Gustine Historical Society
By Patricia Snyder Snoke
The goal of the Gustine Historical Society is to preserve, protect and present the history of Gustine and its surrounding areas. It is a dynamic, rural organization of volunteers. The Gustine Historical Society was incorporated on
www.gustinehistoricalsociety.org
397
Highway 33
Gustine, 95322
Phone (209) 854-2344
gustinemuseum@gustinehistoricalsociety.org
The
Open Thursdays and Sundays
-Admission Free-
Wilbur and Irene Gomes
323
Phone (209) 854-6455
gustinemuseum@gustinehistoricalsociety.org
The
Open Thursdays and Sundays
or by appointment by calling
(209) 854-3120
Gussie
Henry Miller, the cattle baron and the founder of Gustine, left many monuments to his memory in various parts of the state. However, the city of Gustine, named for his beloved daughter, Sarah Alice “Gussie”, stands today as living testimony to one of the most powerful and picturesque figures of the old west.
Sarah Alice Miller was born in 1871 and delighted her father by dressing in frilly dresses. He nicknamed her “Gussie” which was the term of dressing or getting “gussied up.” Very much like Henry Miller himself, she always wanted to be out among the cattle. Her one delight was to ride horseback. Henry Miller idolized her. Gussie was Henry Miller all over again.
On
All the rest of his life, wherever he went, he carried with him a picture of Gussie. Once Henry Miller was held up and robbed. He had a fine engraved watch that contained Gussie’s picture. Miller told the robber, “Just let me take that picture out.” The robber let Miller remove the picture. Miller told him he could have the watch and his money and “I’ll never bother you.”
He also had a small portrait framed and glassed and kept on his bureau. Before going to bed, he would kiss the photo good night. From time to time, his housekeepers were said to have to wash tear stains from the glass. Henry Miller had lost forever his greatest treasure.