28

and seeking credit for the invention. I have seen no evidence that Miller

‟

s patent

was licensed to any firm for production. It is, however, interesting to note the

similarity of materials used in Ray Machine crumbers and the corkscrews of John

Bagwell-Purefoy in Brighton, England. They are both aluminum and anodized.

Bagwell-Purefoy Registered his design in England in 1949. I have not found a

connection between Miller and Bagwell-Purefoy.

John Henry Miller died on August 11, 1958 at the age of 81. His wife Ellen

Keyser Miller continued the operation of the restaurant until 1963.

On July 1, 1963 the

Baltimore Sun

carried an

article about the closing of the restaurant

“

Tables Cleared, Now Miller

‟

s Too

–

Last Meals

Are Served As Progress Takes a Bite.

”

The

building was to be demolished to make way for

the new Charles Center. Mrs. Miller agreed to

assign the name and liquor license to a group of

employees headed by waiter Lester Bolander.

The group negotiated to open a new restaurant

at the top of the Blaustein Building within 90

days. Sadly, the group could not raise enough

money and the idea was abandoned as reported

in the

Evening Sun

on October 16, 1963.

But Miller Bros. Restaurant did eventually come

back. The Baltimore Sun reported on July 9,

1967 that the restaurant had been re-created on

the lobby floor of the Statler Hilton Hotel. Many

employees, including Samuel Roggio who was

Miller

‟

s chef for 32 years, returned to work at

the restaurant. Miller Brothers Restaurant was reborn.