L. A. Miller Diary of 1923

(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)

Jan. 1: A fine day to start a new year with – but, European states are in a bad way financially. Gold as a medium of exchanger is causing trouble.

Jan. 4: Arnold and I went to Hamilton today. I went to get my upper teethe plate; but, Dr. Millikin had gotten a bad wax impression and he had to take one in plaster of Paris.

Jan. 8: ...I went over to C.D. McVicker’s and got, or rather, bargained for, two Plymouth Rock roosters at $1.50 each. C.D. delivered them this PM.

Jan. 11: ...I went to Hamilton and got my upper set of teeth. I paid Dr. Sam Millikin in full to date...$4 for work done.

Jan. 16: ...I went up to Withrow’s after a hind-quarter of beef – 76 lbs. Also, called on Wm. Schnubeck [?]. A public sale was in progress.

Jan. 19: ...I went to Collinsville on some biz this AM. Also, took some crocks up to Jm. Shaw’s to put lard in.

Jan. 22: ...W.C. McSherry came down and we wen to Eaton, O. to attend Tri-Co Association...Roads were bad in getting to Camden. The rest to Eaton is paved.

Jan. 26: ...The Ford Works at Hamilton, O is taking all the farm help away for miles around. The farmer cannot pay the wage to compete with Ford. Ford starts a man at $5 per day and in a few weeks, he makes good to $6 per day.

Jan. 27: ...Farm Bureau had a big eat at Lutheran Church today – a private affair.

Jan. 31: We loaded cattle at 6 AM and arrived at the Cincinnati Stock Yards at 8:30 AM. Sold by noon = $138.62, less commission: Net of $134.92. I stayed to close of market. I came home on bus to Oxford and then caught a ride with a neighbor home. I attended K of P this PM.

[NOTE: THROUGH MUCH OF JANUARY, MR. MILLER DESCRIBED HOW FRANCE WAS TAKING OVER AREAS OF EUROPE, FOLLOWING THE END OF WWI. HE ALSO FREQUENTLY COMMENTED ON THE WEATHER AND THE CORRESPONDING CONDITION OF THE ROADS]

Feb. 3: ...I met with the Stock Protection Co. this PM. Was put on committee to meet or call on the Mason Horse Rangers on biz pertaining to, or rights under, the law to arrest felons & etc.

Feb. 8: ...Mr. Wm. Schnebech [?] called and settle his telephone rent. He leaves for Cinti the 15th of February. Luther McVicker called and settled telephone rent and tolls. Geo. Kyger had some papers sworn to. Fee - 50 cents.

Feb. 10: ...The roads are in miserable condition for a section of Ohio htat has a superabundance of road material. So many bridges out from cloudburst of Sept. 3, 1922. These bridges should have been replaced within 8 weeks. 12 at the longest. Nothing has been done.

Feb. 12: ...Arnold has been helping the Teckman Brothers trucking cattle and hogs to Cinti. He came in after midnight this date.

Feb. 19: Left for Columbus at 11 AM. Arrived 3 PM, by auto and bus. A great many of the telephone men were on the ground, especially the manufacturing and sales reps.

Feb. 20: At Columbus. Convention opened this AM by a talk by the mayor of Columbus. Feb. 21: ...A good convention. Action under new Constitution was held...

Feb. 22: A raw wind with snow flurries. I came home on “Big 4” to Middletown, O. and from there on bus to Oxford. Arnold cam up to Oxford after me.

Feb. 23: At home. Many world problems that have a disturbing influence on world biz. ...the small businessman is being eliminated slowly, but surely.

Feb. 24: ...Mr. Minor Withrow killed me a hog. Arnold went up after it this PM.

Feb 26: ...I went to sale at C. Kramer’s; I had intended to offer my Holstein/Jersey, but, I changed my mind. It would not pay me. I brought her home.

Mar. 2: ...Teams out scraping roads. I went to Oxford this PM, with Harry Teckman.

Mar. 3: ...Roads are going through, under heavy trucks. Autos stuck all over the county this PM. Arnold could not get home from Oxford.

Mar. 4: Arnold got in from Oxford, by going via McGonigle and Nichol’s road to McVicker's on Hamilton Pike and then home.

Mar. 8: I went to Hamilton this AM wth Harry Teckman. Came home with Ennis Pearson. Saw David Pierce and Joe Williams and arranged for Florida trip. Will go Wed. or Thurs. of next week. Time will be fixed by Sunday.

Mar. 10: ...Getting things in shape to go south for awhile and see if I can sell out my Florida land. Too far from Ohio to be of any use unless, I were able to spend my winters there.

Mar. 13: I got ready for my Florida trip. I packed this AM and Bell and Bill took me to Hamilton. I am remaining overnight with Fred David Pierce who will be with me on this trip. ... We retired at 10:30, as we must meet the 5:10 AM Penn RR through train for Knoxville, Tenn. and the south.

Mar. 14: I awoke at 3:30 and aroused Mr. David Pierce sleeping in an adjoining room. By some hustling, we secured our breakfast and arrived at (the) depot 1 and 1⁄2 minutes ahead of schedule. But, the train was 10 minutes late, which widened our margin of safety. We had through care and reached Knoxville, Tenn. 3:30 PM. ...We stopped at Knoxville and will go on to Atlanta tomorrow.

Mar. 15: At Knoxville, Tenn. St. John’s Rooming Hotel. ... Train 3 hours late this PM. We went back to Stafford Rooming Hotel and will take the 6 AM to Atlanta,

Ga.

Mar. 16: We left Knoxville, Tenn at 7 AM. Train 1 hr. late / arrived at Atlanta 1 PM. Put up at Cecil Rooming Hotel.

Mar. 17: ...David Pierce and I looked over the city this PM. Atlanta is having a wonderful growth. Now, pop. over 200,000 people.

Mar. 18: ...We took train to Jacksonville, Fla. this AM. About 60 miles of Atlanta, the cylinder head of the engine blew out and we were delayed over two hours. We had to lay over in Albany until tomorrow 4:15.

Mar. 19: We got an hour’s late start. Arrive in Jacksonville at 12 noon and put up as we could not get any train before 5 PM.

Mar. 20: Mr. Pierce and I took the 9:45 out of Jacksonville for Ocala – arriving at 1:15 PM. We put up at the Ocala House...$1.50 per day for room rent.

[FROM MARCH 21 THROUGH APRIL 1, MR. MILLER DESCRIBED HIS TIME SPENT IN OCALA, FLORIDA AND VICINITY.

Apr. 2: We packed all valises; Pierce and I got ready to leave calm Florida this PM. We bid friends good-by and took the 4:10 Seaboard an hour for Jacksonville, Fla. where we arrived 7:15 PM. We put up at Everett Hotel.

Apr. 3: D. Pierce and I went to St. Augustine today. ...We ran back to Jacksonville, Fla. this PM to Everett Hotel. Leave for Savannah tomorrow.

Apr. 4: Looking over Savannah. ... We took ship PM at 4:45. Left at 7 PM. On an island below Savannah. ...Passed out to sea.

Apr. 5: Sea choppy; but, vessel rides pretty much of the time on an even keel. ... At 11:45 PM, ship passed Diamond Shoals – off Cape Hatteras, N.C.

Apr. 6: A placid sea.

Apr. 7: A fine placid sea. We entered Chesapeake Bay around 9 AM. Docked at Baltimore at 11:45 AM.

[FOR NEXT SIX DAYS – April 8-13 – MR. MILLER WROTE ABOUT HIS TIME IN WASHINGTON DC. HE PROVIDED DETAILS ABOUT THE FOLLOWING EXCURSIONS...]

Apr. 8: Took train to Wash. DC. Put up at a nice place near capitol. ... Miss Mellon took us to Nat. Museum and Congressional Library the PM.

Apr. 9: ... Mr. Pierce and I took in some Gov. buildings today. ...Mt. Vernon and Arlington this PM. ... I climbed to the top of Washington’s Monument. About 900 steps.

Apr. 10: Mr. Pierce and I took in the Am. Museum and the Capitol Building. Mr. W.G. Harding is home from his vacation and I presume that he will send for us: NOT! Tomorrow, we will do some more public places.

Apr. 11: ...Dr. Chadwick took us out to see the Lincoln Museum this AM, before breakfast. This city is full of statutes.

Apr. 12: A fine day. Mr. Pierce and I went out to Arlington Cemetery...

Apr. 13: A raw, rainy day. I could not see much. Mr. Pierce and I went down to Union depot and found out about our train. We leave for West tomorrow AM.

Apr. 14: Mr. Pierce and I were taken to Union depot by Dr. Chadwick, after bidding family goodbye. ... We soon ran into the Appalachian Mountains and snow. B. & O. R.R. Scenery was grand all day. Stopped at Parkersburg this PM.

Apr. 15: We left over B & O for Cinti. and home: arrived in Hamilton 8:40 PM. Arnold and Bill were at Margaret Phillips’ and I came home.

Apr. 19: ...This PM, went to Oxford and took out 60 adv @ $5 each. The res of John Shaw burned to the ground this AM. I was at the BD and called people on all sides. Much stuff was salvaged and much lost. We lost our telephone.

Apr. 22: ...I attended the 1st ball game this PM. Darrtown vs Vrn Ginger Ale [?] of Cinti. ...a KOI league (game). Score Darrtown 12 / V Ginger Ale 8. Darrtown 1st blood.

Apr. 26: ...Bootlegging is on the increase. Rum is getting cheaper.

Apr. 29: A cool day. I went to ball game and almost froze – had to stamp my feet and clap my hands. Darrtown vs. Times Star – (score) 9 to 10. Bad umpiring and a few bonehead plays threw the game away for Darrtown.

May 2: ...At K of P lodge this PM.

May 3: Bought a Ford of Geo. Kyger @$65 – Model 16. Cheaper than repairing the old Buick by far. Four good ties on it and all in good shape, except a few minor parts to be replaced.

May 6: ... Saw ball game in the distance. Darrtown won 5-2 over Superbus.

May 8: ...A great panic of money is likely to be the next great thing in the U.S. program. Organized Big Biz has the farmer’s dollar and building has become so high that when a house or store room is finished it cannot be sold even at the cost. Rents are way out of sight. Look Out!

May 11: ... At home busy with chores and office work. I called at Jms. Phenis this PM and we had a game of Pitch.

May 13: ... I attended a baseball game this PM. Darrtown vs. Elmwood. Eleven innings without a tally made by either side, until the last half of the 11th, when Darrtown got in a run. Score Darrtown 1 – Elmwood 0. One of the greatest games ever played on Darrtown Diamond, except the Hoovers vs Darrtown a few years ago, when Hod Eller pitched for Darrtown – when the score was 1 to 0 favor Darrtown. But, Darrtown made a score early in the game.

May 17: ... Arnold and I went over on Curtis [?] road this 11 AM and reset 7 poles and rebuilt a corner...

May 20: Showers AM – put the baseball game out for today. A quiet Sunday. Drilling rig is at McGonigle Sta. So, we will have a little excitement for awhile.

May 21: ...The LeDarr Oil Co. has its drilling rig at McGonigle and Oxford O. and are now hauling same to the "Mee" farm 1 mi. west of Darrtown.

May 23: The LeDarr Oil Co. are (sic) getting their drilling rigs for the ground near the Darrtown cemetery one mile west of Darrtown on the old Sample farm, afterwards owned by David Schollenbarger and now owned by the John F. Mee estates.

May 25: ...Drillers for oil company expect to be starting drill by Monday of next week.

May 27: ...The usual ball game came off this PM. Darrtown vs. Goldies, or “Dolavardens” [?]. Darrtown won in a shower of rain.

May 30: ...Lodge met at 8 PM. The Dokus [?] came, but not the no. expected. The Hamilton O. bunch failed to appear. Supposed to be 30 at least from there. Pythian Sisters had prepared a lunch and were disappointed as to the no’s. LeDarr Oil Co. struck gas this AM. I was out and saw it capped. It burned with a large flame and loud noise. 90 feet down, when struck.

June 1: ...LeDarr Co. struck another lead of gas, stronger than the first. They are still in gravel and sand. A pre-glacier fissure.

June 2: ...I called at various place in town on biz and otherwise. The talk is Gas and Oil and Baseball. Darrtown vs Brookville at Brookville, Ind. tomorrow. Wm. Clements was stricken with paralysis about 9 AM. [DETAILS OF THIS EVENT, INVOLVING MR. CLEMENTS, APPEAR ON THE JUNE 4TH PAGE, BECAUSE MR. MILLER LACKED SPACE ON THIS JUNE 2ND PAGE.]

June 3: ...This PM, Arnold, Bill and I went to Brookville and saw Darrtown licked 11 to 3. Blew up, fizzled, funked. Quit. Too much heat for some and various other alibies.

June 4: ...On the job...[THE FOLLOWING IS A CONTINUATION OF MR. MILLER’S DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS RELATED TO THE JUNE 2ND PARALYSIS OF MR. WM. CLEMENTS] This AM, called at Rye Nichols on biz and was astonished to find her in deep trouble. Her only living brother, Wm., she had just found helpless upstairs on the floor. I got help and got him downstairs in bed. Paralysis of right side. Unable to speak. Not much hope of his recovery. [ON THIS DATE, JUNE 4TH, MR. MILLER ADDED THE FOLLOWING ABOUT MR. CLEMENTS.] Wm Clements much worse today – no hope of recovery.

June 6: ...I acted, by request, as one of the pall-bearers to Wm. Clements this PM. We had always been friends but not close associates. Wm., to me, was always a perfect gentleman. I have had many pleasant chats with Wm. in the course of our long acquaintance and friendship.

June 9: ...I went to Oxford this PM and attended to some business...We rec’d 150 directories, as our portion of 1,000 printed.

June 10: ...went to ball game. Darrtown vs Brookville, Ind. 5-6 in favor of Brookville. Our 1st and 2nd basemen outclassed...lost us the game. Attendance 600 about...Thobe of Oxford putting in a fire place.

June 14: ...Prohibition does not prohibit. A general reign of bootleggers of low and high degree all over USA. The coastline swarms with rum runners. Canadian boundary line is a joke. Dishonest officials seem to be numerous.

June 17: ...Ball game...Darrtown vs Mabley and Carew. Score 6-4, favor of Mabley and Carew.

June 18: ...Oil men have had to pull casing and abandon well at about 200 feet. Bad casing buckled on them. Will use gas of abandoned well. Well shut down until they get right kind of casing.

June 19: Arnold and I went to Taylor's Cormer and finished corner.

June 24: ...No ball game here. Darrtown team went to Liberty, Ind. Score 6-5 favor of Darrtown.

July 1: ...[MR. MILLER DESCRIBED A BALL GAME BETWEEN JACKSONBURG AND BURG’S SHOES]

July 8: At home all day. No baseball here and everything is quiet for once on Sunday.

July 9: ...The LeDarr Oil Co. is having bad luck getting a casing. They have done nothing now for two weeks.

[ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING THIS MONTH, MR. MILLER DESCRIBED HOW THE FARMERS WERE HARVESTING WHEAT AND MAKING HAY.]

July 16: ...Baseball today. Jacksonburg – 3 vs Clarks – 4.

July 17: ...We took a Talawanda bath this PM. Harry Teckman got me a bag of 100 lbs. of cracked corn...Arnold got 100 lbs. of cracked corn at Oxford. So, we are well fixed for some time on chick feed.

July 18: ... I attended the Tri-Co Tel. meeting at Oxford... next mtg. at Darrtown in Oct. next.

July 21: ... Arnold and I finished up line south to J.F. Kyger’s and put new drop at A. Neanover’s res.

July 22: ... A dull day. No baseball here today.

July 24: ... Called at Fr. McVicker’s this PM to see them thresh – but too wet; they were going home. We remained quite a bit and talked with Fr. and family.

July 29: ... Watched a local game of ball this PM and had a good laugh a number of times. More real fun than at a National league game.

July 31: I went to see Phil. clean up two games on Cinti ...2-1 and 5-1 favor of Phil. Cinti pitchers were outclassed. Five pitchers were used by Cinti in two games.

Aug. 1: ... We had some ice cream at K of P lodge this PM. A good attendance, of course.

Aug. 2: ... we learned of the sudden death of Pres. Of US Warren Gamaliel Harding at his hotel in San Francisco, California. A shock to everyone. A great and good man killed by overwork.

Aug. 4: The general topic of the day was the death of our Pres. Warren G. Harding, citizen of Marion, Oh.

Aug. 5: ... The whole USA mourns the seemingly untimely death of our President Warren Gamaliel Harding, the twenty-ninth President of these U.S.

Aug. 12: I went to a picnic in Chas. Neanover’s woods. A rain came up...some wind here...too wet to play ball at Somerville. So, kids came to Darrtown and played. Somerville 4. Darrtown 10.

Aug. 14: ... Attended Milk Co-op meeting by invitation this PM. Good speaker. Belongs to my class and tells it to them from the sholder.

Aug. 15: I attended a sale at Thos. Skillman’s. A good crowd and lots to sell. I bought a saddle to ride my horse and if I can make a good saddler our of him – I could sell him.

Aug. 21: ... Roads are getting badly cupped by autos. The flying machine will finally solve the road problem.

Aug. 22: ... The drillers are putting down a well for oil one mile west of here and have had some bad luck – lost a drill, but have recovered it and are now going ahead.

Aug. 30: This is Wm. Moulton Miller’s birthday – he is six years old. We are giving him a birthday party. Raymond Phillips came over, also, Robb Weaver, Raymond Smith and his first love ____ Bufler was present. A great time for the kid.

Sept. 4: ... We hear that a terrible earthquake has visited a portion of Japan.

Sept. 6: ... Arnold and I went to Jm. Shaw’s and made ten gal. of cider for apple-butter.

Sept. 9: ... At home all day, except a visit to Clem Pfaff peach orchard. We bought 1 bu. of Freestone for peach butter. Mrs. Wilke will work them up.

[BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 9 AND SEPTEMBER 22, MR. MILLER FREQUENTLY WROTE ABOUT THE WEATHER – TURNING COLDER, WITH FROST, WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT HIS GARDEN CROPS – AND THE DEVASTATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 4TH EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN.

Sept. 22: ... The K of P’s have arranged for me to go as Representative to Toledo, O. to attend Grand Lodge K of P.

Sept. 23: ... Paul Johnson, a neighbor boy, son of Fr. Johnson, fell from a cherry tree. He is badly hurt. Do not know at this time just how serious.

Sept. 24: A fine day. I left for Toledo to attend Grand Lodge K of P. Met a good-sized delegation from Hamilton, O. All lodges fo Butler county, except Port Union were there. Arrived in Toledo at 1:45 PM and met many of the old boys. ... We put up at Sicor [?] Hotel...room 208 – second floor. 3 of us there cutting down expenses.

Sept. 25: Boys were rolling in from all corners of the States today. Pythian Sisters were holding their convention at Pythian Castle Hall...

Sept. 26: ... We finished all biz. at G. Lodge 1:30 PM. ... Our party of four got out on B & O at 2:45 Eastern Time and arrived in Hamilton, O. 6:37 PM. Arnold came for me...

Sept. 28: ...I helped C. Pfaff pick peaches this PM. Ed C. Irwin was picking this AM and he and I cleaned up on a bunch of trees.

Oct. 1: C. Pfaff came down this AM and begged me to help pick and sort Kieffer pears. I did so 3⁄4 of a day. We got 34 bu. ready in good time for a truck that came after them from Hamilton, O.

Oct. 3: Much cooler. Butler Co. fair now in progress. Will probably go tomorrow. Was ready to go this AM, with Clem Pfaff. But, trip was killed at last minute by Jazz!!!. Homemade.

Oct. 4: Cool. At Butler Co. fair: good racing and plenty of people. ...

Oct. 10: At home. Tinner will be out tomorrow and re-gutter the north side of my house...ready for roofing. The shingles (white pine) have been on 38 years. Have been patched only slightly in the last ten years.

Oct. 11: I helped tinner on gutters and will commence tomorrow. Red cedar. Arnold made two trips to Oxford, O. today after 18” shingles.

Oct. 16: At home. This is my 61st birthday – but, I had forgotten it and everyone else seems to have done the same. Self seems to be governing the human race in this age and Love has escaped to another planet.

Oct. 17: ... I had to get, or rather, engage Minor Alston and partner to haul some tel. poles.

[OCTOBER 18-20 NOTES INCLUDED DESCRIPTION OF WORK INVOLVED IN ROOFING THE MILLER HOUSE].

Oct. 20: ...Alston and pardner (sic) hauled four loads of poles home from Collinsville, O. this AM and PM.

Oct. 21: ... I am getting ready for U.S. convention of Tel. Co.’s at Chicago, Ill. 23rd, 24th, 25-26. Will leave Monday PM 10:35.

Oct. 22: ... Arnold took me to Oxford for 10:30 train to Chicago. A stuffy old coach full of foul air.

[OVER NEXT FOUR DAYS, MR. MILLER DESCRIBED HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE NATIONAL TELEPHONE CONVENTION]

Oct. 26: ...I bid friends goodbye and left on 9:26 AM for Oxford, O. where I arrived about 5 PM. I came down with Clark Kramer and Arnold met me there. I was not at all surprised that something had happened out of the usual at home when I learned that Bell had been kicked by one of Henry Ford'd mules and the radius bone of right arm broken. I had felt Thurs. PM that something had gone wrong.

Oct. 31: ...Arnold has been working in Oxford this week. ... I have some more roof to put on yet; on account of his absence during good weather.

Nov. 2: ...A. Stork called up about my horse being in his yard. I went up and got him.

Nov. 3: ...This AM at about 5 AM, Bertha Kramer, wife of Scott Kramer shot and killed Scott, her husband, while he was milking a cow. She then tried to kill herself. ...

[NOTE: MR. MILLER WROTE THE FOLLOWING ON THE NOV. 4 PAGE AND EXPLAINED THAT THE FOLLOWING WAS INTENDED TO BE WRITTEN ON THE NOV. 5 PAGE – THE ACTUAL DATE OF SCOTT KRAMER’S FUNERAL] ... I attended the funeral service of my old friend, Scott Kramer, this PM. A large gathering of relatives and friends and neighbors from far and near.

Nov. 5: ... I attended funeral services of Scott Kramer, killed by his wife, Sat. AM, Nov. 3rd.

Nov. 8: ... Arnold and I finished shingling roof on north side of house, which is all for this year. Next spring, we will finish shingling the rest of the house.

Nov. 11: ...I called on Jas. Phenis and wife and had a few games of Pitch. Nov. 13: ...Went up above Jerico and stretched in some new wire on Price line.

Nov. 19: ... Arnold and I went up to Jerico and put in some poles and also I took an hour’s hunt: got one rabbit; saw anther, but missed him.

Nov. 21: At home. This PM, Adolph Geisler in his Ford auto struck Col. Jms. Darr, as Darr attempted to cross the pike at culvert near Lutheran

Church. The fall fractured Darr’s skull and he died at Mercy Hospital Hamilton, O. about 10 PM. Accident happened about 6 PM. --- Col. Jas. Darr, son of Hiriam Darr and grandson of Conrad Darr, the founder of Darrtown – 1814. Conrad and Hiram bros. entered land 1802 in this valley.

Nov. 22: ... This PM, Essie Shears Hansel – who was about to become the mother of twin girls – died suddenly of heart-failure. Result; three deaths, mother and both babes.

Nov. 25: ... This PM, I attended the obsequies of Col. Jms. Darr, who accidentally met his death last Wed. the 21st. He was blind in one eye and somewhat deaf and failed to see or hear the approaching auto of, and driven by, Adolph Geisler. A large gathering of neighbors and friends.

Nov. 26: A raw day. Arnold and wife attended the obsequies of Mrs. Essie Hansel and babes. A sad occurrence.

Dec. 5: ... Mr. Charles Shaeffer called this AM and we settled our accounts – he owned telephone bill and I owed him for alfalfa hay. Lodge met the PM and elected officers.

Dec. 8: I went to Hamilton with a neighbor and came home with one. I got my lower wisdom tooth pulled (left side) at last, by Dr. Sam’l Millikin. Also, paid him for Mrs. Miller’s work he did some weeks ago. In all, $7.50.

Dec. 12: ... I attended lodge K of P this PM. ... Saw a game of basketball this PM. Reily vs. Darrtown High School. Darrtown won.

Dec. 14: I went to Collinsville sta and got a bl of dry cells; also got Dick shod = $1.20.

Dec. 20: ... I received a subpoena to appear at Court Hamilton, . 9 AM, Friday, Dec. 21st or pay a fine of $100.00. I guess I had better go and give testimony in case of Nathan Flenner vs Maurice Weatherby – Adm of the Estate of Cornelius Irwin, deceased.

Dec. 21: I went to Hamilton, O. to answer subpoena in case of Nathan Flenner vs Adm of Cornelius Irwin estate. Trial called at 3:30 PM. Case finished at 5:30 PM. Home in fog and bad roads.

Dec. 24: ... The women took Bill – grandson – to Hamilton to see Santa Claus. The folks are getting ready for a fish roast tomorrow.

Dec. 25: ... We had roast salmon, stuffed with oysters for Christmas dinner.

Dec. 29: ... I went to Middletown to visit Mother Miller, who suffered a stroke of paralysis...I found her paralyzed on right side and unable to talk so that I could understand her. She knew me no doubt and showed deep affection by putting her well arm around my neck and drawing me to her. ... I bid her goodbye and came home this PM.

Dec. 31: ... I have not heard from Mother Miller today. I presume that she is not seriously worse. I hope she may recover sufficiently at least to be herself...