The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-09-21

evidence Of the industry and skill he
had used in preparing for trial and
how earnest he was in endeavoring to
protect the interest of his clients from
every attack by the oppsing counsel.
No man in Keokuk had more admir-.
Ing and fast friends than he. Com
panionable and genial with liberal
touch of quaint humor, he was the
source of much enjoyment. even hilar-
fly, at every gathering in which he
participated, and was invariably recog-
nized as the life Of the event. He was
by nature of social disposition, and
nothing delighted him more than to be
surrounded by company Of boon com
panions, in which many serious con-
versation was interrupted by sudden
sally of humor from Mr.. Miller who
would change the entire thought OF the
company from season of earnest con-
temptation to scene of delightful hi
larity. There was versatility about
him possessed by few, and this was
the secret of his appreciated powers
as prime entertainer. He possessed
all the Unborn suavity of the most
courteous gentleman, but when occa-
sion required it, he could inject into
his usually mild words the most cut
ting sarcasm and singing invective.
These he used on many occasions in
trying warmly contested legal case
in the courts So loyal was he to his
/ clients that he became as personally
interested in the success of a contest
| as was his anxious and interested eli
emit He used all the powers he pos
sessed to win, and man less evenly
balanced might have allowed his hon
est zeal to overlap his better judg-
I.ment, but he always leaned toward
fairness and an equitable settlement
of contests.
/ He was man Of unusual ability,
capable of the highest undertakings
Many years of intimacy with him
proved his many noble qualities. In
his young manhood he was factor
in the politics Of the county, but it
seemed that the more he learned OF
politics, its corruptions and It's pit
falls, the more pronounced became his
disgust for the whining office seeker,
bending the pregnant knee that a ques-
tionable honor might come to him.
Naturally of fine judicial miA1, as
/ he grew older he became more c.nse-
/ ly welded to his profession and turned
deaf ear to the allurements Of schem-
4 ing politics. He would have adorned
the bench but despised the methods
that might become necessary in secur-
ing such a position. He scorned to
resort to such methods II neces-
sary to gain such a preferment. He
recognized the integrity and dignity
which should be always present with
wearer of the ermine and would never
have consented to besmirch that tok-
| en- of honesty, honor and integrity
with cunning means to secure 1t.
Refused to Run.
4 Many times during his life he was
mentioned by his party friends for
offices of honor and dignity, but rath-
er than enter contest with the con-
scienceless rabble of place-hunters, he
allowed the urgings of his friends to
come to naught. More than once was
he urged to enter contests for con-
gress and for governor of the state,
the mere candidacy for which would
have brought him valuable prestige
and also in some instances flattering
chances for election. He received ia
vorable mention in many influential
4 papers in the district and state who
recognized his worth, but he fatty de-
clined to pursue the baub1e in the
face Of the small politicians who an
nually bobbed up for everything in
sight, big or little. While he appre.
ciated the good will of real friends
and was proud Of their disinterested
preference for him and held the high
: est gratitude for their friendly express
sions, good opinion and confidence In
him, he longed for no office that did
not come to him as a gracious gifLand
, a badge of honor. He was shrewd
!, politician-he knew its tricks and
trades thoroughly, but he considered
1t the lowering OF manhood to win an
Office by some modern method. His
law practice was always good. and al.
ways honorable and profitable and he
chung to it. winning competency
and honors from It's practice, and this
he thought was far more reputable
than a perpetual attempt to shake
plums from trees In the line of de-
cay, and it was philosophical conclu
sion, and he has won more tender
flowers of earnest respect and admir-
alton to adorn his bier than by an OPP
posite course.
4 On February 81, 1878, Mr.. Miller was