L. A. Miller Diary of 1925

(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)

Jan. 1: A good winter day to colder this PM. … Mr. M. Witherby and Mr. Wm. Campbell called on biz in regard to the Darrtown Stock Protection Association. The afore named were chosen as a committee to revise the Laws of said association.

Jan. 8: A fine day. I went to Collinsville, O. and got Dick’s shoes reset and sharpened. He is lame again.

Jan. 10: … George Nichol delivered a quarter of young beef this PM.

Jan. 14: … Attended lodge this PM. A good session. The Farm Bureau and Grange interfere with the attendance. We will have to change the meeting night to Tues. or some night beside Wed. to accommodate a number of our members.

Jan. 23: … Well, I must get to bed that I may be able to get up and see the eclipse of the sun on the morrow, which comes up at 7:56 AM in this latitude.

Jan. 24: … The eclipse was on hand at the set time. About 90% total for a short time. A sort of daylight twilight.

Jan. 26: … I went to Hamilton on biz. Got upper set of teeth (false) fitted. Came home 2:30 PM.

Feb. 4: … I shipped Betsy to Cinti. O. today. Consigned her to Harry Teckman, as my agt. to sell. Fr. Keppler brought me 276 lbs. of corn this PM.

Feb. 14: … Did intend to get Dick’s front shoes reset; but, could not get the time to do so. The women folk were off the most of the day to a club of some sort. “Womens’ club,” of course.

Feb. 20: … There has not been 3 inches of snow in this locality so far this winter, nor 3inches of rain. Wells are all low and water has been a serious matter with many, for stock and house use.

Feb. 28: … Arnold and Kumbs [?] went to Cint. O. to attend a Shriners Meet. I called on Jms. Phenis this PM and we had a few games of Set-Back.

Mar. 4: … Inauguration of Cal. Coolidge as President of U.S. at about 1 PM. … Radioed throughout US, Canada, and Europe.

Mar. 14: Some colder. At home this AM. This PM, saw Julius Kolb and closed bargain for 4 lots. Deed will be made next week sometime. … I bargained with Julius Kolb for In lots No. 103-111-119-127, each 6 rds x 12 rds. = 72 sq. rds. of land in the village of Darrtown, Milford Twp., Butler County, State of Oh.

Mar. 21: I went to Hamilton today and looked after some odds and ends of biz. Bell (daughter-in-law) drove auto for me and she did some trading as well.

Mar. 22: … I expect to leave for Columbus, Oh. tomorrow AM to attend the Ohio State Independent Telephone convention.

Mar. 23. … Arnold took me to Hamilton, O. and I let on 12:50 PM train to Columbus, where I arrived at 4:15 PM and put up at the Southern hotel.

MARCH 24, 25, AND 26…MR. MILLER DESCRIBED HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE CONVENTION. HE RETURNED HOME ON THE 26th PM - BY RAIL, FROM COLUMBUS, OHIO TO MIDDLETOWN, OHIO…THEN, BY AUTO TO DARRTOWN.

Mar. 28: At home all day. I arranged for some work to be done on lot, that I shall put in alfalfa. It is now in rye, but a poor stand.

Apr. 1: …Attended lodge this PM. … Industrial centers have caused a large number of our real K of P’s to move out of our district and also to change their membership.

Apr. 2: … Some prospect of drilling for oil in the Darrtown territory this summer by the Crown [?] Gas and Electric Company of West Va.

Apr. 9: Arnold and I went up to Harris farm and finished repairs on line and installed phone. 253 Sam Myers.

Apr. 12: At home. Baseball – local has begun. National opens tomorrow.

Apr. 23: …I attended public sale of Mrs. Harriet Wagonfield , admx. of Chas. Wagonfield, deceased. A good crowd and things sold well. I purchased two small articles only. A butcher’s steel and a carpenter’s wrecking bar. Our old blacksmith is leaving town.

May 5: … I went to Oxford, O. and got a lot of necessary groceries at Kroger’s and some at the Ideal Gro. Too much stuff has to come from the grocery now days. We put up meats and canned goods of all kinds, when I was a boy, and about all that was b’t [bought?] of the grocery was tea, coffee, sugar and spices.

May 9: … I went to the elevator at Collinsville and got $1.50 worth of mill feeds for chickens, little and big.

BETWEEN MAY 9 AND MAY 26, MR. MILLER WROTE PRIMARILY OF HIS GARDENING CHORES AND THE WEATHER.

May 26: … I went to Seven Mile, O. this PM, with P.W. Womacks to attend a Past Chancellors meeting. A good turn-out and a good after meeting Lap [?]. Supper served by the ladies of Seven Mile, O.

FOR THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF JUNE, MR. MILLER WROTE OF INTENSE HEAT AND LACK OF RAIN.

June 12: … We put in pole at Geo. Harris farm and then our Ford refused to return home. We sent for Bell (daughter-in-law) and she came and pulled us home. The timer was broke.

June 19: … I went up to see Jesse Francis this PM and bt 2 Kelley tires for $12.50 each.

June 26: … I hauled two 24 ft poles over to Marshall farm 2 ½ mi east, on my way to Collinsville.

June 28: … I took a walk on east side and stopped a while at Jms. Phenis. They invited my to evening lunch, which I accepted – knowing that I am always welcome – apple pie and fried chicken, coffee, and etc.

MR. MILLER’S NOTES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST PRIMARILY ADDRESS THE WEATHER, HIS GARDEN, AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS. IT SEEMS THAT HE DELIGHTED IN HIS GARDEN, AS HE WROTE EXTENSIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TYPE OF VEGETABLES HE PLANTED AND THE WORK INVOLVED IN TENDING TO THEM.

Aug. 8: … I see many going to Hamilton. Some to trade and some to the Wild West show.

Aug. 15: At home this AM. This PM, I attended the K of P picnic at Millville. A good time. Bell and Bill went along. We stayed for the PM night program and old-fashioned dance. Bell and Bill went alongWe stayed for the PM night program and old-fashioned dance I was one of the judges for the fiddlers’ contest: George Maupin 1st /Jos. Bufler 2nd /and Henry Wyans 3rd. We got home about 11 PM.

Aug. 23: … I went down to gas well and saw their outfit. Not drilling today. Just repairing.

Aug. 30: At home. Called on the barber and got shaved. Called on Jms. Phenis this PM.

Sept. 6: At home. We now have drilling rigs in this neighborhood. One ½ mile south of town and the other two miles north of town (Darrtown).

Sept. 14: At home. Arnold and Grover Simpson are working on cable.

Sept. 17: … The Shenandoah Dirigible Balloon wreck, which occurred last week of Aug. and which was to visit and fly over Ohio state, is now under Gov. investigation, as to cause and etc.

Sept. 28: … This PM, I went with Geo. Manrod to Oxford K of P 187 to attend Past Chancellors meeting. 100 present: a good meeting – good talks.

Oct. 8: I went to Fair, Butler County. A good crowd and plenty of peanut stands and eat cou___ [?]. Good racing this PM. We got home about 6:30.

Oct. 13: … Drillers for gas and oil are still at it. No oil – but, some gas has been struck. Darrtown real estate is in good demand; but few sales. No one cares to let loose just now.

Oct. 16: At home. This is my birthday. 1862 – 1925. Time goes and I realize I am getting what young people call old. But, I don’t feel old. Born 1862, Oct.16.

Oct. 25: … I called on Grandmother Moulton and had a pleasant chat with her. Also took dinner at the Wilkies.

Oct. 27: At home. Company today. “Dinner” Entertained Mrs. Eliza Moulton, aged 82, and Lillian Moulton, daughter. Also, the Wilkies. The Moultons leave for home on the tomorrow – Seattle, Wash. – a long journey for Mrs. Moulton who is 82 years, but bright and sprightly. Good company. We had our pictures taken in various groups. The Davis girls came down and Maria did the Kodack [sic] work.

DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF NOVEMBER, MR. MILLER MOSTLY DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AND NATIONAL POLITICS.

Nov. 15. At home. Called at barber shop and got shaved.

Nov. 21: I went to Hamilton, O. and attended to some biz. Got my deed for Inlots No. 103-111-119-127, bought of Julius Kolb, March 20th 1925. Transferred in Auditor's office. May 11, 1925. Presented for record in Recorder’s office of Butler County, Ohio, May 11, 1925 at 11:30 o'clock AM. Recorded August 17th 1925 in Deed Book, No 261, Page 71.

Nov. 30: … I met Mr. Jas. McVicker who is improving from a long spell of sickness and is looking fine for a man of 82.

Dec. 2: … Lodge met. K of P. No. 578 Bonhomie. Located at Darrtown, Ohio. Provided by L.A. Miller. 1904 with 82 members. Rose to 90 – 1906. Has now fell to 34. Industrial changes is [sic] moving things. City ward. Auto and flying auto will probably reverse things country-wide. Elected officers. K of P. I was elected K of P’s S for 1926.

Dec. 6: At home / office. Called at barber shop and got shaved. Chicken dinner. No company today.

Dec. 7: … Drillers for gas and oil are pegging away and having all kinds of trouble with casing – out of water and 1,400 feet. Drill rig located on bank of Talawanda R. ½ mile from my office – in sight.

Dec. 21: At home. I don’t get away very often anymore. I will have to learn to drive my auto better, so I can get in the sw___ [?].

Dec. 22: I went to Hamilton today with George Frances and got auto tags and attended to some other small matters.

Dec. 26: … Son, Ernest, and his mother bought a Ford sedan $656.00. Hope they will be satisfied for a time, at least.

Dec. 27: …Sedan failed to operate. Had to push and pull same in garage. Too big a hurry in buying. Should have taken more time to get a smooth-running engine.

Dec. 28: … Geo. Kyger and man here to look after sedan of Arnold’s.