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Lewis Miller
Migrates to the West
by Richard R. Wilt

Lewis Miller was born on December 21, 1818 in Lewis County, Virginia to Benjamin and Sarah (Black) Miller. His father was a farmer on land belonging to the Jackson Family of Lewis County. He was educated in the local schools with his 7 siblings. He learned well and became a good farmer. He met and married one of the Jacksons girls, Rachel Cecilia Jackson born on December 10, 1817. They were married on September 11, 1836. Lewis and Rachel had one child, John Henry Jackson Miller on November 17, 1837 and moved from Upshur County to Wood County near the mouth of the little Kanawaha River where their secpnd child, Sarah Elmira Miller on September 17, 1839. While living here Lewis was making plans to travel west to Oregon. Their third child, Lorenzo Dow Miller was born on September 21, 1842 who died very young on August 1, 1850. Lewis had completed his plans and had built a large raft or flat bottomed boat to transport them down the Ohio River. They put everything they owned including a large wagon and oxen with everything they needed to travel up the Oregon Trail to the far west. After arriving in Cincinnati, OH they traveled up the Missouri River either by raft or possibly overland to Independence, Missouri where the Oregon Trail began.

The Miller family traveled up the Oregon Trail with very little difficulty but as they came close to an area known as the Dellas. The boys must have been traveling with others because at this point it was just Lewis, Rachel, her brother and the two younger girls.

The Oregon Trail - The Dalles

The Dalles, named by fur trappers for the French word for gutter, was a significant passage for emigrants on the Oregon Trail. The area was known for its perilous rafting through the stony river gorge, where emigrants and their wagons were often crowded onto small wooden rafts. The Passage of the Dalles, along with the Barlow Toll Road, offered safer alternatives for travelers. The Barlow Toll Road opened in 1845, providing a route around Mount Hood that was much safer than rafting.

Indian Attack near the Dallas, Oregon
by Rachel Miller
Transcribed in 1929.

They had been a little slow and due to the oxen being tired after the long trip up the trail their wagon had dropped back a few miles behind the main train. Rachel being the record keeper wrote the following which was transcribed from her hand written notes. The episode of the Lewis Miller family as they crossed the plains in 1851.

Indian Attack near the Dallas, Oregon as written by Rachel Miller and transcribed in 1929.
Lewis Miller and Rachel Miller, his wife, and the mother of 2 children, Aleen 11 years, and Mary Miller 10 months old. They came from Virginia, a good old southern state, but all anxious to get to Oregon.
"Our oxen seemed so tired we drove them slow to rest them. We got behind 2 miles or more, when we looked in the distance and say many Indians in their war paint on horseback. We were scared and tried to whip up the slow oxen. The Indians were savage, rebellious, ready to commit any depredation. We knew we were at their mercy, At the mercy of an Indian only those who know them know their cruelty. The Indians were coming toward us, we were scared.
We are in for it, we cannot escape them, but I will fight to last. He then got his gun and ammunition, by that time they were close to us shooting our cattle down. As he raised his gun to shoot his arm was shattered by a bullet. The gun fell to the ground, he grasped it in the other hand and fired, and fell wounded. My God; Rachel what can I do to save you and the children. I am almost helpless to the brave wife save yourself, Lewis; just yonder is a clump of brush, try to crawl in and hide, he was very weak from the loss of blood and anxiety, he fainted when he got there. She was beside herself in the great danger, no one to tell what to do. She run to unyoke the dead oxen. Edward Jackson the young brother* of Mrs Miller run to help her unyoke the dead oxen. The Indians shot and instantly killed the brother. Mrs Miller was in great terror and fright. She looked in the wagon and screeched. Aleen run, run, with little Mary but did not know the Indians had wounded Aleen in the hip. She stole secretly to the bunch of brush where her husband's hiding place, took her apron and bound his bleeding wounds."
*Edward Cummins Jackson born November 7, 1808 and died July 27, 1851. Edward was retarded and even tough he was nearly 43 years old. His parents would not allow him to have a rifle or gun of any type but he had become good with the bow, being as accurate with the bow as with a rifle.
"Aleen, eleven years old snatched up her baby sister and run ahead with the baby clasped in her loving arms. She kept on running though severely wounded. They had shot her in the hip and shot a part of one ear off. She run near 2 miles in that condition. Her good angel was surely helping her …... was helping her to give her courage to stand the strain or might it not have been her innocent childish mind she had unconsciously lifted the mind above all matter, because of her unselfishness in forgetting self to save others. Aleen was still running when the men see her that was going to the rescue of the Miller family. They was armed and on horseback to meet the treacherous Indians, Red Skins. They met the brave little girl with great sympathy and tears in every ones eyes. She was still running and clinging to the baby to see how seriously she was wounded and exhausted. It seems a miracle how she kept up. They went back to the wagons to find the Indians gone the wagons all robbed and everything, food, bedding, blankets, clothing and all was gone, only the dead and wounded. They let Mrs. Millers relatives know their condition and they nobly responded to their great need. Their names are Henry Jackson, Ulysses Jackson, John Jackson, they sent money to continue their journey. Little Mary Miller is living yet and the mother of ten boys all living but one."
Lewis and Rachel Miller on arriving in Oregon took up a donation claim near Hillsboro Oregon. Rachel was several months pregnant with her next child, Jasper Alvie was born November 27, 1851. Lewis and Rachel lived near Hillsboro for several years and had three more daughters giving them a total of ten children. Sometime after the last child was born in 1859 Lewis sold his claim and moved to Woodland, Washington and bought land in 1864.

Rachel divorces Lewis

It appears that between 1864 and 1872 for some reason Rachel and Lewis were estranged. I did not find a definite reason for the seperation.
In 1872 Rachel said she had enough and decided to sue Lewis for a divorce.

The following is the results on the record in Clark County:

Rachael Miller v Lewis Miller

"This cause having been brought on to be heard, this twenty second day of April A.D. 1872, upon the complaint herein taken as confessed by the Defendant upon the proofs taken herein and upon the report of William S. Dadge, Esquire Refferee in this cause to whom it was referred, to take the proofs of the facts set forth in the complaint, and make his findings of facts from the same and draw his conclusions of law from the same and to report the same to the court; and the same Refferee having taken the testimony by written questions and answers and the same to the court from which it appears that all the material allegations of the complaint are sustain _____ testimony free from all legal exceptions as to its competancy, _____and sufficiency. That said matters so allegence and proved are sufficient in law to entitle the plaintiff to the for relief in her complaint.
That said Plaintiff was a resident of Clark County Washington Territory at the time of commencing the suit and was a resident of the Territory of Washington for more than seven years continuously prior thereto.
On motion of J.D. Potter and Charles H. Bryan counsel for the Plaintiff it is adjudged and decreed and this court by virtue of the power and authority therein _____. Are in pursuance of the Statute in such case made and providence does adjudge and decree that the marriage between the said Plaintiff Rachael C. Miller and the said Defendant Lewis Miller be dissolve. And the same is _____ dissolved accordingly. And the said parties are and each of them is freed and absolutely released from the bonds of matriomony and all the obligations thereof.
And it appearing to this court that the said Plaintiff is the better person to have the care custody and education of the minor children. To wit; Jasper Miller, Melissa E. Miller and Emily A. Miller. And it is considered by the court and is hereby ordered and decreed that Plaintiff do have the care custody and education of said minor children.
And it is considered by the court that Plaintiff do have. And that Defendant do deliver to Plaintiff all of their household goods, and furniture and articles of housekeeping. And all farming utensils. And all mechanic implements. And all other personal property belonging to the Plaintiff and the Defendant as a portion of alimony allowance and as a portion of the common property to which by the proofs, testimony and facts so reported by the said Refferee. She is entitled by Law:
And it is further considered by the court and ordered, adjudged and decreed that the following described _____ with the Instruments and appetences be set apart as the portion of Plaintiff of the common property acquire alter marriage by the joint labors of Plaintiff and Defendant. And that Plaintiff do have own and possess as her part of the following lands of the common property and as alimony in this cause and that the said Defendant do deliver to her the lands, tenents,_____ and appetences _____ after set forth as the south half of Claim in forty five in sections fourteen, fifteen, twenty two and twenty three in township Five north, Range one West containing three hundred twenty one & 10/100 acres. Deeded by Jane Caples to Lewis Miller February 16th A.D. 1864.
25 acres from Squire J. Bozarth to Lewis Miller commencing at the northwest comer of CC Bozarth's land claim _____ fifteen & 86/100 chains, _____ south 18 degree west fourteen chains _____south 79 degree east thirteen & 68/100 chains. Thence South twenty five & 50/100 chains, thence West eight & 47/100 chains to place of beginning containing twenty five acres. Deed dated June 16th A.D. 1867. Also twenty four acres in the north half of Hans C. Kraft's Donation Land Claim in sections nos. Twenty three and twenty four in Township no. five North, Range one west. Deed fi.om Wm. C. Hazard to Lewis Miller of date February 15th 1865. Also the North East quarter of North East quarter of section twelve Township Five North of Range One West. Containing forty acres. Deed fi.om H. L. Caples to Lewis Miller of date May 12th 1866.
Also the East half of South West quarter and west half of South Est quarter of section one Township Five North Range No. One West containing one hundred sixty acres. Deed of H. L. Caples to Lewis Miller of date March 16, 1865.
Also the South West quarter of the North East quarter of section twenty one Township No. Six north. Range one West containing forty acres. Deed fi.om John H. Clark to Lewis Miller of date January 25, 1871.
Also the South half of North West quarter and North half of Southwest quarter of section twenty one. Township six North Range one West and North West quarter of Northeast quarter of section twenty one. Township six north. Range one west. Containing two hundred acres. Deed from Orlando C. Miller to Lewis Miller of date January 25, 1871.
Also the following Land entered by the said Lewis Miller at the United Stated Land Office at Vancouver to wit;
Lot no. One of section no. Nine Township no. Five North Range no. One East containing forty two 30/100 acres.
The South East quarter of South West quarter of section no. Six and North half of north west quarter and lots one and two of section seven Township no. Five north Range no. One East containing one hundred fifty eight & 92/100 acres.
The northeast quarter of southeast quarter of section no. twenty Township no. Six, north Range one west containing forty acres.
The east half of north east quarter and lot no. Five of section no. Twenty and north half of north west quarter of section no. rwenty one Township no. Six north range one west containing one hundred eighty one & 10/100 acres less fifty and one half acres sold to Phillip Ritz and William Bottom.
The Northeast quarter of north west quarter of section no. Twelve Township no. Five north Range one West containing forty acres.
It is further considered and adjusted that defendant pay all costs of this proceedings and attorneys fees allowed at one hundred dollars and the fee of the referee, the same being allowed at fifiy dollars and that Plaintiff have no addition all legal and proper costs herein taxed at twelve (.12) dollars and (.50) cents and that execution issue
Roger S. Greene
Judge of the 2nd Jud. Dist. W. T.
Territory of Washington, County of Clarke
_____,_____. Connell, Clerk of the United Stated District Court for the Second Judicial District of Washington Territory holding terms at Vancouver do hereby certify that the foregoing is a tree and correct copy of the Decree of Divorce and alimony allowance in the case of Rachael C. Milller vs Lewis Miller at the April term A.D. 1872 of said court. In witness where of I have here unto set my hand and the seal of said court this 29th day of April A.D. 1872. G. M.Cormell"

Schooting

Two years after the divorce Lewis was married to Delilah Keesee on June 4, 1875 who had been previously married to Nelson Hamlin Sr.
There had been a agreement between Lewis and Rachel that Lewis could live in the house but Rachel said that the new wife could not use her furnishings or even that Lewis with his new wife could move into her house.

It all came to a head on October 12, 1975 when Lewis had come to the house with a small group of relatives to remove all of the furnishings from the house. There was an argument or even a physical altercation and a young man comfronted Lewis. Lewis was shot by his nephew during the dispute over moving articles out of the house where Rachel was still living after their divorce and his marriage to his new wife. The young man was the son of the sister of Lewis.

The following was published on October 14, 1875 in The Oregonian

"Tuesday, about 3 p.m., our community was startled by the news that Lewis Miller, a well-known character in this country, had been shot and instantly killed by one John Hugill, a nephew of the deceased. The affair occurred at Miller's own house, about two miles above here, and the particulars, so far as we have learned them, are as follows: Miller, who was recently married to his second wife, had been having considerable domestic trouble lately, and, it seems, had determined to move his household effects from the house where his wife was living to another place some miles distant, and, in the company with a brother-in-law and son-in-law, went there for that purpose. The wife objected to the removal, and appealed to Hugill to assist in preventing it, and in the melee Hugill seized a shotgun from the lands of a third party and fired, the charge striking Miller under the left eye and penetrating the brain. Hugill came to town immediately and gave himself up to the sheriff. A coroner's jury was summoned but have not reported up to this time. Hugill is a young man of quiet, industrious habits, and has hitherto borne a good character. The deceased was aged 56 years and was an old resident of this coast."
The shooter was the son of Lewis Miller's sister, Mary Ann Miller Hugill, John Wesley Hugill. John was arrested for murder and his case went through the courts and served very little nor any time in jail. The murder was eventually determined to be either accidently or in self defense. Just a few years later John married Cynthia Jane Hamlin, the daughter of Lewis's new wife from a previous marriage. Cynthia Jane was 13 years younger than John and had her first child at fifteen. Lewis's sister was so shocked and shamed by the shooting that she returned to the Black River area of Missouri.
After the shooting Rachel was living in Woodland, Cowlitz County, WA and was living there. In 1880 she is listed as head of household with her two sons living in Woodland, WA.

Death of Rachel

Rachel died in Woodland, WA on January 30, 1912 and the following article appeared in the local newspaper:
" Mrs M. E. Houchen of Chinook received word last week from her two sisters living near Woodland, Wash that their mother, Mrs. Rachal C. Miller, was not expected to live but a few days at the most. She left Friday for Woodland, Mrs. Miller was born and raised in Old Virginia. Her maiden name was Jackson, being a full cousin to Stonewall Jackson of Civil War fame. After her marriage to the late Lewis Miller , they went to West Virginia. Being there a few years with their family of four children. In 1851 they crossed the plains, arriving at Portland, Or. And settled on a donation claim on Dairy Creek, Washington county where the balance of their family was born, consisting of five sons and four daughters. One son and four daughters are still living. Mrs. Miller is a great great grandmother. Her husband, Lewis Miller, was killed near Kalama about 30 years ago, by his nephew, John Hugel, in a quarrel over some old furniture. Mrs. Miller had three brothers who proceeded her acorss the plains. They also settled in Washington county, near Glencoe and Hillsboro. Their names, Ulysses, Hiar and, John B. Jackson, and were highly respected in their time. Mrs. Miller is in her 94th year. In crossing the plains the family was attacked by Indians, her brother being killed and her husband shot down with an ounce bullet in his hip. The oldest girl had a piece shot out of her ear. They lost a fine race mare and a lot of bed quilts, also the most of their provisions. Mrs. Miller was afterwards met at The Dalles by her brothers. Lewis Miller and family moved to Lewis River in 1863, near what is now the present town of Woodland, and formerly owned a part of the present townsite."
Rachel's Obituary also appeared in the Oregonian News:

"Rachel C. Miller was born December 10, 1817, in Upsher County, West Virginia
On the 11th day of September, 1836 she was united in marriage to Lewis Miller. In the year of 1850 they crossed the plains with a team of oxen, and in which they were many times of molested by Indians. Mr. Miller on arriving in Oregon took up a donation claim near Hillsboro. Later he sold his claim and moved to Woodland. After the death of her husband in 1875. Mrs. Miller made her home with her son O.C. Miller. Mrs Miller was the mother of 10 children, five of whom are dead. The living are. O.C. Miller, Mary Powell and Amanda Powell of Woodland. Sarah Gibbs of Eckley, Curry County Oregon, and Melissia Houchen of Chinook, Washington. Mrs. Miller was a member of the United Brethren Church and loved by all who knew her. The remains were laid to rest in the Kerns Cemetery"
Descendants of Lewis and Rachel can be found in many state but most settled and scattered in the western states.

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