The Washington times., 1908-10-21
Cause Sought for Death of
Washington Man Found
in the Erie Canal.
WILL BRING BODY
TO WASHINGTON
Widow, Well-Known Musician,
Speeding Back From South
ern Concert Tour.

The body OF William Keye Miller, the
War Department printer. which was
found yesterday in the Erie Canal. near
Utica, n. Y, viii be shipped 10 Wash
ington, and IS expected 10 reach here
some time tomorrow morning
The funeral services will not be ar
ranged until the arrival of Mrs. Miller
IN Washington late today. Mrs Miller.
who is the soioist with Victor's Ven
etiaIs Band. was In Charlotte n. c.,
when notified Miss Grace Miller. a
niece Of Mr.. Miller, who has made her
home with her uncle and his wife sew
eraI years, received a telegram this
morning from Mrs. Miller stating that
her train had been delayed
Miss Miller. whose anxiety at her
uncle's failure 70 communicate with her
after leaving Washington last Friday,
Was largely responsible for the search
for him. has been looking after the Mil
Ter home. l542 Rigss street. since Mrs
Miller left Washington, about the mid
die OF September, TO M engagements
with the Victor Band. She was ex-
tremely nervous this morning, and was
unable 10 throw any additional light on
the tragedy.
Money and Jewelry Cone
No further word has been received
here as 70 the causes which led TO Mr.
MilIers death, and IL las been mani
festly impossible for the authorities IN
Utica 70 determine whether he com
mitted suicide or met with foul play.
Close friends Of Mr.. Miller scout the
suicide theory. They declare he had
everything TO live fox, and that there
was no reason WAY he should take his
life. The fact thay he was known 70
have considerable amount OF money
with him, and that he also wore several
valuable pieces OF iews.ry. AL Of which
were missing when the body was pulled
out Of the canal, leads 70 TIE popular
belief that Mr.. Miller was murdered
Mrs. Miller was uOtihe of her bus
bands death as she Was about 10 60 10
the theater FOR the matinee performance
in Charlotte
Mr. AuIler's death came as a distinct
shock TO his friends in Washington
He left his home here last Friday for
Utica 10 register. leaving Miss Miller
at home. Mr. Miller was plainly re-
luCtaut 10 leave her. but assured her
he would be back soon. and told her
not TO Worry. When he had been gone
several days and no word reached Miss
Miller she communicated with the fam
ily in Utica and then learned he had
not reached his home. Search was i'm
mediately, begun with the result that
Mr.. Miller's body was 70 md in the ca
nal near his old home
Long in Government Service.
Mr.. Miller had been in the Govern
ment service sixteen years, and was re-
garded as one OF the most expert and
popular employees OF the printing di-
vision Of the War Department He was
prominent IN politics sad q member OF
one OF the local Masonic lodges.
Mrs. Miller has long been identified
with local musical affairs and IS fIIIng
her second engagement with Victor s
band She has had IEuch stage expert
ence, and met with pronounced success.
At one time Mrs Miller was closely
identified with choir work, and is known
TO most musicians in Washington.
Mr.. Miller had planned to spend his
vacation in Utica visiting his sister
Miss Rose Miller. His plans had been
arranged. and his sister was expecting
him when news Of his disappearance
reached her