Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-21
MYSTERY IN MILLER'S DEATH
BODY OF WASHINGTON MAN
FOUND IN ERIE CANAL.
War Department Printing Office En-
ploye Had Gone to Utica,
N. Y, to Register.

The body of William kee Miller. a COM
positor of the government printing office.
who lived in this city at 1342 Riggs street
northwest. was found yesterday in the
Erie canal at Utica N. Y
Mr.. Miller. who is employed in the War
Department branch of the printing office,
was last seen in this city on Tuesday.
the 18th instant, when he left the printing
office after his days work. He lived
with his niece. Grace Miller while his
wife, who is we'll known in musical cir
cles. is now with .Victor's Venetian Con
cert Band in the south. where she is fill
ing a contract as soprano sooist. He
left this city to go to Utica where he ex-
pected to visit his sister. Miss Rose Mil
Ter. and to register in order that he
might cast his vote in his native city
at the coming election. He had also
planned to spend a vacation there. No
word had been received in this city from
him until the news yesterday telling of
his death.
After Mr.. Miller had been away from
the city for day or so and his niece had
resolved no word from him she began to
worry. His wife sent him a few gifts
and wrote two or three letters. Re-
ceiving no reply. she wrote to the niece
asking What's the matter with Billie?
l have sent him some presents and he has
not even so much as thanked me for
them
Telegram to Lodge Secretary.
The young girl visited Capt Boardman,
chief of detectives. several days ago and
related her story He advised her to
wait several days, as her uncle might
possibly return or some word would be
received from him. She had been wait
ing until yesterday. when Dan G.
Vaughan, secretary of National Lodge,
No IL, F. A. A NJ, of this city. went
to her home yesterday, upon the receipt
of a telegram telling of the finding of
the body. and informed her of her uncIe'S
death. A telegram was Immediately sent
to Mrs Miller in Charlotte, n. c.. and
stating that she would arrive in Wash
ington at 3 O'Clock this afternoon
Mr.. Vaughan today received d letter
from Coroner Robert Dodd of Oneida
county. Utica, n. Y. dated October 20.
stating that he had the body of man
supposed to be William K. Miller, which
was taken out of the water of the Erie
canal at Utica, n. Y, yesterday morning
at $50 o'clock.
1t is now at the undertaking rooms of
E. J. Quinn. in Utica. The body had
evidently been in the water a week or
ten days. He said that the body was
that OF a man about thirty-five or forty
years of age. five feet seven inches in
height. Weighing about 100 pounds: slight
ly bald; sandy mustache; clothed In
dark sack coat, vest and pants. When
found there was but so in his pockets.
a receipt for dues, dated September II.
1905. of National Lodge; No. II: F; A. A.
NJ; also a Grand Lodge card showing
that he was In good standing. letter.
addressed to Mr.. Miller. from Wilson. n
c.. which is supposed to be from his
wife, was also found in his pockets.
The coroner asked that the relatives in
this city be notified and said he would
hold the body long as conditions would
permit Mr.. Vaughan notified the cor
oner to have the body prepared for burial
and sent to this city.
here some time tomorrow. and that the
funeral will be held Friday. and inter-
ment made in Alexandria, Va.
A Native Of Utica.
According to his official record at the
government printing office, Mr.. Miller
was born in Utica, n. Y, forty-five years
ago. He was appointed to the printing
Office May .. 1890, from the twenty-fifth
congressional district, and was discharged
August %. 1894. He was reinstated De-
cember I, 1889, and had remained there
ever since.
Mrs. Miller is widely known in this city
because of her musical talents. For a
number of years she sang In St. Pat
rick's Cathedral. in New York. and later
was member of Raymond Hitchcock's
company. Leaving the stage, she re-
turned to Washington. where she sang
for some time in one of the local
churches.
Mr. Miller was a member of National
Lodge, No. T. F.. A. A. NJ, and it is
stated when he left this city he had
considerable money and jewelry with
him, which leaves the cause of his death