L. A. Miller Diary of 1915
(Excerpted by Ron Wiley; clarifying comments by Fred Lindley)
Jan 1: A diary is a record, it to be handed down to coming generations. It should not contain any personal matter that may offend or in any way leave a blot on the ancestors or of the writer’s relatives or of the writer and his relatives - a destruction of the Diary might follow.
10: Arnold and Bell went out for a ride this p.m.
11: Eaton mtg. of independent tel. Co's. Met old friend, David Pearce & his bro James Pearce. James and I were at Danville, Ind. Normal School, together in 1881 & 1882.
15: I went to Dayton this A. M. To attend a meeting of 5 & 6th Dist. Off Independent Tel Association, of which I am President.
22: I went after Joy, my sister-in-law, this pm, who teaches at Four Mile School.
23: R. Lock, Mgr for H. L. Pearce & Co died today. I have shipped them fur for 25 years.
27: I went to Hamilton, O. and closed contract with Shirley Corbin for a tentative lease of the Phillips farm in Sec 34 Milford Tp. Butler Co Ohio. Arnold & Kirk (Miller & Mee) went to Hamilton, O. in a sleigh, this am. They returned at 11 pm. Pretty well cooled out, so to speak.
Feb. 2: I attended a mass meeting - held in regard to the establishment of a Central High School. Nothing definite was accomplished.
4: I went to William Kramer's sale. Shirley Corbin & I & we bought 8 barrows, average wt about 135 lbs. We failed to get any sows, but bid on a number.
6: War news shows but few changes. The news we receive is so censored that we don't know much about this trouble. Except that it is a World Calamity.
7: I went out to John Harris' to look at some hogs - one is too large. I ordered four killed and dressed from Shfer of Hamilton @ 9 1/2 c per lb.
9: Will go to Hamilton, after four dressed hogs I bought of Shfer. @ 9 1/2 tomorrow. Wm. Glardon will take his team. I went to Oxford, O. I borrowed Two- hundred dollars on acct & for the Phillips heirs to run farm & meet the necessary expenses for a period of six months. Hb Thos. Shears came down this am & began cutting up hogs. He found that by them leaving heart, lungs, liver & lights in and not opening them up that ribs & adjacent parts had soured. I called Mr. F. Shfer & he said to bring these parts back. I returned 58 lbs. They had also had forgot to deduct 28 lbs. for truck beams. I recd pay for 86 lbs. The folks found the wind blew so hard that they gave up rendering lard.
13: I took Red over to farm & brought Phil home. He is looking good for a colt of 25 yrs.
14: I went over to farm this p.m. And looked over situation with Corbin, our tenant. I went to Oxford & got some copies of dispatches from H. L. Pence & Co., New York City. Mr. Lock, our Mgr for HL Pence & Co died Jan 23 - 1915 and a new deal is on & I fear crooked in the extreme. I leave tomorrow for New York City to see what is up. I borrowed one hundred dollars on my own acct. of Farmers State & Saving Bk. for 90 days.
17: I went to Hamilton, Ohio. Thos. Shears took me. This is the 1st stage of an 800 mi. trip. I left at 6 pm for Dayton, O where I bought a ticket for New York City -- sleeper to Buffalo N. Y. 19.78 Traveled all day, through N. Y. state. Sleigh riding & hauling with sleds, near Albany-also saw them cutting ice with horses on the Hudson R. below Albany.
19: I cleared up the situation, as regards H. L. Pence, as that Co now stands. I made arrangements with Jos. Steiner & Bros to take fur on hands & he telegraphed home for me. I left on Penn R 11:30 pm for home.
20: An all day ride. Came from Pittsburgh on Special Express train 2d Div. Made the trip from New York City to Hamilton, O. in 19 hrs. I put up at my sister- in-law's for the night. Talked to folks at home-not expecting me so soon. I see farmers in Ohio plowing. Spring weather over a large scope of US. [Excerptor's note: Note the date - February 20! Global warming?]
23: I went over this pm and hauled some sorted corn to Lizzie Phillips, 6 bu. and 12 bu. for myself. Billy, the fat man, went along. Harry R. Phillips, a nephew by marriage. - a coming three year old. calls himself "Billy, the fat man."
24: I am thinking; thinking; thinking. But my thoughts are not to be written here. My life has been many thorns & thistles. My optimism saves me.
Mar. 22: I went up to Peter Liebrich's and helped him cut some willows. I want them to set out, on farm.
25: I read a letter from Capt J. H. Brooks of Ocala, Fla., enclosing my tax receipt for 40 acres that I own there. Marion Co.
April 7: I rec'd word that my father, who is 77 yrs. was bordering on a stroke of apoplexy.
8: Dr. Bragg came up from Lockland. He thinks he can trade off the threatened stroke of paralysis. This has been caused by worry largely.
9: Ernest should be at home with us. He is our only son living. Two daughters & two sons dead, all still-born.
12: I put in two large chestnut poles that the wind had broken off on Huston Road.
21: I went to Hamilton with Geo. Kyger & from there to West Chester, O. to see my father, who is sick. I found him very poorly and wandering in his mind.
24: I went to train to meet Anne Hoserman, twice today, but she failed to arrive. She lives at Guelph, Canada, & and was raised by father & mother.
May 6: The Germans sank the Lusitania w/ passenger vessel-They gave no warning before discharging torpedo over a thousand lives lost, 115 American citizens.
24: My old friend Carl McVicker lost a thumb and forefinger of left hand today even sawing wood with a circle saw
June 26: Eva and I went to West Chester, O. today & found father about the same. Albert Dawson killed a man & wounded another one who was robbing his ginseng patch & showed fight. They took him to Hamilton O. But should have given a hearing & let him go. We are at father's tonight. Anna Hoserman is away at her brothers. She will be back tomorrow.
27: At father Miller's. I have been busy looking after Albert E. Dawson's interest in aforesaid killing. Harry Howard & I went to Pisgah & visited the scene of the theft & killing. Public sympathy is with Albert. He acted in self defense of property & his life.
28: I went to Hamilton O & looked after Albert's interest in various ways. Hearing held enforce Square Suggest at 11 am Slayback & Hau(?) attys for Albert. Albert waived examination & was bound over to grand jury in the sum of 500.00. He gave bail of 1/2 million & fifteen men stepped forward & went his bond.
July 4: Mr. Schlegel came up from Cinti. - wife & Mrs Earhart from Hamilton. We took a walk over the farm.
6: Corbin began to cut wheat today.
7: Mr. Al. Sillars (?) and I cut bean poles & stuck Lima beans this pm
11: Mr. Albert Sillars & I went over to farm and I did some chores. We took in Indian Hill - a fine view up & down the valley of the Tallawanda. Mr. Sillars was very much impressed with the views.
16: Chester Corbin cut oats today. I shocked some; assisted by Arnold Miller, my son, & Al Sillars.
18: War in Europe still rages. The Russians are on the retreat. Germans are attempting to take Warsaw, the ancient capital of Poland.
Aug 23: I got my notary papers fixed in West Chester ready for Judge to sign. I saw Judge Harlan & he put his fist to same.
25: I went to sale of "Tully" - an old Sohngen farm in Hanover Twp. I rec'd telephone to go to West Chester that father was worse & neighbors had considered taking him away for safe keeping. I found him quiet & no apparent change.
26: Father was very quiet all day until this evening when he became violent & I had to suppress him with force. Mr. Phillips came & spent the night. We sent for Dr. Allen, also for the sheriff. A hopeless case of old age Senile and dementia or suffering of the brain.
27: Father left us with Rev. Miller, for a ride, as he supposed to Hamilton O. Where to be detained, until he can be sent to Dayton O. sanitarium. We had much rather have followed him to his grave.
28: I bid mother goodbye and came to Hamilton O. to look after father. He seems to be contented & thinks he is in a hotel. I did not let him see me for fear of causing him to become violent. I came home with Kirk Mee at 7:30 pm.
30: I went to court house and made arrangements to have father taken to Dayton O., by auto. He is no better. We landed in Dayton about 6 pm & saw him in safe hands & full arrangements for his care. We arrived back in Hamilton at 9 pm & came home with Fr. Marshall by auto. This marks a sad period in my life. I am glad that father is where he will be cared for properly.
Sept 7: I met Gen. Mgr. Reynolds & M. O. Burns at CH&D Depot this pm & took tram for Columbus, O. to attend hearing before Pub. Utilities Com. In case of W. A. Shaeffer vs Cinti & Sub. Bell telephone Co.
8: Hearing of Tel. case came off 1:30. I left with B L Kilgore & N. E. Westlake for Cinti. I put up at Gibson for the night.
28: We were just ready to go when a telephone call came to us, telling us father had died at 5:15 am this morning. I went to Dayton alone and brought father's remains home. I telegraphed to relatives and friends. We set the burial for Friday, Oct. 1, 1915 at 2 o'clock P.M.
Oct. 1: Between the hours of 4 & 5 P.M., in beautiful Mason cemetery, I have laid my last, best friend - father.
14; I rec'd notice of mistake in ad in Horse Review, "Darktown instead of Darrtown. The same will be run again, on account of error.
23: I went to Millville O. to attend dedication of Millville K of P new lodge room. I met my old time friend Jas. M. Cox, Ex Gov of Ohio. He delivered an excellent address on Economics, mostly.
Nov 2: State, County & Twp. election today. The Socialists lost Hamilton, by old parties coming against them. Ohio: Prohibs were defeated by 40,000 votes. The Prohibs gained 50,000 votes. She will go dry the next whirl.
12: War in Europe no nearer an end apparently than when it began. Millions homeless and starving. Millions, dead in battle. The Greatest war of all times. Nothing has ever equaled it.
17: Shirley Corbin brought me up 16 bu corn. I am to pay him whatever new corn market opens at the elevator.
Dec 4: I attended obsequious of Jos. Bufler, our neighbor & watch repairer, this pm.
