The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-27
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Clarence MlIIer's Statement.


 To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 So much has been said in the news papers concerning the case of the state of Alabama against the undersigned cal- culated to unduly arouse public sentl- ment against me that I have thought 1t but simple justice to myself to make this statement, which is capable of veri- fication by anyone who would prefer making a fair inquiry rather than to condemn hastily fellow being in the un- fortunate and miserable condition l oc- eupy. Whatever may be my fate, wish to say that I am neither a murderer nor outlaw I was born near O'Brien, Tenn, on the 22d day of May 1SSl At the early age of years I lost both my father and mother, their death occurring pnly a few months apart. I lived with my grandmother, Mrs. c. J. Miller, at Brooklyn, Tenn, until I was IS years old and afterwards went to live with my maternal grandmother, Mrs. Laura Kimpsey at Newborn, Tenn. At both homes I was under the very best inf1u- ences, my grandmother Miller being member of the Baptist church and my grandmother Kimpsey a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. When 1 was b years of age I went into the service of the Illinois Central railroad as office boy and at 20 I went into that sompany's yard at Newborn, Tenn, and worked from May, 1901 until February, 1902, five months of which time l was yardmaster. I was then transferred to the position of fiagman and removed to Memphis. I was engaged at Dallas, Tex, In railroad service from September 1S 1902 until March 4, 1903, when I went 10 Greenville, where I labored for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad company as a brakeman until January, 1904. During the year 1904 I was en- gagged at Kansas City by the Union Pa cific as engine foreman. Having nat ural tact for mechanics I returned to Memphis, Tenn, in February, 1905, and engaged in the carpentry business until l came to Birmingham in September, 1906 The fact that I was, during that period a member in good standing of the car penters' union in that city should be sufficient to show that I was capable In my business and neither loafer nor outlaw. In some of the places where I worked I was a member of the Railway Young Mems Christian association and In proof of that fact I have had with me all the time cards of membership to the various associations to which I be- longed. have also had during my in- carceration in jail duly accredited evil dence of my membership in the Brother hood of Trainmen and the carpenters union. Tn this city I was in the serv- i, Ice of the Frisco until June 13, 1907. Be- ing ambitious to acquire a profession I concluded to apply myself to learning typewriting and stenography so as to office where I could obtain books and instruction. I had just commenced the study of stenography and had rented a typewriter from a firm on Third avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets. One confronted with the fate which has been assigned me, being un- duly and unfairly treated by rumors which he has no opportunity to deny and occasional paragraphs in the newspapers derogatory to my past lire, and With the effect to impress upon the public mind that I have always been a man of reck- essness of life, scarcely knows what is best to do under the circumstances, but I have thought that it would be well. whatever my fate shall be, to inform the public that the reports which have been circulated dscreditable to my career for peace and industry prior to the happen ing of this unfortunate occurrence are without foundation And many of the good, kind Christian people of Brming- ham who have given to me much com fort and sympathy, and who have in- terested themselves though utter stran- gers in my behalf, have taken the trouble to make inquiries regarding my past life with the result that they have be- come more and more kind and consd- crate of me. As I have no access to them nor the outside world, occupying now the condemned cell, and as may never be able in this world to express to them my heartfelt gratitude, I take this method to thank them for all that they have done for me. Respectfully,
 CLARENCE 8. MILLER.
 Birmingham, July 26, 1908.