Historically speaking
Tragedy of Dr. B.J. Miller
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NEGAUNEE -- The tragic death of Dr. Benjamin Miller, who ended his life within an hour of the time he was to be married to Miss Viola Connors carries with it a mystery that will remain unsolved until the end of time.
The mystery lies in the circumstances that would have been a deed the farthest from his thoughts had he been in his right mind.
A native of the city, who had known no other home except for the few years that he was completing his education in dentistry, who passed from youth to manhood under the friendly eyes of the community; who had built up a lucrative practice in his hometown; and who had joined in the social life of the community, it was not this Ben Miller who in one fleeting instant terminated an honest and successful career on the day he had most lived for.
All was in readiness for the nuptial day. Dr. Miller had arranged for his professional affairs to be taken care of to permit his absence on the honeymoon. The couple spent many hours getting the Chaussee home on East Case ready for their occupancy.
The ceremony was to take place at 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning at St. Paul's chapel in the presence of relatives and a few intimate friends. It was to be the first ceremony in the completed chapel of the new St.Paul's Catholic Church.
Dr. Miller had spent Monday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Connors at East Main Street going over final preparations. He left at 10 p.m. with the remark that he must be getting home because of the busy day awaiting him.
He retired at 11 p.m. with the request that he be awakened at 5 a.m. The following morning, he answered promptly and cheerfully. Raymond Connors, who was to be the best man, dropped in at Dr. Millers' and found him dressed and almost ready and they had a short conversation where Dr. Miller assured him that he would be ready in ample time.
The door to Dr. Miller's room was closed and when Mr. Connors departed down the stairs he met Mrs. Miller, the doctor's mother coming to the second floor to inquire about her son's preparations, but before she reached the room there was a report of a gunshot, only to find that Dr. Miller ended his life.
Word was dispatched to the Connors' home and to the chapel where some had already assembled. Rev. Joseph Dittman dismissed the group. The funeral was held in the family home. (corner of Teal Lake Ave.and Clark) Dr. Miller was born in Negaunee on October 20, 1876.
He attended Negaunee Public Schools and was a student in the high school during the period when athletics began to receive attention.
He graduated in 1896 and went to the University of Michigan to study dentistry. The war with Spain came during his second year at the university and he enlisted. Upon his return to Negaunee he opened an office and was in practice for twenty years.
Dr. Miller's father, Louis Miller was one of Neguanee's pioneers. In early years Ben Miller was interested in indoor baseball playing for a number of years.Dr. Miller was a lover of the outdoors and an experience he had is thought to be a clue to the mental breakdown he had which resulted in his tragic death.
He was a companion of Dr Hudson on a fishing expedition in 1904 which resulted in Dr. Hudson's death, who was the mayor of Negaunee at the time. They lost their way and became separated and during his wanderings in the woods that night Dr. Hudson, slipped from a log while trying to cross a stream and was drowned, his body not being found for several days.
Imaginations ran rampant that Dr. Miller might have caused his companions death. Such an idea was not entertained by those who knew the men but the unjust suspicion weighed heavy on Dr. Miller's heart for the period that it lasted.
Dr. Miller did possess a nervous disposition and family and friends attribute that to his taking his life and are convinced that his mental faculties gave way without warning.
It will be the Ben Miller of former years whom Negaunne people will remember and despite his tragic passing it will be a comfort to the family throughout the years to know that their son and brother stood too high in Negaunee's esteem to permit a happening for which no one holds him responsible to impair his memory.
The picture of Ben Miller in the baseball uniform has appeared on a baseball documentary on public television noting that it is someone's grandfather. Now you know the story of the man in the baseball uniform.