The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-13
FORMER kEOKUk
Man WAS KILLED
e. a. Miller Drove Automobile Into
Train Near San Fernando
California. Last
Month.
WAS WELL KNOWN HERE
Lived In keotuk Many Years Before
Moving 10 kansas-Hss Son
Living In This
City.

E. A. Miller, a former well known
Keokuk resident, was killed when he
drove his automobile into train near
San Fernando, California, February
&c. Newspaper clippings telling OF
his tragic death have been received
here. A son, Lee Roy Miller. lives In
Keokuk. Mr.. Miller has many friends
here who win learn with deep regret
OF the details OF tho fatai accident.
The following account appeared orig.
inaHy IN q California newspaper and
was reprinted at Shields, Lane coun-
ty. Kansas, where Mr.. Miller had
made his home ever since leaving
Keokuk in 1892: Driving his automo-
bile head on into the engine OF the
Los Angeles bound Owl train at the
Southern Pacific crossing at Pacoima,
near San Fernando, E. A. Miller, six
ty-five years old, was almost instant
ly killed, and his nephew, ]. Fordyce
Miller, forty-two years old, who was
seated beside the driver, escaped
with only bruises and scratches.
The couple had just left the Miller
home at the corner OF Fourth and
Carl streets in Pacoima for drive to
Bloomington. AS they neared the
crossing a view of the track was
obscured by big packing house
Miller did not slow down his machine
and drove on past the packing house.
AS they shot past the edge OF the
building they were almost to the
railroad tracks and those who saw
the accident declared that the auto
mobile crashed directly into the en-
CINE on the track. The force of the
impact was so great that the auto
mobile was ground to pieces.
The elder Miller received fatal In
juries. HIS head was crushed and
numerous bones were broken. His
nephew, J. Fordyce Miller, was
hurled clear of the wreckage and
escaped with only bruises and
scratches.
Elery Alonzo Miller was born
June Z, 1850. at Green Bay, Iowa.
lived at keoiuk, Iowa, until March
., 1892, when he moved to Lane
county. Kansas, where he has lived
ever since. He was married July
18th, 1875. to Sabina Malifsa (Clink)
Clancy, Is survived by three sons:
John Alonza. OF Shields. Kansas;
George Franklin, OF Hutchinson, KAN
sas: Lee Roy. OF Keokuk. Iowa. and
one step-son, VIM. Thomas Glance,
VI IIiiiSooIos lh-- tWo piothCRos ~
Miller, Of Fairbnry, Neb.. VIM. L..
Miller OF Tobias, Neb., and one sister.
Mrs. r. H. Phelps, of Bloomington.
Calf
He was killed at San Fernando,
California. Monday. February 26, 1917.
when a Southern Pacific train struck
an automobile in which he and his
nephew, j. F. Miller, were riding.
The funeral was held from the NJ.
E. church at Shields at 200 o'clock
Monday. the services being conduct
ed by Rev. Gruver, pastor OF the NJ.
E. church at Healy, and very large
concourse Of people attended. Few
men were better known throughout
the country than he. Lively and full
of fun. he was always welcome at any
gathering. He was a prominent
worker in Sunday schools both local
" and in the county organization.
He was fond of debating and his
reputation extended throughout the
county in literary societies where his
ready wit and keen logic made him
dreaded by the opposition. Few will
be missed more than he.