Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-06-10
pEArnoF n. ERsklME MILLER.

DEATH OF Nj eRSNtWE Wuse@eN'
News reached this city on Monday morn
ing announcing that at o'clock, the pre-
vious evening Mr.. n. Erskine Miller mad
died. in California, where he had gone some
months ago, hoping thereby to reouperate
his health. The sad intelligence was not
unexpected, for our people have long been
apprised that death was only question OF
time and that whilst no Drawer or more
heroic struggle for life was ever made, 1t
was manifest that the odds were all against
him, and he must succumb to the invitable.
Not many months ago Mr.. Miller was on
our streets. moving with that energy which
characterized his whole life and enjoying
what to the causual observer seemed the
most robust health He never seemed to
show indisposition, and until he went to his
room and what proved to be his death-bed,
many of his most intimate acquaintances
scarcely knew he was sick. His friends be-
lieye that his malady had its inception about
the time of the flood in this city. which was
the 29th of last September, when being SO
much in the damp ware room when he
transacted business he contracted deep
cold. From this he seemed to have recover
ed, but business took him to New York and
| Boston, and he was again the victim OF
grippe Shortly thereafter he came home
sick, and he soon became aware that he was
in great danger He never was again able
! to attend to business affairs, and on the 18th
of January last, with his niece, Miss Mary
Miller went to California, where physicians
advised thathe might be benefited. Lately
| he was Joined by his wife and little niece
Bette Miller, and his brother, j. Mason
Miller, Jr., and a servant, and after the re-
turn of his brother, by his brother-in-law.
Mr.. Edward Echols, who was with him at
the time of his death.
The funeral arrangements have not been
made, but the body will doubtless reach
here on the evening of Saturday.
| M, Erskine Miller. the eldest eff three
brothers, was born at Huntsville, Alabma,
February 10th, 1S43. In the fall OF 1850 he
went with his parents to Texas and lived
there to the breaking out of the war. He at
once enlisted in Terry's Rangers and re-
manned to January, 1862, when he was dis
charged in Kentucky on account OF his
health. After three months convalescence
at home he re-enlisted. this time in Hood s
Brigade of Texas infantry and served to the
end of the war, the greater part OF the time
lin Virginia. He made no boasts as to his
war record, and on that account few people
knew that he carried five scars on his body
from wounds received in the war. He was
badly wounded in the hip and slightly il
the arm at Gaines MILL While recovering
from this, and still on crutohes, he acted as
recruiting officer at Wytheville and in thai
section. His last ba tile was at Missionary
Ridge near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
! Atthe close Of the war he returned tt
Texas and merchandized four years a
ISeguin, his old home. On December Is. 1870
he married Miss Harriette Echols. daughter
of General John Echols, and in 1871 CAM
to Staunton to live, embarking in the whole
sale grocery business, the firm being Nc
Clure & Miller. In year OF SO he bough
Mr. McClure's interest in the business, run
ming the business in his own name. OF lat
wears the firm has been NJ. f. Miller q Bro.
j. Mason Miller. DR., being his partner. Ii
1885 he bought an interest in the Fire Creel
Coal & Coke Co., the business then being IL
its infancy Under his management it has
been greatly developed. AT the time OF hi
death he controlled five mines, owning larg
: Interests in the New River secrion. lie wa
interested in other enterprises. notably thu
National Valley Bank of this city, of which
. he was long director.
lie was man of strict integrity and o
} great decision of character. generous dispo
: sition, possessing many very warm friends
Those who knew him we'll we're deeply al
, tached to him. "A mans treatment OF III
employees is good index of his character
There are men, white and black, who hav
: been in his employ for So years, who Woul
have made any sacrifices for him. or tn
, large number of persons in his employ, mos
. have been with him for years.. Courage b
: possessed in very high degree. In his las
, illness not a.word of impatience OF OF CON
!. plant ever escaped his lips. He was ma
of remarkable administrative ability, quic
to plan and as quick to execute, keepin
!, track of the details of all the enterpris
with which he was connected.
HIS FAMILY.
:. M. Erskine Miller's father, James Maso
:. Miller, Senior, who survives him and WI
2 had for some years made his home with hin
lis native Of Edenton, N. q. His mothe
. Mrs. Margaret Erskine Miller, who Oil
last year, was the daughter of Michael En-
kline, and was born at Lewisburg, W. V
!. She was related to the Capertons, al
"a through them to the Braxtons OF this cit
she was cousin of Mrs. Margaret Gay,
N this city, her father, Michael Erskine, al
IL Mrs. Gays father, Henry Erskine, bell
a brothers OF his immediate family he
4 survived by his father and his brother,
Is Mason Miller, IT., his only other brotht
W Alexander, having died in Staunton in 1Ss
eff