The sad intelligence of the death of Mr. Fritz Miller, discoverer of the Atlin Gold Fields, proved quite a shock to the citizens last Saturday afternoon.
The deceased gentleman had been ill but a few days and was brought to the Atlin Hospital Friday morning, where it was discovered that he was suffering from obstruction of the bowels. After a consultation it was decided that an operation would have to be performed, which took place at 9 a.m. this morning. The operation disclosed the fact that gangrene had already set in and that no possible medical skill could save his life. Mr. Miller passed away a little after 12 noon.
Universal sympathy is expressed for Mrs. Miller in her sad bereavement.
Mr. Miller was a native of Germany and came to Atlin with his partner, Mr. Kenneth McLaren, in 1897, landing on the shores of Atlin Lake on the 10th of February of that year. As a man, he was the exemplification of all that was noble. He enjoyed a wide popularity and his death will be mourned by everyone in the district, and many more, as that of a dear friend.
Out of respect to the deceased, flags were places at half-mast, and the regatta which was to have taken place Saturday was postponed.
A well attended meeting was held at the Court House on Sunday afternoon to arrange for a suitable memorial to the late Mr. Fritz Miller.
Mr. J. A. Fraser was moved to the cair and Rev. Mr. F. L. Stephenson acted as secretary.
The following resolution was read and endorsed by the citizens:
"Whereas it has pleased Almighty God in His Divine Wisdom to remove from our midst Mr. Fritz Miller, the father and discoverer of Atlin Camp; the citizens of this district today assembled desire to place on record a testimonial of their sorrow at the great loss which the camp has sustained and their appreciation of the many sterling qualities of the deceased; and further, to extend their condolence and sympathy to the widow and friends in their sad bereavement, and further, that an influential committee be here appointed to take such steps as necessary to have this message prepared and presented to Mrs. Miller at as early a date as possible. .
"Mr. Miller was a native of Germany, and in February, 1897, with his partner, Mr. McLaren, landed on the shores of Adin Lake. Probably no man that ever came to the Camp, was: nore truly a pioneer than was he. No hardship seemed to daunt him, and with a happy heart and cheerful spirit he braved all the discouragements which fall to the lot of the men who are the leaders in the progressive march of civilization. Mr. Miller ha one of the kindliest and most generous natures, and during the stampede of '97 'and '98 it was to him the discouraged miner would go for advice which frequently took a more substantial form than words. His natural genial temperament won for him friends in every walk of life and no man enjoyed more enviable popularity. We feel that in the passing away of this warm-hearted and indominable spirit, the Camp has sustained an irreparable loss, and while we sorrow with his dear wife in the loss of a loving and devoted husband, we also sorrow with the entire District at the loss of a friend and a man who, in his life and associations with his fellow men, had the supreme faculty. of making others love him, because of those magnificent qualities which all men are compelled to admire."
All the speakers spoke in the highest terms of the deceased and many a dim eye was noticeable in the audience. Among those who spoke were: the Hon. Chief Justice Hunter, His Honor Judge Henderson, Messrs. J. Stables, Andy Galarno, A. C. Hirschfeld, Rev. F. L. Stephenson, Capt. Turnbull, E. M. N. Woods, Geo. Kerr, A. S. Cross, W. J. Robinson, and the chairman, J. A. Fraser.
On the motion of Mr. Robinson, seconded by A. C. Hirschfeld, a
resolution of condolence and sympathy to Mrs. Miller was passed.
It was then moved and seconded that the chairman appoint the committees referred to in the resolution, with the following results:
ATLIN: - A. S. Cross, D. Hastie, Capt. Foley, A. R. MacDonald, E. M. N. Woods, Jules Eggert, J. T. Regan, Sam Johnson, Jas. Stables, J. H. Brownlee, John Kirkland, J. D. Lamsden, J. W. Brooks, R. B. Dixon.
DISCOVERY - J. H. Cornell, A. L. Galarno, G. A. Kerr, D. G. Stewart, H. W. Heal, R. M. Jamieson, H. E. Brown, F. T. Blanck, Herman Blanck.
PINE CREEK: - J. B. Green, J. M. Ruffner, Norman MacLeod, C. T. Gilmore, Kenneth McLaren, Peter Roero, John Kofod, F. H. Brackett, A. E. Clark, Capt. Short, Jos. Rose.
SPRUCE CREEK - W. C. Ball, C. H. Muirhead, W. C. Small, Wm. Queen, Andrew Brown, Chiss Nissen, R. A. Lambert, Paat. Foley, E. S. Blaine.
GOLD RUN: - W. A. Brunner, A. B. Pardoe Thomas, O. T. Switzer, G. Kent, D. Bellivean.
BIRCH CREEK: - H. Cancellor, B. Williams, Pete Anderson.
OTTER CREEK: - Charles Hewitt, Jas. Smith.
BOULDER CREEK: - Frank Dockrill, Tim Rayl, Hy. Maluin, J. H. Black, A. H. Garrison, Capt. Hathorn.
RUBY CREEK: - Robert Mackay, Hy. Irish, Fred. Wrong.
WRIGHT CREEK: - Louis Gerkeid, J. B. Kershaw, Dad Fitzgerald.
McKEE CREEK: - L. A. Giaueau Meurot, Walter Aiken, Jack Rosayne, Ed. Rosayne, F. T. Hamshaw.
O'DONNELL - Robt. Mackay.
DIXIE CREEK: - A Carmichael.
The funeral of the late Fritz Miller, which took place last Monday, was attended by practically the whole population of the camp, and was only another evidence of the great popularity of the deceased, whose sterling qualities won for him the respect of every one with whom he came in contact.
The pall bearers were Messrs. Frank Breeze, J. Wolters, J. M. Ruffner, H. Heal, G. A. Kerr and frank Brackett. The Rev. F. L. Stephenson read the burial service.
Mr. Miller was born at Linden, Hanover, on April 24, 1874. His father died in 1879 and his mother in 1890. Mr. Miller left for the North in 1891, arriving at Juneau in September of that year, where he went to school all winter. The following spring he went to London and returned in the fall of 1893 to go to school again. In the spring of 1894 he started down the Yukon and stopped at Circle City, remaining there until the summer of 1897, when he went to Dawson, staying there but a short time, going to St. Michael, where he sailed to Seattle. He returned shortly afterwards to Juneau and from there started to find Atlin.
