Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1886 — A SENATOR’S DEATH. [ARTICLE]

A SENATOR’S DEATH.

Gen. John F. Miller, of California, Dies in Washington. Mrs. Horatio Seymour Passes Away at Her Home in Utica, New York. [Washington special.! senator John F. Miller, of California, died suddenly this afternoon, after a prolonged illness. His death was the result of a complication of disorders, arising primarily from a severe wound in the eye received during the war, twenty-three years ago. The bullet remained in' his head about twelve years before it could be extracted, and the wound sapped his strength and rendered him an easy victim to disease. Loss of sleep debilitated his system and asthmatic symptoms kept him in constant pain. Bright’s disease subsequently began its insidious work, and then dropsical disorders were developed. But through all his illness the Senator showed such nerve and will power that his physicians were encouraged to hope that he might possibly recover. Several operations were performed and seemed to give much relief. The news of Senator Miller’s death was announced in the Senate by Senator Stanford, and in the house by Mr. Morrow. Both houses immediately adjourned out of respect for the Senator’s memory. Senator Miller will be succeeded by a Democrat, as the Legislature is not in session, and Gov. Stoneman, of California, is of that political faith. Among the prominent candidates for the seat are ex-Chief Justice Wallace, George Hearst, the Democratic caucus nominee at the last election, Gen. Rosecrans, and Mr. Delmas, the attorney for the State in the railroad tax cases now before the United States Supreme Court. A San Francisco dispatch says that the chances favor Delmas. who is a voung lawyer, high in the councils of the ultra anti-railroad faction of the Democratic party of the State. It was rumored some weeks ago that Gov. Stoneman would appoint millionaire Flood in the event of Mr. Miller’s death.

Senator Miller leaves a fortune estimated at from $4,000,000 to $6,000,000. In 1866, when he received his commission as collector of the port of San Francisco, he possessed but little property. At about the close of his term a Mr. Hutchinson, to whom the President had granted certain hunting privileges in Alaska, and Senator Miller formed whatis now known as the Alaska Commercial Company, and it enriched them both. Senator Miller has been most liberal with his wealth, though not wasteful. His house last winter was one of the most noted in Washington for its entertainments. Mrs. Horatio Seymour. [Utica (N. Y.) dispatch.] Mrs. Horatio Seymour died to-day at the residence of Mrs. Roscoe Conkling. In January the Governor brought Mrs. Seymour over from the farm to Mrs. Conkling’s, hoping to improve her health by the change. Her affection was simply failing health. Gov. Seymour was very anxious regarding her condition, and this prostrated him and resulted fatally. She was very low at the time of his death, but bade him farewell a few minutes before his decease. Since then she has been failing rapidly, and was unconscious the greater part of the time. Mrs. Seymour’s maiden name was Mary Bleecker, she being a daughter of the late John R. Bleecker, of Albany. Her life was very closely connected in all respects with the Governor’s career, and a singularly beautiful and simple affection existed between them. They had no children.