Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-10
JUNGLE CHARLEY" MILLER, OF
LlscoMR, PASSES AWAY
TUESDAY,.
sUccUMes TO AILMENTS
INDUCED BY OLD AGE
kinsman Of Famous President, Who
Headed a Party to "Duek" Lincoln
w.., he Refused to "Trsat" HE
PupiI,-Funeral At Bethel Grove
Thursday Afternoon.

Charles Miller, second cousin OF
Abraham lincoln, and a pioneer of the
cath5, Grove ne,shhorhood in Liscomo
township, died Tuesday at Bona1r'
Howard county. according to a tele-
gram received at Liscomb. Mr.. Mil
Ter died at the home Of his niece. Mrs
Wilson Mishler, where he had oeen
making his home during recent montns'
The end was due to old age. Mr. Mil
ler having celebrated his S7th anniVer-
sary on JAN II.
Altho a native of Pennsylvania, Mr..
Miller spent his boyhood in Kentucky
where his famous kinsman was born
1t was there that Miller and Llncoin
first met as boys in their teens, when
the future president came to the Mil
Ter home to board while he taught the
district school.
Made Lincoln "1reat."
An interesting story is told OF the
early days in Kentucky. when Lincoln
first entered upon his duties as teach
er. There was much curiosity on the
part of the boys to see the new teach
err" and it was planned to make him
treat" The first day that the new
teacher" was to be on hand arrived
out before him at the school house
was a crowd of strapping boys. headed
by Miller as their captain. who had
decided to lock out the teacher unless
he would agree to treat Miller was
chosen captain because it was believed
that. being kinsman. he would be liza :
BILE to less punishment if the plans
miscarried
Lincoln capituIates.
Lincoln reached the school house
found the door locked, and that he
was unable to force it. Presently a
noise was heard on the school house
roof. and a few moments later down
came the sooty form of the new teach
er" thru the chimney He was ready
to do battle, despite the odds. Game
as he was, however. Lincoln was no
match for the young Kentuckians, who
carried the struggling form to a near
by creek, where a ducking was prom
Used unless the promise to treat was
given. At the very edge OF the creek
bank, but not unit. the bank was
reached Lincoln presented a flag Of
truce and promised that on the morrow
the boys would have their treat.
Lincoln's behavior on this occasion
endeared him to every one Of his
pupils. They admired his pluck. and
his efforts to defend himself ever
against the Overwhelmingly odds. And
no stauncher friend did Abraham Lin
coin have in those pioneer days thar
Charley" Miller his second cousin
and Lincoln was enough older SO thai
Miller looked upon him as his idea
man. The mothers of the two boys
were first cousins and. strange as i
may seem, bore the same maiden name
Nancy Hanks.
Pioneer Merchant Of County.
Mr.. Miller came to this county in the
early sos, and was one of the earl,
merchants in the town Of Albion. Wher
he first came to Iowa he settled in Des
Moincs county, near Burlington. He
lived in the Bethel Grove neighborhoot
and at Liscomb for many years, anC
was in business at Gearing for some
time. During the first administration
Of Grover Cleveland Mr.. Miller was
deputy postmaster at Gearing under A
D. Hix. Mr.. Miller was member o,
the Old Bethel Christian church.
Mr.. Miller is survived by two sons
and three daughters-F. NJ Miller, 0,