The Van Buren press., 1898-09-10
ALEXANDER TANNING MILES
One of the Brightest Minds and
Leading Representatives of
the Bar of Van Buren,
Passes Away.

p1eted on nearly every countenanee
throughout the city when it became
generally known that Hon. A. F.
Miles had passed away. The sad event
occurred Monday evening at $50 P. M.
Only to his close friends was it known
that Mr.. Miles condition was serious
on Monday. On Saturday he was billed
as one of the speakers at the Democratic
rally, but could not attend on account
of what was then thought only slight
illness. That night he was seized with
congestive chill and friends tele-
graphed for his wife, who was visiting
relatives in West Virginia.
On Monday afternoon he began to sink
rapidly and that evening died before
his wife could arrive to soothe his last
moments, Col. o. L. Miles, with
whom the deceased was associated in
the practice of law was also very i'll
and unable to attend the bedside of the
dying brother,
The remains were embalmed and on
Thursday under the auspices of the
Ivanhoe Lodge K. of P. laid to rest in
our cemetary accompanied by large
cortege of sorrowing friends.
For the following beautiful tribute to
the superb character of the deceased
we are indebted to Rev j. B. Steven
son, who pronounced the last sad rites
over the remains of one of natures true
noblemen:
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
Alexander Tanning Miles was born
near Bluntville, Sullivan county,
Tennessee, March 81, 1857. He was
the son of Rev Ct, w. and Mrs. r. A
/ Miles. His father was for thirty years
an itinerant minister of the NJ. E.
church, South, and an honored member
of the Holston Conference.
Tanning was the fourth of nine child
rem He was fond of speaking of the
impression of his home life, and of his
honored parents.
There is a vulgar idea that the child |
rem carefully instructed in the prin-
ciples, and reared in the practices of |
piety and of the holy observance of the |
Sabbath, are more prone than others to |
run into vice-that the children of |
ministers are more vicious than others |
True such cases have occurred of |
children departing from their early |
training. 1t has sometimes happened |
that men discharging the functions |
of the sacred ministry and devoting |
themselves to redressing the wrongs, |
and promoting the welfare of society |
have found their strength so taxed, and |
their time so engrossed, as to neglect |
their own families. They have be-
slowed the care which belonged to their |
own children on the affairs of others |
and at the close of life, surveying the |
melancholy results, could say with re-
gret: They made me keeper of the
vinyard, but mine own vineyard have | |
not kept But the bad result in such |
cases is not due to the children being |
reared too piously, but from neglect. |
They have been sacrificed ON the altar
of public good, and while the children |
of others would escape notice, the chill |
dren of ministers receive the hardest |
criticism, and people fall into the per
niciOus mistake that strict and yirtuous
training is apt to result in loose and
vicious living.
! am led to these remarks by looking
into the history Of this worthy Chris
tian family. No such charge could be |
laid at the door of this worthy Gospel |
minister. When we reflect that all the
children that grew up to maturity be-
came members of the church and each
one a graduate of some excellent insti
ti1tiAn nf lnnrn1pn p1nnnt h1t ha
pressed that there was no lack of
training in that home. And as we see
the sons and daughters that have come
forth to make their way in the world 50
well equipped to fight the battles of life |
we cannot but admire the wisdom Of
these consecrated parents.
Tanning Miles in early life united
with the NJ. E church, South, and his !
name may still be found on the register
of the First Methodist church in Bristol,
Tenn. He never identified himself
with the church in this place. This we
regret more than words can tell. How
much the church in any community |
needs the hearty support, and active
labors of such men. In conversation
not long since he gave us the assurance
that this was his purpose, and seemed
gratiied that he could be of some SER
vice to the church. And when class
of young men was rendered him in the
Sunday School, he readily accepted the
place, and faithfully discharged his
duty
He was my friend. 1t has long been
my privilege to be intimately associated |
with the family. and am personally |
bereaved by his untimely demise.
Mr. Miles graduated from Emory and |
Henry College, Virginia, in the class of
1878. and took his law course in the |
University of Vairginia. He began the
practice of law at Bristol, Tenn, where
he remained for ten years. He removed |
from that place to Van Buren in May, |
1892, and entered into practice with his !
brother, Oscar L. Miles.
He was happily married to Miss Alice
Vergie, September 20, 1893.
You need no testimony of mine as to |
his real worth His scholarship, his /
courtly manners and intellectual en-
dowments are too well known to require /
mention from me- He was recognized |
by you all as one of your most gifted |
citizens.
He was patriot, True to his coun
try. his voice was heard in what he |
deemed was best for the public veal.
1t was in the social circle, perhaps,
that he appeared to best advantage.
What charming companion he was !
His flow of conversation was instruct /
i've. sometimes playful, and often !
brilliant.
What he was in his own house, and |
to his devoted wife, and little Francis, |
| dare not undertake to say. He was /
to them the ideal man-their earthly
all But into this inner sanctuary of /