Charles Miles was born about 1873 in Winston County, Mississippi. He came to Bemidji and purchased the Great Northern Saloon. He built the Golden Club on the corner of Third and Beltrami, which was later converted to the Northern National Bank. Charles Miles moved to Minneapolis about 1908. In 1910, Charles and his wife Belle were living in Minneapolis where he was proprietor of a theater. He spent his last years in Las Vegas, Nevada. He died there sometime after 1940.
Walter Brooks, an officer of the Northern National Bank, recalled Charley Miles’ zestful personality, “Charley Miles had this beautiful saloon, the Great Northern, on the first floor and he also had the first automobile in Bemidji. It was a two-door Ford painted brilliant red. It was quite a car, but the trouble was that when one wanted to start it, the sand on Beltrami Avenue was so deep that the wheels spun, and it needed a push. The sand was so full of fleas that it was awful to push it. We had most of the fleas on us before we got the car started. Charles Miles was a nice appearing fellow, a very good dresser and courteous man. He could sign only his own name and that is all he knew but he made quite a success of his business here. He had all kinds of roulette machines, slot machines and poker tables, all wide open, and he couldn’t help but make money.”
C. H. Miles has a large sign in front of his brick block which reads as follows: “200 turkeys given away to the poor the day before Xmas. Call yourself or send your children.” Comment is unnecessary. It is enough to say that Mr. Miles’ kind and generous act is a blessing to the poor, who in turn will bless him with all their heart. (Dec 11, 1902)
C.H. Miles Hears From Relative Whom He Has Not Seen for 30 Years — Search for Father Extending Over Many Years Finally Successful.
A message received yesterday afternoon by C. H. Miles from his father, Pettis Miles, who is now at Ackerman, Mississippi’s the result of an extended search conducted by Mr. Miles for his parents, who he has not seen since he left home 30 years ago at the age of nine. Mr. Miles immediately prepared for a journey to Mississippi and left for Ackerman last night on the midnight train.
The meeting of father and son after a separation of a score and ten years will probably be one of the most happy reunions that ever occurred. Mr. Miles’ parents were poor and lived in an eastern town. At the age of nine years Mr. Miles left home to go out into the world and shift for himself. He went to Chicago, where he spent several years as a news boy and bootblack, afterwards engaging in business when he was still in his ‘teens. He was very successful and at the age of 21 he sold out his interests in the Windy City for $113,000 and left for the west.
He located at Galveston, Texas where he conducted a saloon business for several years but owing to adverse conditions Mr. Miles was forced to sell out at a sacrifice. He afterwards tried several other western cities and towns, but hard times during the panic of 1890 to 1895 left him with but a small portion of his fortune. He traveled extensively, however, and finally came to Bemidji where he first bought the Great Northern saloon and afterwards erected the brick block at the coroner of Beltrami avenue and Third street. His history from that time on is well known to the people of the city.
Mr. Miles expects to remain at Ackerman about three weeks and will probably bring his father with him on his return to Bemidji. (1905)
Long Lost Relative
C. H. Miles Returns With Father Whom He Had Not Seen for Many Years.
Father and Son Enjoying Bemidji Sights Together
Aged Parent Will Remain in the City About Two Weeks Before Returning Home
C. H. Miles returned last night from Ackerman, Mississippi, in company with his father, Peter Miles, whom he had not seen for nearly 30 years. Although 60 years of age and the father of 18 children, the elder Miles presents an excellent appearance. Healthy vigorous and active, the aged gentleman looks younger than many men of 40.
The home of Mr. Miles is in Winston county, Mississippi, and the nearest railway station is Ackerman, 25 miles distant. When Charles who left Bemidji a week ago to find his father, from whom he had received word, arrived at the home of his parents, he rapped on the door, which was opened by Mr. Miles. He allowed his identity to remain unknown for a few minutes, but when he made known his name the elder gentleman was dumbfounded. After greetings had been exchanged they entered the house which the younger Miles left at the age of nine, where a general family reunion took place.
Charles Miles left home at the age of nine years, shortly after the death of his mother. His struggle in life up to the age of 21 was one of the hardest that ever fell to the lot of a human being, but after many ups and downs he was finally successful. His success lasted for a short time only, however, and a few years before coming to Bemidji the large fortune that he amassed while in Chicago was reduced to a small pittance. He became successful again however, and when he came to Bemidji he had several thousands of dollars, which was immediately invested.
His success from that time on has been wonderful, and at the present time he is one of the most sound men financially in northern Minnesota, owning large property interest in Bemidji and other points throughout the state. The elder Miles has been married twice and is the father of 18 children, 15 of whom are now living. Charles Miles has nine brothers, seven of whom are half-brothers, and six sisters, five of whom were born after the death of his mother. The oldest member of the family is a son 38 years of age and the youngest another son three years.
The aged gentleman will remain in Bemidji about two weeks taking in the sights before leaving for his home in Mississippi. (May 2, 1905)
Information from the vertical files of the Beltrami County History Center, Bemidji, and from the Bemidji Sentinel and Bemidji Daily Pioneer.