The sun., 1905-12-25
GUN OUT FOR FIGHTER FITZ.
MILLER DIDN'T ELOPE, but is
READY TO SHOOT.
The Major Says Fallen Pugiiist Is Crazy
and That He'll Let Daylight Through
Him II He Makes ANY Bother-Fitz's
Manager Says He'll Sue for 800 900.

IL
Sibley Miller to-day issued the following
challenge to the fallen fighter.
"If Bob Fitzsimmons bothers me with his
talk about eloping with his wife I'll let day
light through him"
Major Miller has taken legal advice, and
he has been told to defend himself from any
attack Pugilst FitzsimInons NAV make on
him.
Accompanied by the MARQUIS de Terre-
Hermoso of Madrid. Major Miller arrived
home from New York this morning. In
the presence of the Marquis and his attor-
ney, William p. Ford, Major Miller gave
the following statement
Robert Fit2smmons must be going
crazy if he accuses me of eloping with Lis
wife. / have not eloped with her, have
no intention of eloping with her and never
did have any such idea even for single
moment | have not seen Julia May Gif,
ford, the wife of Fit2simmons for some
time e-certainly not on my last trip to New
York city.
"The first intimation that | had Of Mrs.
Fitzsimmons leaving her husband was in
the newspapers of this morning. There is
no better proof of the fact that l am not
eloping with any one than the fact that
am here at my home, where | should be,
TO spend the Christmas.
Il have known Mrs Fitzsimmons for about
eight years. / knew her before Ftzsim-
mons did | knew her to be all that is nice
and knew her to be perfect lady. The
last time that saw Mrs Ftzsimmons was
in June of this year when she was going
abroad to Paris to study vocal music
Il accompanied her to the steamer in
New York city and saw her of She had
no one else to go with her and l went to
the dock. the same as l would with any
other friend. Fitz knew that | accom-
panied his wife to the dock. He was mad
about il and has never got over it. He
gets mad every time he thinks of 1t.
"Fitzsimmons is insanely jealous and
when word came from her that she was
leaving him for all time he evidently jumped
at the conclusion that was going with her.
He and Leon Friedman, his manager,
have it in for me, but they are foolish.
@The fallen pugilist had better keep in his
own path. If he comes bothering around
me with any of his talk about me clipping
with his wife ! will let daylight through
him I mean what | say and will not
| tolerate his circulating such scandalous
| stories about me-"
| The MARQUIS de Hermoso, who is the
| guest of Major Miller, corroborated Major
Miler's story that he had not met Mrs.
| Fitzsimmons while in New York. and said:
Il was in the company of Major Miller
| all the time of his recent visit in New York
I accompanied him to his home, and during
the whole time we did not meet lady by
the name of Mrs. Ftzsimmons or Miss
| Clifford, as you call her. OF course, have
not the honor Of her acquaintance.
| Major Miller had not seen nor talked
to his father, Major-Gen. Miller, on his
arrival home. Major-Gen. Miller is the
teacher of large Bible class in the First
Baptist Church His class contains sew
eral hundred scholars of all ages. Attorney
Ford wanted to notify Gen. Miller OF the
Majors presence in Franklin, but the son
said: "No, don't disturb father at Sunday
school,"
The story had evidently upset Cen Mil
| Ter, for it had been going the rounds among
the gossips of the town since Saturday
night.
Gen. Miller got himself dislikcd in Frank
! lin several years ago. He and Congressman
Joe Sbley built the town. 1t owes most of
| it's business to these two men. Gen. Miller
| married Sibleys sister, who is alleged to
have been eccentric. Gen. Miller, with the
consent of all members of his family and
! his brother-in-law, applied to the Nenango
county court for divorce, alleging his
wife was incuraby insane.
Judge Criswell refused to grant the
divorce and the trial created an intense
sensation Gen. Miller, incensed, moved
his residence to Meadville, Crawford county,
where he engaged the residence of Wallace
Delemater.
After gaining a residence, Gen. Miller
applied for a divorce in Crawford county.
which was granted. Last summer while
travelling abroad Gen. Miller met Mrs.
Buhlin, divorced woman of Meadville.
and it was announced the couple would
be married in Paris.
Owing to some hitch in the laws Of France,
the marriage could not be legalized and
the couple came to New York, where they
were privately married in hotel. Gen.
Miller returned to Franklin to live.
When his son, Major Miller, married the
beautiful Miss Trentice. Gen. Miller built a
residence for the bridal couple in Miller
Park. The mansion contains forty-two