Webb Miller

Webb Miller (born Cub Webster Miller; February 10, 1891 – May 7, 1940 ) was an American journalist and war correspondent. He covered the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, the Spanish Civil War, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Phoney War, and the Russo-Finnish War of 1939. He was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the execution of the French serial killer Henri Désiré Landru ("Bluebeard") in 1922.

Early life Webb Miller was born Cub Webster Miller in Pokagon, Michigan in 1891. His father, Jacob Miller, was a tenant farmer. He attended elementary school in Pokagon and other regional schools. He attended high school in Dowagiac, where he was a track and field runner and football player as well as a reporter for the school paper. Early in life, he became a lifelong vegetarian. Miller attempted to interview Helen Morton, but Mark Morton had his employees beat Miller unconscious. Morton then kidnapped Miller and drove off—with the 23-year-old journalist tied up in the trunk of his car. Morton crashed the automobile, and police discovered the bound Miller in the vehicle. Miller sued Morton for $50,000, but won only a minimal payment of $500 six years later.

World War I In 1917, UP sent Miller to London to cover World War I. He observed the war-time air raids against the city, and his reports of the terrifying bombardments brought him worldwide notice. UP named him London Bureau Chief as a reward for his success. Covering both the British and American fronts in Europe, Miller was present at and reported on the Battle of Château-Thierry, the Second Battle of the Aisne, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. His report, with its graphic description of Landru's death, led to a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize.

Miller was nominated again for a Pulitzer Prize in 1927, this time in reporting for an Armistice Day report on the state of World War I battlefields in France.

In 1930, Miller took a 12,000-mile airplane trip across the Middle East and India. While in India, he met and became friends with Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi was launching the Salt Satyagraha, and Miller stayed to cover the event. Miller witnessed the raid on the Dharasana Salt Works on May 21, 1930, in which more than 1,300 unarmed Indians were severely beaten and several deaths occurred. Miller's report helped turn world opinion against the British occupation of India. Gandhi himself later said that Miller "helped make" Indian independence through his eyewitness report. in this instance for a 44-minute report delivered by telephone at the start of the war.

Exhausted from his constant travels and depressed after seeing so much bloodshed, Miller flew to the United States on the inaugural trans-Atlantic flight of the Hindenburg.

Webb Miller was survived by his wife, Marie, and a son, Kenneth.

Scholars now consider Miller's account of Bluebeard's death a classic of spot journalism. The report is often required reading for aspiring journalists.

Webb Miller was also the inspiration for the character of Vince Walker in the movie Gandhi, portrayed by Martin Sheen.

Cigarette case When he met Mohandas Gandhi in 1930, Miller was carrying a cigarette case. Gandhi agreed to inscribe his name on the case on the condition that it never be used again to carry cigarettes. Miller agreed. Miller carried the cigarette case with him for the rest of his life. Most of the dignitaries and world leaders he met over the next 10 years inscribed their names on the case, including Benito Mussolini, Franklin D. Roosevelt, David Lloyd George, Adolf Hitler, and author Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.

The cigarette case was stolen after his death, and never reappeared. Most of his journals, papers, and personal effects now reside at the Museum of Southwestern Michigan College.