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Submitted: 5/4/23 • Approved: 5/5/23 • Last Updated: 5/8/23 • R1483677-G0-S3
Civil War Confederate
1843 - November 1, 1905
*Obituary
Fayetteville Democrat
Thursday, November 9, 1905
MILLER, Richard A. – A Horrible Accident – While out hunting Wednesday, Mr. S.E. Marrs accidentally shot his friend, Mr. R.A. Miller, the wound was a serious ****** Miller lived only about two hours after the shooting occurred. The terrible truth is inexpressibly sad to think upon. The men were like brothers in their friendship one for the other. But few pleasures did one enjoy without the other was there to share in it. At the time of the accident there were three in the company, Mr. Marrs, Mr. Miller and Mr. Livey. They were walking along with Mr. Marrs in the center of the group and slightly in the lead. Mr. Miller was about ten steps to his left when a covey of birds flew up close to Mr. Miller but to the rear of Mr. Marrs. He wheeled to shoot, singled out a bird and swung to his left to follow its course. As he swung around the gun was discharged without being raised to his face. He was paralyzed when he saw his friend fall. The shot took effect in the back just above the right hip and penetrated to the vital organs. Mr. Marrs thinks it was about four o’clock when the accident occurred. Mr. Livey ran immediately to the house of Mr. R.S. Mitchell which was nearly a half mile from the scene and had Mr. Mitchell call Dr. Miller. He came back with a wagon and the wounded man was brought back to the house suffering painfully. It was necessary to take the hind wheels of the wagon loose in order to assist him in without greater pain. It was while waiting in the field for assistance to come that the most terrible moments of anxiety and suspense were endured. Mr. Marrs screamed for help till his voice gave out. The only relief that could be given Mr. Miller was in holding up his head and getting an easy place for him to rest. Mr. Marrs realized quite early that his friend was dying and that no human aid could deter the inevitable result. It seemed like an age before they reached the house and shortly after they got there the doctor arrived.
Mr. Jack Walker and Professor Futrall, who were hunting some two miles down the river, met Mr. Mitchell on his road to the telephone and were informed of the serious state of affairs and hurried with all possible speed to the scene. Mr. Miller lived but a short time after Mr. Walker’s arrival. He was bleeding internally and the doctor saw no hope of his recovery. Mr. Miller knew his condition and remained conscious to the last. He complained of a choking sensation and called out repeatedly for them to loosen his collar. His clothes were cut from him and as much freedom as possible given his respiration. He told those assembled that he could not live and as the closing moments came on he said to Mr. Marrs: “Sam, take my hand.” He did not seem to suffer great agony, but was in distress.
One must have known the friendship that existed between these two men before one can fully appreciate the sadness of the accident. They have been intimate companions for years (*** unreadable ***) ing they had driven out together. That evening, while the saddest, was only one among the many sad hours they had spent together for sadness in the heart of one found response in kind in the breast of the other. From the date of their first friendship to the hour when one, dying, told the other with feeble breath to hold his hand, they had always gone hand in hand. It were well for us all could we live forever with our friends and in death beguile away their sorrow by asking them to hold our hands. We may be assured that death had lesser pangs for him who was dying because of this.
R.A. Miller came to Fayetteville in the spring of 1881 and took charge of the Van Winkle Hotel, then and for years since, the leading hotel in town. As proprietor of the Van Winkle, he made more warm friends than any other hotel man in the State. His friends never came to town without inquiring for him and leaving their kind regards. He has entertained some of the greatest men of our day and as a unique character he was known over several States. A merrier heart was never known and the humorous stories he told for the entertainment of his guests were repeated far and wide. A gloom is over the whole town on account of his death and men recall him as he used to be sitting on his porch in the sunshine talking in the midst of an interested crowd. When he had convictions he was positive in his expressions of them. His heart was as kind and gentle as that of a child no matter how rough he otherwise appeared to be. It was his desire to be good to everybody and if he made mistakes it was only because he sincerely believed that he was right. Down deep in him was the broadest and truest kind of manhood. We have often heard men say that his heart was as big as a mountain. We say more, it was as big as the great world in which he lived for he loved everybody. His religion was genuine and measured by its sincerity, was as true and as great as that of any man. Those who did not know him may not know how ardent was his faith and how often he told those about him that he believed in God’s mercy and love. He had no patience with that belief which made the Master an avenger whose angels of torment delighted in torture of soul. His acts of charity were done with an eye that the left hand should not know what the right hand doeth.
How often have we known him to shelter some friendless one for whom the world has found no fitter place than exposure to its rough elements. How often have we known him to feed the wretched and hungry ones of earth and if there is reward for those who feed the hungry and cloth the poor and in their hearts love the Lord, the deceased deserves that reward. He had tolerance for the shortcomings of others. He took a great interest in young men and during his residence here assisted several in obtaining an education at the State university. He never spoke of this to others, but there were some who observed it. Everywhere he was known as “Uncle Dick.” The boys of the town who knew him from their infancy never had any other name for him. The jokes they played on him would fill a large volume. Mr. Miller was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War and served until his imprisonment and parole shortly after the battle of Pea Ridge. He took an active part in politics during reconstruction and has ever been a strong democrat. He was born and reared in Berkley County, Kentucky. The stories of his boyhood days as related by him would move those who heard them to laughter and tears. He settled in Missouri before the war. After the war he went in the hotel business in Carrollton, from which place he moved to Arkansas.
His life among us is too well known to relate in these columns. He was 62 years old. The funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the residence of Dr. Clay Miller, 503 College Avenue. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.
*Source: Sons of Confederate Veterans, Washington County, Arkansas 2009
Compiled by William W Degge
Contributed on 5/4/23 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1483677