The Helena independent., 1893-12-08
"Box" Miller, Of Tom Miner Basin.
Provoked His Own Violent
Death.
Ho Tried to XIII His Brother
Frank, but Was Himself
Killed.
A Terrible Struggle for Possession Of the
Az With Which the Decd
Was DOn0.
spaciaI In Tha Indanendant

bp6c1dl TO Iho Indep0nd6nt.
LIVINGSTON. Dec. IL. II. Van Dyke
and John Conlay. of Horr. arrived in Liv-
inQston with Frank Miller. who killed his
brother, p. j., better known a. BOX"
Miller, ~ their ranch In Tom Miner basin.
In the upper Yellowstone, yesterday morn
ing. Mr.. Van Dyke was = member Of the
ooronsr's jury. and tells the following story
Of the killing. As gathered from evidence
introduced at the inquest. The Miller
brothers had lived on the ranch for several
years. and about three years ago BOX"
left and was gone two years. Last April he
returned, and since then he has been trying
to force Frank to leave the ranch. Some
time ago he came down TO Livingston to
pay some bills. but instead took in the
town. and on his return was accompanied
by Mrs. Askey and Mrs. Hood, two women
from this city.
and returned after dark. considerably un-
der tho influence of liquor. Frank was in
bed. and BOX" grabbed . rife and told
Frank he would have to leave there. or he
would kill him. Frank jumped out Of bad
in his night clothes. and ran out of doors.
and the two women jumped against the
door aud prevented BOX" from following
him.
Yesterday morning Frank was In the
barn. feeding the chickens. and "Box"
came in and saddled up horse. He told
Frank that il he tFrank) did not leave the
ranch by Saturday he would kill him. After
saddling the animal BOX" returned to the
house. Frank then won't to har-
ness mp the work team. and just
as no was taking the harness
off a peg "Bex'' again appeared in the door
way and said, "Hello, haven't you gone
yet" As he said this he reached TO one
side of the door and picked mp an AZ and
said. 'Tll hx you"
Frank made q rush for The door. there
being only ono TO tho barn. and just a. he
got outside "Box' struck at him with the
Ak. but missed him. the Ak simply graz
ing his face. Frank grabbed the handle
with his right hand and with his lefs hand
caught "Box's" right arm. BOX" still
held on TO the handle of the Ak with his
loft hand and terrific struggle then took
place for its possession.
As the mon fought they gradually worked
towards the house, sevsnty-dvs yards from
the barn, and once both of them
were down. Frank told his brother TO lot
20 the axe and 90 in shs house and he
would 60 away and leave him alone. The
only reply Box made was: Oh you.
I'll fx you" At last they reached the
20 CHI and struggled up to tho door. "Box"
released his hold OF the AZ. and. opening
the door. made for q g un at the foot Of .
bunk. again repeating his remark. "D-n
you, I'll FIX you." Frank followed him and
whom he was about six feet from the gun
Frank struck him with tho pole of the AZ
aor oss the back of the hexd, frasturing his
skull. BOX" foil against = cupboard and
thsn on the floor. Frank went over TO
where he lay and spoke to him. and the
only reply he got wsf Oh you. I'll fix
you"
He died soon after and Frank then went
to Horr and gave himself up TO Justice
sohriebsr. aud was rsmandsd to the dis
trict court for trial. Both men were we'll
known in this vicinity. BOX" being A. old
timer. He was about 35. and Frank about
20. An examination of 'Bo1's" remains By
tho jury showed that he hal Eve bruises on
his face and two ugly scalp wounds on his
head. in addition to the fraoture that
caused death. Frank claims that the ad-
ditional cuts and bruises were caused by
| tho AZ coming in contact with his head
while they we're scutilinR outside.