The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1905-01-12
Mrs. Rachael M. Miller.

Some emphatic tribute is due the mem
DRY of Mrs. Rachel Miller, who died at her
home, at Rugby, on the 3ri of January,
1905. This sad providence S~leaves as sur
vivors of the deceased, her husband, Capt.
w d. Miller, and of their children Mrs.
Harriet X. Speigle, Mrs. Josephine Pen
der, Mrs. Louise Hart, Mrs. Cornelia
Lyman Nichols, and Messrs William 4
Thos. B., anil j. ID. Miller. The majority
of these were present at the funeral which
was conducted from the late residence by
Rev. r N. Wilcox on the 9Th inst.
Rachel M. Lane was the daughter of
Capt. Ell. E. and Rebecca Lane, and was
bonn January 20lh, 1886, and married to
Capt. Miller, March 18th, 1856. This birth
and marriage both occurred at the magniti
cent form and residence now known as
the CourtIand place. Henderson county,
N. c., for which place of her childhood
and girlhoOd she ever maintained the
strongest sentiment and attachment, out of
respect for which fact kind and loving
hands had her grave bordered with ever
greens grown there.
What is remarkable, is the living to-
gether in unbroken affection, through vari-
ed and trying experiences of Capt. and Mrs.
Miller for fifty years, lacking one year,
being to each the only marriage. Mrs.
Miller was a woman of much force of
character; and her intelligence and train
ing held her in good stead during all her
life. She had the rare gift of anlistir g
admiring friends and was n of the most
graceful women of her day.
10 early life, IN the innocence of young
womanhnod, she attached herself to the
Episcopal church, being confirmed by the
late lamented Bishop Atkinson in 1860,
and lived in that communion till her death;
the Rev. Mr.. Wilcox testlfying her faith
fulnesS at her funeral, supported by hun
dreds who knew her as well i'm life. She
had knowledge and faith combined and dis
coursed upon the great question of saliva
ton with surprising power; aud within the
last few years it was the pleasure of this
writer to convince himself of the true faith
of her real life the faith that saves Aud
it is a joyous privilege to declare this hope
with the especial incident that this subject
has been known by him from the happy
school days of their youth,
The old homestead at Rugby shows. now
The sad marks of the reign If death. It has
entered the circle there, and invaded that
home.
t"There is no flock, however watched and
tended,
but Que OehQ lamp Is Lnere!
There is no Preside howsOe'er defended,
But hath one vacant chair"
1t is a vacancy more impressive by the
long life, only now ended. The casket
was let down near the resting places of her
father and other relatives at the family
burying ground. And now it ia all over.
The grief stricken husband and mourning
children returned to their home with ach-
ing void at the heart, and there take note
of an empty seat at the table, and in dole
full notes repeat:
"Oh for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still"
One other encouraging fact: The de-
ceased in her last hours besought the Holy
Communion. The minister coming &C
cerdiDgly, administered this rite and bap-
tized her little grand child. This was dy-
ing in the faith, having received the prom.
ises. Her body in the grave and her spirit
in Paaadise, will soon be reunited, her re-
demption completed, aud her reward re-
ceived according to her works.
Through this ordeal we must all pass.
And may we have part in the frs.
rection. God deliver US from the second
death and perpetual sleeD. Amen!
JAMES j. OSBORNE.