The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-07
A CRAZY DESPERATE.
William Miller Charged With a
Series of 0utrages.
CRIME DARKEns HIS MIND.
one of coIman's Suspected Murderers
TerForizes Mercer Slough Ranch
ers-CIeyeriy Caught.

The violent insanity which has clouded the
mind of william Miller and made him terror
TO jewellers along Mercer slough ever since he
was acquitted, with his father, sister and
brother, of the murder of J. Manning Colman
and William Patten, in February, 1SS6, has
broken out again In q new series of crimes, and
led TO the madman's arrest last evening for in
sanity. The crime for which the family were
tried was one of the most atrocious In the
records Of the Northwest, and their aequittal
has not removed the conviction from the minds
OF their neighbors that they were guilty.
After the murder William Miller, who is no W
d years old, wsnt insane and has been in the
asylum several times, but has never been regu-
larly discharged, being at large only ON parole.
He lives alone on his fathers farm on the east
shore OF Lake Washington but short distance
from the scene of the murder. At frequent
intervals and for longer or shorter periods OF
time he is in full possession OF his senses. At
such times he ID gloomy and buries himself
from sight in the woods. When he is not him
self he seeks the company OF men, is easily
angered and il considered a dangerous man
One dsy last week Miller, appearing perfectly
sane, called on John II. McGraw, who arrested
him in 1886 for the murder OF Colman and adj
yised him at that time while they were crossing
the lake. to tell the truth about she crime. He
complained that his father was continually
abusing him and making his lie miserable; said
that he was perfectly sane but labored under
the disability of never having been formally dis
charged from the asylum: that his father knew
this and therefore did no: hesitate 70
(iraw to write to Or. waughop, superintendent
of the asylum, requesting that be be formally
discharged Hr. McGraw promised 10 investi-
gate his case, and, If he ionnd that Miller had
behaved himself aud acted at all times rs
though he were sane, TO write the desired let
ter Fortunately, ia the light OF subsequent
events, be did not write it.
The first of the series OF crimes which led to
Eiiler's arrest was a desperate attempt to MUIR
der Isaac X. knight and his wife, who live near
his place on Mercer slough, and the fact that
the old couples daughter, who now resides in
Seattle, WAS q witness at the murder trial
in 1887, furnishes a motive for the crime.
Isaac X. Knight aud his vile live at the head of
Mercer slough in two-story log house, on the
old Haller place. A short distance below his
farm lives William Miller, who has local rep
utation as an excellent shot ard a successful
hunter.
Monday night at IL o'clock Mr.. knight was
awakened by the warning bark of his faithful
watchdog A second later a rife shot rang out
on the night air and the dog uttered howl of
pain and ceased TO make himself heard Fear
ing trouble, SIR. knight and his wife left their
bed and went upstairs. They had just reached
=
was heard accompanied by the crashing of
glass. A charge OF buckshot had been fired into
the bedroom window and china water pitcher
and bowl near the head of the bed on the
opposite side OF the room were battered TO
atoms The gun was held so close to the win
dow that the curtains and bedding were powder
burned.
Then for the first time the occupants OF the
log house knew who the midnight assailant
was. They heard his voice and recogniz ed him
as none other than William Miller, the "crazy."
Miller got an ak, and, uttering warnings and
curses, chopped in the front door, and, firing an
other shot in the door, went away. For long
time Mr. and Mrs. knight remained upstairs in
the darkness not knowing what next 70 expect
They feared that Miller would set fire 10 the
house and then shoot them down as they at
tempted to escape from the flames.
The next morning Mr.. knight jumped on q
horse and started for Seattle to notify the
sheriff and swear out warrant for the insane
mans arrest. He had first stationed three men
at his house to capture Miller, should he return,
and to protect his wife. On the
was walking and was armed with Win
chester rife, bowie knife and revolver. See
ing Mr.. Knight, Miller held his rife in front of
him as ii expecting attack. Knowing il
would be folly to turn back he kept right on,
and coming up TO Miller, he addressed him:
GOOD morning."
"How's everything up to the house?" asked
Miller
Everything is all right"
"Fm going out to shoe. BIRDS" volunteered
the young man.
''lf you shoot any take some over to my house
and III pay you for them," said Mr. Knight,
knowing that ii he did so it would be easy To eff
feet his capture. Miller said he would do so,
and the men parted. Miller, however, returned
home without shooting anything
Mr.. knight visited his daughter, Mrs.
F. L. Meford, who lives on Twenty
second street, near Yesler avenue and
afterward made complaint TO the sheriff
He found, however, that other persons from
Mercer slough, who had suffered from Miller's
depredations, had been in ahead of him and
sworn out warrant for Miller, and tina: deputy
sheriffs had already gone 10 make the capture
The other complainant was John C. Kohler,
a farmer who occupies five acres of land on
Mercer slough. On sunday night he heard tive
shots. and ran out of his house 10 ascertain the
cause. Going through some bushe:
he met Miller. The young man
told Kohler two OF his cattle had
been killed, and going to spot indicated, Koh
Ter found it TO be true. One COW had been shot
through the head, and another through the
and in the course OF angry words intimated his
belief that young Miller had shot them. Miller
paid no attention and walked away.
The same night Kohler was awakened by the
discovery that his house was on fire. He
awakened the other inmates, including his wife.
two sons and Mrs Ryder. who was visiting his
family They had barely time TO get out little
bedding before the flames euveloped both house
and barn, which were entirely DESTROYED
Kohler, who is old soldier and member OF
Miller post, is left penniless and homeless
When Deputy sheriffs Jack Mcdonald and Pat
Farraher, who were sent after Miller, reached
Lake Washington they met Miiler's father who
told them that ii they took any chances they
would probably never come back alive; that
they must effect the capture by strategy Ar
irving at the Old Miller homestead the officers
crept mp 10 the house and effected an entrance
and made rapid search OF the rooms but the
place was deserted They were Just
about giving up the search when they
saw young Miller coming towards the house
from the slough. The men secreted Themselves
in the house and, when Miller entered at the
door, Earrsher stepped out quickly and, extend
ing his hand, exclaimed:
''Mhy, hello, Bin!"
Miller shook hands and in an instant the
handouts were slipped on and the arrest was
complete He win be srraigned in court today.
ADJUSTMENTS.