The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-02-23
Joaquin Miller. the Brute Poet,

A private letter recently received,
refers to late sentimental panegy RIGS
IN the San Francisco Examiner over
some wonderful exhibition of filial
forgiveness on the part of Joaquin
Miller. We take the liberty of pub
fishing part of our friends letter:
You may see the articles in the Exam
iner extolling Joaquin Miller aud making
a virtue out OF his treatment of poor
Maude, and the magnanimous way he for
gave her after his reprehensible treatment
of his own blood. Now, as an old resi-
denter you know just how the old resi-
denters feel toward him and how they
are puzzling their brains to know just
what he should have TO forgive, but
really do not see why Maude should
ever stoop to ask his forgiveness The
poor girl must have been very lonely and
of forgiving spirit, like her mother |
suppose he rorgave her for doing as he
has done in the past, MS you know his
record is redoent with misdeeds all
around Canyon City and l hear also on
the coast. where he lived before he took
that trip IT, Canyon, the Examiner 50 pa
thetically tells about. The Canyon City
people tell me also that he abandoned his
wife and three children, after keepin g
them in destitution SO he could save
money to go out in the world and make a
show.
The Examiner says truly that he has
never had his rightful place. and he has
not. for his name would stand for any
thing but good man or a loving father
or just husband, had he his dues; and
when the poor wife was struggling u
support her children. Joaquin swoops
down and takes Maud and sends her ic
school and the papers ring with hs
praise, but they neglected TO explain why
he was not attending to it previous t,
that dramatic swoop. They also cxto
his actions at his wife's death bed. l
, would also puzzle Canyonite what h,
had to forgive in that long suffering and
much abused woman. If she forgtve him
she certainly was II thorough Christian,
r for she had much to forgive. The Can
yon people always told me she was III
! intelligent, refined woman, and assisted
him much in his writings, that she wa
the real literary one of the two.
3 have often seen photo OF The thre
children in q group. and they were chill
+, dren TO be proud OF. but you know thei
fathers reputation for self-conceit ant
=, his affcclation of Byron, even to thu
II Elimp
t A few years ago read in the Youth
:, Companion a bombasilc article by Joi
), quin, relating how he went TO rcscu
u from The Indians Henry Dasch and |. II
Wood. We all know there was no dan
ger in j.. | have copy Of the Canyo
!, City journal of Sept. 6. 1869 giving
' laughable description Of that bloode'
p fight, and IL says Miller locked his offc
le puL The key in his pocket and stayed II
v side | cannot vouch for It's truth, b'
10 from all accounts of the man il is prob
r bly, true. | did not know Miller perso
u ally, but n twelve years residence on u
:. adjoining lot to his old home has mac
t. me hear sufficient not to regret 1t. {
not know what became Of Brick or Harr
i. but few years ago | cut out an nte
III view some one had with the boy, Mt lhi
s. time % years old with an experience
le passions equal his fathers. and he shrew'
!, ly placed the blame where it should liz
A child is not to blame for hercdity, an
IL as no evil came from the mother. it
J. easy to draw an inference. American
ID seem 10 revel in picking up some NOR,
# leper and making him an idol.