Description

John R. (b. 1866) and Celia Docia (Miller) Book (b. 1871). Celia was born July 6, 1870 in Prescott, Arizona. She was the daughter of Samuel Carson Miller and Mary Frances Miller. She was named after her grandmothers. Her father was a farmer and cattleman; she grew up with her siblings in a Prescott pioneer family.

At the age of 18, she ‘went missing’ in Chicago while visiting her father’s sister. In reality it was a rebellious act promoted by what she deemed a controlling situation. She returned home to Prescott and shortly thereafter on May 15, 1889 married John Book, a handsome newcomer in a society wedding, at her parent’s home The wedding was covered in great detail by newspapers.

Apparently, John Book disappeared in October, 1889, but was seen carrying his valise and boarding a train for the east at Prescott Junction. The Weekly Journal-Miner (Prescott, Arizona) reported that “This effectually dispels the mystery surrounding his disappearance and leaves no room for any apprehensions concerning his safety.”

Celia apparently relocated to California and married an A. Abbott on March 18, 1891 in Los Angeles. She used her maiden name, Miller, for the record. She died of a gunshot November 15, 1892 in Sequoia mills, Fresno County, California. Her body was brought to Fresno. A Coroner’s Inquest was held and found that her “death was caused by a gunshot wound fired by herself with suicidal intent.” Her father made the decision to have her buried in the Visalia Public Cemetery.

Sources: Family Search; Weekly Journal Miner, July 10, 1885, May 22, 1889 and October 16, 1889. The Fresno Weekly Republican, November 25 1892; California 1891, U.S. Co. Birth, Marriage, & Death Records, 1849-1980; Findagrave.com; Ancestry.com.