State constitutional convention, in
1879 He was elected to the Senate as Repub-
lican, to succeed Newton Booth, and took his
seat March 4, 1881.
In the summer of 1885, when Republican news.
papers were canvassing the merits of prominent
presidency, the San Francisco Argus spoke of
General Miller as follows:
ssOf all the Republican cheftains who have
been named as available candidates for the presi-
dency in 1884, there is no one who has greater
strength in his party, or who is better fitted for
the ssfrst Office in the gift of the American peo-
pie" than Senator John F. Miller, of California
In 1853 Mr.. Miller came to this State and settled
in Napa county He had just graduated from
the Ballston Law School, at that time :he lead
ing institution of learning in the Empire State
Young, ambitious and hopeful, he engaged in his
chosen profession, and, by his skill. industry in
teligence and ability, he soon established a wide
spread reputation, which brought to him large
and lucrative practice. In the midst of his pro.
fessionnl successes, the voice of maternal affec-
ton summoned him to his mothers stricken fire.
side, to discharge those duties to which obedient
and loving sons always respond with alacrity, at
whatever sacrifice to themselves.
'sAfter Dir. Miller's return to Indiana, and
about year before the great Rebellion burst
upon the country, he wrote to prominent citi-
zen of this State letter in which ne predicted a
speedy and violent conflict between the forces of
freedom and slavery that would shake the CONT
nent and shock humanity with its magnitude
and severity; that would try the faith, and cour-
age and f0rtitude Of the soldiers Of freedom; that
the fate of liber Everywhere would be settled
in tho struggle, and that this Nation would rise
victorious and resplendent, or the WORLD would
relapse into the barbarism of the dark and
benighted ages And he urged the gentleman to
aid to his utmost in animating the people of this
coast and in preparing them for the struggle As
we all know there was no long waiting for the
sad fulfillment of this prediction
Soon after the writing OF this prophetic let
ter, and when a member of the State Senate of
Indiana, Mr.. Miller heard the boom of the can
of secession and slavery, and saw their
hosts marching in martial array tramnlino ha
meath their feet the law, the Constitution and
the government. The immortal Morton was
then Governor of the State of Indiana, and in
response to the call of the national government
for troops TO put down the hordes of secession.
gasnereo around MIN generous courageous
and patriotic band of heroes, conspicuous
among whom was the subject OF this sketch.
Standing hand-to-hand around the great war
Governor, they supported him in every move
and OF that valiant band mono were more