L. A. Miller Diary of 1900
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)
• Monday, January 1: ... I have been working all day on numbers for our first meeting to be held tomorrow evening. Meeting of what? Why it is the proposed Darrtown telephone company.
• Tuesday, January 2: I was pained to hear of the death of one of my best pupils – a seven-year- old, first year pupil, who had made very rapid advancement. Wells Nelson, poor fellow. I called on his parents today at noon. They have my sympathy in toto. Darrtown Telephone Company was organized this pm at my office under my diction and direction. Capital stock $8000. 10% being paid in and all officers elected, as required by law.
• Wednesday, January 3: School small, owing to the death of Wells Nelson.
• Thursday, January 4: No school today. We attended the funeral of my kind pupil, Wells Nelson, this a.m.
• Friday, January 5: School small...we all feel sad over loss of Wells...
• Saturday, January 6: I sent Smoyer one way and I went another. I had a skunk stolen out of my buggy at Shears (?) and Hills livery stable.
• Sunday, January 7: I took a scout to Oxford in search of skunk thief. I am pretty well satisfied asked to who he is. Smoyer bought a good hide for $.65. Short-striped.
• Tuesday, January 9: I drove to Collinsville and Somerville this evening. Got a fair bunch of fur.
• Wednesday, January 10: we are getting a Darrtown Telephone Company in shape slowly. The directors met this p.m. and transacted some business. They paid in to my hands, as treasurer, $300-being 10% of capital stock.
• Saturday, January 13: ... I went to Riley and Millville-did a good day’s work.
• Monday, January 15: I went to Seven Mile. No fur – a wild goose chase.
• Tuesday, January 16: School small on account of rain and sickness.
• Wednesday, January 17: ... I took fur to Hamilton this evening. Coming home about 11 PM, I met the Weaver boys coming in from a coon hunt. I bought their only coon for $.80.
• Tuesday, January 23: ... I had Nelly shod today, in front.
• Wednesday, January 24: very fine weather for January. The roads are drying like March or April.
• Friday, January 26: cooler and prospects for winter again. Schoolwork pleasant, attendance fair...
• Saturday, January 27: I took Smoyer as far as Camden, where I dumped him. I bought some fur of May and Marshall and a few other parties. Took dinner with Overholtz, east of Camden. Bought some fur of him. ...
• Sunday, January 28: at home. I am getting a bunch of fur ready for shipping tomorrow to H. L. Pence and Company, New York City.
• Wednesday, January 31: very cold. 10°. We kept the stove warm – or tried to – that is myself and a few boys who had the nerve to come out into the fields and try to learn lessons in an old sieve of a schoolhouse.
• Thursday, February 1: a cold wave still holds and we are getting accustomed to it now. Although, it takes a seasoned veteran to hold the fort in No. 4 District school. She’s an old sieve.
• Friday, February 2: moderating some, 28°. We have had much difficulty in keeping warm this winter, in District No. 4. The big and hearty ones are all that come in this cold weather. We were on skates this noon. The first time a long time.
• Monday, February 5: School medium in attendance. This p.m., I drove to Shockey’s, northwest of Oxford, and bought some fur for $6.65.
• Thursday, February 8: 50°. School all out this kind of weather. I went to Oxford and met a number of fur men. I saw a Bob Hutchison. ... Isaac Bayless left a bunch of furs here today. $2.40.
• Saturday, February 10: Eva and I went to Hamilton on business. I met John Alouette and spoke to him about a settlement. ... Wells Nichols tried to pass me with his speeder. He did not do so. He did not have enough speed.
• Sunday, February 11: at home in a.m. Johnny Phineas and I went to Hamilton Ohio this p.m. ... Mr. Phenis drove his fast horses. “Beanpod” and “Billy Hamilton.” He did not speed any, road was heavy and mean.
• Friday, February 16: ... three members of the Township school board gave us a hurried inspection – that is – the school building and grounds, this PM.
• Monday, February 19: we had a fire in this neighborhood this a.m. Early on, the Stout form, now owned by Moody Davis and his brother Harry. House burned to the ground.
• Tuesday, February 20: School small. I bought $6.75 worth of fur of Morton Irwin, this evening. I shipped about $40 worth this evening to H.L. Pence and Company, New York City. I expect $60 dollars for same.
• Wednesday, February 21: ... School number, but few. We dismissed for the 22nd, of course.
• Friday, February 23: School until noon. This p.m. I drove to Collinsville Ohio to attend the teachers’ meeting. We arranged for the final examination
May 10. Will meet to distribute questions May 9. Examine pupils May 11.
• Tuesday forward 27: Mr. John Mee informed me that he has received a franchise, at last, for Darrtown Telephone Company on roads named and set forth in application.
• Wednesday, February 28: ... Lodge met at the usual hour ( K of P ) some important business was transacted, which was of vast importance to our lodge. We are growing slow, but sure. John F. Mee finally secured a franchise from county commissioners for the Darrtown Telephone Company lines. ...
• Friday, March 2: School small and doing very well considering the surroundings under which we keep school and how they get here.
• Tuesday, March 6: I had difficult work getting to school this a.m. - Mud and water.... this p.m., I drove to Robert Nichols and bargained for a load of hay – clover – at $7.50 per ton.
• Thursday, March 8: ... I went over to Collinsville this evening to make some arrangements about a box for telephone. I succeeded, all okay with Mr. Dransfield, the store keeper. 10% and the free use on his part for store use only.
• Saturday, March 10: at home this a.m. This p.m., I went to Hamilton, Ohio. I put $400 in bank ... I called on my old friend, Dr. H.E. Twitchell, and had a chat on various matters.
• Wednesday, March 14: I took school in one half hour earlier and cut the noon recess to one half hour; thus, getting out at 3 PM. In good time to take family to Oxford Ohio. I transacted some business with Oxford Telephone Company satisfactory to us and then attended the Pythias Convention. We were on the program for a speech on material - which owing to the large number of speakers had to be made short and concise as possible. Eva and I visited our old friend, Mrs. James Harris – Mr. James Harris being absent in Indianapolis Indiana.
• Thursday, March 15: ... the Darrtown Telephone Company met and agreed to order a car load of poles for our proposed line to Oxford Ohio. 100 25-foot poles and the remainder 21-foot poles. The first at $.95 each and the latter at $.70 each.
• Thursday, March 22: ... the Oxford telephone people have kicked backward in regard to joining us at the corporation. The business people are very conservative ...
• Friday, March 23: ... School is exceedingly small today. One, a great deal of sickness and also a determination on the part of the people to not send on account of the bad conditions of school room and the difficulty of getting to it.
• Tuesday, March 27: ... we also heard from Oxford that the Bell people had offered to put in boxes for $5 per year. Contract for one year. And of course, pay regular charges for messages over all lines.
• Wednesday, March 28: ... we had a banner convention of Knights of Pythias, this PM. 7:30 until 11:45. ... receipt of dues was $72.10. The greatest in the history of the Lodge number 578.
• Friday, April 6: ... I sent the Teckman contract to David Pierce this a.m.
• Monday, April 9: ... School election went off quiet, in number four. Will, no doubt, build a new schoolhouse in said district this season.
• Friday, April 13: ... The people of sub-district No. 4 met and voted their wishes and desires on the location of a schoolhouse proposed to be built the season. I acted as a clerk for them. 30 votes cast.
• Monday, April 16: ... the Board of Education has played hob – cut the time to eight months, which makes $360 per year. I certainly will never teach another year for any such money. I may teach until December 1, at $45 per month. Will surely resign at that time ...
• Wednesday, April 18: I placed my application in the hands of William Kramer, the clerk and director for sub-district No. 4, again, the ensuing year. Mr. Kramer and Mr. P. Andrews have given their consent.
• Saturday, April 21: ... after dinner, Eva and I went to Hamilton to do some trading. I fixed out my notary papers . Cost be $1.50, so far. ...
• Sunday, April 22: ... I drove to Mr. Armstead’s to let him know about Bluegrass School. I have concluded not to take it and run the risk of Jackson (No. 4) and telephone board giving us better money.
• Friday, April 27: School good. This p.m., after recess, we all took a sojourn into the woods nearby. The trees are budding. ... The children enjoyed the outing greatly.
• Tuesday, May 8: ... I witnessed a sheep shearing machine at work this evening David Schollenbarger’s It does the work very nicely. It is arranged like a mower with guards in a sickle like arrangement.
• Wednesday, May 9: ... this evening I went to Collinsville, after examination papers. We hold the final examination in the township tomorrow and all the schools.
• Thursday, May 10: School ... early this a.m. Ready for examinations. They have all done well, I think. We meet tomorrow at Darrtown to correct and grade papers and pass on the same. Also, to issue certificates to those deserving same.
• Friday, May 11: the teachers of the Township were all on hand by 9 AM and we commenced to examine papers. A few failures were the natural result, along with those who successfully passed. We have arranged to take an outing tomorrow-fishing.
• Saturday, May 12: I went fishing this a.m. - along with Mr. David Coleman, Smith (?) Coleman, and others for the party during the day.
• Monday, May 14: ... I stopped at Mr. Schollenbarger’s this evening on my way home from school and watched them clip the wool from a few sheep, by the new method. The machine can be run by steam, electricity, horsepower, dog power, or manpower – whichever the sheep farmer finds the most convenient. The clippers are arranged like a mowing machine with guards and sickle, the power being transmitted through a long pub__ (?) tube by a linked chain.
• Sunday, May 20: ... William Kramer, my director and the man of high character and sterling worth, died this a.m., 4 o’clock, of pneumonia after an illness of three days.
• Tuesday, May 22: at home in the a.m. This p.m., attended the obsequies of William Kramer held at his late residence, internment at Darrtown cemetery. A very large concourse of people – relatives, of which he had a large number and friends – met to pay the last respects to the family of the deceased.
• Wednesday, May 23: this is the last day of school ... I closed up the old house for the last time and busy old shack farewell.
• Monday, May 28: ... Eva became quite sick this p.m. from .
• Tuesday, May 29: ... I attended a meeting of the Darrtown Telephone Company. We ordered boxes and exchange board of the Victor Telephone Company of Chicago Illinois.
• Sunday, June 3: ... We went to McGonigle to see the wreck that occurred there at 2:58 this morning. Five men were killed outright; engineer slightly injured. Cattle, hogs, and calves lay everywhere in profusion - dead and dying and bruised and crippled cattle running at-large. About 40 beeves and milk cows and a large number of hogs and calves were killed. ... cause unknown.
• Saturday, June 9: ... this p.m., Eva and I went to Collinsville to the Township commencement (12) graduates ...
• Tuesday, June 12: ... met the Darrtown Telephone Company this evening and ordered boxes. $107.
• Tuesday, June 19: ... I roofed a shed porch for James I. Wyckoff today. Took the contract for one dollar and got through at 5 PM, work slow and took three hours. We did a good job for the old gentleman considering the condition of the rafters and sheeting.
• Thursday, June 21: ... Mrs. Harriet Harris came to have some pension papers made out. I took quite a number of affidavits for her.
• Monday, July 2: ... I received a letter from Olan (?) Brincefield – in Cuba. He is with some of the U.S. troops stationed on the island.
• Tuesday, July 3: ... this p.m., I watch the races on Mr.Kyger's track. Billy Hamilton posted a full mile in 2:23.
• Saturday, July 7: ... I wrote up a mortgage for the trustees of the Odd Fellows Lodge this evening.-.charge $1.
• Sunday, July 8: ... a game of baseball came off between Hamilton team and Darrtown team today-stood 7 to 15 at the seventh inning, in favor of Darrtown.
• Sunday, July 15: ... baseball game in town today. Darrtown 17 - Oxford 16.
• Tuesday, July 17: ... this p.m., I helped cut a bee tree on Gottlieb Wagonfield’s farm. Result, three gallons of strained honey.
• Friday, July 20: I went up to Thomas Coulter’s after ten heifers that were left there yesterday by Ezra Bourne and landed them in David Pierce’s pasture. Arnold went along on Nellie to help drive them.
• Monday, July 23: Setting poles today to complete the Collinsville line.
• Thursday, July 26: ... I put out my sign as “notary public” this afternoon. I have been notary for three (8) years, but never have put out my sign, and as such before.
• July 31: ... Mr. S. E. Frye and I went to Reily, Ohio this p.m., where we talked telephone, as per Darrtown company versus Reily company. No agreement reached.
• Sunday, August 5: ... H.D. Kyger is getting ready to go racing. ... we went to see the baseball game. Darrtown versus Seven Mile and Somerville. Score = Darrtown 18, S and S 8.
• Tuesday, August 7: ... I went to Hamilton this a.m. I met David Pierce. He paid me $100.45, his share in cattle (10 heifers).
• Saturday, August 11: ... I put it in my telephone box this a.m. We all went to the Sunday School picnic this p.m.
• Thursday, August 16: at home. Uncle William M. Miller is with us for a few days. He is getting quite feeble. His 82 years old ...
• Friday, August 17: ... we received word that John Smith, K. of P. boy, was struck this a.m. early by a traction car and both legs severed. He can hardly recover from the injury.
• Monday, August 20: ... we received word this a.m. of the death of our brother Knight, John Smith. He died from his injuries received Friday a.m. last, by being struck by a traction car near Hamilton, Ohio. Lodge met this evening at the call of C.C. Arrangements were made for the funeral of John Smith. I agreed to act as prelate.
• Monday, August 27: ... I went to County Institute at Hamilton. My chances for county examiner are good at present.
• Tuesday, August 28: at institute. Examinership still hangs fire.
• Wednesday, August 29: Institute today. I was honored with the presidency of the County Association for this coming year.
• Thursday, August 30: at the Institute again today.
• Friday, August 31: I went to the Institute this a.m. A good attendance for last day.
• Sunday, September 2: ... tomorrow school commences at once again. Will commence in the old school building. The new house will not be finished for some time to come yet.
• Monday, September 3: we commenced work this a.m. in the old building. The new not being done yet. The attendance was large for this district, quite a number coming in from Oxford Township. Jackson school, number two, located in a field - a mile from any road - the new
building is located on the Oxford Road is in the Coulter neighborhood.
• Tuesday, September 4: at work. School good. More new pupils today. Mr. Mason’s school is suffering on account of the location of... new house in district 4.
• Monday, September 10: ... School is good. This will be the last week in the old house.
• Friday, September 14: we had school until 3:00 PM. Afterwards, we got ready and moved our books up to the new building on the road, away from the fields and nature that surrounded us on every side.
• Saturday, September 15: ... I did some work for Benningston McVicker Wyckoff of Reily, the deed for... lot number 4, Darrtown, Ohio. My fee was $1.
• Tuesday, September 18: at work. Our new school house has many advantages over the old and some disadvantages. The acoustics are very bad and mud will be plenty. We are putting our horses in at Mr. Thomas Coulter's.
• Wednesday, September 19: some prospects of rain soon. We have no stove yet in our schoolhouse. We will need one soon.
• Wednesday, September 26: ... we dismissed for the fair now going on Oxford Ohio... “Farmers Free Expose,” I believe it is called by some.
• Wednesday, October 3: ... I paid Mike Wiley for oats. $6.44, this evening.
• Friday, October 5: ... many attended fair today. My old friend, Oren Brincefield, arrived home this p.m.
• Sunday, October 14: ... at home in a.m. In p.m., I went to see the ballgame; broke up in a row.
• Tuesday, October 16: cool – too cool for school in a room with little stove. We had difficulty in keeping warm.
• Thursday, October 18: a fine autumn day and cool for school, without some fires. The Darrtown Telephone Company will soon have a line completed to Collinsville Ohio.
• Saturday, October 20: I worked on the telephone line today with a squad of men and completed same this PM.
• Friday, November 2: ... I received an order for $101.25 this evening and went to Somerville to get the same cashed.
• Sunday, November 4: at home in the a.m. Looked after my cattle on Pierce (farm) this PM. Also, F. S. Bufler and I went to Jericho to look over the route for phones. The Kramer line is up and ready to string wire.
• Monday, November 5: ... I did some work on my address to be delivered Saturday with meeting at Hamilton Ohio, before the Butler County teachers Association as President’s Inaugural.
• Tuesday, November 6: (U.S.) Presidential election on today.
• Wednesday, November 7: ... the election was a landslide for the Republican Party and the gold standard party.
• Saturday, November 10: ... I attended Institute ...delivered my inaugural... and assumed the duties of president. Action was taken on my suggestion of a closer organized trove of county teachers.
• Wednesday, November 14: ... our telephones came today. I put mine in this evening. It does not work very well. I don’t know whether it is the battery or what it is.
• Tuesday, November 20: School good. Took up early and let out early. Ben Bufler... put in telephone box at W. H. Phillips as a trial for a time. It worked okay.
• Sunday, December 2: ... some fur came in today. I have been on the fence about going out of the fur business ... I wrote a check for $54 on my individual account for four telephone boxes to the Vector Telephone Works – Chicago, Illinois. I gave same to F. S. Bufler to be given to John F. Mee on this, secretary, to be sent off on the morrow.
• Monday, December 10: ... School good. Collinsville, after school. Paid Dransfield for two covers (?) at $1.38 each.
• Thursday, December 13: at work, nothing new and startling to report. School okay. I think I shall give two weeks (of) holidays.
• Saturday, December 15: 32°. I drove to Seven Mile, Jacksonburg, Somerville, also Collinsville for fur. Got plenty. I’m getting in a good quantity, for this early in the season.
• Friday, December 21: we got through with the exams and gave the children their treats. ... we just missed for two weeks holidays.
• Tuesday, December 25: cloudy and cool. ... at home ... Turkey for dinner.
• Saturday, December 29: I met a party from College Corner, at Oxford, and bought a good lot of fur. ... then went to Bath (Indiana). Did no good there. Came home in good time.
