James Alexander Miller - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Tom Miller May 18, 2013 USGenWeb NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. *********************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. *********************************************************************************************** James Alexander Miller - Madison Parish, Louisiana From New Orleans Times-Democrat February 1907 TALLULAH Mr. Miller Seriously Wounded While Arresting Negro Special to The Times-Democrat Tallulah, Feb. 17 - Yesterday was payday at the Madison cotton oil plant, and a dispute arose between the engineer and one of his negro employees as to time. The engineer, Mr. Smith, struck the negro, whereupon the negro backed up against the wall, drew his pistol and snapped it four times at the engineer and J.N. Harvey, the cashier, who had entered the room. After this the negro fled to a house in the restricted district. Sheriff A.J Sevier, accompanied by Mr. Miller, the manager of the Tallulah bakery and Mr. Harvey set out to arrest the black. In making the arrest Mr. Harvey struck the negro, when his pistol exploded and the ball struck Miller just above the collar bone on the left side of his neck, passed through near the spinal column. Miller is not expected to live. He is a bachelor, having come here direct from Scotland about two years ago. TALLULAH Mr. Miller May Recover - Negro Given Fifteen Years Special to The Times-Democrat Tallulah, Feb. 19. - Mr. Miller, who was accidently shot by Mr. Harvey, has some chance of recovery. His temperature rose for hours after the tragedy and remained at 107. Sunday evening it fell to 101, and he is now resting easier. The negro, Nelson Gordon, whose actions at the oil plant were the prelude to Saturday's tragedy, was indicted for assault to commit murder, pleaded guilty, and was given fifteen years at hard labor. Following are the facts given by witnesses. Gordon complained late Saturday evening of his time not being correct, and he and the engineer, under whom he worked, had some words. The negro then left, and going to his home, evidently armed himself, came back, and demanded more pay. When Mr. Smith ordered him out of the office. On his refusal to go Smith picked up a stick and struck at him. Gordon at once drew his gun and snapped it several times in Smith's face and Harvey the cashier coming in, he attempted to use the weapon on him, but it again snapped. In the meantime Smith procured his weapon at which the negro fled. What occurred at the negro's has already been detailed, culminating in the pistol exploding in Harvey's hand and wounding Miller. TALLULAH James A. Miller Died As A Result of His Wounds Special to The Times-Democrat Tallulah, Feb. 20. - James A. Miller who was accidently shot by J.H. Harvey last Saturday evening during the arrest of Nelson Gordon, the negro who created the trouble at the oil plant, died Monday night at 1:00 o'clock. He was buried yesterday evening by the Masonic Lodge. Nelson Gordon, the negro, pleaded guilty to murderous assault and was given 15 years at hard labor and was rushed to the penitentary and is now doing time for the state.