Murder of Tilla Miner - 1885

Matilda "Tilla" Miner

The New Era-Gleaner, DeRuyter, NY, August 13, 1885

    About 6 o’clock last Monday morning, while Mrs. Elizabeth Miner and her two daughters, Ella and Matilda, were eating breakfast in their pleasant residence one-half mile north of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] on the “ridge road,” Edward W. Preston, a young man who worked for Mrs. Miner’s son Adelbert, on the farm across the street, came up the steps and through the open door into the kitchen.  Mrs. Miner looked up and said “Good morning;” he made no reply, and immediately drawing a revolver, commenced firing at the younger daughter Matilda.  The first ball struck the wall, near her shoulder; she sprang up and ran screaming into the pantry, a second shot striking the kitchen floor behind her.  Her assailant ran through the parlor and stairway hall to meet her; she made a desperate effort to hold the pantry door against him, but he forced it open and as his victim ran back into the kitchen and toward the bedroom he fired twice, the last ball entering her back on the left side and passing through the heart.  She fell on her face, dead.  Preston then went out the front door and when just inside the gate placed the revolver to his head [and fired]...He lingered in an unconscious condition for some three hours.  The terror of the household during the brief moments in which the tragedy was enacted, cannot be imagined.  Mrs. Miner is badly crippled by rheumatism, and had a little grandson in her arms; the sister’s strength was as nothing in frustrating, as she endeavored to, the efforts of the murderer.  Preston was a tall, broad-shouldered, muscular young fellow, and was not to be thwarted in his attempt to take the girl’s life.  The jealousy which for more than two years had eaten away at his heart until there was little of manliness or reason left, was only to be appeased by blood.  The testimony at the coroner’s inquest shows some remarkable features.  He had waited on Tillie Miner more than two years; they had been engaged for some time; evidently, as his jealous and revengeful disposition became more and more revealed to her, she had grown afraid of him and her love had waned.  He noted the change; and the green-eyed monster within him grew more selfish and exacting.  If a gentleman friend conversed with her at a public gathering, he would pace the floor, his face purple with rage and his brawny fists hard clenched.  He purchased a revolver, and filled the air with threatenings to shoot himself, the fellow—whoever he might be—that should win his girl away from him, and finally the girl herself if she did not marry him or went with any one else. These threats were made to divers ones, at various times.  For more than a month he had carried a revolver.  He was known to be quick tempered and revengeful.  Years ago, we are told, he was concerned in a melee in school in which he drew a pistol on the teacher, and in another similar disturbance he stabbed an adversary with his pocket knife.  With such an unflattering reputation, and with a law against the carrying of concealed weapons, it seems remarkable that he was permitted to talk bloodshed so freely and publicly without being called to account by some of his listeners….Edward W. Preston was the son of Hiram Preston, who resides on the ridge road four miles north of the Burg.  He was about 19 years old; good looking, and of good habits.  His connections are highly respectable, and feel keenly the unfortunate position in which his act has placed them.  We understand that his reading was largely of the sensational Jesse James variety; that he sat up late at night, filling his diseased mind with such literature.  The result is in part but an illustration of cause and effect.  Of Miss Miner, the unfortunate victim, we hear only words of the highest respect.  She was unusually beautiful in form, feature and disposition, and was a universal favorite.  Her tragic death falls with terrible force upon her aged and crippled mother, as well as a large circle of relatives.  South Otselic, indeed, mourns this week, and mingles her tears with those so heavily afflicted. 

Chenango Union, Aug. 20, 1885

     South Otselic:  Thursday there was the largest funeral ever attended in Otselic, it being the burial of Tillie Miner, who was murdered by Edwin Preston.  The grave was beautifully decorated with flowers which kind friends had lovingly scattered around, it being the last act of love to her memory. 

 

Lines on the Death of Matilda Miner

Who was shot in South Otselic on August 10, 1885

Dear little Tilly, we have laid her to rest

In her beautiful bed 'neath the sod;

Under the flowers that loving hands strewed

We have left her alone with her God.

 

She was but a child, innocent, pure and true;

Beautiful as a rose just bursting into bloom;

None knew her but to love her.

How could we bear her to the cold, silent tomb.

 

She was her widowed mother's youngest child,

The petted darling of the family all.

It seemed they could not spare her,

But from the sleep of death they could not call.

 

She was a happy, winsome girl,

Nimble footed as a fawn;

Every movement lithe and graceful,

But God hath taken--she has gone.

 

Gone to a sweet and eternal rest,

Gone to a world where sorrow cannot come.

Precious darling she has left us

For that beautiful, heavenly home.

 

We miss her, God only knows how much;

How can we be reconciled to this great sorrow;

Why was she taken from us thus,

Will it be revealed in that great tomorrow.

 

Was it to take her from a life of sorrow and care,

From afflictions that we could not see;

Heavenly father, you only know

Why these things were so to be.

 

O God of mercy, thou who ruleth over all,

Help thy children in their sore distress,

And while we must submit to thy decree,

Help us to feel that it may be for the best.

by Mrs. H.F. Miner