SOURCE: OBITUARIES FROM TENNESSEE NEWSPAPERS Compiled by Jill L. Garrett Published by: Southern Historical Press c/o Rev. S. Emmett Lucas, Jr. Copyright 1980 MILLER, Amos, colored, was hanged at Franklin on August 10 for the outrage on Mrs. Scott in Williamson County on June 15. He was hanged on the railing of the front porch of the courthouse by an unmasked mob. (Maury Democrat, 16 Aug. 1888.) MILLER, Dave. "Captain Dave Miller of Hickman County, whose name was once a terror to Federal soldiers in Hickman County was in Columbia last week." (Columbia Herald, 11 July 1873.) "Dave Miller of Hickman County, whom the Yankees did not quite succeed in hanging during the war was in town Wednesday. He was a terror to the blue coats during the late unpleasantness." (Columbia Herald and Mail, 14 July 1876.) "Excitement on Town was this man Miller that killed Willie J. Briggs last year; he was in custody of the civil authorities for robbery and was released from the civil authorities and let at liberty." (Diary entry for 15 Oct. 1865, diary of Nimrod Porter, unpublished.) "The Federal soldiers went to Hickman county and caught Dave Miller and he got away." (Diary entry for 1 Nov. 1865, diary of Nimrod Porter, unpublished.) Tombstone inscription in Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia: William J. Briggs - born 27 Oct. 1838, died 3 July 1864, "He was killed by the guerrillas. He fought bled and died for his country. He leaves a wife and one child." Tombstone inscription in Anderson Cemetery, Hickman County; D. C. Miller, born 18 April 1838, died 23 August 1916. Duel at Night - Very few are the Maury countains[sic] 50 years of age that do not remember Dave Miller, Pate Sowell and Newt Vaughn, and others who were hot-blooded southerners, game as men as ever made...They used to ride into Columbia right up to the courthouse and fire several volleys at the Federal soldiers inside, then ride as swift as the swiftest wind out of harm's way for they were always splendidly mounted and pursuit was utterly useless. Dave Miller was perhaps the best known of all the southerners in that day who fought the northern enemy not in the ranks of the Confederate armies, but on the outside; "guerrillas" they were called. At last accounts Dave Miller was still living near Shady Grove in Hickman County. It was Miller, it was said, that killed Jay Briggs, the famous Federal scout and guide, who was perhaps the most noted of all the men in the northern secret service in Middle Tennessee during the Civil War. Briggs was a "Home-make" Yankee and not only by reputation, but by sight and name was well known in this and adjoining counties. One bright moonlit night two horsemen, both superbly mounted, booted spurred and armed to the teeth, met in the pike near Spring Hill. As they approached each other they instinctively drew rein. "What is your name," demanded one of the other. "Jay Briggs" was the intrepid reply. "Dave Miller, you cur" was almost shouted back. Quick as a flash both men drew their guns and fired. Miller galloped away with a hole in his hat. Briggs fell from his horse and died upon the highway. His body was brought to Columbia and buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. The shooting provoked intense excitement and all the countryside was greatly disturbed for several days. Briggs' wife had a very bitter inscription place on the tombstone and erected over her husband's grave and it is there yet for the curious to read. (Daily Herald, Columbia, Tn, 24 Jan. 1903.) More to come.... Tina Hall [email protected] List Admin.: Byrd (Rootsweb), Shelton (Rootsweb), Diabetes (yahoogroups) Rootsweb County Coordinator: Henderson co., KY Tina's Family Genealogy Page: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~thall/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, make it dance!" ~ George Bernard Shaw +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++