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Necrology 195
took the ranch over about fifteen months ago, following the shipment
of 36,000 head of Florida cattle earlier in 1927, the largest cattle move
meant in a quarter of a century.
With the death of Col. Joe C. Miller in October, 1927, the manage-
ment of the ranch wild west show, which was put back on the road five
years ago, fell to George L. Miller and he was on the road with the show
during the season of 1928, giving it the same business direction that has
always marked his handling of ranch properties and problems. He had
been getting ready to put the show out again in April of this year as usual.
Proud of Ranch Name
George L. Miller was extremely jealous of the 101 Ranch and the
name of the Miller brothers. His greatest desire was that the ranch
should be a genuinely outstanding institution, successfully operated, with
a name that in itself should be a guarantee. This was his pride and
frequently his boast. This was recently demonstrated again. The Millers
had sold the ranch show, with every detail agreed upon, and had as-
sembled to sign the contract. At the last moment the purchasers de-
manded that they be permitted to use the name of the Miller brothers on
stock certificates that would be sold to finance the corporation. Im-
mediately George L. Miller, although very anxious to sell the show so
that he could devote his time to ranch and oil affairs, called off the deal,
declaring the name of the Miller brothers could not be used in any such
financing scheme.
Miller, was active and prominent in Ponca City affairs. A director
of the Chamber of Commerce for ten years, member of Rotary club,
thirty-second degree Mason, Shriner and lifelong Elk. He participated
in every movement for the advancement of this community and was an
unusually liberal subscriber to community funds. Ponca City had no
more prominent citizen, nor none more popular. He was known as one of
Oklahoma's keenest business men, a square shooter always, loyal in his
friendships.
The 101 Ranch is ever a busy place and its White House the center
of entertainment for this section of the country. Miller was known as
a prince of entertainers, and as a result everybody came to the 101 Ranch.
This has included many celebrities from over the world, all of whom
became warm friends of the ranchman. They could not have helped it,
even if they had desired to do so.
Held Ranch Intact
It was always Miller's wish that the big 101 Ranch be held intact.
He has had the most to do in assembling such an immense acreage under
fence, and exerted every effort to hold it together. He was the business
head, the financial director, the one who met every problem.
When his oldest brother, Col. Joe C. Miller, was killed in October,
1927, by monoxide gas poisoning, George L. Miller assembled the others
in business conference and outlined the policy whereby the ranch would
be held intact. Immediately he started the training of his two nephews,
George W. and Joe C. Jr., so that they could follow in his footsteps
whenever it might be necessary and continue his policies. Frequently he
spoke of the splendid manner in which the younger men had accepted
responsibility and were making good. It was a source of great pride
to him. These two and Col. Zack T. Miller, the only remaining brother
of the famous trio, must now take over the managerial reins.
No man in all Oklahoma had so befriended the Indians as had George