A Humble Life: A Suspicious Death - 83 years laterIt’s no secret that women have been overlooked, undervalued, and dismissed throughout history. Through the lens of 2023 knowledge and experience, deaths of women that were labeled as "accidental" or "self-inflicted" decades ago seem far more suspicious. Could the death of a Pennsylvania housewife in 1939 really be an accident? Or brought on by "temporary insanity"? This story is not written for the purpose of suggesting that authorities mishandled the case, suggesting that the coroner did an inadequate examination, or accusing her husband of being involved. It is simply an examination of the disappearance and death of a woman that would likely be handled differently if it occurred today. We will likely never know what occurred that day in 1939. Files destroyed, memories lost, close relatives and friends have passed. A few archived newspaper articles, digitized vital records and a cemetery headstone are the only wisps of her existence that remain. I'd like to tell you her story, as best I can, rather than only sharing the final chapter. The following is primarily comprised of factual information with some speculative details for storytelling purposes. Part 1: The Early Years |
Jacob Charles (1891) Albert John (1892) Gertrude Elizabeth (1894) Estella Carolina (1896) Harry Joseph (1897) William Anthony (1899) Mary Magdaline (1902) Ella Rosina (1905) John Sylvester (1908) |
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Many children during this time were working in mines or factories. The Miller children, however, worked on the family farm and, for a time, attended school. The Millers put in the work to keep the farm running smoothly, but the children were, after all, children. Towering sycamore, elm, oak, and maple trees tempted the imaginations of their small neighbors. Toms Run creek forked just south of the farm, with one fork serving as the western property line. They would journey through their private forest, the canopy of branches above blocking all but a stray beam of the summer sun. Their bare feet carried them along the familiar path, stopping only for a moment to retrieve a stick sword or admire a butterfly or bird. The creek waited for them. Fish waited to be caught, rocks waited to be skipped, the banks waited for that little group of bare feet. After the swimming and splashing sufficiently cooled the siblings, knowing that there were evening chores to do and supper to prepare, they made their way back home, energized by the cool water and brief time to be nothing more than a happy child.
The Miller family would begin to fracture in April 1907 when the oldest child, Jacob, became ill. The 16-year-old boy likely had strep throat or scarlet fever that wasn't properly treated. Lena tended to her oldest son as the fever spiked, praying as the pain in his joints grew, hoping that traditional remedies would improve his condition. When Jacob struggled to breathe, feeling pain in his chest and joints, a local doctor, Clarence C. Croft, was called. Despite everyone's efforts, Jacob would pass away on May 19, 1907. His death certificate lists "valvular heart trouble" as the cause, with rheumatism and pneumonia as contributing factors. Two days later, family and friends would gather at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glenfield to say their final goodbyes and lay Jacob to rest.
In the wake of Jacob's passing, Lena realized that she was with child once again. There was no fanfare in early 1900s pregnancy, many women never received prenatal care because it simply wasn't available at the time. She would do her part to take care of her family and the rest was up to God. The family had to pocket their grief and take care of the farm. They had lost their son as well as a valuable farmhand. Albert would take on his and Jacob's workload, shouldering the burden until younger brothers Harry and Willie could handle the labor.
Death lingered in the shadows and dark corners of the Miller home, not satisfied with only robbing them of their son. As 1907 gave way to 1908, Lena was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Snow and ice did not excuse farming families from their chores. 47-year-old John worked through the occasional stomach pain or digestive issue. But, by January 6, 1908, the patriarch of the Miller family was severely ill. Lena sent for Dr. Croft and prayed at her husband's bedside. The children fretted over their father's condition, Jacob's passing fresh in their minds. For two days, John lay in bed with excruciating abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, and swelling. He had experienced 2 years of stomach issues, pushing the pain aside to focus on his responsibilities. This pain could not be ignored, and John would not be tending to his farm. On January 8, 1908, at 2:35 am, Lena watched her husband of nearly 18 years take his final breath. Dr. Croft determined John's cause of death to be peritonitis with gastritis as a contributing factor. John would be laid to rest with his son at St. Mary's, never having the opportunity to meet his youngest child. Lena was heartbroken but unable to properly grieve. She was now the head of the household, responsible for the family and the farm, feeling the familiar early labor pains.
On February 10, 1908, just a month after losing her husband, Lena sent for Dr. Croft once again. There may have been a local midwife in attendance, but Dr. Croft is listed on the birth facts as having attended the birth. Gertie and Stella took turns tending to the younger children and helping their mother. It had only been three years since Ella was born and the older girls knew what was expected of them. At 8:25 am, Lena met her and John's last child, born six days after what would have been their 18th anniversary. As she cradled the newborn in her arms, admiring the tiny hands and soft skin, she was reminded of Jacob and of John. Dr. Croft examined the baby, tended to Lena, and asked, "What will you name him?" Exhausted and depleted, Lena did not hesitate in answering, "John. His name is John. John Sylvester Miller." With that, the youngest Miller child was his father's namesake without ever having known him. Lena was now a widow, farmer, and mother to eight living children. Soon, the older children would be ready to marry and start their own families. Until then, she was grateful for their help on the farm. It wasn't an elegant life, but it was one that they were proud of. There were no dreams of stardom, no desire to be famous. They had each other, their farm, and their faith. That was enough. One of those children would, unwittingly, make headlines. Lena would never see the headlines about her Stella, though, and that was probably for the best.
The Miller family would begin to fracture in April 1907 when the oldest child, Jacob, became ill. The 16-year-old boy likely had strep throat or scarlet fever that wasn't properly treated. Lena tended to her oldest son as the fever spiked, praying as the pain in his joints grew, hoping that traditional remedies would improve his condition. When Jacob struggled to breathe, feeling pain in his chest and joints, a local doctor, Clarence C. Croft, was called. Despite everyone's efforts, Jacob would pass away on May 19, 1907. His death certificate lists "valvular heart trouble" as the cause, with rheumatism and pneumonia as contributing factors. Two days later, family and friends would gather at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glenfield to say their final goodbyes and lay Jacob to rest.
In the wake of Jacob's passing, Lena realized that she was with child once again. There was no fanfare in early 1900s pregnancy, many women never received prenatal care because it simply wasn't available at the time. She would do her part to take care of her family and the rest was up to God. The family had to pocket their grief and take care of the farm. They had lost their son as well as a valuable farmhand. Albert would take on his and Jacob's workload, shouldering the burden until younger brothers Harry and Willie could handle the labor.
Death lingered in the shadows and dark corners of the Miller home, not satisfied with only robbing them of their son. As 1907 gave way to 1908, Lena was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Snow and ice did not excuse farming families from their chores. 47-year-old John worked through the occasional stomach pain or digestive issue. But, by January 6, 1908, the patriarch of the Miller family was severely ill. Lena sent for Dr. Croft and prayed at her husband's bedside. The children fretted over their father's condition, Jacob's passing fresh in their minds. For two days, John lay in bed with excruciating abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, and swelling. He had experienced 2 years of stomach issues, pushing the pain aside to focus on his responsibilities. This pain could not be ignored, and John would not be tending to his farm. On January 8, 1908, at 2:35 am, Lena watched her husband of nearly 18 years take his final breath. Dr. Croft determined John's cause of death to be peritonitis with gastritis as a contributing factor. John would be laid to rest with his son at St. Mary's, never having the opportunity to meet his youngest child. Lena was heartbroken but unable to properly grieve. She was now the head of the household, responsible for the family and the farm, feeling the familiar early labor pains.
On February 10, 1908, just a month after losing her husband, Lena sent for Dr. Croft once again. There may have been a local midwife in attendance, but Dr. Croft is listed on the birth facts as having attended the birth. Gertie and Stella took turns tending to the younger children and helping their mother. It had only been three years since Ella was born and the older girls knew what was expected of them. At 8:25 am, Lena met her and John's last child, born six days after what would have been their 18th anniversary. As she cradled the newborn in her arms, admiring the tiny hands and soft skin, she was reminded of Jacob and of John. Dr. Croft examined the baby, tended to Lena, and asked, "What will you name him?" Exhausted and depleted, Lena did not hesitate in answering, "John. His name is John. John Sylvester Miller." With that, the youngest Miller child was his father's namesake without ever having known him. Lena was now a widow, farmer, and mother to eight living children. Soon, the older children would be ready to marry and start their own families. Until then, she was grateful for their help on the farm. It wasn't an elegant life, but it was one that they were proud of. There were no dreams of stardom, no desire to be famous. They had each other, their farm, and their faith. That was enough. One of those children would, unwittingly, make headlines. Lena would never see the headlines about her Stella, though, and that was probably for the best.
In Part 2, we move forward to 1910-1929. What will life bring for Lena and the Miller children? Newly widowed, eight children depending on her, and a farm to run. They couldn't have known that World War I was on the horizon, that the Great Depression would blindside communities like theirs, or that there would be more etchings on the family's headstones before long.
Emily
True crime, cold case, long-term missing/unidentified, and all things mystery. I've always been interested, but now I'm involved in the search.
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