L. A. Miller Diary of 1932
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)
January 3: … Our honey biz. has gone like all other bidders. As a luxury, it has been cut out. Collections are slow as to telephone accounts.
January 4: … Stealing and robbing goes right on, as usual. A local bank at Trenton, Ohio, I hear, has failed.
January 5: Warm and it rained all day. A continuous downpour. Wells are coming back to old times, which is a great relief to thousands in many states, Ohio included.
January 6: … I attended Stock Company meeting. Only four members showed up. No quorum [was] present. We called it a day lost and came home.
January 7: Attended K of P Lodge this p.m., some more records to tackle. I am reading the history of the present ruler of Russia, Joseph Stalin, that is being published in Colliers weekly.
January 10: I worked all p.m. and late this p.m. to finish reports to Industrial Commission. Will call on Kirk Mee tomorrow, our Justice of the Peace, and be sworn, as to reports' correctness.
January 12: Banks here and there closing their doors. Unemployment getting worse, instead of better.
January 13: Meeting of Fire Association this p.m. at public school building. Nothing done. Meeting called for next Wednesday - 8 PM - to dispose of $17 dollars of funds [FL1] . Will probably be invested in ladders and buckets.
January 14: A few parties came in and paid their telephone rent. Mr. Clem Andrews and Mr. George Geisler.
January 17: Papers record the usual auto accidents, robberies, and failure of banks. Over 9,000 banks have failed in the last five years.
January 23: … Travel is getting very much lighter on Sundays and weekdays. Many people who have autos are not able to pay the increase tax on auto, gas, and oil.
January 24: … Charles N. Hansel came in and gave us a check for per capita tax to support Children's and Old Folks home at Springfield, Ohio [FL2] . 16 members at $.95 cents each equals $15.20.
January 28: … A few callers. Mr. Joseph Dietrich called in regard to his north and south lines of the Darrtown plat.
January 30: This p.m., I went to Bethany [Ohio] to attend P. C. Convention, K of P. A good attendance. I met some old friends and some of my former scholars, when a teacher at Bethany, 1887 and 1888. [FL3]
Note: [FL4]
● I received the first and second degree, K of P, at Alexis 202, Bethany, Ohio, April 19, 1890.
● My third degree, May 24, 1890.
● Withdrew card from Alexis K of P Lodge, Bethany, Ohio.
● Organized Bohhomie 578; instituted May 13, 1892.
February 8: … I wrote a will for Earl B. Long drawn this PM. He is very sick at the present time and desires for his uncle William Geisler shall have all his real estate and personal property, in case of his demise.
February 13: … Sold some honey today, two half-gallon buckets, $2. A Mr. Andrew Rogers of Oxford Ohio, a regular customer.
February 17: … Mr. Harry Barnes hauled me a load of corn this p.m. at $.35 per bushel.
February 19: … I have taken in some 200 bushels of corn for telephone rent [FL5] and all pens and cribs are full.
February 21: … We are in one of the worst money slumps, in all our history. At least 30 million people are being helped by cities, states, counties, and townships. Besides relatives helping relatives, it would be hard to estimate the number of people that have been taken in by father and mother in the country.
February 25: … Some few are paying telephone rent. Quite a number are behind. Good people-but, have hit the bottom, by spending too much for high-priced autos and unnecessary things.
February 27: … Mr. M. J. Paulin called this p.m. and we arranged a settlement of his telephone account. $69.95.
February 29: … Mr. Dietrich and I took a drive to Morning Sun [Ohio] to look over a mule. Too large for his use. … 1400 to 1500 pounds.
March 1: … Arnold was out this p.m. On Curtis and Geisler's new line, leading West from Taylor school house [FL6] , where I spent seven years, as a teacher, a long time ago [FL7] .
March 4: … Nothing has been heard of Charles Lindbergh's boy baby. Kidnapped this week [FL8] . The demand is $50,000 for return. Lindberg agrees to pay it. An awful condition exists in this U.S.
March 6: … Clem Pfaff had all his Rhode Island Red chickens stolen last night. 15 hens and 2 to 3 roosters. He was relieved of 40-odd, some three months since.
March 9: … the coldest day of the year in the winter of 1931-32, so far. The entire USA, east of Rocky Mountains, wrapped in the worst and most destructive blizzard since 1830.
March 11: … Congress finally passed a bill donating 40,000,000 bushels of wheat to the Red Cross to be distributed to the 8 million unemployed men and women … Nothing heard from Charles A. Lindbergh boy baby as yet.
March 20: … Joseph Shears called this p.m. and we had a talk about past times and experiences.
March 21: … A storm of wind and hail struck Indiana and Ohio about 10 PM. Cyclonic in spots. Hamilton, Ohio badly hit and many hurt. $2,000 to $3,000 damage in said city.
March 22: The whole subject of the conversation today was in regard to yesterday's cyclones … Many people have gone to Hamilton Ohio to view destruction and look after friends and relatives who were in the path of the cyclone twisters.
March 26: … Grandson, William, went to Hamilton, Ohio … he took dinner with his great aunts, Margaret and Jesse Phillips. Home with Raymond Smith [FL9] at 11 PM.
March 30: the boys, Arnold, and his neighbor, Guy Dynes, were putting in a phone for parties near Jericho … on Richmond, Indiana Road. Known for many years as the Cincinnati Hamilton and Richmond turnpike. To be known, in the future, as a link in the Appalachian highway-Chicago to Charleston, South Carolina.
April 3: … Mr. Fred Grothaus and I took an eye survey of some fine building sites along the banks of the Talawanda.
April 5: … Arnold is putting in double time on trouble on line wiring a house for George Nichols' son-in-law and daughter.
April 6: … Arnold is busy. 1st; wiring a house for George Neville and 2nd; putting in lane line for a Mr. Sebald, near Jericho.
April 10: … I am getting ready to leave on the morrow for Columbus, Ohio to attend the annual telephone convention.
April 11: … Grandson William M. Miller took me to Collinsville, Ohio. Bus to Eaton, Ohio, arrived 2:45 PM. Street car to Dayton, arrived at 3:45 PM. Pennsylvania Railroad 420 PM, to Columbus, arrived 6PM, Deshler hotel.
April 12: … A good attendance was on hand at the opening. Serious financial problems confront the companies in Ohio and the U.S. … Due to sales of many independent telephone companies, numerous old faces were absent.
April 14: … I took the 8:40 traction car to Hamilton, Ohio. Arrived 11 AM. Met David Pierce for a short talk. Came home by auto, with Fred Grothaus, of Darrtown, Ohio.
April 15: Arnold has been busy … installed phone at Mr. Sebald's at Jericho and has about finished the electric wiring of George Nichol's house [occupied?] by Ernest Glardon and wife, son-in-law of George Nichol.[FL10]
April 16: … Suicides are numerous in the U.S., due to so many people losing their homes and being put out in the cold. Thousands of farms being sold for taxes and mortgages, as well.
April 21: I had my garden plowed this a.m. Andy Neanover, hand, and team did job in less than two hours. Charge = $1.
April 25: … Milton F. Beiser called and paid balance of telephone rent = $6.70, this p.m. House-cleaning has commenced, as usual. Time for the men to go fishing.
May 1: Arnold went with H. W. Teckman to Collinsville, Ohio. Trucking a carnival show [FL11] 5AM this morning. Home at 6 PM. Dr. Hutzleman brought me six buckets of honey…
May 6: … Ex-World War soldiers gathering slowly in Washington DC [FL12] . Penniless, asking payment for deferred bonuses - due 1946.
May 10: … Went to primary election; a big field of candidates. Arnold, chairman of board of elections. … More and more soldiers of World War landing at Washington on freight trains and afoot. Camping on unoccupied grounds and dumps and unoccupied buildings. Being fed by donations.
May 14: … the Lindbergh baby has been found dead … $50,000 was paid by parents …
May 16: … Arnold [FL13] and two men working on Mill Rd., West – on telephone line removal.
May 20: … Men on local repairs, near exchange. Paid Charles A. Tallman $12.50 for five days work. Paid Guy Dynes $10 dollars for five days work.
May 26: … Men doing odd telephone jobs, until a complete survey is made at Lanes Mill, end of road.
June 3: … we got some ice for our new refrigerator [FL14] …
June 21: … Telephone tax of the state of Ohio has been hard to collect from the consumer, due to unemployment and low price of farm products. Hence, the telephone companies are hard hit, due to loss of subscribers and but little reduction of material that we must have to continue in business.
June 25: The young folks went to Cincinnati and Coney Island on the Ohio River this is a.m. and had not arrived home at 12 midnight.
June 26: … I was called out at 1 AM, by a call from 46 [FL15] ; chicken thieves in the hen house. They made their escape.
June 27: … I went to Hamilton, Ohio, with Fred Grothaus. … I called on Max Strauss and bid him farewell, as to business, as he is going out.
July 1: … The prospects are for Franklin D. Roosevelt President and Gardner of Texas Vice President, as candidates on the Democratic ticket. … Al Smith is going to lose out at the Democratic convention; being a Catholic kills his chances. The old quarrel between Catholics and Protestants of centuries ago ought to be buried.
July 2: … Grandson W. M. Miller went camping this p.m. on the Talawanda River, about a mile below here (Darrtown, Ohio). A great time for the kids = 4H club.
July 3: … The 4H club are having time of their young lives on the Talawanda and swimming, of course.
July 5: … I went to Liberty, Indiana, with Margaret Phillips to attend the obsequies of David Johnson, a first cousin of Eva, my wife.
July 12: … Boys are having a hot time out on lines. They are now replacing 10 poles on Popst hill and hand digging. The work there will cost us $50 in poles, wire, and labor…
July 26: … The unemployment situation not getting any better. Bonus army of ex-World War soldiers still encamped, in and around Washington DC.
July 28: … at 10-11 p.m., the 15,000 or more “bonus” ex-soldiers of the World War (quite a number with their families camped, in around Washington DC) asking for payment of bonus due in 1946. Due to depression and employment, they need now. They did not get it. By secret orders of Pres. Hoover to Gen. MacArthur, they were routed [FL16] , at near midnight, out of buildings and camps, at point of bayonets, tear gas, and even a big army tank. No place to go; many women and children included.
July 29: Papers full of … proceedings of Pres. Hoover, secretly ordering Gen. MacArthur – with Army US regulars, to clear Washington and the vicinity of all bonus soldiers… I fear that Hoover has started something he can't stop. The people must, by their votes and brains, restore this government to a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
July 30: … Prominent men are openly criticizing Pres. Hoover for using the army, secretly and suddenly, to get the ex-World war soldiers out and away from Washington DC …
August 6: … I am expecting to attend, by special invitation, the annual picnic of the Curtis family, at Fort St. Clair Park, near Eaton, Ohio, tomorrow.
August 9: … the Darrtown Stock Protection company are invited to attend a picnic at McCullough Park on Indian Creek, Friday, August 12. I have been busy notifying members, this p.m., of said meeting.
August 13: … Grandson Bill arrived home from his short week at Campbell Guard camp this a.m. and reports a good time. It is well [that] children do not realize the serious conditions that exist.
August 16: I went to Hamilton, Ohio, with Fred Grothaus this a.m. and paid my Butler County tax. Amount = $34.80. I met my old pal David Pierce, attorney. I wrote up a deed for Peter Leibrich and sister. Sale of the house lot in Darrtown. North side of Lot 44 [FL17] = 66 feet in width, facing Main Street on the east.
August 22: … I had my lot plowed and put in winter vetch [FL18] , the east ¾ lot. Done by a Neanover team; plowman - William Glardon.
August 23: … I went with George Manrod to Port Union to attend a Past Chancellors' convention-K of P. I taught Port Union school; 1883-84-85. Some of my old pupils were in attendance at the K of P meeting. … Memorial services were held for Brother Hancock of Somerville, Ohio, K of P Lodge, who passed a few weeks since. …
August 24: … I ordered 10 pounds of creamery butter from the co-op, Hamilton Milk Company, to be delivered tomorrow buy a Teckman truck.
August 31: … at 2 PM, the long looked-for eclipse of the sun by the moon… came on gradually. … In 1868, when a child of six years, I saw the chickens go to roost - lived near Eureka, Illinois …
September 6: … School begins September 12; changed from October 1 [FL19] , as time set last June.
September 17: … A poll of voters in various states and cities shows the Democrat party a big winner over Republican party in November.
September 23: the men have been cementing inputting a new bottom in the cistern. …
September 24: … William Miller and I made a quick trip to Oxford for a case of bats and some groceries. Dr. Hugh Gadd and Margaret Phillips came to look after her little farm and the house of eight lots. The renter has moved and left her $60 unpaid - also has taken corn, he promised to leave as a balanced payment. …
September 25: … Hugh Gadd will be out early tomorrow to help me cut corn fodder on Margaret's eight-lot farm.
September 27: … William Miller, grandson, got his three pullets ready for the Butler County fair and it took them down this PM. He belongs to the 4-H chicken club.
September 28: … I am having some fodder cut on Margaret Phillips' little farm of 8 lots – that occupy one block - northeast plat - of Darrtown, Ohio. [FL20]
September 29: … Folks all at fair. I employed William Glardon to cut fodder on aforesaid lot (section 28). [FL21]
September 30: … Paid William Glardon, in full, $3.50 for cutting fodder on Margaret Phillips' lot.
October 7: … Ton of coal arrived this p.m. … $5.75. Road (Hamilton-Darrtown-Richmond Pike) blocked due to tar and gravel.
October 11: … The U.S. is in one bad condition financially and economically. 10 to 12 million people are being fed by public charity.
October 12: Road men are busy recoating the Hamilton and Richmond Pike, with coal slag, from iron ore. It ought to make a lasting job.
October 14: … Power machines are making road fast on this old neglected turnpike from Hamilton Ohio to Richmond Indiana; the first Pike, built by stockholders from Cincinnati to Richmond Indiana. I paid toll on part of it, from Darrtown to Hamilton County line for several years. It was bought out by the County commissioners about 1884 or 1885. [FL22]
October 22: … Another line in Oxford Township to move. More expense for Telephone Company.
November 1: … Arnold and help has been finishing the wiring of Margaret Phillips house on Lot 40, Darrtown, Ohio. [FL23]
November 5: … Arnold has made two trips this p.m. to Hamilton to get election material, as president of the board here, at West Milford Township.
November 9: … Hoover and the whole Republican ticket defeated.
November 18: … Three big Pittsburgh banks of Pennsylvania closed their doors recently.
November 22: … William Miller, grandson, and I went over to Mrs. Neubrander's and got a 10-pound hen turkey for Thanksgiving.
November 24: At home, with a select company of good neighbors who helped, not only at the exchange, but in other ways. Sat down to a turkey Thanksgiving dinner. Mrs. Lizzy Fisher asked the blessing. Mrs. Ward and her three children made up the guests, outside of our own families.
November 29: … William Glardon asked for a job husking my shocked corn at $1 per day. … I employed him, because he needed the work and my time is so occupied, that I needed help.
December 2: W. M. Moulton, who died recently at Seattle Washington, has willed W. M. Miller, our only grandson, the sum of $500! But, does not come into possession of same, until the age of 21 years. He is mother being named as guardian under the will.
December 3: … The young old folks went to the city (Hamilton, Ohio) this PM. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad called and spend the evening very pleasantly.
December 15: A cold day and [the] thermometer fell to 22° below, at 11:30 PM. This record, I feel positive, is the lowest this time in December since 1883, when my record begins.
December 31: the last day of a very distressful [sic] year to 80% of our people. The other 20% are not sitting on easy street. Only brains and statesmen can pull us out…
[FL1]Presumably, these are the funds that were collected from community members during a campaign that was initiated in 1931 to create a Darrtown Fire Association (see Mr. Miller's January 1931 diary). It seems that the effort to organize a local Fire Association was not successful.
[FL2]Presumably, this was a children's and old folks home that was supported by K of P lodges throughout the state of Ohio.
[FL3]Mr. Miller's teaching career included these two years in Bethany and seven more years in Milford Township at the Taylor School (see March 1 entry below).
[FL4]This entry seems to explain how the Darrtown K of P lodge (aka: Bonhomie 578) originated.
[FL5]A form of “bartering” by Mr. Miller's phone company that was reported in a 1933 newspaper story. See article at:
http://www.darrtown.com/organizations/businesses-5.html [FL6]The 1914 map of Butler County (see: /Milford+Township/Butler+County+1914/Ohio/ ) shows land owned by Emery Curtis and Jacob Geisler on opposite sides of Huston Road, where it meets Taylor School Road.
[FL7]These seven years at Milford Township's Taylor school followed Mr. Miller's tenure at the Bethany (Ohio) School (see January 30 above). The Taylor School was also known as Milford Township School No. 7. See: wn.com/history/maps.html
[FL8]A horrific story; see more, if desired, at: .history.com/this-day-in-history/lindbergh-baby-kidnapped
[FL9]Mr. Miller sometimes interchanged “Smith” and “Schmidt.” Raymond Schmidt of Darrtown married Marie Miller. Mrs. Marie Schmidt became the beloved teacher and principal of the Collinsville School…which was eventually renamed the Marie Schmidt School. See Mrs. Schmidt's biography at: schmidt-marie.html
[FL10]Presumably, this is the house located at 3700 Hamilton-Richmond Road, because that property is named on a 1914 Butler County map as being the property of John W. and George H. Nichol. See: http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/46696/Milford+Township/Butler+County+1914/Ohio/In the early 1940s, Ernest Glardon and his wife “Sis” Glardon sold said property to Herman Sanders, owner of the Butler County Lumber Company.
[FL11]Another job performed by the Teckman Trucking Company of Darrtown, Ohio. See Teckman Trucking at: http://www.darrtown.com/organizations/businesses-5.html
[FL12]This entry foreshadows an unfortunate event on July 28 of this year.
[FL13]As mentioned previously, “Arnold” is a nickname Mr. Miller used, when referring to his son, Ernest L. Miller.
[FL14]Presumably, this refers to the kitchen appliance this is commonly known as an “ice box.” See more info at: log/the-history-of-the-fridge/
[FL15]Perhaps, “46” refers to a telephone subscriber – who is otherwise unidentified.
[FL16]A sad situation; see more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army
[FL17]Lot 44: located on west side of Main Street; second lot south of Apple Street; immediately north of Glardon's Grocery store – which became Don's Carryout in the late 1950s. At some point, Mr. Miller purchased this lot 44 and house.
[FL18]Vetch...a legume, grown as a forage crop…for fodder.
[FL19]Presumably, this schedule resulted from the need for children to help with fall harvest and the start of school was delayed.
[FL20]The Darrtown plat/map (see: http://www.darrtown.com/history/maps.html ) confirms a total of eight lots per “block.” The location of the Phillip's house is identified as Lot 40 in the November 1st entry below.
[FL21]Darrtown is located in the southwest corner of Milford Township's section 28.
[FL22]From this entry, it seems that the original “Darrtown Pike” MAY HAVE BEEN privately financed, constructed, and maintained by stockholders (investors) and later sold to the Butler County commissioners. This ties into previous reports of a toll house located on or near the Joseph Davis property at the intersection of Darrtown Pike (Rt. 177) and the Oxford-Trenton Road (Rt. 73).
[FL23]According to a 1914 map of Darrtown (see: http://www.darrtown.com/history/maps.html ), Lot 40 is situated in the absolute northeast corner of the block of eight lots that are bounded on the north by Apple Street, the east by East Street, the south by Oxford Street, and the west by Cherry Street. So, we know that this block of land, in Darrtown, was being farmed in 1932.
