๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ง’๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ
๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ!
A fear that is universal to all of us, but must have run deeper for men like Joe Miller, who worked in Griffithโs 30-ft-tall Elgin Joliet and Eastern Railway interlocking tower.
You can imagine Joeโs terror that evening in early January, 1947, when smoke began pouring from the towerโs automatic switching controls. With more than 20 years a towerman, he immediately tried to put the fire out himself.
When that failed, and with no other way to alert the nearest depot, he ran down the tower stairs, knowing he was losing time with every step.
When the firemen arrived, all volunteers, Joe returned with them to the tower room despite Fire Chief Robert McFarlandโs efforts to restrain him.
โI have go up there,โ he told the Chief. โIโm the only one who knows how to shut off the controls that will flag oncoming trains to stop.โ
So, Joe Miller went back into the smoky tower room again and did what he had to do. He again went down that long string of stairs and was taken to the local doctorโs office.
He was coughing hard and often, and the doctor called Highland to use their Pullmotoran. But even that, an early type of ventilator to assist with breathing difficulties, didnโt help.
Sadly, the time spent in the tower room inhaling smoke and chemical fumes from burning burning electrical wires had vanquished Joeโs lungs and heart.
In the tradition of railroad men for generations, Joe Miller had done his duty, and gave his life heroically in doing so.
Newspaper articles praised his bravery and dedication to saving lives.
One newspaper ran an editorial suggesting Joe be nominated for a Carnegie Hero Award. Named after philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, it is presented โto individuals in the United States and Canada who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.โ
Joe Miller did not receive that award, but he did receive notice from a man that some might say was equal in fame to Mr. Carnegie.
The upper room of the Griffith Centennial Tower Museum is dedicated to Mr. Miller’s memory as the Joseph Miller Tower Room.
Come back to find out the rest of the story.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! 
Give a donation to see Santa (our 27th annual!) and support the upkeep (and heating!) of the Historical Park!
Take as many personal photos as youโd like โ you can even record the visit on your phone!
Be sure to shop our Holiday Bake Sale and the holiday stocking stuffers that Girl Scout Troop 15620 will be offering.
Griffith History Museums 