Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-19
JOAQUIN MILLER
DIES IN HIS CABIN
Venerable Poet Universally Loved
His Last Song One of His
Sweetest.

Joaquin Miller, the famed poet Of the
Sierras,' who died late yesterday at
his home on the hills overlooking this
city. The widow and his only child,
Miss juanita, are prostrated over the
poets death.
Miller knew that he was near death.
Just before the end he tried to move
from his couch, but the effort proved
fruitless, Turning to his aged wife he
whispered:
Il love you Abbio. l love you, Abb
bic. Goodbye"
The next words, which were his last,
were scarcely audible.
81 can't live" he said. "I am dying
oh, take me away, ye angels, Take
me away. / hear ye"
Mllelrs death was directly due TO
diabetes and arterial scieresls. He had
failed rapidly since his illness OF 1911
and when he was visited two weeks
ago by Lily Langtry, before whom he
had strewn lilios and roses in London
when the actress was on the crest of
her popularity, he tried hard TO raise
from his couch to greet her, but was
unequal to the task. The effort taxed
his strength and aggravated his con-
dltion, The aged poet, however, turn
ed until he faced Mrs. Langtry and
with a smile said:
"Ah, you are 50 beautiful. But
beauty and health always remain with
the good
The famous English beauty, realiz-
ing how near the poet was to death,
turned her head and wept
The gentleness Of Miller was one of
his marked characteristics. No insect,
eveu in the lowest form, had ever suf-'
fered death under his heel. Colonel
John p, Irish, life long friend, told
of an occasion when the poet was al
most killed under the hoofs of his
famous charger, "Black Warrior"
Colonel Irish held the beast until Mil
Ter arose. Dusting his clothes, the
poet patted the animal affectionately
and said:
my dear, dear old Warrior. You
must have eaten something that has
not agreed with you"
Miller left an estate valued at 800
OOO He was born In the Wabash dis
trict of Indiana, November 10, 1S4l. In
1850 he crossed the plains with his
parents into Oregon, the family set
Ting in the Willamette valley. A few
years later he Joined gold rush to
California, was adopted by a tribe of
northern California Indians and mar
ried the daughter Of the chief. But
when his wife was killed by settlers
in an expedition against the raiding
Indians. Miller returned to civilza-
tion, later marrying again,
Miller went to London in 1870 and
published his first book Of poems. They |
were an instantaneous hit and he was
lioni2ed by his English admirers. In
1887 he located in Oakland, purchas-
Ing several hundred acres Of wooded |
ground, which he has since made his
home,
The poets wish that his body be
crema'cd will be carried out. The
cremation will take place tomorrow at
10 o'clock at his home. The cere-
mony of scattering the ashes will be
reserved for later date
Miller's last poem was written last
Friday morning when he realized that
dcath was near
"This is my last message to the
world Miller told his wife. lie hand
cd her pieces Of paper on which he
had penciled the following lines
at Final Parting.
Could bat teach man to believe,
Could ! but make small men TO grow
To break frail spider webs that weave
About their thews and bind them low
Could ! but sing one song and lay
Grim Doubt then could 20 my way
In tranquil silence, glad, serene.
But, ah this disbelief, this doubt;
This doubt Of God, this doubt Of good
The damned spot will not out.
Woulds learn to know one little now-
Cr,
It's perfume, perfect form and hue;
Yea, wouldst thou have one perfect
hour
or all the years that come to you?
Then grow as God hath planted grow
A lordly oak or daisy low,
As lie hath set His garden; be
Just what thou ar, or grass or tree
Thy treasures up In heaven laid
Await thy sure ascending SOUL
Life after lIfo--Bo not afraid!
To-day number Of persons from the
country around the heights paid q Wis
II to the home Of the poe, and viewed
the remains which were laid in cimple
the remains which were laid In slmllc