L. A. Miller Diary of 1909
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)Monday,
January 1: ... at home this a.m. This p.m., I went to Somerville Ohio to meet Mr. F. M. Chreamer, by invitation. I stayed overnight at his house.
Saturday, January 2: I went to Gratis, Ohio today to see Mr. D. Shock, an old patron in fur. I also met a gentleman who makes yearly trips to the North Woods hunting and trapping.
Friday, January 8: I drove to New Bath, Indiana this a.m. I met up at Harry Ward’s for dinner. Paid $.50 for dinner and horse feed. I then drove to Brookville, Indiana arriving around 3 PM. I put up at the Brunswick Hotel and horse at Haman’s livery barn.
Saturday, January 9: I got Red Craig roughed this a.m.-so I would be in shape for ice, if it comes in a glaze. ... I left Brooksville at 2:30 PM and arrived home at 6:30 PM.
Monday, January 11: I went to Hamilton this a.m. I’ve renewed a note on account of the Darrtown Telephone Company. Debt for $200. Interest $3.50.
Tuesday, January 12: ... I bought of Adolph Geisler $26.45 worth of fur.
Wednesday, January 13: I went to Hamilton today, this being my day to buy fur there. Wm. Glardon and I went together. ... We attended K of P Lodge, taking in 13 members in the Page rank.
Friday, January 15: I went to Oxford and attended to some business. Also, brought home a buggy I took on, as debt. T. M. Welsh, $12. I attended KOP Lodge and initiated-helped- candidates. Two Page and four Esquire.
Wednesday, January 20: I went to Hamilton today. I bought three bunches of fur. Made about five dollars on the day’s work.
Thursday, January 21: ... I went to Gratis and bought $109.30 worth of fur of C. Z. Ecks.
Wednesday, January 27: I went to Hamilton today and bought a nice lot of fur, at a reasonable price, as compared to previous prices. I attended to some business and also bought Mrs. Miller a set of spoons and forks and knives. Also, a pair of scissors.
Monday, February 1: ... I went to Hamilton to attend board meeting of the Home Telephone Company in regards to proposed business with the Bell Company.
Tuesday, February 2: ... Mr. J. B. Manrod brought me 85 pounds of beef - hindquarter- 8.5¢ per pound = $7.05.
Saturday, February 6: At home today on account of the K of P doing tonight. ... a great success - the banquet at K of P Hall. Hamilton team -Lone Star- did the work. Ladies presided at the cooking. ...
Thursday, February 11: ... Emmanuel Schaeffer brought me $11 worth of fur.
Friday, February 12: at home. Some fur coming in. Arnold and I went skunk dragging this a.m.
Saturday, February 20: We got three poles and tools ready for the East Road and this p.m., Ernest and I went over and did some work. Putting said lines in part repair and working order. Mrs. Miller and Belle Wilkie went to Hamilton today to see the play “Shadows of a Great City.” Miss Essie Shears did the exchange work this PM.
Sunday, February 21: ... we read, slept, and strolled about town this p.m. a while.
THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THIS WINTER, MR. MILLER RECORDED MULTIPLE ENTRIES ABOUT HIS FUR BUSINESS, INCLUDING THE PLACES THAT HE VISITED AND THE AMOUNTS PAID AND RECEIVED DURING THE TRANSACTION OF SAID FUR BUSINESS.
Tuesday, March 2: at home. I staked off an extension of telephone line down toward Hamilton on Darrtown Pike from Richard McVickers to Jasbring's, about 1⁄2 mile.
Sunday, March 7: ... I went over to Mr. Samuel Ziegler’s and settled for hay and he settled for telephone rent. I owed him $8.46.
Thursday, March 11: Arnold and I did some telephone work today on the East Road. Put in two poles and straightened up some.
Monday, March 15: I went to Oxford this a.m. and attended to some business. I came home by Jericho to look at some telephone poles on an old Oxford line. I shall buy 12 poles for $11, wire and all, as it stands.
Tuesday, March 16: I went to Cincinnati, Ohio today to clear up an error with Western Electric Company. We found we had ordered 1,030 feet of number 18 duplex wire that we did not need. They gave us permission to return same. I ordered two magneto phones on trial of 30 days.
Wednesday, March 17: Arnold and a Mr. Jasbring went to Jericho and took down line and hauled poles where needed.
Thursday, March 18: We laid out and commenced to put in extensions on the Darrtown Pike toward Hamilton.
Friday, March 19: We worked on (the) telephone line today. We got as far as (the) Stony Run bridge.
Sunday, March 21: ... Arnold went out on telephone trouble and found some on Hamilton lines. Mrs. Erhardt is with us. She went to church today. I wrote a letter to father and mother. ...
Tuesday, March 23: We finished putting in poles on our extension. We went up on Oxford line and put two poles this a.m. In order to fill out our line (that) we are now building, this p.m., we finished line - as to poles, cross arms, and braces. We now have the wires to stretch and drops to put in.
Tuesday, March 30: We put in telephone at Jasbring's and went to Hamilton after some telephone material.
Sunday, April 4: Mrs. Miller and I were invited out to a wedding anniversary today. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Glardon. Quite a crowd of relatives and friends present. An enjoyable time was had. Mr. F. Mee and family and ourselves were the only neighbors invited.
Monday, April 5: ... I went to Hamilton this a.m. and attended to some business. I called at (the) Ohio Tile Company office and saw damage done by fire. They got off very lucky.
Wednesday, April 7: ... We attended lodge this PM and after lodge, we all went to medicine show.
Thursday, April 8: I dug a telephone post hole on east line this a.m. Jacob Ziegler brought me a load of hay.
Friday, April 9: ... I went to Collinsville after two telephones, from Western Electric Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ernest installed one this PM. They are a fine-looking phone.
Sunday, April 11: At home all day. Teddy, our dog, has been accused of killing sheep. Circumstantial evidence only. Nevertheless, I shall dispose of him, lest he be accused of future depredations. The dog belongs to our son, Ernest, and I have repeatedly warned him that he would get us all in trouble for what is his trouble is the measure of ours.
Monday, April 12: ... I went to Jericho to swear in some appraisers for Mr. Johnson, Charles, administrator of his father’s small property located near Jericho.
Friday, April 16: ... This p.m., I went to Oxford, Ohio and help load 30 20-foot polls. Ed C. Irwin hauled them. I paid the Oxford Telephone Company $20.20 for said poles ... $.94 each.
Wednesday, April 21: ... We went over to Frank Marshal’s and put in an extension bell. We then went on to Collinsville and took out pay station at that place.
Thursday, April 22: We dug some holes for poles at McVicker’s. We framed some poles and helped dig out some trees for Kyger Brothers. $1.50 for 20 trees.
Monday, April 26: ... I received a final account from H. D. Pence ... our profits have been $301.63, less actual expenses of about $25, leaving a net profit of $275. Not too bad for the first year on new plan
Wednesday, May 5: ... I attended K of P lodge this p.m. A fair attendance for this season of the year, as our members are mostly farmers and this is a busy time.
Thursday, May 14: I went to Hamilton today to bring out cousins Ross and Molly Hulbert of Virgo County, Indiana, near Terre Haute. I found them at Major LaRue’s on 11th St. We arrived home at 6 PM.
Saturday, May 15: I and Eva Took Mr. and Mrs. Ross Hulbert to depot at Oxford, Ohio for 9:32 AM train for Terre Haute Indiana. ... Arnold came to Oxford to get haircut and then took his mother home in carriage. he left his horse and buggy for me. I attended the telephone meeting at Mr. Williamson’s office between Bell officials and independent officials.
Sunday, May 16: At home all day. Automobiles have been keeping things warm today.
Friday, May 21: ... We did some tinkering jobs and looked after the chicks and setting hens. Collections are slow coming in just present. Arnold and Belle Wilkie went to Collinsville to attend class night of Milford Township high school.
Wednesday, May 26: I went to Hamilton this a.m. I paid the Hamilton Home Telephone Company on account $25. ... An independent caucus of a few leading telephone men will meet tomorrow at the Sinton Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. I am invited to attend, of course, having suggested (the) meeting to W. G. Thompson to try and iron out the telephone situation in Ohio.
Thursday, May 27: I attended the caucus of independent telephone men at Cincinnati, Ohio. ... I was selected as secretary of said caucus. A discussion of telephone conditions led to the appointment of a committee of those present, to meet the Ohio State Independent Association of Telephone Exchanges - June 3, 1909.
Saturday, May 29: ... We attended the memorial services at the Darrtown cemetery this p.m.. The speaker was a Mr. Todd Hunter of Middletown Ohio. (The) Uncle Tom’s Cabin show, which is in town and shows this p.m., furnished the music for the occasion. Some 350 people attended the play, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, given under canvas - at the p.m. performance.
Sunday, May 30: ... the Uncle Tom’s Cabin people left Darrtown, Ohio - 4 PM - for Reily, Ohio.
Thursday, June 3: W. G. Thompson of the Hamilton Home Telephone Company and I went to Columbus Ohio and attended a very successful meeting of telephone people. ... Eva met me, with Phil, at Dead Man's Hollow. I walked out from Hamilton Depot. Essie Shears commenced to work at exchange for Belle Wilkie. Belle will take a short vacation.
Saturday, June 5: ... I was very much surprised by my old friend, Harry Garland of Deerfield, Indiana, walking in on us this PM.
Sunday, June 6: Mr. Harry Garland was with us all day ... I took him to Oxford this p.m. He is on a brick laying job at Oxford and expects to be there for some weeks and I hope to have him with us again ...
Thursday, June 10: at home doing chores. Arnold Benedict was out on trouble the most of the day.
Saturday, June 12: Eva and I went to Hamilton, Ohio. We went to (the) Grand Theatre, this PM.
Monday, June 14: ... Arnold and I worked on the east line and made good progress. We will soon be ready to stretch.
Wednesday, June 16: I drove to Hamilton, Ohio and then went to Columbus, Ohio to attend telephone meeting. Committee appointed at previous meeting reported. No material progress. A new committee was selected by Pres. Beam to devise ways and means by which the U.S. long- distance independent company could be taken over by Ohio independent company.
Sunday, June 20: At home in a.m. This p.m., we attended the K of P memorial exercises. Marched from hall to cemetery. Brother Ellis (Grand Outer Guard) Dayton, Ohio delivered the address. An excellent piece of thought, along the right lines.
Thursday, June 24: ... Belle Wilkie commenced work at exchange - after a three-week vacation.
Saturday, June 26: ... I took a short drive this PM. Collected $3.75 from Wm. Barnes for telephone rent. I came home via the Wallace farm.
Sunday, June 27: ... Arnold and I went out east this a.m. and fixed line cut by lightning. Charles Snyder was driving in his lane at the time and no doubt at all that the wires saved his life. He received a heavy shock, also the horse. Balls of fire shot across the rooms from several phones.
Tuesday, June 29: ... Between 12 noon and 1 PM, a balloon passed over this place. Starting from Dayton Ohio at 10 AM. They were bound for where ever the wind might take them. Five men, it is said, compose the party. We will be hearing the details in tomorrow’s papers.
Wednesday, June 30: ... I attended lodge this p.m. and paid dues for myself and Ernest Miller - $3.
Friday, July 2: ... I made out papers for notary and sent off this a.m. from Hamilton, Ohio. I attended races this p.m. Good speed, but poor racing. John Grayer came out with me, this p.m.
Thursday, July 8: I went to Hamilton this a.m. to attend to some business. ... I received my notary commission today and had same recorded. Dated July 4 (19)09 expires July 4 (19)12.
Tuesday, July 13: ... I prepared a form a cistern top out of cement.
Wednesday, July 14: we made cement top to cistern this a.m. This p.m., I went to Oxford, Ohio to get some harness at repair shop in checks cashed. ... I found a penknife in the streets of Oxford – a good one.
Friday, July 16: ... I put top on cistern this p.m. And have pump in place. A good job, I think, and one that will last for a long time.
Saturday, July 17: At home in a.m. This p.m., I went to Hamilton Ohio with William Glardon. I bought 6 pounds of butter and attended to other business. We arrived home about 9 PM, after having missed connections at 6 PM. I thought I had been left for a while. But, by use of the telephone, we got things straightened out and made connections.
Wednesday, July 21: ... We get some telephone work today on east line. Stretched three circuits of wire from exchange to James K. Broadbury’s.
Tuesday, July 27: ... the Wright Brothers of Dayton Ohio have made a successful government test of one hour, 12 minutes at 30 to 40 miles per hour, near Washington D.C. - fully meeting the government test.
Thursday, July 29: ... Arnold and I stretched wire on east line. Finishing the job, we got caught in the p.m. storm and drove into Kyger brothers barn for shelter. Thereby, missing our supper at Mr. F. Glardon’s - where the womenfolk were helping to cook for threshers.
Friday, July 30: ... The young folks are getting ready to picnic at Coney Island, above Cincinnati Ohio on the morrow. Arnold and Belle Wilkie, Charles Hansel and Essie Shears, William Bufler and Bessie Shears. Quite a love-sick bunch.
Sunday, August 1: ... This p.m., I called on James Fackey and took his verbal contract for a telephone. Three-year contract, first year in advance. He pays for his side line.
Monday, August 2: ... We took supper at Mr. Frank Glardon’s. The women folk helped cook for the threshers. Mrs. M. and Mrs. Earhardt and Belle Wilkie went to Mr. Samuel Ziegler’s and helped Grace get dinner for threshers this A.M.
Wednesday, August 4: we were called out on trouble this a.m. Re-set pole on George Nichol line and cleared No. 12 of trouble ...
Saturday, August 7: ... Arnold has been out on trouble all day. We could not get Fackey’s phone in today. Ed Teckman got poles for his line this PM.
Wednesday, August 11: Arnold and I went to Taylor’s and fixed phone. I went to Collinsville, got some material from Kellogg Company returned ... we went to James L. Kirvin’s (sp?) to fix phone by putting in a new generator.
Thursday, August 12: ... Wedding at Charles Krebs’ Sunday. James Harris & Nelly Krebs.
Friday, August 13: Lightning struck J.D. McVicker’s barn and burned to the ground. Loss $2000. Bolt burned up 400 bushels of wheat, plus hay, etc.
Saturday, August 14: we put phone in at Ed Teckman’s this a.m. A heavy storm over this section this p.m. The barn on the old Smiley farm near McGonigle was struck by lightning and burned down. Loss heavy ... I went over and got the details and telephoned to Hamilton paper.
Sunday, August 22: ... this p.m., I attended the game of baseball. Jerico and Darrtown. 5 - 4.
Saturday, August 28: I fixed a break in line near S. Andrews and Mr. Andrews paid me $4.15 total rent.
Sunday, August 29: ... I saw game of baseball this PM. Darrtown versus Collinsville and Seven Mile. 12 to 11 in favor of Darrtown.
Tuesday, August 31: I went to Hamilton today and attended to some business. I attended Institute for a short time this p.m. Some of the old pedagogues were there; however, the crowd was mostly women.
Saturday, September 4: ... This p.m., Arnold and I and Pelly Popst went dove hunting up to [?], where the doves have a roosting place in a hedge. We bagged eight and lost many more.
Thursday, September 9: ... Word reaches us of the discovery of the North Pole by Dr. Frederick Cook, native of United States. ... On the heels of this news comes the startling news that Perry had also reached the North Pole.
Saturday, September 11: Father Miller and mother arrived here about noon today, tired and weary.
Sunday, September 12: ... Father and mother with us and will remain over Sunday. We all called on (the) Mr. Frank Glardons this evening.
Monday, September 13: Father and mother left for home early, via Seven Mile, Woodsdale, and West Chester, their home. ...
Wednesday, September 15: Arnold and I went over on Seven Mile line and straightened it up and did some trimming. We took dinner at Mr. Samuel Ziegler’s and had a fine dinner.
Wednesday, September 22: ... the North Pole controversy continues on unabated and unsettled.
Tuesday, September 28: ... I painted gin wagon today and helped trim trees this p.m. Thursday, October 7: I went to Butler County fair. Saw racing - was good.
Thursday, October 14: Arnold and I went to Oxford Ohio and got 100 pounds of shingles to do some repairing.
Wednesday, October 20: ... I hitched up and went to public sale of John Kirven - deceased.
Thursday, October 21: ... I went to Oxford to get Phil's teeth floated. Dr. Somers did the work - charging $1.
Friday, October 22: ... at 4:48 this PM, No. 18 flyer on Pa. R.R. ran into an open switch at Collinsville, Ohio about 4 miles from here and collided with (??) train No. 75. A terrible affair. I want to scene of wreck. 5 to 7 trainmen killed. No passengers killed, only slightly injured.
Tuesday, October 26: I drove to Oxford this a.m. and got Red's teeth floated. I then drove to E. A. Ridenour’s and arranged with him to buy fur for us this season.
Thursday, October 28: ... This p.m., Arnold took me to Hamilton, Ohio. At 8:22, W. G. Thompson and I took train for Columbus to attend a called business meeting of Ohio Telephone Association. We will not reach Columbus before tomorrow.
Friday, October 29: we got to Columbus at 2 AM and put up at the Northern Hotel. One dollar for bed and breakfast. We attended convention. A great meeting for independent telephone association. ... put up at Northern for the night.
Saturday, October 30: I left Columbus at 8 AM. Stopped in Springfield and saw some fur men. ... Met Plessie Cramer (sp?) in Dayton, an old pupil. Arrived in Hamilton at 3 PM and came home with "Shuck," our storekeeper.
Sunday, October 31: ... Arnold spent day in Oxford helping Kirk Mee fix his machine. He and Belle W. Have arranged to go to Ada, Ohio, with Kirk and his wife in auto.
Monday, November 1: ... received that the Ada, Ohio party had arrived at their destination.
Thursday, November 4: I drove to Shandon, Ohio this A.M. Saw Harvey Rotherman and he agrees to take that territory for us in fur this season.
Tuesday, November 9: ... I collected some telephone rent today of Sarah Bradbury - $4.05
Thursday, November 11: I went to Hamilton, Ohio this a.m. Mrs. M. went with me. I then went to Dayton, Ohio to attend the 5th and 6th District Telephone meeting. I served as secretary. I was elected president of 5th District. Also, delegate to International Convention, Chicago, Illinois.
Friday, November 12: ... I looked after Wm. Glardon’s colt – foaled by Dolly, a mare I used to own.
Saturday, November 13: I looked after colt and fed same for Wm. Gordon. It cannot live - has never stood alone and sucked, as yet. ... Colt died this P.M.
Monday, November 15: I went to Hamilton Ohio with Ed C. Irwin today. ... George Francis brought a load of hay (timothy) at $10 per ton = $14.07
Sunday, November 21: ... I started for Columbus Ohio this p.m. I met the Oxford and the Morning Sun delegation, at Hamilton, Ohio (Mr. E. E. Williams and S. Douglas). We arrived in Columbus at midnight and went to bed at the Northern Hotel.
Monday, November 22: I attended the Ohio Independent Telephone Association meeting, which means much to Independent’s interest in Ohio and elsewhere. Some progress made. I left with the parties that came with for home on (the) 5:45 PM. Arrived in Hamilton Ohio 10:20 PM. I put up at Seville hotel for the night. I met my old friend Dr. H.E. Twitchell and we chatted for an hour.
Tuesday, November 23: I came home with Theo Decker and immediately got my old clothes and went to work looking for trouble caused by the storm.
Wednesday, November 24: I drove to see Mr. D. P. Connell. ... lives north of Morning Sun - 7 miles. He’ll buy fur for us this season.
Sunday, November 28: ... this p.m., I drove to West Chester, Ohio and arrived in time for supper at 7 PM. Father and mother were well and waited supper for me.
Tuesday, November 30: Father and I started early for Pisgah, Socialville, Fosters Crossing, and South Lebanon. Home by Mason and Maud. I met fur men who will do business for our house.
Thursday, December 2: I started for home this a.m. Rained on me from Hamilton Ohio.
Friday, December 3: ... I attended the horse sale at Kyger Brothers stock farm today. Near Darrtown, Ohio. A large crowd. Horses sold cheap, I thought.
Monday, November 6: ... I went out after fur, this p.m. and made myself enough to attend the Chicago convention. I will take midnight train. Arnold took me to the Oxford Depot this is 11 PM.
Tuesday, December 7: ... I put it up at the Windsor-Clinton and then went to the auditorium where the convention meets.
OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS (December 8 and 9), MR. MILLER’S ENTRIES DESCRIBE HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Friday, December 10: I took a train at 8:30 (AM) and arrived at Oxford at 5 PM. I telephoned for Arnold and I met him at Beckett’s hill, thus shortening up the time, by an hour.
Friday, December 17: I went to Frank B. Morton’s this p.m. Thomas Shears went with me. We took dinner and after dinner we went skunk hunting.
Monday, December 20: ... I drove to Greenbrier schoolhouse District after fur this p.m.
Thursday, December 23: I took fur to Hamilton and shipped it to H. L. Pence and Company ... about $140.
Saturday, December 25: ... We had roast chicken for our Christmas dinner.
Friday, December 31: At home in a.m. I went to Oxford this p.m. to attend to some business. This is the last day of this whole year. Goodbye.
