Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A long-running domestic drama on Lake Pend Oreille’s Garfield Bay ended in tragedy.

J.F. Miller had been violently abusing his wife, Jennie, for years at their cabin on the lake. The couple’s four children had “taken sides with the mother.” A year earlier, Miller had been fined $20 for beating his wife, the result of a warrant sworn by son Sam.

Mrs. Miller subsequently raised $1,000 and gave it to her husband on the condition that he clear out and never come back. He left, but returned after six months. In that time, he “often threatened to kill his entire family.”

It all came to a head about midnight one night, when he got drunk and tried to drag Mrs. Miller into his room. Opal, age 5, ran to her brother Sam, who was in an outlying cabin, and said their father was killing their mother. Sam (whose age was not specified), picked up a rifle and ran to the main house.

His father started toward him and said, “(Blank-blank) you, I’ll fix you now,” and drew a revolver.

Sam shot him twice with the rifle, killing him instantly. Sam was taken into custody.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1890: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States, was born in Denison, Texas.