L. A. Miller Diary of 1917

(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)

Mon. Jan. 1 - At home doing the usual routine work. Chicken dinner‚ I am sorry that so many millions in this Old World do not have chicken today and in Europe, starving by the thousands.

Tues. Jan. 2 - I attended sale at Alva Harris' today. Farm sold private.

Thur. Jan. 6 - A fine winter day - above freezing. The Darrtown Stock Ass'n met this PM, as usual, once each yr. I nominated Geo. Kyger for Pres. & he was elected. New blood & hope something will be doing.

Wed. Jan. 17 - I went to Hamilton today to attend to some biz. I drove Red a little too fast coming home. The roads were very heavy and he is down with indigestion or colic. I am sitting up with him. He is of no commercial value, except as fertilizer. But yet, he does a horse's work all right. He is almost blind from some cause.

Thur. Jan. 18 - I went to bed at 1 AM. Red is still down. I got up at seven and have worked with him all day, but can only ease him for a short time. I think he will cross the river this trip. Has been a great horse. Timed as a trotter - 2:18 half mile track.

Fri. Jan. 19 - Red Craig passed away sometime this AM early. I judge around 3 AM. He made a noble struggle. I feel very sorry that I was the cause undoubtedly. I should have let him walk most of the way home, as the roads were very heavy with snow - not packed much. He was 25 yrs. old & had lots of speed to the day of his death. A good family horse.

Sat. Jan. 20 - This PM, went to Hamilton, O. with J. Beiser and coming home an auto, driven by a neighbor, Mr. Geo. Kolb, not being able to get out of a rut, caught our hind wheel and shook us up. In fact, threw Mr. Beiser out of the rig. The horse being gentle, he stopped at the word. On one hurt seriously.

Tues. Jan. 23 - I took a bunch of fur to Collinsville, O. to ship to Jas. P. Ellis of Middletown, New York. Thos. Shears had a bag also. He shipped with me.

Sat.Jan. 27 - I went to Hamilton today to attend to some biz. I came home in the rain. The horse got soaked pretty thoroughly & I got a little wet.

Sat. Feb. 3 - U. S. Gov. gave Minister Bernstorff of Germany his walking papers this P.M. This undoubtedly means war with Germany soon.

Thur. Feb. 8 [THROUGHOUT THE DAY, MR. MILLER REPORTED THE TEMPERATURE AT 8 DEGREES, 10 DEGREES, AND 2 DEGREES.] Hard to keep warm. Coal is scarce throughout the country.

Sun. Feb. 11 - War situation looks bad for the U. S. We can hardly keep out of the mix-up, unless Germany backs down.

Thur. Feb. 15 - War situation looks bad between U. S. and Germany. Submarines are sinking vessels of the Allies every day.

Wed. Feb. 21 - I attended Institute at this place (Darrtown) today. The old folks had the school children in a spelling match. Prize $5.

Mon. Mar. 5 - Pres. Wilson took the oath of office as Pres. U. S. for 4 more years.

Fri. Mar. 9 - I attended the last rites of an old neighbor, Mrs. Mary Markle, 82+ years old. Mother of Horace and "Sandy" Markle. Horace lives at Port Neches, Texas. He was here in time for the obsequires.

Fri. Mar. 16 - We went down to Fr. Bufler's & attended to some trouble. I attended sale this PM of Markle Bros. personal property & real estate. I bid $590 on real estate. The Bd. of Education bid $600 & it was knocked down to them.

Tues. Mar. 20 - Arnold & I went over to Seven Mile line & reset & cross-armed some poles.

Wed. Mar. 28 - Soldiers are guarding Cincinnati bridges & public building. Looks like war at home. Germany's spy system is worldwide. Germany must be literally wiped off the map.

Thur. Apr. 5 - Congress is in session & will, no doubt, declare war soon. Considerable excitement in U. S. over German spies - but the Am. people were never more cool nor determined than they are right now.

Fri. Apr. 6 - Congress declared war, 3 o'clock AM on the German Gov. & Prussian Militarianism. China and Brazil are likely to follow.

Tues. Apr. 17 - Attended Schollenbarger Bros. Livery stock sale. A general sacrifice. Auto has killed the biz.

Sun. Apr. 22 - This PM, Jos. Phenis & I took a drive & stopped at the old farm Phillips & walked over it. Needs an owner very bad indeed. Going to rack: ditches getting deeper, fences gone to the bad, etc.

Sat. Apr. 28 - I attended K. of P. social in Oxford, O. A good time, but everyone was more or less depressed on account of war situation. The Gov. has passed the Conscription of 3,000,000 men to be put in training, if need be for European war.

Thur. May 17 - Congress is fiddling, while Rome burns. Nuts & fools & soft heads largely consume the make-up of our Congress. Shame on the American voter, for his stupidity.

Wed. May 23 - Our schools closed in this township today. I did not go out, as I had no time to do so - they had quite a crowd & a good time & an "eat."

Wed. May 30 - Speedway races today at Sharonville, O. 102.+ miles per hr. Some are going. I did not attend.

Fri. June 1 - The war in Europe is at a standstill on Russian front. The Russians are demoralized badly.

Tues. June 5 - This is a red-letter day [MR. MILLER WROTE THE FOLLOWING IN RED INK TO EMPHASIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FOLLOWING ENTRY] All men between 21 & 31 inclusive are registering for military service on the ocean and in Europe. Our only son and living child is in his 31st year & therefore had to register. But, linemen and telephone men will be exempted no doubt, where permanently engaged.

Wed. June 6 - Over 10,000,000 men registered in U. S.

Sat. June 9 - Heavy rain in AM. I went to Bunker Hill with Wm. Glardon to breed a mare to a draft stallion.  I met my old friend Aaron Morris, who owns a small farm near Mt. Auburn. A retired teacher, like myself. Retired to work.

Fri. June 28 - Word comes that Gen. Pershing's Am. army landed in France - Bordeaux. Great reinforcing, among the French. Reports state that Russia is becoming active.

Tues. July 3 - Our U. S. troops have landed in France & the French gave them a rousing reception everywhere. France needs us & we now have a chance to repay her for her help during our Revolutionary War of 1775 to 1783.

Thur. July 5 - Arnold went to Lansing, Mich. to drive a car "Reo" to Hamilton, O. for West Side Motor Co.

Sat. July 14 - Extra editions of Cincinnati & Hamilton papers claim the Kaiser of Germany has abdicated, in favor of one of his sons. I fail to see how that will help Germany out of her predicament.

Fri. July 20 - The drawing for Army service commenced 9:30 AM and will not close before midnight, if then. We get the word that our only child & boy is among the number drawn.

Sat. July 21 - The Federal Board (announced that) all conscripted men outside of Hamilton have to go to Middletown to be examined and file exemption papers, if they desire to be exempted.

Fri. July 27 - Much opposition to the Selective Service & sending troops across the Atlantic to France. Few can understand the situation that it is a world fight and it is probably better that we get in the game, before we have to play it alone.

Mon. Aug. 6 - Much disturbance, throughout U. S. A. over the conscription. Many fail to answer the call to be examined. Ernest rcvd' his notice today to appear at Middletown Sat. 9 AM. He will go. I think they will exempt him. He has good grounds.

Mon. Aug. 8 - A K. of P. Booster meeting for a General Picnic to be given at Fair Grounds in Hamilton, O. Sept. 8 was held at Darrtown K. of P. lodge this PM - a good crowd. Bro. Bill Allen, an old K. of P. 80 yrs. of age was present & gave a good Pythian talk.

Sat. Aug. 11 - Arnold went to Middletown to be examined for the World War. Pronounced flat footed & ruptured & yet, he thinks he passed. I think not.

Mon. Aug. 13 - Arnold had Exemption papers fixed at Oxford, O. A number called to have papers sworn to.

Thurs. Aug. 23 - I attended sale of Shirley Corbin for a short time this PM.

Sat. Aug. 25 - My old friend, John F. Mee, died today. He was our secretary of the Darrtown Tel. Co. and had many good & noble traits Peace to his soul.

Thurs. Aug. 28 - I attended the obsequies of John F. Mee, a lifelong resident of Darrtown, O. & Sec. of our Co. - the Darrtown Tel. Co.. A large funeral, under the auspices of the Mason Lodge 32nd degree.

Thurs. Aug. 30 - Son, Arnold, took Bell, his wife, to Mercy Hospital. Expecting a boy, real soon. Dr. Wilkie, Bell's father, accompanied them.

Fri. Aug. 31 - I went to Collinsville to get some mill feed today. No kid has arrived as yet. Expecting one, tonight. (SPACE) 11 PM William Moulton Miller arrived in town. Weight 8 lbs.

Sat. Sept. 1 - I was greeted on every hand this AM by "Hello, Grandpa." Born to my daughter-in-law & son, a boy - as stated on previous page. Aug. 31, 1917.

Sat. Sept. 8 - I went to Hamilton to attend K. of P. Picnic at Fair ground. A good attendance for a gloomy day that looked like rain at any moment. I drove Dick to the buggy. I went alone & came home alone.

Wed. Sept. 12 - Reported - Two American vessels lost off coast of France & our gunners sank 6 German U boats.

Fri. Sept. 14 - War situation is not improving any on the Russian front. Fri.

Sept. 21 - The War Boards are still calling more men to the front.

Sat. Sept. 29 - Dry speaker in town this PM - War! Woman's Suffrage & Prohibition. Food control and God knows what else.

Fri. Oct. 5 - I went to Dayton to attend Ind. Tel. meet. A good meeting. I met a number of old friends. A good discussion.

Mon. Oct. 8 - Arnold is working in Oxford, O. this week @ $3.25 per day for Oxford Tel. Co.

Wed. Oct. 17 - At home - work; work. War in Europe is not easing up any. The British and French front is very active and pushing the Germans back foot by foot. Rain has again made the Flanders low lands a sea of mud.

Sun. Oct. 21 - I secured a hand to cut fodder - Mr. Jacob Snavely. He will commence in the Morning. Arnold will be home from now on.

Mon. Oct. 22 - I cut about 25 shocks of fodder today. Jacob Snavely cut 29. We are getting along fine.

Wed. Oct. 24 - Dick got tangled up & threw himself & broke shafts of buggy this AM. I rode him home. Jas. I. Wycoff an old citizen of Darrtown, resident of Hamilton for the past 5 or 6 years died some time last night from being gassed.

Sun. Nov. 4 - I walked down to new bridge over Talawanda this PM. They will soon have it completed.

Tues. Nov. 6 - Elections today throughout the U. S. We knocked out a litter Kaiser in this Milford Twp. Ohio voted on Wet & Dry. Both claimed victory at 11 PM.

Wed. Nov. 7 - I went to Hamilton with Mr. S. T. Abry. Drys claim the state. Wets look blue. I don't agree exactly with either side. Time will prove them both wrong.

Sat. Nov. 17 - War situation is not as favorable as I would like. Russia is making a mess of things. No government & fighting among themselves. A general reign of terror in many parts.

Wed. Nov. 28 - Our neighbor, S. T. Abry left for Texas this PM. The school gave a supper last evening. I took out [NAME OMITTED] telephone this AM. He owes me over $50 telephone rent and just recently bought an auto. Now, what do you think of that? Going some, isn't it?

Sat. Dec. 1 - At home. Husking corn to get the fodder. Great battles are raging on British & French fronts. Also, Italian front. Accounts say Allies are successful.

Mon. Dec. 3 - I attended a lecture by Tudnor (sp?) Williams of Seven Mile - our Methodist preacher at this place every two weeks.

Thur. Dec. 13 - A busy day at the switchboard. Everybody was on the job - talking. Free service is a grand nuisance, hampers biz & increases upkeep. Arnold went to Hamilton, O. with Harry Teckman.

Sat. Dec. 15 - I attended a Red Cross meeting at the School house this PM. Two Miami college profs & Glee club made up the program.

Sun. Dec. 16 - Guests for dinner. Mary & Ed Phillips - niece and nephew. Callers - Maria & Neller Davis.

Sun. Dec. 23 - I called on Jake Popst family a few minutes to see Granny Smith, who is quite poorly. Poor old Granny. She is about all in, i fear - age about 80.

Tues. Dec. 25 - A white Christmas; a sad Christmas. The world at war.

Fri. Dec. 28 - Can get some coal at Collinsville. Will go over in spring wagon tomorrow, if possible. Out of coal, except for a few lumps.

Sat. Dec. 29 - I went to Collinsville & got some coal. Unloaded what I could not haul in J. Schwab's barn lot I arranged for Wm. Glardon to get a load Monday - 1/2 for myself.

Mon. Dec. 31 - This 1917 will go down in history as a terrible blot to civilization, with the preceding years of 1916 & 1915 and the last half of 1914. And the war is not by any means ended. What will 1918 bring? God, only knows, I do not.