L. A. Miller Diary of 1924

(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)

Jan. 1: The New Year came in cold. The Old year going out comparatively warm. Dec. 1923 being one of the mildest in many years….I received sad news, not unexpected this PM at about 6 PM from Mrs. Anna Horserman of Middletown, O. of The Death of my Step-Mother aged 85 yrs. 4 mo. 10 days: A stroke of Paralysis. Burial at her home West Chester, O. Sat. Jan. 5, 1924.

Jan. 4: A cold day. Arnold and I - also Bell, my daughter went to Mother Miller’s. We had a cold ride. … we had a hard time keeping warm. I don’t see how father and mother stood it for so

many years, especially in their kitchen which was lie being out of doors.

Jan. 5: We laid Mother away at Brookside Cemetery, beside her first husband, Wm. Maud [?] using a Mekle-Stied [?] cover box, in which on water ever can enter. A mother to me always…

Jan. 8: … I sent a heifer to Cinti. by Teckman this PM. Arnold went along with truck.

Jan. 12: …This PM, I went to Hamilton with Wm. Keppler – did some biz – came home early.

Jan. 14: …Radio is now the rage. “Lizzie” [?] has come to town and some people must keep up with her & bust financially. Radio sets cost from $10 to $200. Worth really about $15 for a real good one – actual cost.

BETWEEN JANUARY 15 AND THE END OF THE MONTH, MR. MILLER WROTE ABOUT THE WEATHER (COLD), DOING CHORES AROUND THE HOUSE, TAKING CARE OF FINANCIAL RECORDS FOR THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, AND BALANCING THE BOOKS FOR THE DARRTOWN K OF P LODGE.

Jan. 29: … Andy Neanover killed a hog for us today. I brought every thing home, but head cheese and lard. The lard was too hot to move.

Jan. 31: … Mrs. Kate Brunz, an old citizen of this place, 75 yrs of age, died today.

Feb. 2: A meeting of the Darrtown Stock Protection Association today at the School House & oyster dinner. A good crowd out – men, women, and children.

Feb. 3: Ex-Pres. Woodrow Wilson died at 11:15 AM today.

Feb. 4: … A meeting this PM at the school house to decide as to the future of our schools in Milford Twp. The consensus of opinion was a central school. Another meeting to be held soon, at call of Board of Education, at Collinsville, to decide what shall be done.

Feb. 11: … I fixed up a chair for Mr. M. P. Alston, who is very sick and cannot lie down.

Feb. 12: …Mr. Jas. R. Harris brought me the U.S. money order of .75 and I turned over his of 1.89 – Post Office at Oxford switched them by accident.

Feb. 15: … I called on Mr. M. P. Alston this AM who is sick – he is feeling better and looking much better.

Feb. 16: …I called on my old friend Mont. Alston and he is greatly improved. Wm. Reichel [?] and wife and daughter were there. We had a pleasant chat for an hour.

BETWEEN FEBRUARY 16 AND THE END OF THE MONTH, MR. MILLER WROTE ABOUT THE "TEA POT DOME" SCANDAL; UNPLEASANT WEATHER (A FEBRUARY 20TH ICE STORM CLOSED SCHOOLS AND REDUCED ROAD TRAFFIC), EXPERIENCING PAIN IN

HIS RIGHT HAND AND ARM; AND HIS WIFE STAYING OVERNIGHT WITH HER ILL SISTER IN HAMILTON, OHIO.

Mar. 1: At home, office most of day. A number of people called and settled bills. Had a partial settlement with Jms. Shaw – balance due $56.34 on telephone account. I have been taking meat in payment of acct.

Mar. 5: … I had a rush of biz. today. Mr. Reiser want a will written and Mr. Fr. Bufler a deed. I politely had to put them off. If in a hurry, they will have to go elsewhere.

Mar. 6: … I went to Hamilton with A.B. Wilke and bought myself a spring suit of wool, dark gray; took some eggs down to Mr. Goodman and Mr. Martin @ 30¢ per dozen.

Mar. 11: I parked my truck and Arnold, after I had bid folks goodbye, and went up to school house and bid Billy Miller, my only grandson goodbye, took me ot Hamilton, O. where I took train for Florida. … Stopped over to make proper connections at Cinti., O.

FROM MARCH 12 THROUGH JUNE 24, MR. MILLER WROTE ABOUT HIS TRAVEL FROM OHIO TO FLORIDA (OCALA) WHERE HE OWNED PROPERTY. HE RECORDED DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TENDING TO CROPS AND VISITING WITH OTHERS IN THE AREA. ON JUNE 25, HE WROTE OF HIS RETURN HOME TO DARRTOWN.

Jun. 25: … Cinti. at 7 AM and Oxford at 9:35 and home at noon. Billy was glad to see me and Jack the dog. I am doubtful as to anyone else.

Jun. 29: … At home. Nothing doing, but auto riding and baseball PM at various towns.

Jun. 30: I went to Collinsville this AM and got Dick shod.

Jul. 1: … Rode Dick this PM for the 2nd time. He was a little awkward; but, will soon learn.

Jul. 8: … Went to Hamilton this AM with Geo. Kolb and got some biz out of the way.

Jul. 12: I hurried up with my work and went to Hamilton…Geo. Kolb and Barton Smith went along.

Jul. 17: I went to Collinsville and got some mill feed and cracked corn for chickens. Drove Dick to buggy. Billy went along and enjoyed himself greatly. Ray Phillips is here with us at present. …12 years old.

Jul. 18: … I took a trip to Seven Mile, O. with Harry Teckman and called at Horace Brown’s farm. He was pulling a fine lot of onions – his wife assisting. We spent a half-hour very pleasantly.

Jul. 21: … Called on Mont. Alston, who is sick this evening.

Jul. 22: … By the way, did you ever trace the boundary of the Ohio River and its tributaries? If not, do do. You will probably be astonished.

Jul. 31: … A neighbor, D__y Teckman, the village barber, is quite sick.

Aug. 15: … My horse, Dick, has a bad case of contracted hoof in both front feet due to neglect while I was in Florida 3 mo. Too long in stable with shoes on.

Aug. 17: … I went to Ovepeck this PM to witness a game between Overpeck and Wedermans [?] of Cinti. Score 10 to 12; Overpeck won. I went with Stanley Alston, one of the Overpeck players.

Aug. 30: … A majority of the people have gone to the Scribes Picnic at Venice, O. today. It has resolved itself into a $ making scheme to pluck the fool public.

Sept. 5: … Mr. Geo. H. Nichol, Mr. M. Witherby, Mr. H. L. Hertzog, and Mr. L. A. Miller (myself) will go to Mason, O. as a committee from the Darrtown Stock Protection Association to meet the Mason Horse Rangers on Biz. pertaining to the powers of such associations.

Sept. 15: I attended sale at Fr. Keppler’s today. I met a number of people.

Sept. 21: ... This PM, I went to Overpeck to see a game of baseball; but, it got rained out… On our way home, we stopped at Oscar Irwin’s for a few minutes to get some watermelon. He had none. Had sold out.

Sept. 24: Luther McVicker and I called at West Chester and Pisgah today

Oct. 1: … I must get rid of all stock this year and next. Will sell cow and calf this fall and cut down on chickens. Feed is too high to keep so many.

Oct. 4: … I went to Collinsville, O. to attend to some biz and also attended Morton public sale awhile. Drove Dick to buggy and brought home a sack of middlings @ $2.00.

Oct. 6: … The Butler Co. fair is opening today and will continue until this Saturday.

Oct. 9: … I went to the Fair Butler Co. and saw some good stock and fine racing this PM. Also met a number of old friends. A large crowd of at least 50,000 people were inside the gates this PM.

Oct. 10: Again, I took in the Fair. Crowd not so large. Good races. I came home with Laird Laughlin.

Oct. 12: … Tomorrow we go to Trotwood to attend a Tri-County telephone meeting.

Oct. 13: … We landed at Trotwood 10 AM. Session in AM was short … dinner at Christian Church. Session PM lasted until 4 PM. Not much biz transacted. Home at 7 PM. Distance to Trotwood about 45 miles.

Oct. 15: … Attende K. of P. lodge this PM, a good session, but attendance small. Members, mostly farmers, very busy.

Oct. 16: … Election is nearing and campaign is warming up. Lafollette, Bob, is gaining ground very fast in Ohio. … This is my birthday, but is passed without my knowing it. Age 62.

Oct. 22: … The campaign for Pres. Of U. S. is growing warm. Both Rep & Dem are fighting Bob Lafollette and lying most maliciously about him.

Oct. 27: Warmer, but oh we do need rain so bad – many wells and cisterns are dry.

Nov. 4: … Farmers are cribbing corn and everyone is voting on county – state – national election. 9 PM radio tells us Coolidge has the lead. … will know more tomorrow. Good night.

Nov. 5: … Butler Co. carried by Coolidge for Pres. The first time old Butler, in its entire history,has gone anything but Dem. in a Presidential Election.

Nov. 9: The last rain livened up wheat and rye fields, but, not enough water fell to affect wells. Water is becoming scared in many sections. Some factories have been compelled to close down entirely on account of lack of water.

Nov. 14: … Finished line for Jas. R. Harris from road to his house. 9 poles in length.Nov. 15: Another fair day – no rain. Cisterns are getting low and many are dry. Wells have failed and people are distressed in many parts of USA for water.

Nov. 20: … I called on Geo. Kolb on biz. We are on a cow trade. We arranged to go to Hamilton this Sat., if weather permits.

Nov. 22: … had intended to go to Hamilton, but did not go with party that I expected to go with. I went down with Harry Bradbury. We got home 12:30 PM.

Dec. 2: Thermometer varied in this section … The coldest at this time of the year that I have any record in over 40 years.

Dec. 3: … I attended lodge this PM. I also called on Maria Liebrich in regards to some legal work.

Dec. 4: At home AM. This PM, P.W. Liebrich and I went to Hamilton to get some legal matters ready for completion. We arrived home 2:30 PM. Chas Hansel delivered some baled straw. Also, Jas. Harris some baled hay. We are now fairly fixed for some time as to feed. Saw Fr. Keppler in Hamilton and he will deliver some corn soon.

Dec. 5: … The Lutheran Church people gave a chicken dinner and sale of home products. Quite a lot of people in attendance. Bell, my daughter-in-law attended.

Dec. 8: Warm enough (68 degrees) to do without fire in the office. Thunder showers and heavy rains in Ohio Valley.

Dec. 9: Certainly some sudden changes in the weather (32 degrees). I went to Hamilton on some legal business for Mrs. Maria Liebrich of this place (Darrtown).

Dec. 14: … I have subscribed to the following magazines and papers: Cincinnati Post, Fur News, and Geographical magazine.

Dec. 16: … Sent of some fur orders to the Willard Son and Company – Marshalltown, Iowa.

Dec. 22: … I shipped out the heifer calf this PM to J.C. Riching [?] and Company … by Teckman truck.

Dec. 25: … Christmas dinner of roast “T” & chicken. Just the family circle. No more, no less. Father, mother, son & daughter-in-law & Grand-son, who was the main squeeze of the occasion.

Dec. 26: … raw, cold … (- 4 degrees) … No prospect of any cessation of this cold snap for some time to come. The radio now gives us a better hold on weather conditions all over the world.

Dec. 27: … Dropped in on Jms. Phenis and wife and had a game of Set-Back, which is High, Low, Jack, Joker, and game.

[MR. MILLER THEN RECORDED THE RULES OF THE GAME, WHICH WERE SIMILAR TO THE GAME OF “PITCH”– OR “AUCTION PITCH”

– AS PLAYED BY DARRTOWN PEOPLE WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.]

DEC. 30: … About 11:15, a car stopped. She was out steaming – out of water. I furnished the water to cool her off. The young millionaire insisted that I take something for my trouble. I said no. But, he forced 2 bits in my hand for a cigar. I presume the way I was dressed I looked like I needed the 2 bits. Appearances are deceptive. Judge no man by his clothes or his appearance.