The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-05-04
OLD TIME CATTLEMAN
FAST DISAPPEARING
Late George W. Miller Was
Typical Of the Class

George w. Miller, president of the
1Ol ranch company at Bliss. ia the
Ponca Indian reservation, who died
last saturday. was characteristic
type Of the old time cattleman He
was one Of the first 20 Sring a trail
herd from Mexico 10 tbs interior of
the United states His herds rang
ed in number from 1900 TO 5000 cat
tie. One year he handled 25,000 head
OF trail cattle. many OF which were
loaded at Hunnewell Kas, for ship
ment TO market The catte were paid
for in gold which was hauled to the
Mexican border by wagon. The own
ers refused currency ana did not know
the meaning of a bank draft
Mr. Mnler's judgment OF the value
Of cattle on the hoof was remarkable,
few persons being better able than
he 10 tell what the worth of a lean
steer turned loose on the range in
the spring would be at shipping time
He was engaged in the cattle bust
ness in Oklahoma for thirty-one years
and in all that time used brand "1OIT
Eleven years ago he started ranch
r101". which Is known throughout the
United States as a successful live
stock and agricultural enterprise The
wheat fields alone aggregate 5000
acres.
Mr. Miller was born near Danvlle
Ky, February 22 1912. and spent his
bcyhood on a farm near Crab orch
ard His Kentucky blood was shown
In his unique personality He made
strong friends and bitter enemies; to
one he was steadfast ana to the 9TH
eft defiant His hopsitality was un-
bounded. and on his ranch and at his
city home in Winfield. Kas.. he gave
his guests the best his table and his
cellar could produce Three hours
before his death be insisted that
friends who had come to bid him fare
well should SIT down to dinner, and
regretted that his health was not
such as 70 permit him to join them
He gave freely to the poor, and his
compassion tor their distress was
such thai on Thanksgiving day he al
ways gave a steer 70 those in great
est need.
Mr. Millers death was due 10 pnea
monia which begon a week ago las
Sunday he had always been ylgor
Gus in body. but he felt his umiit,
slipping from him and said that h0
would not recover He called his fam
lily to his bedside and made known
his final wishes in the management O
his $4,000 acre ranch which win bl
operated as 1t was during his life
To his widow be left $4,000 In ht
insurance. lie said that the approach
Of death did not alarm him. an,
watched its coming without distress
ne played with his grandchildren al
most to the end. his mind remaining
clear and active
Tho body was taken to the famil
burial ground on the farm in Ken
tuciSy where he lived when a boy. Al
escort Of cowboys rode beside tn
hearse as Il passed alongside one @
the raneh's great wheat fields. acros
broad pasture whore thousands o
cattle grazed in sight of the trail road
and thence TO the railroad station d
Bliss Many Ponca Indians. iron
whom most of the ranch lands ar
leased. accompanied the body. Chic
White Eagle. together with several O
his head men. viewed the body al tn
ranch house. but refused to go to tn
railroad station White Eagle Is
proud man. and said II would no
weep whore men and women coul
see. | must retire alone"
Mr., Miller married Miss Mollie A
Carson In louisville. Ky January II
lSs6 They located at Newtonia. No
in 1869 went TO Baxter Springs. Kas
in 1850, and year later moved Z
Winfield. Kas.. which was their hom
at the time Of his death He left
widow, daughter, Miss Alma Mile
and three sons Joseph c. Mnler
'zaek' Miller and George Miller.
Tnn nr.,A . III