L. A. Miller Diary of 1930

(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)

January 1: I did some work this AM; but, got to feeling bad. Had to go to bed…Started the new year in bad shape.

January 3: At home all day. I have been notifying stock company members of January 8 meeting at the Darrtown school building. One o'clock to 4:00 PM.

January 5: … I called on Mr. Joseph Dietrich a few minutes this p.m. to notify him of stock company meeting January 8.

January 7: A few callers to pay telephone rents. Mr. Frank Glardon called and paid for my fixing his pension.

January 8: The finances of the United States so far, as a people are concerned, are in very bad shape. Banks have been failing; since 1920 up to date, some 1200 for more...3 to 4 million men out of work in cities.

January 10: Bank robbed at Somerville, Ohio. Three men. Two enter bank and overpowered Mr. Bill - Got $4000. No capture, as yet. The US is overrun with whole man. Situation is serious.

January 13: Plenty of mud and the cellars, uptown, have plenty of water in them. We are not bothered in this in of the village, being on the rim of the ancient river bank. We have good drainage.

January 14: Mason Ohio Bank was robbed with this a.m., Shortly after 9 o’clock. Zwick, the notorious bootlegger and criminal, was recognized as the leader. $8000 taken. Mason is a part of my people's life and the burial ground. Relatives on my mother and father side of the house are interred in the Mason, Ohio cemetery.

January 16: at home, all day doing chores and work at switchboard this PM. Bell attended a club meet at Mrs. Margaret Kramer's. I called on my old friend Nathan Flenner, this PM. He looks and seems to be much better, since he has a nurse and caretaker, in person of Jacob Smith, a handy man.

January 20: At work, in office all day, except a call on my old neighbor this p.m., Nathan Flenner. He is dying slowly, sleeping, in a comatose condition. Will not be here much longer. Age almost 88, February 6, 1930.

January 21: … My old friend and neighbor Nathan Flenner passed away quietly this a.m. at 4 o’clock. He had told me some time ago that he felt that he was going soon.

January 23: I attended the obsequies of my old friend and neighbor, Nathan Flenner, this afternoon. I will sorley miss him.

January 27: … Mrs. William Stumpf, a neighbor living a mile east of us, passed away this a.m. from an operation, mastoid trouble. A fine woman. We regret her early passing.

January 29: … Mrs. William Stumpf was laid to rest this p.m., Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio.

February 3: … Bank robbers and highwayman are still busy, as well as petty thieves. I wonder when we will all be able to stop this ungodly condition. No one safe in their houses or on the streets of the city, The country folks are also being harassed.

February 8: A fine day for winter. They Darrtown Stock Protection company met at 10 AM at school building, Darrtown. A good meeting and a fine oyster dinner, after which we held an afternoon session and got to real business. Also, two new members.

February 12: … I went down to Frank Glardon’s public sale. A big crown. Rain set in and kept it up the remainder of the day. Most things sold well, regardless of the rain. But, had the day been fair, much more would have been realized.

February 16: I ran out of honey this a.m. Lost a lot of sales this p.m. Dr. Hutzelman was to be here by noon; but, he failed to arrive.

February 17: Dr. Jacob Hutzelman came this p.m. with 15 five-pound buckets of honey and two dozen 1- pound cones.

February 19: A fine spring day. I commenced on my stable and have been wheeling manure. Being soft in the muscles, I quit early.

February 20: Another record-breaking spring today for February. I finished cleaning stable and have my garden plot almost covered.

February 23: at home all day. Mrs. Fred Buckly called in regard to cockerels. … I have now sold $28 worth of cockerels.

February 28: … A general slump in all products of the farm. 4 to 5 million people out of jobs. Autos on the slump. Thousands of small business concerns forced out of business by chain stores and other combinations.

March 4: … call on John Phenis, this p.m. He wants to sell out. He has stripped himself of all farming tools, horses, and chickens and etc.

March 5: … Lodge meeting. K of P. A fair attendance. A good meeting.

March 10: … This p.m., laid off one half a mile of lane line for James Kane on west side. Residence located on bank of Talawanda. In a poetic and picturesque spot near where the first settlers located after Ohio was open for settlement in the section after winning and defeating the Indians at Falling Timbers in 1793 and Peace of Greenville in 1794.

March 11: … We went out to James Kane’s and laid out a telephone line in his lane at his house. Some 12 poles.

March 12: The financial condition of USA is serious for the common people. So many out of jobs due to money amasses in the hands of the few. The farm board has warned the farmer to cut down acreage on the coming spring sowing. Demand in Europe is not strong and big holdover from last year's crops. New inventions have displaced at least 3 million people in all lines of industry in the last 10-20 years. One man with machinery today, on the farm, can do the work of 100 men of 100 years ago.

March 13: I made a deed for in-lots number six and fourteen for George A. Kolb to Harry W. Teckman, in the village of Darrtown, Ohio.

March 15: Ernest Glardon sent me a load of corn this a.m. Gross weight equals 3900 pounds. Wagon equals 1600 pounds. Net equals 2300 pounds of corn.

March 16: … Mr. Young of Hamilton came out and help set a hole at Clem Pfaff’s that was about ready to fall into Darr's Run. Water cut, taking a high bank away.

March 18: … Arnold was Oxford. Our telephone directories came some few days since and were full of errors. Ocford had, without permission from us, corrected errors for us. Names spelled wrong, names left out, etc.

March 23: … At home all day. We sold some honey to a few passing tourists. Arnold was out at Jim Kane's finishing up a line and telephone into his residence, a distance of about 2000 feet from the public road.

March 27: … Hold up of banks and of individuals of everyday occurrence all over the USA. As well as, petty thefts. Son, Arnold, or Ernest Lee Miller, born March 27, 1887 = 43 years old today.

March 31: we are about out of honey. Dr. Hutzelman promises to be here tomorrow with a supply. I attended the Funeral obsequies of an old pupil of mine this PM. A near neighbor of late years. Nrs. Elizabeth (Nichol) Snyder...Libby Snyder.

April 3: A cold, raw day. Dr. Hutzelman came this p.m. with 19 buckets of honey. 5 pounds to the bucket equals 95 pounds. Also 24 one-pound combs. I had sold out, except for a 15-pound bucket. I pay him in full for the last assignment. Today's lot equals $19.05 to be sold. Profit will be $5.95, when sold. This gives me a little etra change as a side line.

April 5: … I spent part of this p.m. at the Bufler camp on Talawanda Creek. They have torn down the old camp house and are getting ready to build a new one more commodious and better located out of high water's reach.

April 6: At home all day. Mr. Joseph Dietrich called this PM. A real gentleman and an interesting talker. The Davis sisters call this PM. A friendly visit; two good girls.

April 14: At home. I am getting all set to attend the Independent Telephone convention, at Columbus Ohio on the morrow. I should go by auto with Mr. W. C. McSherry of Oxford, Ohio.

April 15: We left 9:30 AM for Columbus Ohio, via Lebanon, Xenia, London to destination. Small attendance today. I met a number of friends; many were new faces. A very good session...Rates at hotel equal $2.50 per day; no board.

April 17: We had a short morning session and closed the meeting at 1 PM Mr. McSherry and I left Darrtown and Oxford, Ohio immediately. Home 4 PM.

April 19: At home, doing some odd jobs. I am saving eggs to be incubated by Dr. McIntosh of Oxford, Ohio. 200 is required.

April 21: I went to Hamilton this a.m. Looked up the title of a piece of property for Oscar Irwin. He has traded the Nathan Flenner house and lot for the Kolb 15 acres adjoining the 15 acres he bought up Pete W Leibrich. See 28, Milford Township, Butler County, Ohio. Both tracts abut the Darrtown plat, on the east. I wrote two deeds and one mortage = $3.70 fee.

April 22: Some legal work, as notary today.

April 23: this p.m., I attended a past chancellor's meeting at Hamilton K of P Lodge, Hamilton, Ohio.

April 26: Mr. Guiney, reverend, our Lutheran minister, had a serious stroke (apoplexy) this a.m. about 11 o'clock. He had been sick in bed most of this week. He went to Hamilton, this a.m., with Fred Grothaus. Came home on bus at 11 AM. Sat down to dinner and fell from chair. Bad condition.

April 27: About 11 AM, Rev. Guiney, our Lutheran minister, died from yesterday's apoplectic stroke.

April 29: I called at the residence of the late Rev. Guiney, this a.m. Mrs. Guiney gave George H. Nichol the power of attorney to dispose of her household goods, etc. She is having her husband's remains shipped to Kansas state for burial. She expects to make her home with her folks in Kansas, I presume. Mrs. Guiney's son and daughter arrived yesterday from Kansas. I made out papers this p.m. for Mrs. Guiney's insurance of Rev. Guiney, for $1000, in favor of his wife. She goes to Kansas to Live with or be near her children.

April 30: Funeral services held at Darrtown Lutheran reform church 8 AM. Then to Pennsylvania railroad station in Hamilton Ohio. Accompanied by wife and daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Nelson of Wichita, Kansas. Mrs. G's son and wife return by auto to Wichita Kansas.

May 9: I did some legal work for Fred Grothaus, realtor. Also went to Hamilton, Ohio, with him. I attended to some minor business for myself. Sent Prince Mack, who lives on my place in Florida, a pair of Sunday shoes. $3.50. He had sent me $2 as part payment on same. Prince … looks after my orange trees. Also, lives on my place, with his grandmother, Susan O'Neal.

May 14: … we received 110 chicks from our batch of 200 eggs. Dr. McIntosh did the incubating. Placed them all under sitting hens this p.m.

May 19: Arnold at Oxford and Bell. … Mrs. Woodruff called, 4 PM. Visiting her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher. She told me about a Miss Owens, an ex-teacher who now lives in Oxford Ohio. Married a Sholtz years ago.

May 23: a wind and shower this p.m. We had five telephone poles to go over. Chestnut, not unexpected. I got Jack Snavely to help us set them back and got all cleared in about two hours.

May 25: At home, all day looking after the usual chores. Baseball today. Darrtown versus Millville, Ohio. 6-5 in favor of Darrtown.

June 1: Baseball; Darrtown vs. Gratis. Ended in favor of Darrtown. I did not attend.

June 5: … The young folks are getting ready for a trip to Ontario, Canada to visit the wife's uncle and Arnold is to attend a meeting of Masons at Toronto, Canada.

June 10: At home. No word as yet from the kids. Mail is slow getting to Rt. 2, Darrtown, Ohio via Oxford, Ohio.

June 17: Young folks arrived 6 AM from Toronto, Canada; having driven from near Erie Pennsylvania Monday a.m. Without putting up for tonight… had no accidents, except one punctured tire. The only complaint; was that Ford's old model two-door is too slow for the times. Interferes with today's fast traffic. Needs a sign track. They were all tired, but happy. Grandson Bill had a big time; but, lost his glove and ball by leaving them on his uncle's porch – stolen!

June 28: George Manrod, James Marshall, and I went to Okeana to attend a past chancellor's meeting. We arrived late, due to detour caused by oiled road from Shandon to Okeana.

July 1: … Mr. E. C. Stalheber, south of Darrtown, on Pike 1 ½ miles, has an All-Harvester [FL10] at work on 70 acres of good wheat. Average about 30 bushels per acre. I would like to see same at work. He is hauling the land owner's share to the Oxford mill, at less than $.90 per bushel, I am told.

July 7: … Mr. Uhl, of Darrtown Ohio had his truck, loaded with cans of milk, hit by the 11AM Pennsylvania passenger train. Mr. Charles Uhl escaped with a scalp wound. Ernest and I were near and went to the scene of the wrecked truck.

July 10: … Eva is worrying and I would like to sell this business, if I could get anything reasonable.

July 14: … Dr. Gadd and wife and Mrs. Jesse Wilson called this PM. Both ladies' sisters of my wife.

July 22: … The state men are now recoating the Hamilton and Richmond Pike that passes through our village of Darrtown.

FOR MOST OF JULY 1930, MR. MILLER DESCRIBED UNBEARABLE HEAT (temperatures frequently in triple digits) AND EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS. CROPS WITHERED AND FARMERS WERE FORCED TO SACRIFICE LIVESTOCK, SINCE ANIMAL FEED WAS IN SHORT SUPPLY.

August 1: Never in the history of The US has there been such a continuous summer heat and lack of rainfall. April, May, June, and July were all short: average of 2 inches each in most sections of the corn belt.

August 4: Heat wave in full force. Crops in the great corn and cotton belt being ruined by drought and excessive heat… smothering heat up to 12 midnight.

August 7: The drought throughout the US has become a national calamity. Corn will not be a half crop.

August 10: Jim Decker and wife called a few minutes this p.m..

August 13: … Muggy and indications of rain, if cold wave predicted arrives… Meeting of the Darrtown Ohio Stock Protection Company this p.m. At school house, Darrtown. Eight members present.

August 23: No prospect of a much-needed waterfall. Ohio has received good general and local range as far south as Dayton, Ohio. My notary commission expires tonight at 12 midnight. I shall not try to renew it; the expense and bother often has exceeded the income.

August 26:  I have been circulating a petition to retain the Collinsville, Ohio station. The Pennsylvania Railroad company is trying to abandon said station. To be heard September 9, before the Ohio PUC at Columbus, Ohio.

August 30: A fine rain set in around 2 AM; continued until 8 AM; wet down 3 to 4 inches.

August 31: Bill, our grandson, is with us, until school starts. He enjoys riding Dick, my horse. Dick is a fine style blooded this horse. The best I've ever owned and he will probably be the last, as autos have usurped the road.

September 1: … Mr. and Mrs. George Pottinger called this PM. We gave them some grapes and elderberries. We have a fine lot of both, but Eva, being a partial invalid, no one here to attend to them. Mrs. Ward has made some grape jelly and grape butter on the halves. I furnish the grapes and half of the sugar. She is a very kind and obliging neighbor.

September 3: … Ordered a car of telephone poles of the Michigan Pole and Telephone company, Grand Rapids Michigan.

September 6: Cooler at night. Some very nice growing rains. None as yet to affect the wells. But, filling cisterns help out the situation.

September 8: At home doing the usual odd jobs and getting material to meet the argument on the morrow of the representatives [from] the Pennsylvania Railroad company to abandon the station at Collinsville Ohio. Mr. Carl Eberling, recorder of Butler County, informed me that he has found a deed to land (1852) given to the Hamilton Eaton Railroad company which provides for a freight and passenger station and depot and the land shall revert to the owners, whenever they cease to fulfill contract. He has prepared a certified copy of said deed.

September 9: we started for Columbus at 4:45 AM via Eaton and National Road. Arrived 8:45 AM. Got our fast broken by a light breakfast. Case before PUC came on 10:45 AM. I was requested to be the attorney, so to speak in the case, as Mr. Primm could not be present. Our evidence with the deed (mentioned above) won the case. Arrived home at about 4 PM. The showing as to our $4000 income for the past year would probably have won the case, but the deed clinched the matter.

September 10: Dr. Hutzleman brought me 15 buckets of honey and 24 1-pound combs this p.m. John Phenis called a few minutes this p.m. A cleanup of chickens from Mr. Joe Davis (75) and Fred Decker parentheses (125) by a set of thieves this a.m. Between 1 AM a.m. and 3 AM.

September 12: … Corn being cut by most farmers. Many silos, old and new ones, are been filled, due to scarcity of winter feeds. Special meeting of the Darrtown Stock Protection Company at school building, Darrtown. Plans laid for future that cannot be…[?].

September 13: … Mrs. Dell Marshall was here cleaning house. … I called on my neighbor, Mr. Long, and bought a dollar's worth of melons (cantaloupes and watermelons).

September 15: … at the switchboard for most of time. It will be a grand thing, when all telephone systems are made automatic and have measured service to everyone and government-owned, the same as US postal system.

September 20: … Bank robberies and holdouts over the USA. Seems to be an everyday occurrence. Petty holdups on the streets of cities and pilfering in country has become general. Racketeering in cities.

September 24: … Bank and Pay Master robberies still continue to be a part of the daily news. Also, bank failures.

September 26: … I have a man doing some work - putting in cellar steps (cement) and fixing cellar door [SEE SEPT. 29].

September 28: … Have had a slow sale of honey the past week. Sold four buckets today = $4.

September 29: … Fritz Schmidt is getting the cellar way and cement steps in good shape.

October 2: … We are busy fixing cellar step doors. Fritz Schmidt is a very clever workman. I am very busy with all jobs in working at the exchange switchboard. All telephones will finally be automatic. Cars of telephone poles landed at Collinsville yesterday and we, Ernest and Fritz Schmidt, went over this a.m. and finished unloading same, by 10:30 AM.

MANY OF MR. MILLER'S OCTOBER ENTRIES CITE THE WEATHER (TURNING COLDER); THE CEMENT WORK THAT FRITZ SCHMIDT COMPLETED FOR MR. MILLER, AND THE FREQUENT CRIMINAL CASES OF THEFT, ROBBERY, ETC. ACROSS THE NATION.

October 29: H. Teckman finished hauling poles (340) from Collinsville Ohio. We are on now well fixed for poles and cross arms.

October 30: … Mr. Dietrich and Mr. Tabor called to look after a contract of sale of Frank Tabor farm. The same to be concluded within five days.

November 3: … I went to Hamilton Ohio with Mr. Frank Tabor and went through records of the Elizabeth tract of land (an Ogle heir) and found the record of lane and farm correct.

November 5: … I closed the deal of Frank Tabor's farm to John Fishner of Kentucky for $9500 including 68+ acres of land and all farming tools, cows, horses, and household furniture. Mr. Tabor [is] out, with his clothes, bedding, and auto.

November 9: … The sidekicks of this home went to Jim Town [FL11] after a police pup that will be a care and a nuisance, unless handled carefully and trained.

November 11: … Armistice day. The day the Germans put one over on General Foch [FL12] and the allies. Should have been an unconditional surrender.

November 17: … A big washing hung out today. A three-weeks hang up. Water getting scarce at our place, especially cistern and rain water. More banks closing doors: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, and etc. Cincinnati big banks took over some small ones, before they had a chance to fail.

November 29: … Grandson, William M. Miller, worked the switch, while I was gone. I am preparing list of subscribers for new directory. The Standard Public Service Corporation are having publishing [done] through a Dayton, Ohio publishing company that gets out directories for telephone companies. Their profit is in the advertising.

December 1: … C.O. Mendenhall brought me two sacks of corn … Will haul me a load, as soon as possible the weather will permit shredding.

December 3: I took a look over the property of my good friend David Pierce. Party had moved out. Everything, especially outbuildings in bad shape. A few callers, William Kepler, for one - an old friend. Lodge met, with a good attendance.

December 5: … Mailed check to W. W. Stripling, tax collector for Marion County Florida and $18 for tax and renewal to Ocala Star… also, a letter to Jim Mack of Morriston, Florida; Cotton Plant District, in regards to various matters pertaining to my farm.

December 10: … Mr. B. F. Glardon called and paid balance of $8.90 on telephone bill.

December 12: … Eva is not improving much, if any. I would like to sell out and get her on my farm in Florida for the winter. But, I see no changes at present of doing so.

December 16: … I went over to Seven Mile, Ohio, with George O. Manrod to attend our annual banquet of K of P's in Butler County. A good attendance.

December 20: … Mr. Harry Kumler and wife and Mrs. Glardon called to see Arnold's pup, “Pat.”  Pat was raised by Mrs. Glardon, who owns Pat's mother.

December 21: … People are getting ready for Christmas, but a rather sad Christmas for 3 million people (at least) of our 120 million, who finds themselves jobless, homeless, and penniless. Breadlines and soup kitchens in all cities, of one of the richest nations of the world.

December 28: … a few callers: Mr. and Mrs. Kahn of Hamilton Ohio and Fred Schmidt - to settle rent.

December 30: … At home, as usual, doing chores and working exchange. A few subs are coming in and settling telephone bills.

December 31: … The old year is going out with a bang. The US and Canada radio concerts are plentiful. I handled a New York city call to the R. Kirk Mee family, a few minutes after the old year died.

Old year 1930 – you have been the toughest ever experienced by the citizens of the United States; drought and forest fires from coast to coast, North – East – South – West. Good bye.

  [FL1]Reference to the Darrtown Stock Protection Company; see: http://www.darrtown.com/organizations/service-1.html [FL2](From Wikipedia) Banks began to fail in October 1930 (one year after the crash) when farmers defaulted on loans … no federal deposit insurance …bank failures considered quite common … worried depositors started to withdraw money and changed it into currency … money supply decreased … forcing banks to liquidate assets (such as call in loans rather than create new loans.) …decreased money supply further aggravated price deflation, putting further pressure on already struggling businesses.

[FL3]Reference to the Four Mile Creek, which is located about ½ mile south of Darrtown. Mr. Miller often refers to it as the Talawanda creek or river.

[FL4]In other entries, Mr. Miller spells Jacob's last name as “Schmidt.” Jacob Schmidt was, in fact, a Darrtown resident and local handyman.

[FL5]The machine age, then…the robotics age, now. Similar consequences.

[FL6]The phrase “in-lots” refers to the lots that are inside the boundaries of Darrtown, as designated by Conrad Darr – when he platted the village in 1814. See village plat at: http://www.darrtown.com/history/maps.html

[FL7]Clem Pfaff owned land on both sides of the Hamilton-Richmond Pike, just north of Harris Road. That location became known, locally, as Pfaff's Orchard.

[FL8]This campground was located on the south side of the Four Mile Creek, immediately west of the Rt. 177 crossing. The 1933 Bufler family reunion (a photo of the family is available at the following link) was likely held at this campground. See: http://www.darrtown.com/people/bufler.html  

[FL9]This is a reference to Nell and Maria Davis. See: ttp://www.darrtown.com/people/davis.html

[FL10]Presumably, this refers to what became known as the “combine” – which replaced the labor-intensive threshing machine. The combine cut the standing crop and separated the grain from the stalk/shaft – in one operation, in the field.

[FL11]“Jim Town” – location unknown. Perhaps a slang term?

[FL12]Ferdinand Foch, marshal of France and commander of Allied forces during the closing months of World War I, generally considered the leader most responsible for the Allied victory.