Ellsworth Messenger

Thursday, November 23, 1916

Front Page Column 3

DEATHS

Captain Eugene D. Millett died at the home of his sister at Los Angeles, Cal., November 17, 1916.

He was born April 26, 1838. At the age of sixteen he joined Callahan's expedition against the Indians in Mexico.  After it ended he attended school two years, and at the outbreak of the war became Captain of Company B, 32nd Texas Cavalry, and received numerous commendations for acts of exceptional bravery. He then engaged in supplying horses for the use of the farmers in the southern states, to help rebuild the South.

In 1868, he became one of the largest owners of Texas cattle, driving them to Kansas, Nebraska and other points. Up to this time everything had gone well with him. He then became a resident of this county and its largest landowner. By unfortunate investments, large loans to many of his old Texas friends, who failed and could not pay him, other generous gifts to his relatives, without mismanagement upon his own part, he lost his property. Soon afterwards with the zeal, energy, and ambitious hope and confidence of a young man, he removed to New Mexico, and attempted there to regain another fortune.

His struggle was pathetic. Alone he struggled to overcome all sorts of obstacles, but his spirit was stronger than his flesh, and he several times was discovered helpless and unable to take care of himself. At one time he lay sick in his cabin for over thirty hours without food or attendance, and unable to help himself. His constitution had become impaired, and he worried at the thought of being defeated in his struggle for a competency and independence.

Finally, utterly exhausted and with no power to recover his health, he consented to permit his daughter, Mrs. Russell Bates, to bring him to her husband's home in this county, where he remained about two years. His health and strength gradually failing him, to avoid the rigors of another winter here, upon the invitation of his sister, he went to Los Angeles to spend the winter with her, intending to return next spring.

His death was not unexpected. Everyone who knew him recognized the sterling qualities of the man, and regrets that he was not vouchsafed health to remain longer with us

His remains will reach Ellsworth tomorrow evening via the Frisco. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon.

The Ellsworth Reporter

 Thursday, November 23, 1916

Died

Capt. Eugene B.  Millet died at the home of his sister in Los Angeles November 17, 1916.  He was born April 25, 1838.  At the age of 16 he joined Callahan's expedition against the Indians in Mexico.  After it ended he attended school two years and at the outbreak of the war became captain of Company B 32nd Texas Cavalry, and received numerous commendations for acts of exceptional bravery.  He then engaged in supplying horses for the use of the farmers in the southern states to help rebuild the South.  In 1868 he became one of the largest owners of Texas cattle, driving them to Kansas, Nebraska, and other points.  Up to this time everything had gone well with him.

He then became a resident of this county and its largest landowner.  By unfortunate investments and large loans to many of his old Texas friends, who failed and cannot pay him, and generous gifts to his relatives, without other mismanagement on his own part, he lost his property.  Soon afterwards with the zeal and energy and ambition and confidence of a young man he removed to New Mexico and attempted there are to regain another fortune.  His struggle was pathetic.  Alone he struggled to overcome all sorts of obstacles, but his spirit was stronger than his flesh and he several times was discovered helpless and unable to take care of himself.  His constitution had become impaired and he worried at the thought of being defeated in his struggle for a competency and independence.

Finally, utterly exhausted and with no power to recover his health he consented to permit his daughter, Mrs. Russell Bates, to bring him to her husband's home in this county, where he remained about two years.  His health and strength gradually failing him, to avoid the rigors of another winter here, upon the invitation of his sister he went to Los Angeles to spend the winter with her and return next spring.  His death was not unexpected.  Everyone who knew him recognized the sterling qualities of the man and regrets that he was not vouchsafed health to remain longer with us.