L. A. Miller Diary of 1908
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)
• Monday, January 1: ... Home all day. I am trying to get biz arranged, so I can get out and buy a few furs.
• Friday, January 3... Our neighbor, Isaac Fisher, is very sick. Dr. H.E. Twitchell came out to see him this p.m.
• Monday, January 6: Ernest and I went to Frank Marshal’s to butcher hogs. ... I returned home in time attend the obsequies of Isaac Fisher and act as one of the pallbearers.
• Wednesday, January 8:... Will help Mr. Frank Glardon kill hogs tomorrow and then will render out our lard at home. He has all the utensils in use that I intend to borrow. Mr. Avery furnished the butchering outfit for the neighborhood.
• Friday, January 10: I packed fur and went to Hamilton Ohio. Sent same to my old friend in fur, H. P. Pence and Co., 150 Bleeker Street, New York City, New York. I drove Craig, in his new harness. I arrived home around 7:30 PM.
• Sunday, January 12: ... I call on Mr. H. D. Kyger, this p.m. and spent the evening. Wednesday, January 15:... James K. Bradbury is very sick with pneumonia.
• Thursday, January 16:... I went to Oxford this p.m., got a check for $20.85 from H.P. Pence of New York, cashed it. Came home and went to K of P supper and ball. A large crowd and a good time.
• Saturday, January 18:... I went to Hamilton this p.m. I paid the Hamilton Home Telephone company $20 on account. Also paid the Hornell [?] stove store five dollars on account. This makes $20 dollars on a $45 range. Mr. Weiss rode out with us this p.m.
• Sunday, January 19: at home all day. William Weiss came in this evening to bid us goodbye. He is going back to Texas, Port Arthur, and expects to take a piece of [? - cake or calico?] with him. James K. Bradbury died this a.m.. Age 64 years, a cousin of Mrs. Miller.
• Wednesday, January 22:... We attended the funeral obsequies of James K. Bradbury this p.m. Services at Lutheran Church, owing to the fufinished state of the Methodist church edifice that is undergoing repair.
• Tuesday, January 28: Ernest and I went over to Kepplers and put up some wire that was down... Carl Urmston and some friends called a few minutes this PM.
• Tuesday, February 4: At home. Ernest and I sawed down a tree and cut it up into furewood. One than I had planted seeds of, about 1885.
• Sunday, February 9: ... Ernest and Bud Hansel went to Hamilton yesterday, got home 2 AM a.m. this morning.
• Monday, February 10: ... Eva and I went to Hamilton today. ... I called at office of Ohio Telephone Company. They will be ready for me to go out some on the road.
• Wednesday, February 12: at home. Frost going out slowly. The bottom dropping out of the roads. The Darrtown Stock Company captured (a) hog thief, in Hamilton today. L. J. Shuck was active in his capture in connection with Hamilton officers. He acknowledged guilt. The court fined him $25 and he pays $20 for the hog and agrees to leave the state.
WEBMASTER NOTE: FROM FEBRUARY 20TH THROUGH APRIL 3RD (A PERIOD OF 42 DAYS), L.A. MILLER TRAVELED AS A SALESMAN FOR THE OHIO TILE COMPANY OF HAMILTON, OHIO. AS NOTED BELOW, HE TRAVELED TO AND THROUGH 47 DIFFERENT CITIES DURING THE 42 DAY PERIOD.
WHILE THERE IS NO DIRECT LINK BETWEEN HIS WORK AS A SALESMAN AND THE HISTORY OF DARRTOWN, THE FOLLOWING RECORD OF MR. MILLER’S DAYS ON THE ROAD AS A TRAVELING SALESMAN HAS BEEN INCLUDED HERE TO DEMONSTRATE THE AMOUNT AND/OR EXTENT OF TRAVEL THAT MR. MILLER WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH VIA, THE RAILROADS THAT CRISSCROSSED AMERICA, SHORTLY AFTER THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY. MR. MILLER’S NOTATIONS PROVIDE A GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN AMERICA IN 1908.
• Thursday, February 20: Ernest brought me to Hamilton this a.m.... I left town for Frankfort Kentucky, 1 PM, where I now am, at this writing.
• Friday, February 21: I made Frankfort, Lexington, Paris, and am now in Winchester.
• Saturday, February 22: ... Finished Winchester and went to Richmond, Kentucky and then to Nicholasville. Saw some old patrons in both places. Met a fur man at Richmond. J. H. Neff, and talked some biz for a time.
• Sunday, February 23: At Lexington.
• Monday, February 24: I ran down to Danville, Kentucky. From there to Somerset, Kentucky where I’m putting up for the night at the Cumberland Hotel. Rough country around Somerset.
• Tuesday, February 25: nothing in Somerset Kentucky. To train for Knoxville. Arrived in K. at 8 PM. Put up at the Colonial hotel.
• Wednesday, February 26: Made it Knoxville today. ... I have made no sales since leaving Paris Kentucky.
• Thursday February 27: I left for Asheville North Carolina at 9:30 AM.
• Friday, February 28: I went to Statesville today. ... went from Statesville to Salisbury, put up at Central Hotel.
• Saturday, February 29: Went to Greensboro North Carolina. Sold a bill of goods to the Central Hwd. & M. company.
• Monday, March 2: I went to Raleigh, North Carolina this p.m.
• Tuesday, March 3: Saw the Carolina Woodworkers - Some prospect of future trade from them... I went to Charlotte, by way of Greensboro, North Carolina.
• Wednesday, March 4: at the famous old town of Charlotte.
• Thursday, March 5: stayed overnight in Greenville. ... came on via Greenwood, South Carolina to Athens, Georgia.
• Friday, March 6: sold a fine bill to two different furms and then took 3:12 PM car to Atlanta, Georgia where I am at this writing.
• Saturday, March 7: Saw trade and sold one car load of tile to Mr. J.E. Honeycutt and Company.
• Sunday, March 8: at Atlanta. Took sleeper at 10 PM for Augusta.
• Monday, March 9: made a Augustine. Sold nothing. ... I am now in Sumpter, South
Carolina.
• Tuesday, March 10: I saw my trade in Sumpter and took 9:35 a.m. train for Charleston, South Carolina, where I arrived at 1:30 PM. Saw my trade and left for Savannah Georgia, where I am now.
• Wednesday, March 11: at Savannah. ... Took sleeper for Macon, 191 miles.
• Thursday, March 12: Saw trade in Macon, no good. ... I came into Columbus, Georgia and sold 20 bundles or $320 worth.
• Friday, March 13: ... went to Montgomery, Alabama. Made partial arrangements to sell 100 sets ... came on sleeper to Mobile, Alabama.
• Saturday, March 14: ... Will remain in Mobile over Sunday
• Monday, March 16: I left on 5:35 [AM] train for New Orleans, Louisiana. Saw trade, sold a bill of goods...
• Tuesday, March 17: I left on a.m. train for Natchez, Mississippi... an all-day ride... got it to Natchez, at 7:20 PM.
• Wednesday, March 18: at Natchez on the Mississippi. Sold small bill of goods... went to Jackson, Mississippi, or I spent the night at the Edwards Hotel.
• Thursday, March 19: sold a small bill... came to Meridian, Mississippi, put up at the Meridian Hotel.
• Friday, March 20: I closed the order for one carload tile... caught train for Columbus, Mississippi.
• Saturday, March 21: ... I left Columbus and went to Birmingham, Alabama this p.m.
• Monday, March 23: I saw trade in Birmingham and left on 4:25 PM for Anniston and arrived at 7:30 PM.
• Tuesday, March 24: I did good business in Anniston and left on 4:05 PM for Rome, Georgia, where I arrived at 7 PM.
• Wednesday, March 25: I failed to land any deals and left for Chattanooga on 10 AM. I sold 100 bundles at Chattanooga and took sleeper for Nashville, Tennessee.
• Thursday, March 26: I ran down to Columbus, Tennessee.
• Friday, March 27: did some business at Columbus, Tennessee. ... arrived in Clarksville at 7 PM.
• Saturday, March 28: I worked the town of Clarksville and found no business, owing to the Tobacco War. I took the 10:10 train for Hopkinsville, Kentucky and arrived there around 12 noon.
• Sunday, March 29: I took train 11:20 AM for Paducah. ... today my only boy and child living is 21 years of age. May he live long and be an honest man, an honor to his parents and himself.
• Monday, August 30: I work in didn’t know present business. Some prospects for future. Went to Henderson ... got in late.
• Tuesday, March 31: Sold a good bill of goods, in Evansville, Indiana.
• Wednesday, April 1: In Terre Haute ....
• Friday, April 3: I took 12:55 for Oxford, Ohio. Arrived at 6 PM. Ernest came up after me. Saturday, April 4: I went Oxford, Ohio and got some expressage paid by money order.
• Monday, April 6: ... This p.m. I went to Hamilton Ohio and took sample case to office. ... paid A. Rostwell [?] five dollars on range stove. We still owe $15.
• Tuesday April 7: The boys worked on James Burris’ line this a.m. This p.m., we moved some poles near Wells Nichol and put up a pole and made a hitch rack.
• Saturday April 11: I went to town today. The Ohio tile company paid me $120.42, in full today as salesman.
• Sunday, April 12: a find day. The Methodist people dedicated their church today. A success, so they say ... [I] not attend. Was not room for all and not being member or regular attendant, I did not feel like pushing myself in and pushing someone more anxious and curious out.
• Monday, April 13: I went to Oxford and got wire and a few brackets, so that we may run a line from Bud Kramer’s to Jericho.
• Tuesday, April 14: Worked on extension on Richmond Road, northwest of Jericho.
• Monday, April 20: ... We finished up our north lead to Jericho this p.m.
• Thursday, April 23: ... We set seven poles on Nichols (George) line into Hanover Township. Saturday, April 25: ... I went to Collinsville Ohio and got a load of coal.
• Sunday, April 26: ... Went up to J. D. McVickers and treated a horse for thick wind.
• Monday, April 27: ... We fixed up Mr. Lewis Keppler’s line. ... we worked this PM on Ed Kreb’s line, 15 hours for three men.
• Friday, May 1: ... We put in pole and a drop at Harry Bradbury’s this a.m. This p.m., we put in corner and line pole near George Kolb’s.
• Saturday, May 2: We worked at Taylor school house line. The corner has been giving us some trouble, we got it in good shape.
• Tuesday, May 5: ... Ernest and Charles Hansel went to Hamilton to attend Ringling show.
• Saturday, May 9: Eva and I went to Hamilton Ohio and attended to some business. We got home about 6:30 PM. Red lost his hind shoes and we had to drive slow coming home.
• Monday, May 11: ... I got Red Craig shod this p.m., by Jake Popst. Cost $1.20. We commenced to make a grape arbor on east side of yard.
• Thursday, May 13: Eva and I went to West Chester Ohio. Started at 9 AM a.m. and arrived at 12:15. We found the folks well.
• Thursday, May 14: We roamed about the burg of Chester this a.m. ... we started for home at 2 PM. Arrived home at 6 PM.
• Friday, May 15: Ernest and I put in box for Henry B. Fisher near Collinsville, Ohio. We took dinner with him. Mrs. Fisher paid bill $26.20. We got home in time for supper.
• Saturday, May 16: Ernest and I went to John L. Kirvin’s [?] and put up line and phone. We finished about sundown. Mr. Kirvin paid by check, $20. Total bill $26.27. Balance due $6.27. We got in at dark. George Nichol paid $15 box rent. John W Nichol also paid $15 box rent.
• Tuesday, May 26: ... this is our 25th wedding anniversary. We did not celebrate or expect any Silver presents from our friends.
• Wednesday, May 27: ... I attended lodge this evening. K of P.
• Thursday, May 28: ... We did some telephone work today at Neal Irwin’s and George Hansel’s. I caught one dozen hens for market this evening. Will take Red and spring wagon to take them to town in the a.m.
• Friday May 29: ... I took chickens to Hamilton. ... I called at Ohio Tile Company office on N. 3rd St. They will probably send me to Kansas City, Kansas, next week on business.
• Monday, June 1: ... Ernest and Eva [are] taking care of switchboard this week.
• Tuesday, June 2: ... Ed [?] Irwin brought me a load of telephone poles, 26 and all. 20 feet at one dollar each. I paid Hamilton Home Telephone Company $30 on the account.
• Friday June 5: ... I spent p.m. at Mr. Kyger’s watching the trotters trot. Thursday, June 11: Arnold put in phone for Ed C. Harris this a.m.
• Friday, June 12: ... Arnold and I went out east and put on a lot of insulators that some miscreants had broken up with stones.
• Saturday, June 13: I met Mr. Thomas Fuller at Collinsville this p.m. 8:34 train from Cincinnati Ohio. We enjoyed the evening together and tomorrow will go fishing in Talawanda creek.
• Monday, June 15: ... Put guy-wire near H. Kramer’s and fixed side line for Doe Decker.
• Thursday, June 18: ... Arnold and I went to Hamilton Ohio. I paid five dollars on suit of clothes to Tully’s Tailor. ... paid five dollars to. Roshwell [?] on range. This makes $40 paid to date. I also paid the Hamilton Home Telephone Company $20 dollars on account. ... we arrived home at dark.
• Monday June 22: Arnold and I worked all day on trouble. We put in new pole on Huston Road and reset one on on road east of No. 7 school. I took dinner with Mr. Sam Zigler.
• Monday, June 29: at home. Attending to some chores and getting out our quarterly statements to telephone subscribers. We have about $325 due on this quarter.
• Tuesday, June 30: ... Elmer Ledwell paid $5.47 total this a.m.. ... I send out 40 letters today.
• Friday, July 3: ... School board let (the) building of Darrtown school house to Bender Brothers of Hamilton, Ohio. I attended races at Kyger's track (workout races)...Lightning struck ice house of J.Popst. I was in K of P hall at the time attending school board meeting. I hear the echoes of 4th of July uptown.
• Friday, July 10: ... The farmers are very busy threshing their grain. The average for this locality is about 20 bu. per acre.
• Saturday, July 11: A hot day. Arnold and I went blackberrying this a.m. and were quite successful. We got about 20 qt. Arrived home around 2 PM. We did our picking on road side, west of District No.7 school house .
• Sunday, July 12: ... Arnold went to the baseball game at Woods Station. Score: 2 to 25. The Darrtown boys will have to go into training.
• Monday, July 13: ... Mr. Elias Smith and I called at H.D. Kyger’s to see him and his stable of horses. Mr. Smith was an old neighbor of Mr. Kyger’s many years ago.
• Saturday, July 25: ... Mrs. M. helped Mrs. Glardon thresh, or rather get supper for the threshers.
• Tuesday, July 28: I went to Hamilton today with Clarence McVicker. ... we got home about 6 PM. Mrs. Miller, being at Mr. Glardon’s, I went there for my supper. She was assisting Mrs. Glardon, in her cooking for threshers.
• Wednesday July twenty ninth: ... people are working on new schoolhouse.
• Saturday, August 1: Father and Mother got here around 9:30 AM - having started from home at 4 AM. They came around by Robin Hood's barn and father is a slow driver.
• Monday, August 3: ... Father and mother left for home at 8 AM.
• Sunday, August 9: At home. Attended a baseball game this p.m. Woods versus Darrtown. Ended in favor of Darrtown. Woods 7 and Darrtown 13.
• Monday, August 10: I went to G. Gant’s place, 4 miles southwest of Mt. Carmel, Indiana today to get a colt, with Mr. John Phenis. We took dinner with Mr. Gant. He treated us royally. We were eight hours coming home. The colt led very well, but we had to walk all the way home - that is, we let the horse walk. Arrived home at 9 PM. A trip to be remembered.
• Tuesday, August 11: I made several calls around town. Our new schoolhouse is progressing slowly.
• Sunday, August 16: ...This p.m., I attended ballgame on the south bank of Talawanda. Darrtown versus Hamilton. 9 -11, favor of Hamilton. A hotly contested game.
• Thursday, August 20: I went to Hamilton to attend to some business. ... I paid Tully the tailor $5 on the account. I still owe $5. I pay $10 on materials to Hamilton Home. I paid $3.41 to Hamilton Home Telephone Company for U.S. tolls in full, today. I called at Ohio Tile Company plant - Nothing doing in tile.
• Friday August 21: ... Masons are working on new schoolhouse. Tuesday, August 25: ... The village schoolhouse is progressing slowly.
• Wednesday, August 26: I went fishing this a.m. John F. Mee went along. We went to Peter Baecker’s and fished down and up the creek. But, to no purpose. We arrived home around 1 PM.
• Friday, August 28: at home. Hauled some sawdust p.m. The new school building is going up slowly.
• Saturday, August 29: ...Roads are very dry and dusty, Supper in town tonight. Odd Fellows, ice cream and cake. We did not go.
• Sunday, August 30: at home in a.m. This p.m. I attended baseball game between “Merry Widows” of Darrtown and “Sloans” of Oxford, Ohio. A good game. Score 6 - 3 in favor of the “Merry Widows.”
• Thursday, September 3: I went to Hamilton Ohio and attended Teachers Institute. I also met Mr. Thomas Fuller of Cincinnati - who came home with me to finish a few days on Talawanda Creek.
• Monday, September 7: Mr. Fuller and I went to Seven Mile creek. But, caught nothing. Saw plenty. I took Mr. Fuller to traction road and he departed for home at 3 PM. I arrived home at 5 PM.
• Saturday, September 12: I went to Oxford this p.m. and from there to Okeana with K of P to attend meeting of our Pythian Association. 256 (people) on the train. A fine supper. Good speaker. We returned home at late hour. 12:20 left Okeana, arrived home 3:30 AM.
• Thursday, September 14: ... At home. Mr. H.D. Kyger came home this a.m., Very sick with pneumonia. I must call to see him. People say he cannot recover.
• Friday, September 18: ... Mr. H.D. Kyger died this a.m. at 6 o’clock of pneumonia age. 77 years. A remarkable individual, in many ways, has to parted.
• Sunday, September 20: A still, hot, dusty day. The roads are miserable – dust! We eat dust by the peck. Water is becoming scarce everywhere. The country is being scoured by fures, until the heavens are blue with smoke.
• Tuesday, September 22: at home, except attending of H.D. Kyger’s funeral obsequies at 10:30 AM. A large attendance of neighbors, relatives, and friends.
• Friday, October 2: ... The weather is exceedingly dry in the week prospect looks very bad for the farmers. Not enough moisture to bring wheat up.
• Tuesday, October 6: ... I met Mr. Horace Markel and wife of Port Naches, Texas. Mr. M. was a former pupil of mine when teaching Darrtown school. His wife is a native Texan.
• Wednesday, October 7: Arnold and I went to County fair today. Nothing to brag about – the usual display of pumpkins, etc. ... We put our horses on at Mrs. Earhart’s on Main Street.
• Friday, October 9: ... I went to the fair today with Mr. Frank Glardon - in their carriage. The crowd was large... I met David Ayers (cousin). Also, Weller Ayers and many other old friends and acquaintances.
• Friday, October 16: ... This is my 46th birthday. My life is, in all probability, half closed.
• Saturday, October 17: ... Brick layers are about through on new school building. All, but for gables. Carpenters will have to do some work for the gables go up.
• Sunday, October 18: ... the election of you. S. President is waxing warm. I will be glad when it is over ...
• Monday, October 19: I went to Hamilton this a.m. Mr. Pilgrim [?] went along with us. His motorcycle broke down. He left same here to be taken down, by milkman, on the morrow.
• Tuesday, October 20: ... I attended sale at Bud Kramer’s today. A stock sale. Things sold low. Hogs, cattle, sheep, and horses. I got six bushels of wheat of Charles Wagonfield this p.m. for chicken feed.
• Thursday, October 22: ... Arnold and I did some telephone construction work today at Davis corner.
• Monday, October 26: Mr. Frank B. Morton sent me 20 bushels of fine potatoes at $.85 per pound. I pay him $10 dollars on same. I still owe him seven dollars.
• Wednesday, October 28: I helped Arnold this a.m. and, this p.m., went to Mr. Ummel’s [?] sale near Collinsville Ohio.
• Thursday, October 29: ... W. A. Phillips is very sick with pneumonia and cannot recover. The folks went over this p.m. and will probably stay all night.
• Friday, October 30: the folks - Mrs. Miller and Arnold - remained last night at W. A. Phillips. Mr. Phillips died this a.m. at 5 o’clock. I have attended to night-calls and worked at exchange this a.m.
• Saturday, October 31: I went to Hamilton today and attended to some business. I paid balance due on the range-$5. Attended meeting at election board to recieve instructions as to national and state and county elections to be held on November 3, 1908.
• Monday, November 2: Mrs. Miller and son went to obsequies of Mr. W. H. Phillips. I did some chores this p.m. I saw Mr. Frankie B. Morton and paid him $7 - balance due on potatoes, taking a receipt in full. Charles Wagonfield and I squared our accounts. Mr. William Snyder called and paid me two dollars; my pay to act as inspector at election tomorrow.
• Tuesday, November 3: this is election day. I am an inspector of election for Democrats at this, my polling, precinct. At 12 midnight, the news comes of Taft’s election to presidency of US. We will not finish counting here, before 5 AM tomorrow.
• Wednesday, November 4: we finished counting at 4 AM and posted books and left for home at 5 AM.
• Friday, November 6: Mrs. M. and I went to Hamilton Ohio. I went on to Dayton, Ohio to attend five and six District Independent Telephone meeting. I was elected secretary of five district for an expiring year. I came back with W. G. Thompson, General Manager of Home Telephone Company, 7 PM. Mrs. M and I arrived home around 9 PM.
• Tuesday, November 10: ... I went to Riley Ohio to see Mr. Williams S. Dair and arranged with him to buy and ship fur for me this winter.
• Wednesday, November 11: ... I called at H.D. Kyger’s and watched them train horses. Friday, November 13: ... Doing chores and getting ready to take care of horses tomorrow. I rented the barn of James I Wyckoff for 50¢ for one day - Saturday November 14.
• Saturday, November 14: We had a good number of horses to take care of at $.25 per head. Took In $3.50. Cleared about two dollars which was better than doing nothing. I attended sale for about one hour this p.m. Froze out and came home. 48 horses sold at sale or supposed to be. So much by-bidding that no one knows where they were going. Charles Slaubach delivered me a hind-quarter of beef - 91 pounds at seven cents per pound.
• Sunday, November 15: Horse talk today about town - telling how it all happened at Kyger’s horse sale.
• Monday, November 23: I am trying to get ready to go to West Chester Ohio to see father and mother Miller and to attend to some fur business in that section. William Butler paid $7.60 telephone rent today.
• Tuesday, November 24: I got ready and went to West Chester Ohio this p.m. I stopped in Hamilton and got my upper plate - Dr. S. Millikin [?] fixed it - charge $1. I arrived in West Chester around 6:30 PM. Mother was waiting supper...
• Thursday, November 26: at Father’s for Thanksgiving.
• Friday, November 27: Mother Miller and I went to Mason, Ohio and called on relatives and friends. We took dinner with Bertha and Walter Voorhis. We came home in time for supper via Maud, Ohio.
• Monday, November 30: I bought some fur this a.m. and, this p.m., bid father and mother goodbye and departed for home where I arrived in time for supper.
• Wednesday, December 2: I took a little trip today, down the Talawanda and to Seven Mile. I bought a good lot of fur. Good afternoon’s work. I got home 7:30 PM.
• Thursday, December 3: ... I took a trip to morning sun and Fairhaven and Sugar Valley, Preble County Ohio. I made wagers and did some advertising.
• Saturday, December 5: Eva and I went to Hamilton Ohio. I paid Dr. H.E. Twitchell $9.25...
• Tuesday, December 8: ... I went to Collinsville and Somerville Ohio. I bought some fur of William Wright. I got home at 6 o’clock.
• Friday, December 11: I left for Brookville Indiana, via Bath and Fairfield. I got into B. at suppertime. A dark road from Fairfield. I put up at Mr. John Harmon’s. That is my horse - and myself, at the Brunswick Hotel. I met a number of fur men and business looks good for the future.
• Saturday, December 12: A fine day and I fixed up my lines for the business of fur from this town. I located a man at Connersville Indiana, H. A. Simermeyer. I meant John Phenis of Darrtown. I started for home at 3 PM – arrived at 6:30.
• Monday, December 14: I went to Oxford Ohio, as this is my day to be there. ... I saw some of the stockholders of the Oxford Telephone Company on some business pertaining to better conditions in the telephone field.
• Tuesday, December 15: ... This p.m., I went to Somerville, Ohio and saw some fur men. Mr. F. M. Chrisman agreed to buy for our house and I assigned him territory - Gratis, Jacksonburg, Germantown, Post Town, Somerville. I bt some goods of William Wright, on the way home.
• Wednesday, December 16: At home A.M. I went to Seven Mile this p.m. And bt. some fur – made six dollars – anyhow. I also bought some this p.m. and made $2 at least. Pretty good for a half day. I worked until 11:30 changing up and stretching hides or rather fur hides.
• Thursday, December 17: Arnold and I went to Hamilton today. I had an ad put in each county paper at $3.50 cents each = $7. But, I trust that it will pay me for my trouble and expense. Nothing ventured, nothing made. We have arrived home in good time and I brought $6.67 worth of fur.
• Friday December 18: I was at home a.m. This p.m., I went to Seven Mile, Ohio after some fur. All okay. Some fur came in this evening.
• Saturday, December 19: I was at home this a.m. This p.m., I went to Oxford, via Charles Meredith’s. He was not ready to sell. I came home same route in part. I bought $8.75 of fur, this PM of Miles and Rennels.
• Monday, December 21: I went to Oxford Ohio this a.m. ... I came home by Woods Station and McGonigle and Four Mile House. I bought five skunks, two rabbits, and three possums of George Baker. Also, (bought) a goose of Mrs. Baker. Fur, $8.90. Goose, $1.25.
• Friday, December 25: I ate goose for dinner and then left for Brooksville Indiana, where I arrived at 5:30 PM, in a snowstorm of small dimensions.
• Saturday, December 26: I did some business today and ordered ad continued in Brookville Democrat, for two weeks. I left Brookville at 2:30 and arrived home for supper. I found folk all well at home.
• Wednesday, December 30: I went to Hamilton bought several lots of fur. Read returns on the last shipment from H. L. Pence and Company, New York City, $103.85. Profit $21.99
• Thursday, December 31: At home getting out quarterly statements for telephone company rent. Bell Wilkie helped me and we got through a half day’s work. This p.m. I went to K. of P. oyster supper and met a number of old acquaintances. Our boys took quite a number of new members’ applications this, the last day of the old year.
