Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-28
COMMENTS ON MILLER's STORY.

ERIE Times: The 20 columns of evidence
presented in THE PITTsBURa DISPATCH of yes
terday, in the "Shoebox" Miller case, will be
accepted by most people as conclusive proof
that Miller was innocent of the Clarion
county robbery, for which he was convicted,
and is, besides, decidedly interesting read
ing 1t leaves the impression, however, that
the story which comes from Cleveland is
also correct, and that prior to the bond rob-
berry Miller had been something of a GRIM
inal and an associate of thieves and burg
lars. Since his release from the Western
Penitentiary he has shown himself to be a
man of indomitable will and has evidently
tried to lead an honest life; he should be
given helping hand, and the moral support
of good wife is just the kind of aid he
ought to have. Here's hoping that Miss
Mosby will not go back on the criminal of l2
years ago.
OIL CITY Blizzard: Mondays PIrrsBURa DIS
PATCH contained a remarkable article,
twenty-one columns in length, giving the
strange story of the man best known as
"Shoebox" Miller. As will be remembered,
he was convicted of the robbery of John
Conners, at Catfish, in Clarion county, in
1881 and sentenced to seven years in the PEN
itentiary. This story gives in detail all the
evidence necessary to establish beyond q
robbery was committed, and that he had
nothing to do with it. The details of how he
escaped from the penitentiary in a shoebox
are also given. The article furnishes COM
mentary on the unreliable character of cir
cumstantial evidence which will not soon be
forgotten.
ALTOONA Tribune: THE PIrTsBURe DIS
PATCH yesterday devoted several pages to
an exhaustive effort to show that the man
known throughout the country as "Shoe-
box" Miller was unjustly convicted of rob-
berry, and if there is any virtue in human
testimony it makes out its case 1t is singu-
lar however, that the alibi which is now
clearly proven could not be shown ten years
ago when Miller was convicted. If he was
innocent, as the narrative printed by THE
DISPATCH seems to show, this fact deserved
the widest publicity, and THE DISPATCH has
done q bit of benevolence which is much to
its Credit.
UN1oNrowN Standard: THE PIrrsBURa DIS
PATCH of Yesterday and to-day endeavors to
show the innocence of james W. Miller
more familiarly known as "Shoebox" Miller,
by publishing afildavits and confessions Of
those who are acquainted with the circum-
stances of the robbery for which Miller was
imprisoned. 1t is claimed that his inno-
cence is established and that a member of
the gang who perpetrated the crime made a
confession prior to his death. Miller has to
a great degree since his release from prison
lived down the shame which was heaped
upon him.
SCRANTON Republican: THE PIrTsBURG DIS
PATCH devotes 20 columns to story in yindi
cation of "Shoebox" Miller, who served
seven years in the Western Penitentiary for
robbery, whose escape from prison in a shoe
box made him famous and who gained addi-
tional notoriety through th Mosby- -Mitkie
wicL affair.
KTTTANNING Sentinel: The evidence pro-
cured by "Shoebox Miller" so called, and
reporter of The PrTrsBURG DISPATCH, and
printed in that paper on Monday last, is in
our estimation conclusive of his innocence,
and makes some very interesting reading.
OIL CITY Derrick: 1t is undoubtedly gall
ing to remain quiet under false aspersions,
supposing in this case they are false, but the
world is SO constituted that vigorous protest
is retroactive, and only makes matters
worse.
WASHINGTON Post: A Pittsburg paper has
devoted 20 columns to defense of "Shoe-
box" Miller. This is undoubtedly the most
striking long distance vindication on record.
WHEELING Ne,ns: "Shoebox" Miller may
not succeed in establishing his innocence,
but he can earn a fortune in any enterpris-
ing dime museum.