Evening star., 1913-02-22
ION MEMORY'S ALTAR
California Society's Tribute to
Father of His Country.
ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH
Resolution of Sorrow for Death of
Joaquin Miller Adopted-Ad.
dresses Delivered.


of members of state organizations OF
Washington gathered in the Public Lii.
brary last night at a meeting under the
auspices of the California State Society.
The meeting was In commemoration of
Washington S birthday anniversary. An
Illustrated lecture was given by Joseph
l. keefer. entitled. Washington and His
Times. and there were memorial tributes
to the poet of the Sierras, joaquin
Miller. The occasion afforded the presi-
dent of the California State Society, NJ.
F. ODonoghue, opportunity to expand
the idea Of that organization for the con-
struction in Washington of a continental
hall, with rooms dedicated to the use OF
the citizens of the states and other con-
stituent parts of the United States as
represented in the National Capital
Resolutions expressive of sorrow for the
death of Poet Miller were adopted. John
w. Powell, friend of the dead poet and
himself maker of verse. exhibited a
letter from Joaquin Miller. He also gave
"reminiscences of their comradeship. John
+. Meakin recited Miller's verses on "Co.
lumbus Original verses, dedicated to
Miller. were read by John A. joyce. who
also delivered himself of a brief eulogy
of the genius of the poet.
IAN 1Or continental Hall.
Laying before the assembly the project
Of the California State Society for con-
tinental hall, Mr. O'Donoghue described
the plan Of the proposed structure. The
great main hall, he said. was to be abut-
ted by nifty smaller halls, one for the
use of citizens of each Of the forty-eight
states OF the Union. one for residents of
the District of Columbia and the fiftieth
nall Tor the use OF those from our outly
ing possessions. He asked consideration
of the state societies for the proposition.
John A. Joyce. introduced as a fellow
poet, and one Of the greatest alive, paid
tribute to Joaquin Miller. He said:
Ont the nf his soul ,oS of JOAQUIN Miller
cliffs OF California. on to the sunset
waters OF the grand Pacific ocean and
eternal spheres beyond, the greatest liv-
ing poet died. He was a brother to the
the dashing rivers, the lofty lakes, the
roaring falls and golden gulches, with
the poetic sweep Of the screaming eagles
that soar In grandeur over the alpine
crags OF thought. While his ashes are
buried in the bosom Of Mother Earth,
his lofty thoughts cannot be buried, but
shall live a-down the rolling ages as a
blaze Of poetic glory. to enlighten gener-
atlons OF mankind yet unborn
Friendships Tribute.
John W. Powell. who claimed acquaint-
ance for many years with Poet Miller,
gave account of interesting happenings
in the course of that friendship While
the poet was Ill with what was to prove
his last illness. Mr.. Powell wrote to him
at his home in FruitvaIe, Cal, telling him
OF the measures taken to preserve his old
log cabin home In the District of Column
bia as relic. and inclosing some verses
penned by the writer. The reply was
written by a feeble mand and almost
illeg1ble.
In substance II was:
Mr.: John w. Powell. Washington. D. c.:
My Dear Former Hoosier: You are a
poet and true man. Thank you ever SO
much for the clever. tender lines.
hope that 1 now am finally getting back
to my old-time life again. But l still
must be careful and write but brieny-a
- to you as well as / can. for l write
so lily. With thanks and gratitude for
your poem and your beautiful photos, and
with lots Of love to your and yours.
Il am MILLER"
The photographs referred to in the let
ter are of the log cabin which the poet
lunlbia now ransposed to Rock Greek
Park This is perhaps the last letter
Joaquin Miller ever wrote.
A. j. Boyer, historian Of the California
STATE society, VINO knew the poet when
he lived in the middle west, testified that
he was born Jacob Miller, and adopted
the nom de plume of Cincinnatus Heine
over his earlier writings through admira-
ton for the classic hero and for the Ger
man poet. The name Joaquin was taken
as substitute for his given name at a
later period in life.
Resolutions Adopted.
MIR. Boyer offered resolutions. which
were adopted. setting forth that:
'The California State Association has
| learned with deep sorrow of the death OF
the celebrated poet. Joaquin Miller. citi-
zen of California and Of the world
joaquin Miller expressed in immortal
poetry the, spirit and life of the pioneer
| west. and especially the gloden coast, and
has thereby advanced California and the
great achievements of the western pio-
the people of America and of the world
| and he has illumined for all time the
| wonderful pioneer history Of the golden
| coast.
| The members and friends of the Cali.
! fornia State Association in meeting as
| semled. hereby record. with deep feeling
| the sad death of Joaquin Miller. realizing
| that the fame he has attained for Cali
| fOrnia and the Pacific west, and the ap.
probation and interest which he has
|
| spiritual life Of the golden west. serve
| to minimize the grief felt over his death
| 1t was ordered that these resolutions be
| spread upon the minutes of the California
State Association. and that copy be
engrossed and transmitted to the family
| of the deceased.
| Concluding Exercises.
Frederick E. Woodward, ]. w. Holcomt
of the INDIANA Society, and Represent
tive Knowland of Millers district. ir
California. also made brief speeches. Mil
ler's poem. 'Columbus' was then re.
cited by Mr.. Meakin.
| The evening concluded with Mr.. Keef-
| er's lecture. He showed on the screer
| many houses connected with the life OF
washington. some Of which he has in.
habited.
| NAV GET NEUY CANE