Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1890 — JUDGE MILLER NO MORE [ARTICLE]

JUDGE MILLER NO MORE

HE BREATHES HIS LAST AT HIS WASHINGTON HOME. * Tlio Venerable Justice of the Supreme Court Die* a Painless I eath— (ten. Belknap, Piesltlent Grant'* ecratary of War, Die* Suddenly at Washington. [Washington dispatch.] Justice Miller died to-night at eight minutes of 11 o’clock without a struggle, and apparently without pain. A few minutes before ho died tlio phlegm imhis throat gradually accumulated and ills frame quivered. It was evident that tho end was fast approaching, and tho members of his household who wore not in tho sick room were hastily summoned to Ills bedside. ■ Besides-Mrs. Miller and her. son. Irving,there were present Dr. Cook, J. W. Woolworth. an old friend of Justice Miller, who had just arrived from Omaha, the family servants, and Chief Clork McKenney of tho Supremo Court. Soon after death tho face of the Justice, which had become somewhat drawn during tho last day of his illness, changed to a jicrfootly natural condition, and he looked as if in a quiet sleep. Samuel Freeman Miller was born in Richmond, Ky., April 5, 1816. . His father emigrated there from Reading In 1812. His mother was tlio daughter of parents who had removed to Kon--1 tueky from North Carolina before her birth. His early years wero spent upon a farm, but the drudgery of agriculture was a source of discontent to him and employment In a drug store gave him the opportunity for reading medicine. He graduated in the medical department of Transylvania University when 22 years of age, and entered upon the practice of medicine in Knox County, Ky. He had fioen married in the meantime and had begun tlio study of law, and was admitted to tho bar in 1847, In 1862 President Lincoln appointed Mr. Miller as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, which position lie retained the time of his death. During the twenty-eight years Justice Miller had resided in Washington his was a familiar figure on the streets. Until within the last few years Justice Miller was In tho habit of walking to and from tho Supreme Court. Only on groat public occasions did he ufto a carriage. He was so democratic in his nature that lie derided much of tho pomp and frippery of official life. He was frequently heard to say that walking was good chough for him. Justice Miller was a glutton for work. During the dlhnor hour and for an hour succeeding it ho engaged in social converse with his family and with such guests as might be present. Then he retired to his office in tlio basement and labored frequently far Into the morning hours. In spite of Ills 74 years his movements wero as lively as those of a man of 55 or 60. He was of giant mold phys ically as well as mentally, and a man of herculean strength. His bold, bluff, hearty way of speaking even when a young man threatened on several occasions to get him Into serious trouble. He did not shrink from any physical encounter 1 , although ha never engaged In one. His moral courage was superb. Soon after ho was seated on the bench of the Supremo Court he had occas on to rule on soma matter of law that would cither ruin or enrich Ills old law partner, Col. Ballanger. He promptly deckled against him, howovor, on the merits of the case, and an estrangement followed which was never healed. His genius far tho interpretation of thfl law was almost Infallible. While ho was the best-natured man In tlio world, he would, as a prominent attorney said this evening, hang his own father If It was legally tho thing to do and ho was called upon to decide tho matter. He was looked up to by every member of tho Supreme Bench, from tho Chief Justice down to tho newest member of the court.

CEN. XV. XV. HEI KNAP DEAD. The Ex- v onretarv or XVar Stricken with Heart Dliteate W tills Alone. [Washlufctoi dispatch.] The War Department Building Is draped in mourning for ex-Secrotary of YVar Gen. W. W. Belknap, liis many friends wero shocked this morning to hear that he had died suddenly and alone, and that tho fact was not discovered until many hours had elapsed after life became extinct. The precise time of his death Is unknown, but ft Is surmised it was after midnight Saturday aud before i) o'clock Sunday morning. Ho spent Saturday evening with fTiends who live near tho building in which he had an office and a bedroom, which he occupied in the absence of his family from the city. A dream which he dreamed on tho night of Friday, Get. 3, exaotlv a week before the sudden stroke whi ch felled Justice Miller, made a deep and vivid impression upon Gen. Jkpknap’s mind and imagination, and, although he was a man of sunny, cheerful temperament, by no means given to indulgence In superstitious or morbid fancies, he related tho dream to several friends and dwelt upon it with Considerable seriousness. Ho said that in the dream he was engaged In conversation with Just'cs Millor, and that the latter suddenly dropped to tho ground, stricken with apoplexy. A week later when General Belknap heard that his old friend had been stricken lie became inoro deeply concerned than over, and remarked to several friends, “I haven’t heard the last of that: there Is more to como.” Several friends called at Gen. Belknap’s office on Sunday morning; but, unsuspecting the truth, left supposing that he was asleep In the adjoining room. This morning at 8:30 a lawyer who occupied the same office with Belknap learned that the General had not been seen since Saturday night. Tho bedroom was opened by the janitor and the body was found lying partly on the bed, as though death had overtaken him In an attempt to arl-o. A physician examined the body and announced that death was due to heart disease. Mrs. Belknap and her daughter, who have been spending some time in Now York, were promptly notified of the death of the husband and father, as also was Hugh Belknap, tho Gcfncral’s son.