Never it seems was a man more ill-suited to his moniker than “Deacon Jim” Miller, so different in every respect was his true character from that of a devout churchman. Arguably, Miller was the most notorious and vicious killer in the history of Texas. By his own account he claimed to have killed more than 50 men.
Miller earned the reputation of a “bushwhacker” preferring to dispatch his unwitting victims from ambush using his weapon of choice, a shotgun. Far more appropriate were a couple of other nicknames, “Killing Jim” and “Killer Miller” that he acquired later.
The Early Life of Jim Miller
Miller’s family moved to Texas from Van Buren, Arkansas, in 1862, when he was a year old. Orphaned soon after, Miller was sent to live with his grandparents in Coryell County. Following the murder of his grandparents in 1874, he went to live with his older sister Georgia and brother-in-law, John Coop, on their farm near Gatesville, Texas.
A hot-tempered youth, Miller and his disciplinarian brother-in-law frequently clashed. On July 30, 1884, Coop was killed by a shotgun blast as he slept. Miller at the age of seventeen was identified as his killer. He was tried for murder, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment but on appeal, received a new trial and was promptly acquitted for lack of evidence.
Deacon Jim Miller’s Feud with “Bud” Frazer
Following his acquittal, Miller became a sometimes cowhand but mostly drifter until he settled in Pecos, Texas, in 1891. Despite a well established reputation as a killer by that time, Miller was rarely charged and never convicted. His penchant for killing from ambush, often accomplished during the dark of night, always precluded the presence of witnesses.
It was in Pecos that Miller acquired the nickname “Deacon Jim” where he was a fixture in the local Methodist church, reputedly never missing a service or revival meeting. He was known for an ability to quote scripture as well as any minister. He never drank or used tobacco and never used profanity. His habit of wearing a fully buttoned, black broadcloth frock coat in public regardless of season, also likely contributed to his pious reputation.
Miller became a deputy sheriff for Reeves County Sheriff George “Bud” Frazer, but trouble soon developed between them and a celebrated feud ensued. Things came to a head on April 12, 1894, when Frazer confronted Miller on the streets of Pecos. Rather than giving Miller a chance to reach for his shotgun, Frazer drew and opened fire on sight, gunning him down even though Miller had succeeded in drawing a pistol and shots had been exchanged. Acquaintances rushed “Deacon” Jim to the doctor's office. Removing his long, black coat and shirt the doctor discovered why he always wore the buttoned-up coat. Beneath his clothing Miller wore a solid steel plate. The plate, dented from four of Frazer's slugs saved Miller’s life. Miller, vowing revenge, began stalking Frazer. On September 13, 1896, he found the by then former sheriff, playing cards in a saloon in nearby Toyah and killed him with a double barrel shotgun blast. Miller stood trial for the murder but again escaped justice, winning acquittal. Shortly thereafter, Joe Earp, a key witness at the trial, was killed from ambush. It was widely accepted that Miller was responsible.
Killer Miller’s Last Victim, Luck Runs Out
By 1904, Miller and his wife Sallie had moved to Fort Worth where he became involved in real estate speculation among other things and had became quite wealthy. In spite of his prosperity, Miller continued to ply with deadly efficiency his true chosen trade as a hired assassin. In early 1909, Miller was hired by a group of three men, Jesse West, Joe Allen and Berry Burrell, to travel to Ada, Oklahoma, to kill local rancher and former peace officer, Allen Augustus “Gus” Bobbitt. Bobbitt was killed, gunned down from ambush and Miller was paid for his trouble before returning to Fort Worth.
This time a material witness came forward and identified Miller as the killer. A murder warrant was issued and Miller was found in Fort Worth and arrested by the Texas Rangers. He was extradited to Oklahoma to stand trial and was confined in the county jail along with his co-conspirators. Miller was confident that he would escape justice once again and gain acquittal. But it was not to be. During the early morning hours of April 19, 1909, an armed vigilante mob, incensed by the murder of the popular Bobbitt and the recent acquittal of another local celebrated murderer, took matters in hand. They stormed the jail, over-powered the deputies on duty and dragged Miller and his henchmen to an abandoned livery stable behind the jail where the four were summarily hanged.
References:
“Four Men Pay Price of Bobbitt’s Death.” The Daily Admoreite 19 Apr. 1909. Mind Freedom.net Web. 03 Jan 2010.
“James B. “Killing Jim” Miller (1861 – 1909) – Find a Grave Memorial.” Find A Grave – Millions of Cemetery Records. Web. 03 Jan. 2010.
“ James Killin Jim Miller.” Vince’s Worthwhile Website. Web. 03 Jan. 2010.
“Outlaws: Killin Jim Miller Bushwacker.” The life, times and adventures of Rambling Bob. Web. 03 Jan. 2010.
Shirley, Glenn. Shotgun for Hire: The Story of “Deacon” Jim Miller: Killer of Pat Garrett. Norman: Oklahoma University Press, 1970. Print.
Larry Darter - Larry Darter is a freelance writer and published author with three books to his credit. He is a graduate of the Univ. of Central ...
