The life of Olive May Miller, although a short one, was filled with the important things. She loved life, her family, her children, and was driven by values that make a family strong and enduring.
After their marriage on July 6, 1890 in Hays, Kansas, Charles Jay and Mary Hannah Sherlock Miller moved north to the Syracuse, Nebraska area to settle. Charles was a skilled carpenter and teamster, and had always been able to find work, but there isn't enough information to know exactly why they made the move. But as is the case with most newlyweds, they probably thought it a good idea to separate themselves from the Miller's to experience the excitement and passion of wedded bliss without the folks looking over their shoulders (the Sherlock's had previously removed to Gypsum Township in McPherson County).
Olive was born on May 31, 1901 in Syracuse, Nebraska. Then one year later, her brother Charles Roger was born. There are no written journals to show what life was like in Nebraska, but after sticking it out for about 7 years, the Millers made their move back to Kansas and settled in the Salina area. By this time, other members of the Miller and Sherlock families had migrated to this area, so Charles and Mary, both, had close family here.
When Olive was 17 she met a widower fellow with 4 children, whom she fell in love with. His name was Albert Arnold, aged about 33. Albert's first wife, Rosa Mae Speller, had died in 1906 of puerperal fever 8 days after giving birth to her 6th child, Alice, who subsequently died a few days after Rosa. Albert and Olive were married on June 14, 1909, just 2 weeks after Olive's 18th birthday. Albert and Olive started their own family, with Lawrence being born in 1910, and Olive did the best she could to raise her's and Albert's children. In January of 1912 Olive gave birth to her second child, Mary. By the Fall of that year, Albert and Olive were making plans to move to Arkansas to homestead, she already expecting her 3rd child. They soon moved to Flint Township, Benton County, Arkansas, setting up their new place in the town of Springtown. In February of 1913, Olive gave birth to Rollan Louis Arnold.
There are no details of how life treated the Arnolds while in Arkansas. We can deduce, however, that Olive was of a high character, and she seemed to be somewhat intolerant of "less than ethical" behavior. On the evening of May 6, 1916, the story is that two of the neighboring farmers, one with his mare "in season", and the other with his sire, were meeting in the road engaged in the breeding of the dam. At some point, Olive, having gotten her ire up over the ruckus which was ensuing in the front yard, approached the pair and gave them "what for" in an effort (this writer believes) to protect her children from seeing the spectacle.
There was evidently a confrontation between them, and this lead to (name withheld) shooting Olive in the thigh. The time was about 7:45 PM. I'm sure Albert set about immediately to fetch the local physician, whose name was Joe Cleimire. According to the death certificate, Olive suffered from the shock for about 8 hours, then passed away at 3:45 AM on the morning of May 7, 1916.
There was no undertaker—and the keeper of the archives for Benton County has said that she is not buried in the Springtown Cemetery. The writer believes Olive was buried on private property, whereabouts unknown.
Post Script
September 29, 1916, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) was convicted of second degree murder in the Circuit Court the first of the week, on account of the death of Mrs. Arnold, who was shot some time in June, when she and (name withheld) had quarreled. (Name withheld) was sentenced to prison for 17 years.
Post Post Script
December 28, 1917, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) is Given Full Pardon
The following is from the Arkansas Democrat, of December 22;
"Gov. Brough pardoned (name withheld) of Benton county, serving a sentence for second degree murder. (name withheld) formerly was a school teacher. Petitions for his pardon were signed by 2,000 residents of Benton county, a statement from Gov. Brough's office said.
"Numerous letters have been written in his behalf,' said the statement from Gov. Brough's office, "by many prominent business and professional men in Benton county, asking his pardon, among whom was the deputy prosecuting attorney of Benton county, who prosecuted him in the preliminary trial and who is familiar with the facts. The petition was also signed by all the jury who tried the case. This pardon was recommended by the Board of Commissioners and Sup. of the Penitentiary. It was also recommended in writing by the wardens and prison officials of the Cummins farm, where he held a position of trust as assistant commissary clerk and book-keeper, in which capacity, they stated, he [had] given most excellent service and proved himself trustworthy and made a good record, an obedient prisoner, had been punished sufficiently, and was worthy of being pardoned, and they appealed for his pardon."
After their marriage on July 6, 1890 in Hays, Kansas, Charles Jay and Mary Hannah Sherlock Miller moved north to the Syracuse, Nebraska area to settle. Charles was a skilled carpenter and teamster, and had always been able to find work, but there isn't enough information to know exactly why they made the move. But as is the case with most newlyweds, they probably thought it a good idea to separate themselves from the Miller's to experience the excitement and passion of wedded bliss without the folks looking over their shoulders (the Sherlock's had previously removed to Gypsum Township in McPherson County).
Olive was born on May 31, 1901 in Syracuse, Nebraska. Then one year later, her brother Charles Roger was born. There are no written journals to show what life was like in Nebraska, but after sticking it out for about 7 years, the Millers made their move back to Kansas and settled in the Salina area. By this time, other members of the Miller and Sherlock families had migrated to this area, so Charles and Mary, both, had close family here.
When Olive was 17 she met a widower fellow with 4 children, whom she fell in love with. His name was Albert Arnold, aged about 33. Albert's first wife, Rosa Mae Speller, had died in 1906 of puerperal fever 8 days after giving birth to her 6th child, Alice, who subsequently died a few days after Rosa. Albert and Olive were married on June 14, 1909, just 2 weeks after Olive's 18th birthday. Albert and Olive started their own family, with Lawrence being born in 1910, and Olive did the best she could to raise her's and Albert's children. In January of 1912 Olive gave birth to her second child, Mary. By the Fall of that year, Albert and Olive were making plans to move to Arkansas to homestead, she already expecting her 3rd child. They soon moved to Flint Township, Benton County, Arkansas, setting up their new place in the town of Springtown. In February of 1913, Olive gave birth to Rollan Louis Arnold.
There are no details of how life treated the Arnolds while in Arkansas. We can deduce, however, that Olive was of a high character, and she seemed to be somewhat intolerant of "less than ethical" behavior. On the evening of May 6, 1916, the story is that two of the neighboring farmers, one with his mare "in season", and the other with his sire, were meeting in the road engaged in the breeding of the dam. At some point, Olive, having gotten her ire up over the ruckus which was ensuing in the front yard, approached the pair and gave them "what for" in an effort (this writer believes) to protect her children from seeing the spectacle.
There was evidently a confrontation between them, and this lead to (name withheld) shooting Olive in the thigh. The time was about 7:45 PM. I'm sure Albert set about immediately to fetch the local physician, whose name was Joe Cleimire. According to the death certificate, Olive suffered from the shock for about 8 hours, then passed away at 3:45 AM on the morning of May 7, 1916.
There was no undertaker—and the keeper of the archives for Benton County has said that she is not buried in the Springtown Cemetery. The writer believes Olive was buried on private property, whereabouts unknown.
Post Script
September 29, 1916, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) was convicted of second degree murder in the Circuit Court the first of the week, on account of the death of Mrs. Arnold, who was shot some time in June, when she and (name withheld) had quarreled. (Name withheld) was sentenced to prison for 17 years.
Post Post Script
December 28, 1917, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) is Given Full Pardon
The following is from the Arkansas Democrat, of December 22;
"Gov. Brough pardoned (name withheld) of Benton county, serving a sentence for second degree murder. (name withheld) formerly was a school teacher. Petitions for his pardon were signed by 2,000 residents of Benton county, a statement from Gov. Brough's office said.
"Numerous letters have been written in his behalf,' said the statement from Gov. Brough's office, "by many prominent business and professional men in Benton county, asking his pardon, among whom was the deputy prosecuting attorney of Benton county, who prosecuted him in the preliminary trial and who is familiar with the facts. The petition was also signed by all the jury who tried the case. This pardon was recommended by the Board of Commissioners and Sup. of the Penitentiary. It was also recommended in writing by the wardens and prison officials of the Cummins farm, where he held a position of trust as assistant commissary clerk and book-keeper, in which capacity, they stated, he [had] given most excellent service and proved himself trustworthy and made a good record, an obedient prisoner, had been punished sufficiently, and was worthy of being pardoned, and they appealed for his pardon."
The life of Olive May Miller, although a short one, was filled with the important things. She loved life, her family, her children, and was driven by values that make a family strong and enduring.
After their marriage on July 6, 1890 in Hays, Kansas, Charles Jay and Mary Hannah Sherlock Miller moved north to the Syracuse, Nebraska area to settle. Charles was a skilled carpenter and teamster, and had always been able to find work, but there isn't enough information to know exactly why they made the move. But as is the case with most newlyweds, they probably thought it a good idea to separate themselves from the Miller's to experience the excitement and passion of wedded bliss without the folks looking over their shoulders (the Sherlock's had previously removed to Gypsum Township in McPherson County).
Olive was born on May 31, 1901 in Syracuse, Nebraska. Then one year later, her brother Charles Roger was born. There are no written journals to show what life was like in Nebraska, but after sticking it out for about 7 years, the Millers made their move back to Kansas and settled in the Salina area. By this time, other members of the Miller and Sherlock families had migrated to this area, so Charles and Mary, both, had close family here.
When Olive was 17 she met a widower fellow with 4 children, whom she fell in love with. His name was Albert Arnold, aged about 33. Albert's first wife, Rosa Mae Speller, had died in 1906 of puerperal fever 8 days after giving birth to her 6th child, Alice, who subsequently died a few days after Rosa. Albert and Olive were married on June 14, 1909, just 2 weeks after Olive's 18th birthday. Albert and Olive started their own family, with Lawrence being born in 1910, and Olive did the best she could to raise her's and Albert's children. In January of 1912 Olive gave birth to her second child, Mary. By the Fall of that year, Albert and Olive were making plans to move to Arkansas to homestead, she already expecting her 3rd child. They soon moved to Flint Township, Benton County, Arkansas, setting up their new place in the town of Springtown. In February of 1913, Olive gave birth to Rollan Louis Arnold.
There are no details of how life treated the Arnolds while in Arkansas. We can deduce, however, that Olive was of a high character, and she seemed to be somewhat intolerant of "less than ethical" behavior. On the evening of May 6, 1916, the story is that two of the neighboring farmers, one with his mare "in season", and the other with his sire, were meeting in the road engaged in the breeding of the dam. At some point, Olive, having gotten her ire up over the ruckus which was ensuing in the front yard, approached the pair and gave them "what for" in an effort (this writer believes) to protect her children from seeing the spectacle.
There was evidently a confrontation between them, and this lead to (name withheld) shooting Olive in the thigh. The time was about 7:45 PM. I'm sure Albert set about immediately to fetch the local physician, whose name was Joe Cleimire. According to the death certificate, Olive suffered from the shock for about 8 hours, then passed away at 3:45 AM on the morning of May 7, 1916.
There was no undertaker—and the keeper of the archives for Benton County has said that she is not buried in the Springtown Cemetery. The writer believes Olive was buried on private property, whereabouts unknown.
Post Script
September 29, 1916, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) was convicted of second degree murder in the Circuit Court the first of the week, on account of the death of Mrs. Arnold, who was shot some time in June, when she and (name withheld) had quarreled. (Name withheld) was sentenced to prison for 17 years.
Post Post Script
December 28, 1917, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) is Given Full Pardon
The following is from the Arkansas Democrat, of December 22;
"Gov. Brough pardoned (name withheld) of Benton county, serving a sentence for second degree murder. (name withheld) formerly was a school teacher. Petitions for his pardon were signed by 2,000 residents of Benton county, a statement from Gov. Brough's office said.
"Numerous letters have been written in his behalf,' said the statement from Gov. Brough's office, "by many prominent business and professional men in Benton county, asking his pardon, among whom was the deputy prosecuting attorney of Benton county, who prosecuted him in the preliminary trial and who is familiar with the facts. The petition was also signed by all the jury who tried the case. This pardon was recommended by the Board of Commissioners and Sup. of the Penitentiary. It was also recommended in writing by the wardens and prison officials of the Cummins farm, where he held a position of trust as assistant commissary clerk and book-keeper, in which capacity, they stated, he [had] given most excellent service and proved himself trustworthy and made a good record, an obedient prisoner, had been punished sufficiently, and was worthy of being pardoned, and they appealed for his pardon."
After their marriage on July 6, 1890 in Hays, Kansas, Charles Jay and Mary Hannah Sherlock Miller moved north to the Syracuse, Nebraska area to settle. Charles was a skilled carpenter and teamster, and had always been able to find work, but there isn't enough information to know exactly why they made the move. But as is the case with most newlyweds, they probably thought it a good idea to separate themselves from the Miller's to experience the excitement and passion of wedded bliss without the folks looking over their shoulders (the Sherlock's had previously removed to Gypsum Township in McPherson County).
Olive was born on May 31, 1901 in Syracuse, Nebraska. Then one year later, her brother Charles Roger was born. There are no written journals to show what life was like in Nebraska, but after sticking it out for about 7 years, the Millers made their move back to Kansas and settled in the Salina area. By this time, other members of the Miller and Sherlock families had migrated to this area, so Charles and Mary, both, had close family here.
When Olive was 17 she met a widower fellow with 4 children, whom she fell in love with. His name was Albert Arnold, aged about 33. Albert's first wife, Rosa Mae Speller, had died in 1906 of puerperal fever 8 days after giving birth to her 6th child, Alice, who subsequently died a few days after Rosa. Albert and Olive were married on June 14, 1909, just 2 weeks after Olive's 18th birthday. Albert and Olive started their own family, with Lawrence being born in 1910, and Olive did the best she could to raise her's and Albert's children. In January of 1912 Olive gave birth to her second child, Mary. By the Fall of that year, Albert and Olive were making plans to move to Arkansas to homestead, she already expecting her 3rd child. They soon moved to Flint Township, Benton County, Arkansas, setting up their new place in the town of Springtown. In February of 1913, Olive gave birth to Rollan Louis Arnold.
There are no details of how life treated the Arnolds while in Arkansas. We can deduce, however, that Olive was of a high character, and she seemed to be somewhat intolerant of "less than ethical" behavior. On the evening of May 6, 1916, the story is that two of the neighboring farmers, one with his mare "in season", and the other with his sire, were meeting in the road engaged in the breeding of the dam. At some point, Olive, having gotten her ire up over the ruckus which was ensuing in the front yard, approached the pair and gave them "what for" in an effort (this writer believes) to protect her children from seeing the spectacle.
There was evidently a confrontation between them, and this lead to (name withheld) shooting Olive in the thigh. The time was about 7:45 PM. I'm sure Albert set about immediately to fetch the local physician, whose name was Joe Cleimire. According to the death certificate, Olive suffered from the shock for about 8 hours, then passed away at 3:45 AM on the morning of May 7, 1916.
There was no undertaker—and the keeper of the archives for Benton County has said that she is not buried in the Springtown Cemetery. The writer believes Olive was buried on private property, whereabouts unknown.
Post Script
September 29, 1916, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) was convicted of second degree murder in the Circuit Court the first of the week, on account of the death of Mrs. Arnold, who was shot some time in June, when she and (name withheld) had quarreled. (Name withheld) was sentenced to prison for 17 years.
Post Post Script
December 28, 1917, The Journal-Advance
(Name withheld) is Given Full Pardon
The following is from the Arkansas Democrat, of December 22;
"Gov. Brough pardoned (name withheld) of Benton county, serving a sentence for second degree murder. (name withheld) formerly was a school teacher. Petitions for his pardon were signed by 2,000 residents of Benton county, a statement from Gov. Brough's office said.
"Numerous letters have been written in his behalf,' said the statement from Gov. Brough's office, "by many prominent business and professional men in Benton county, asking his pardon, among whom was the deputy prosecuting attorney of Benton county, who prosecuted him in the preliminary trial and who is familiar with the facts. The petition was also signed by all the jury who tried the case. This pardon was recommended by the Board of Commissioners and Sup. of the Penitentiary. It was also recommended in writing by the wardens and prison officials of the Cummins farm, where he held a position of trust as assistant commissary clerk and book-keeper, in which capacity, they stated, he [had] given most excellent service and proved himself trustworthy and made a good record, an obedient prisoner, had been punished sufficiently, and was worthy of being pardoned, and they appealed for his pardon."
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