Major Charles Miller

A peculiar figure in auto racing history, Major Charles Miller was a bit of a flash in the pan, his greatest single contribution was providing Louis Chevrolet with his first race driving opportunity at the Morris Park, New York race track in May 1905. Miller, the son of millionaire Pennsylvania industrialist Major General Charles Miller, a steel and oil tycoon and a top officer in the state's national guard, benefited greatly from his father's success. Charles the son was a balloonist as well as an auto racing enthusiast. Miller also absconded with champion boxer Bob Fitzsimmons' wife, which, on the surface, would seem ill-advised. However, I have found no evidence that the boxer sought retribution, so maybe Miller got away with it. Fitzsimmons had four wives, so he may have viewed women as replaceable. Fitzsimmons wife, Julia Gifford Fitzsimmons, was an actress and did not elope with Miller, as she may not have known he was already married.
 
The attached articles reveal little about the Major, but there are obscure sources on the Internet. I continue to keep my eyes peeled for more information. For now, he appears to have been another underachieving rich kid with little understanding of the value of a dollar. From what I know, his best use of money was his decision to buy a big Fiat for Louis Chevrolet to launch his career. Miller also provided a Renault for noted Irish-American driver Joe Tracy to drive in the 1905 Cuban Road Race.
 
Note that the article concerning Miller as a balloonist was published in The Automobile in 1906.
 
Images can be found at the following links.
 
Charles Miller
Miller #2
Miller #3