The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-14
ENGAGED TO WE'D so YEARS
Death Ends Half Century Romance
in New York

New York, April 1.-THE romance in
the lives of Tom Miller, of the Man
haitian club and Miss Joanna Mills last
ed for half century and has just been
disclosed to the public. Fifty years ago
Tom" Miller and Miss Mills became
engaged to be married. She was the
daughter of a then wealthy merchant
and member of prominent New York
family. For reasons satisfactory 10
both and known only to themselves
their marriage was indefinitely post
poned from that time until Millers
death. less than three weeks ago. when
he left his entire possessions to her The
most friendly and lovable relations ex-
listed between them. It might truth
fully be said that they were life-lonS
sweethearts.
The romance in the life of Captain
Tom Miller, the Nestor of the Man
haitian club, has been long known to
his intimate friends in the city, but it
was only brought to general attention
by the filing of his will for probate in
the surrogates Office Friday afternoon.
The will was filed by A. J. Perry, the
lifelong friend of Captain Miller 1t was
dated in 1894, and provides simply that,
"All ] possess in this world at the time
of my death I bequeath to my beloved
friend of many years, Miss Joanna
Mills"
Captain Miller was at the time of his
death, on March % last. rs years old,
and Miss Mills is 20. The legacy left
to Miss Mills was in the nature of
token of regard, as she and her two
sisters, who occupy apartments in the
Constance. at SO St Nicholas avenue,
have comfortable income from their
fathers estate, and have many wealthy
and influential friends.
Thomas ]. Miller was born in Savan-
nah Ca He came of prominent
southern family and when a youth en-
tered the United States naval academy
was graduated and served for several
years as a midshipman. firing Of the
life of a sailor, Miller resigned his com
mission and came to New York. He
came with letters of introduction to the
best families Of the city and being d
handsome dashing young fellow with
full purse, winning manners, and flu
ent speech was soon regarded as one o.
the beaux and great catches of the city
half century ago, when his engage.
ment to Miss Joanna Mills, daughtea
Of George Mills. the then merchant
prince, was announced All the parties
were congratulated on the brilliant
match.
No date was set for the wedding. cere-
mony and as events shaped themselves
none was ever set although up to
the intended marriage of the couple
would have surprised none of their in
innate friends The part of sutton was
played by the gallant Capt. Miller with
all the grace and dignity of the old
school, and Miss Mills received his at
tentions with the sweetness and re-
serve forgotten with the grandmother
of the present generation.
But truth to tell, Capt Miller had
another and an impersonal love. He
joined the Manhattan club soon after
it was founded and soon the young
retired naval officer as traveller.
IA conteur. and bon vivant. found him
self the center of the gayest circle
among the younger members of
the club, at that time the beaux of New
York. No dinner party was complete
without jovial Tom Miller.
His property has now great intrinsic
value 1t consists chiefly of a leaSehOld in
the building at 135 Rea6e street. which
VIII bring in an income of $3.50 q year for
several years yet to run, and personal
property valued at $1,000
Miss Joanna Mills did not know Of Capt
AfiIler's legacy until after his death She
was greatly affected by the death Of her
old time sweetheart. She lives q retired
life with her sisters. The photograph Of