Robert Milliken, Union – Highland Cemeter, Florence, Colorado

Robert Milliken
1846 to 1898

Born in Ireland, he came to the United States in 1860s and married a young Scottish woman Jane Tait in 1870..

The began their marriage in Pennsylvania and began having a family. In the 1880s Robert was Mining superintendent. During a labor strike, he escaped violence from the Molly Maquires (a secret society of Irish immigrant miners) by fleeing west with his family.

First landing in Wyoming, then moving into Colorado. He became the superintendent of the Rockvale mine. He and Jane raised 8 children together. He was tragically killed at the mines inn 1898.

“The Florence Daily Tribune, Volume 1, Number 174, October 1, 1898

“FATAL ACCIDENT IN A COAL MINE
Supt. Robert Milliken was killed at 9 o’clock this morning in an accident in one of the C.F. & I. company’s mines at Rockvale. Such was the news that reached Florence this forenoon from the mining camp. About 8 o’clock Mr. Milliken left his home in Coal Creek and drove over to Rockvale to look after the work at that camp. Upon arrival he, in company with the mine boss, started down in an empty trip. They had proceeded about 600 yards, when the front car jumped the track. The man ahead shouted to the superintendent to sit still and signalled (sic) to have the cars stopped, which was immediately done.
Upon investigation Mr. Milliken was found under one of the cars, suffering intensely. Mr. Milliken was at once taken to his office, where he died almost immediately upon arrival.
Upon investigation it was found that no bones were broken, but severe bruises were shown about the head and blood was flowing from his nose and one ear. There was also a compound dislocation of the right knee and the muscles of the right leg were torn and bruised. It is not known whether the man attempted to jump out of the car or whether he was thrown out.
The deceased leaves a wife and a family of five sons and three daughters. He also has a brother in London, who was cabled to at once. Two of the sons are in Cripple Creek and one in the School of Mining in Denver, all of whom were at once notified of their father’s death by telephone.
Supt. Milliken was one of the most popular men about the camp and stood high in the estimation of the whole community.”

His wife later passed away in 1921. Their final resting place is a great view of the mountains and valley in Florence, Colorado. The bench faces not only the graves, but the hills of Rockvale.