Winchester Miller
One of Tempe's Founders, “with a “nerve of Iron
who did not know the meaning of fear”
Winchester Miller along with Charles Trumbull Hayden was one of the early founders of Tempe.[1] There were “only a few Indians, a few Mexican farmers, and very few Whites” when he settled in Tempe.[2] He homesteaded here, married a local lady, and became one of the influential leaders of the valley.
Winchester Miller was born in Morgan Ohio in 1835, the second son of William and Harriet Miller. [3] When Winchester was seven, his family moved to Libertyville, Iowa, where his father operated a farm.[4] He grew up on the farm and attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, and became a civil engineer.[5]
In 1857 Miller married Melinda Young on January 1, 1857 [6] in Van Buren County, Iowa, where she lived.[7] Two sons were born while they lived in Iowa, William in 1857, and Albert in 1859.[8] Just before the start of the
Civil war they decided to relocate to California, taking the southern route through Texas. The Civil War erupted while they were in Texas, halting any further movement west. A daughter, Laura was born in Waco in 1862. [9]
Stranded in Texas, Miller joined the C. C. Arnett Company of the Texas Volunteer Infantry as a Jr. 2nd lieutenant. [10] This unit became Company G of the 17th Texas Infantry, commanded by Colonel Robert T. P. Allen. The regiment fought in several battles in Arkansas and Louisiana, returning to Texas in March, 1865. The 17th Infantry surrendered in May, [11] when Miller was mustered out. [12]
Tragedy struck when Melinda died in childbirth in 1864. With nobody to care for his
three children, Winchester took them to Iowa to live with their grand-
In 1867, after the war, Miller continued his interrupted journey to California. He
passed through the Salt River Valley in 1867, and thought it had potential. Discovering
that the California gold rush was over, [16] he returned to the valley in early 1869.
[17] He used his engineering skills to help construct the Kirkland-
Winchester home-
The land to the south of Miller's was homesteaded by Tiburcio Sotelo who had come
to Tempe to work on the Kirkland-
and squash. [23] Miller had previously met Manuela's oldest daughter, Maria, in Tucson. [24] The 38 year old Winchester and 21 year old Maria were married in Tempe on January 8, 1873. [25] Clara, their first child was born in October. She was followed by nine more children, Manuella, Albert J., Sam, Andrew, Mary, Benjamin, Rose Lyda, and the youngest, Louis, born in 1891. [26] In addition, Miller's younger son from his first marriage, Albert, came to Tempe in 1875 to be with his father. [27]
Miller was active in Democratic party politics. He served on the board of Tempe School district #3 in 1884. He was Tempe Road Superintendent in 1887. His most important office was Maricopa County Sheriff in the 1870's and 1880's.28 Arizona territorial sheriffs had a number of varied duties. They recorded fees for for the issuance of business taxes, collected taxes due to the county, sold property for delinquent taxes, executed writs, conducted executions, had charge of the county jails, and of course, arrested law breakers. [29] His duties as sheriff added to his reputation.
In executing the duties of his office at one time it unfortunately became necessary for Winchester to hang two Indians....He was living on the ranch now owned by Mons Ellingson.... [at the corner of Mill and Southern] Miller was standing in the yard near his house, his quick eye noted rising in the distance a great cloud of dust rapidly
approaching. It did not require a second glance for him to realize that a band of painted bloodthirsty savages were sweeping down upon him to avenge the death of their two brethren.
Fortunately there was a fence about his house behind which he took his stand.... As soon as they were in speaking distance, Winchester bellowed at the top of his lungs, “now is a good time to begin the shooting!”
The moment one started forward he was met with the cold muzzle of Winchester's gun. He watched every move and instantly checked the slightest show of advance....Stepping into his house the nervy pioneer took his rifle from its peg, buckled on two cartridge belts, stuck in a couple of six shooters and a knife, and returned to the yard.
For two days and nights, strange as it may seem, Winchester Miller stood off the band of savages who had come there with the express purpose of scalping him, burning the building to the ground and carrying off all movable property. Miller stood at his post without food or water until finally the Indians dispersed.... [30]
That was not the only trouble Miller had with the Indians. He stored his grain in an adobe warehouse with a small barred window high on the wall for ventilation. The Indians tied a rope to the bars and easily pulled them out from the soft adobe with their horses. With Al's, (his second son from Iowa) help, he rigged a shotgun to point at the window, with a cord from the trigger to one of the bars. One thief was killed. An attempt to ambush Miller by three of the deceased thief's friends was not successful. After that, Miller had no more trouble with the Indians. [31]
Even after his tenure as sheriff, Miller had a fearsome reputation. A group of men had gathered by Hayden's Mill in Tempe. They had obviously drank too much bad whiskey and began fighting. Soon the fight got out of hand and became a danger to the community. An officer was called to arrest the men and halt the violence. The group merely laughed at him and continued the fighting. In desperation, some of the townsmen went to Winchester's house and asked him to intervene. He buckled on his pistol and went to the Mill. When he arrived, he bellowed, “Get out of here, you dirty devils.” When the mob recognized Miller, they instantly dispersed. When he reached the spot, nobody was left to fight. [32]
One force that Miller was unable to conquer was the flooding Salt River. The main part of Tempe, by Hayden's Ferry and behind the buttes, was at least 20 feet higher than the river. Miller's land and house were in the flood plain of the river, [33] and at most, eight feet above the river. Almost every spring, the river would flood and inundate his land. The more severe floods would reach his house, and on one occasion filled it with four feet of water.[34]
In spite of his ferocious reputation, Winchester Miller was also known as a friend to those in need. When Mormon settlers first came into the Salt River Valley, they camped for a few days on Miller's farm. He allowed their jaded animals to graze on his barley field, and treated them kindly. He suggested that they investigate settling in the area upstream, which became Lehi. [35]
In spite of the prejudice against them, Miller leased land to Japanese gardeners. They were able to supply the valley with a variety of truck crops and were known for their delicious strawberries.
Tempe's Mexican families had a friend in Miller. He made sure none went hungry, helped them in their illnesses and helped bury them.[36] He could always count on the support of Tempe's Mexican community. [37]
The year of 1893 brought disaster to Miller. In August, his wagon collided with 15 year old Jose Nabaro, who sustained a fractured skull and was paralyzed for two weeks. Tempe's Dr. Jones performed several operations on Nabaro before his condition improved. [38]
That same month, Winchester saw a family unloading a large stove by the Tempe Butte. He stopped to help them take it out of their wagon. The stove slipped and one leg fell on his toe. When he got home and took off his boot, his toe was smashed and the boot was full of blood. [39] Dr. Jones operated, amputating part of his foot. [40] Miller appeared to be improving rapidly, even driving himself to town in his wagon. 41] However, in November, blood poisoning set in and he died on November 29, at the age of 58 and is buried at Double Buttes Cemetery in Tempe. [42] Maria lived another 44 years, and died on December 20, 1937. [43]
Winchester Miller could have the model of the typical Hollywood western movie hero. He was a fearless pioneer in a harsh land, but a friend of the weak and friendless. A man who could be counted on in a crisis or when help was needed.
Notes
1. Farish, Thomas Edward, History of Arizona, Filmer Brothers, San Francisco, California, 1916, Vol 6, p. 105. Farish
seems confused as to whether Miller or Hayden settled first. He contradicts himself on this point within 5 pages.
2. Mexico/Arizona Biographical Survey, http://www.mexicoarizona.com/record.asp?INDNumber=829
3. Cheadle and Kennard Ancestors, http://worldcommect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-
bin/Igm.cgi?Op=AHN&db=cheadle-
4. Iowa State Census, 1836, Jefferson County, Iowa
5. Mexico/Arizona Biographical Survey, ibid.
6. “U. S. And International Marriage Records, 1560 -
The Generations Network, Provo, UT., Early Van Buren Co, IA Marriages, 1837
-
1936, http://iavanburen.org/VBCmarriages.html
7. United States Federal Census, Village Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, 1850.
8. United States Federal Census, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, Iowa, 1860.
9. United States Federal Census, Village Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, 1870, also Cheadle and Kennard
Ancestors, ibid.
10. http://www.angelfire.com/tx/RandysTexas/page166.html
11. http://www.angelfire.com/tx/RandysTexas/page155.html
12. Wood, Stanley, “Winchester Miller Family,” Benedict, Benedict, and James, Memories of Old Settlers of Tempe, Old
Settlers Association, Tempe, Arizona, ND, p. 45
13. Ibid.
14. United States Federal Census, Village Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, 1870.
15. United States Federal Census, Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, Iowa, 1870.
16. Wood, ibid.
17. Hutchison, Dorothy F., Bonham, Lola Brough, “Winchester Miller Family,” Tempe, Arizona, N. P., N. D., p. 5
18. “Winchester Miller, Sr., Mexoco/Arizona Biographical Survey,
http://www.mexicoarizona.com/record.asp?INDNumber=829
19. “Winchester Miller,” Tempe Historical Museum, http://www.tempe.gov.museum/tempe_history/bio2434.htm
20. Wood, ibid. P. 46
21. McLaughlin, Herb & Dorothy, Phoenix 1870-
front cover
22. “Maria Sotelo Miller,” Tempe Historical Museum, http://www.tempe.gov/museum/bio2429.htm
23. “Manuela Sotelo,” Tempe Historical Museum, http://www.tempe.gov/museum/ind2424.htm
24. Wood, ibid., p. 45
25. “Winchester Miller,” ibid.
26 Cheadle and Kennard Ancestors, ibid.
27 “Al Miller,” Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona, August 30, 1909.
28. Mexico/Arizona Biographical Survey, ibid.
29. “Functions of County Offices,” Arizona State Library, Archives and Records Division,
http://www.lib.az.us/archives/county_offices.cfm
30. Farish, ibid., pp 105-
31. Wood, ibid.
32. Farish, ibid. P. 107-
33. U.S.G.S., “Seamless USGS Topographic Maps on CD ROM, Arizona, Phoenix,” National Geographic Maps, San
Francisco, California, ND.
34. Wood, ibid. P. 47
35. “Extension Toward Mexico,” http://www.logoi.com/notes/mormon-
36. Wood, ibid,
37. Mexico/Arizona Biographical Survey, ibid.
38. “A Two Weeks nap, “ Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona Territory, August 6, 1893.
39. Wood, ibid.
40. Arizona Republican, August 25, 1893.
41. Arizona Republican, September 15, 1893.
42. Double Butte Cemetery, http://www.tempe.gov/cemetery/cemeterylookup/cemlist.asp
43. “Maria Sotelo Miller, “ ibid.
