L. A. Miller Diary of 1933
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)
PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MR. L.A. MILLER
(taken from a preface page in Mr. Miller's 1933 diary)
Name: L. A. Miller
Residence: Darrtown, Ohio
Secretary-treasurer and manager, Darrtown Telephone Company, Oxford, Ohio, Rt 2.
Home telephone: No. 31
Weight: 180 Height: 6'2” Hat size: 7 3/8 Gloves: 9 to 10
Shirt size: 16 Collar size: 15 ½ Hosiery: 10 Shoe size: 9 1/2
January 1: We had no extra spread for New Year's dinner; times are too close.
January 3: … Two old friends dropped in to see me this PM; both former pupils of mine. Albert Markel of the Gulf Refining Company, near Beaumont, Texas and Frank Morton- College Court, Ohio.
January 4: … Stock company met this p.m., at Darrtown school building. Attendance small. Arranged to meet February 4th for last regular yearly meeting for election of officers and the issue of credentials of authority.
January 6: … Mr. Joseph Dietrich and I took William M. Miller over to A.B. Hunter's to pick a Hereford calf for him [MR. MILLER'S GRANDSON] to be a member of the 4H calf club [FL1] . Weight about 225 pounds for $11. Hauling cost equaled $1.50.
January 7: W. M. Miller and Glen Ward cleaned out stable. … They got done in time to go after the Hereford bull calf this PM. I, in the meantime, fixed the stall for his reception. …
January 18: … Arnold has been busy in the last two weeks, doing electric wiring. Finished job at Collinsville, Ohio and is doing some work today at the M. E. Church [FL2] of Darrtown - making some electric extensions. …
January 23: … I am being forced to take corn, wheat, and other farm products from a few people to pay their telephone rent. [FL3] …
January 26: … Robbery and murder has become so general in the U.S. … it has been hardly worth time and ink to make a note of it. Zwick [FL4] , of course, has been captured and is now in jail in Cincinnati and will be tried as soon as jaw – mashed by bullet - gets in shape to testify.
January 27: … The boys were out this p.m. on line. Put in a telephone-a surprise; as more telephones are being discontinued by far over U.S., than put in.
January 29: … I finished building a corn crib for more corn on telephone rent. We are now bartering like the early settlers who had but little money.
February 6: … I ordered a ton of coal from Stephenson; Will be here tomorrow.
February 8: … Hold ups and thefts are too numerous over these U.S. to mention them in the diary record. Our descendants, who may read these pages, will set us down, as a set of barbarians.
February 10: I have had to give much attention to my poultry. I am getting 12 to 15 eggs per day.
February 15: … Word from Miami Florida that a crazy attempt was made to kill Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Elect, while speaking to a crowd from a parked auto ...
February 19: … I called on R. Kirk Mee, this PM to fix up some reports and other business. I met David DeArmond, President of Ohio Senate [FL5] at Mee's. Dave is an old acquaintance and we had a good chat on various subjects.
February 26: … I called on Kirk Mee this P.M. and learned that a shutdown of all banks of Ohio as to limit one could draw on account - would be limited to 5% of his account. Bill will be passed very soon. People have hid [sic] their cash.
February 27: … Bill passed Ohio House and Senate to limit all banks 5% of one's account per day on his bank account.
February 28: … George O. Manrod and I attended Knights of Pythias meeting at Seven Mile, Ohio this p.m. A good meeting, getting awakened to be conditions that have been here for three years and not likely to continue for an indefinite time in the future.
March 4: … I went to Oxford, Ohio and did some trading. Only 5% of one's deposit can be check[ed?]-until the moratorium is raised. New York and Chicago banks closed this a.m., until a change in conditions arrive. … A new president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was sworn into office at 12:30 PM, at Capitol building. We wish him a successful cleanup of a bad US condition.
March 6: President Roosevelt, at 12:30 a.m., declared a moratorium [FL6] on all banks. Ordered them virtually closed. Can only pay out 5% of anyone's deposits. Ban to be lifted Thursday, if conditions will permit doing so. So many banks have failed - some 12,000 in eight years - that people have hid [sic] their money or locked it in their bank's safety deposit boxes.
March 7: … I am getting out my toll reports for February, 1933. Tolls have been falling off for the last three years. Four years ago, tolls were about $475 income per year. A shortage of tolls of over $200 …
March 8: … I have been very busy looking up some old happenings, back over 30 years ago. But have been unsuccessful in finding the diary [FL7] that records that happening of that eventful happening.
March 9: … The U.S. is still under a moratorium, all banks closed … all people having gold money and gold certificates are ordered to turn them in to banks in exchange for new US paper issue -under a heavy penalty, if you don't ...
March 11: … Gold and gold certificates being called in by the President [FL8] , under heavy penalties. Millions of secreted gold being turned in; to be paid in US currency. Old keepsakes are being dug up and delivered to banks to be sent to Washington. Eva had $65 in gold; I turned in for her today; received currency, instead.
March 20: … President Roosevelt is getting action on the situation. Most of the banks have been allowed to open. Some state banks are still closed, as well as some national.
March 21: … Greatest floods on the Ohio River system in many years. Thousands in river towns have had to abandon homes and seek higher ground. Cincinnati, Ohio; Covington and Newport, Kentucky, are bad hit. River at 63 feet and rising. The cold wave, with snow, has added to the distress.
March 24: … Ohio River falling, at Cincinnati Ohio. But, rains on the headwaters may cause a rise. … Death, today's papers [Report] William Harry Miller, second cousin, son of Alex Miller.
March 25: … Mrs. Marshall cleaned exchange and kitchen. … Mr. Melvin Paulin called and paid me $60 in bonds, credit to telephone rent.
March 31: Arnold and [his] son Bill are off today on a [4-H] Club excursion - East part of county. … Mr. C. Mendenhall hauled me a load of corn (30 bushel … at $.25 per bushel) to be applied on debt of telephone service.
April 05: … U.S. Government now calling for men at numerous stations and camps to set out trees; restoration in many parts of us. Clothes, meals, and shelter, at one dollar per day, for 250,000 men.
April 6: … Railroads are cutting rates to compete with buses, aero-planes, and trucks. The Akron went down [FL9] off the Jersey Coast; only two men escaped … out of 75 on board. Dirigibles have proved to be death traps and a waste of money of the people.
April 10: … Jim Decker and second wife called at our house this a.m. They have lost their home in Oxford, Ohio and are looking for a new home. Millions are in the same condition. A pitiable condition exists in these United States.
April 13: … Roy Coulter called and paid telephone rent. $36 for two years and $.50 in tolls.
April 16: … Hugh Gadd and family called this p.m. - live in Hamilton, Ohio. No work and hard pressed for a livelihood. Millions in same unhappy condition.
April 20: … Arnold has traded the old Ford for a Ford truck: $75 in cash and the old truck at $10 equals $85. …
April 28: … Arnold has erected a very nice and substantial grape arbor over the house well. A wonderful 45-year-old Fox grapevine furnishes the shade.
FOR MUCH OF APRIL, MR. MILLER MADE NUMEROUS ENTRIES REGARDING THE PREPARATION AND PLANTING OF HIS GARDEN. HE ALSO WROTE ABOUT THE CARE OF HIS HORSE AND THE 4-H CALF / PROJECT THAT IS TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS GRANDSON, WILLIAM M. MILLER.
May 2: … March and April have been the wettest months and most continuous rain in any March and April for which I have any records since 1883 [FL10] .
May 3: … Guy Dynes working between showers on the barn. North barn, about done.
May 6: … William M. Miller, grandson, attended a general meeting of school boys and girls, at the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio today.
May 8: … President F. D. Roosevelt is putting through his program at a rapid rate as possible to get men at work[FL11] . States are doing likewise. Reforestation been started in Virginia, Kentucky, and other camps are being opened in other states. $30 per month, and food and clothing furnished.
May 23: … Arnold and Kumler are wiring a house in Darrtown for Benjamin Teague.
May 25: ... Tomorrow is our Golden wedding anniversary, 50 years of married life, with all its trials, joys, and troubles.
May 26: … 50 years ago today, I led a most beautiful and intelligent your lady, Miss Eva Mae Phillips, to the altar of matrimony. Reverend H. Eddie at his residence on Dayton Street, City of Hamilton, Butler County, State of Ohio. At the end of 50 years, the groom is enjoying good health. The bride has been afflicted with arcethis [?] [FL12] -a nerve center disturbance. Good appetite and flesh; but unsteady on her feet, for the past six years.
May 27: … Arthur P. Stork [FL13] , an old neighbor, who has been sick only a short time – apoplexy, stroke. Passed away this a.m. 6 o'clock. A good citizen and honorable in his dealings, as far I know. Started as a poor boy in Oxford, Ohio as a newsboy.
May 29: … I am repairing fence around my one-half pub. Square of land in Village of Darrtown. Will not build a new fence, until I ascertain the lines of all four lots [FL14] that are 6 rods x 12 rods, strict measure.
June 1: … We have taken down the old shed and moved the lumber down on my lot, facing South Street and Cherry. We will build a tool house and catch-all shop.
June 4: … I have been trying to catch up with my office work and reading; but, I am short, due to the repair and the building of a tool house on my lot - consisting of half a town square. 4 lots; 6 rods by 12 rods equal 72 square rods per each lot. 4×72 equals 288 Square rods of land. I am 32 square rods short of 2 acres.
June 5: A real hot day.
● FROM JUNE 5 TO JUNE 13, MR. MILLER RECORDS TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE 90°; SEVERAL DAYS ARE RECORDED WITH TEMPS AT OR ABOVE 100 DEGREES.
● FOR THREE DAYS, JUNE 14, 15, AND 16, THE TEMPERATURES DROP INTO THE 60s AND 70s.
● ON JUNE 17, A HOT SPELL HITS AGAIN; FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THE TEMPS RANGE BETWEEN THE LOW 90S AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE 100 DEGREES.
June 7: Guy Dynes and I went to Oxford to get groceries and I wanted to see about lumber. I think I will get some of the Miami Lumber Company, Oxford.
June 8: Load of lumber came this a.m. … for garden house.
June 11: … Hold ups and bank robbing continues at the old rate.
June 13: … Arnold put in a phone at a Mr. Risch's, this p.m.
June 18: … Went to K. of P. picnic at Lanes Mill. A nice shady grove along the winding Talawanda [FL15] . A good bass stream, when the Indians owned this part of Ohio … I met a few old friends - Charles Meredith, for one.
June 30: A bad storm of wind, hail, and rain struck this section of Ohio and Indiana this PM. Our lines and exchange switchboard now completely out of business. Not a line is working. Electric current shut off, also. Candles and lamps were hunted for and put into use. … A sheet of lightning came into my office and put out telephone and electric current. I was insulated on chair at time of flash-a narrow escape.
July 1: Mr. Moss and son, Arnold, have been busy all day on exchange board.
July 3: … I have completed garden house. A real dandy and a necessity. I am now getting ready to commence on my hog house to be constructed out of telephone poles.
July 4: … I had a short talk with an old friend-William Harris, who has been located in California for a good many years and is here visiting his brothers and sisters and old friends.
July 6: … I have finished work on general tool and auto house on the lot-corner of South and Cherry Street. … I should have made a hip roof, which would have given more room upstairs.
July 8: … Mrs. Reese came in and settled for October 1932 box rent, which pays her rent to January 1, 1933 and tolls to July 1, 1933. Mr. Reese had always paid the rent but had forgotten to do so … a period of six months.
July 15: … We are now looking for telephone cedar holes. One car [FL16] from … Michigan - ordered last week - Michigan Pole and Tie Company of Grand Rapids city. 270 poles cost $304.50, including freight of $94.11.
July 26: … We have been sorting telephone poles and getting a foundation laid for the hog house and corn crib.
July 30: … Grandson, William M. Miller, is getting his satchel packed for his vacation down on the banks of the Great Miami [River] at Camp Campbell Gard this week. … Telephone poles are now all on lot [FL17] , neatly piled … hauled from Collinsville station by H. W. Teckman and men.
August 2: Lodge K of P met this p.m.-a good attendance. W.R. Miller elected trustee, in place of Julius Kolb - resigned.
August 7: We commenced operation on hog house and made fair progress. George E. Mikels and Sye Gentry and Guy Dynes and myself working. … Babe Ramsey invited me into his wine cellar late this p.m. And, I very foolishly drank some on an empty stomach, which caused me to vomit very soon thereafter and I am not feeling very good this PM. I am old enough to have known better.
August 11: Mr. Mikels came and we proceeded and got log house up to first story. We are now ready to lay the floor, before we put on the second story that will be used for corn. … the log hog house and corn crib is [sic] now showing up in grand style and will be substantial and strong and warm, when chinked and plastered.
August 13: … Times must be getting much better, if auto joy-riding is a barometer. All our filling stations [FL18] ran short of gas today, by 3PM. A constant string of coming and going.
August 17: … we have in, at a low price, a car load of 300 Northern white cedar poles, at a cost about $.85 per pole …
August 20: At home, and the usual visit to barber Bill [FL19] for the usual weekday shave. The 2% beer [FL20] seems to require some people's nerves. Pure slop. Handed out to people in distress.
August 21: … The President is getting men into work as fast as possible: forests, conservation dams in rivers, in factories, etc.
August 23: … Autos still buzz by, regardless of the hard times. Stealing gas has become a common, everyday thing.
August 28: at Columbus Ohio, to appear before the committee on taxation of Public Utilities. … they are now over-burdened with tax. My talk was to the point, from start to finish, and aroused repeated applause by all assembled.
August 29: I left Columbus on 12:15 PM traction fast car for Hamilton, Ohio and arrived 4 PM. William M. Miller on hand to bring me home…
August 30: … George E. Nichol pointed [FL21] south side of log hog house, assisted by Guy Dynes.
August 31: We are getting along slow; but, surely on log hog house. Good enough to live in. Size 19 x 20, inside measure. Two-story. Room above for corn and feed. Can put seven movable pens for sows on the ground floor. 2-acre lot to run in.
September 2: We hear we are to have a new brother-in-law, David Pierce, an old-time friend; will marry my sister-in-law, Miss Margaret Phillips, who has resigned as a teacher in the Hamilton City Schools. She has taught more than 40 years.
September 4: … We are progressing slowly on our log hog house on our, so-called, 2-acre lot, which lacks 32 square rods of being a 2-acre lot. [Our] lots from north to south: [FL22]
● Lot number 103, facing Mulberry Street on north side.
● South of lot 103 his lot number 111
● South on 111 his number 119
● South of 119 his lot number 127
The four lots equal one half of a public square. All lots, in this village of Darrtown, Ohio, are strict measure; six rods wide by 12 rods in length, running east and west. Alleys and streets are distinctly separate and belong to nobody; public use strictly.
September 6: … Guy Dynes and I are getting log house near completion. The outside plastering [of] seams between the logs is about completed. Roof completed. People have begun to visit and admire the log hog house; think it would make an excellent dwelling.
September 10: Called on barber, this a.m., as usual, for a once-a -week shave. Mr. David Pierce and intended wife - Margaret Phillips - called this p.m. Also, Hugh Gadd and family.
September 11: … William M. Miller sat down on his ten-dollar spectacles and broke them badly. A good boy, but like all boys at his age, a little careless.
September 14: Much cooler and autumn has touched us lightly.
NOTE: THIS SEPTEMBER 14TH COMMENT (REGARDING COOLER WEATHER) MARKS THE END OF A THREE-MONTH PERIOD (MID-JUNE TO MID-SEPTEMBER) DURING WHICH THE DAILY TEMPERATURES RANGED FROM THE UPPER 80s TO 100 DEGREES. [FL23]
September 15: … The boys, Guy Dynes and William M. Miller, my only living grandson, are painting the barn for the second time-which gives it a good appearance …
September 22: … William M. Miller is now busy fixing truck to go to the fair, Butler County, Ohio, chickens and calf. …
September 25: Cockerel and pullets came okay and they are dandies; washed and dried, ready for the Butler County chicken show. They are from the national famous Sherman Bowden and Sons poultry farm near Mansfield, Ohio. Rose comb, white Wyandots.
September 26: I entered my trio of Wyandots, this p.m., at [the] Butler County fair. Bill, grandson, and his Hereford calf arrived safe. A good Hereford, with firm shape and lines. I figure him at 850 [lbs.], age 14 months.
September 29: … Bill's calf sold … at seven cents per pound. 800 pounds equals $56.
September 30: At home, resting from the fair. … Dagon [FL24] is gone and the family all miss him very much; he had become quite a pet. …
October 7: … John Schwab called and settled his telephone bill and discontinued telephone.
October 11: … the Big Show [FL25] , In Chicago, seems to be well attended, in spite of the hard times. Many from the section are going …
October 16: … As the clock struck 12 midnight, 71 years ago, they tell me, I was just arriving in this world. So, I have two birthdays: the 15th and the 16th of October, 1862.
October 29: … I called on Andy Neanover this p.m. (a neighbor) an hour and had a pleasant chat. Great preparations are being made for the corn husking contest, October 31, on the Joseph Davis farm [FL26] , north of Darrtown.
November 3: … I bargained for 6 to 7 hogs of 90 to 100 pounds weight this PM from a Mr. Tommy [FL27] ; to be delivered next week.
November 6: … Ed Thome brought me seven pigs this a.m. Average about 80 pounds. Cost of same applies to telephone rent.
November 7: … National election of all states for Reps. to State and nation and local officials of state and counties. … Our son, Arnold, is on the election board and will be up most of the night. He will take returns to Hamilton, Ohio, after the count: which, due 25 distinct tickets, it will be 12 M. before the count is tabulated [FL28] .
November 15: … Pigs are doing fine and go to the hog house to keep warm. They are doing too much rooting. We will put some rings in their snoots soon and stop that exercise…
November 25: … I see, by the press, that Ohio has full arrangements to build 39 conservation dams on Ohio's rivers. The one on Talawanda [FL29] , at Chaw Raw [FL30] , will be 60 feet to roadway and a 10 foot [__?] = total 70 feet high. Making a lake 5 miles long. A real conservation dam to have more local evaporation and a more regular rainfall.
December 9: A fine day. The hogs are doing fine. I expect to slaughter a couple of them in January, for my own table.
December 12: I went to Hamilton this a.m., with Fred Grothaus.
December 16: … I must get out and get some corn on telephone rent, before it goes higher. Pres. Roosevelt is getting men at work on Pub. conservation, dams, etc. Ohio is working men, now, on roads, all over the state.
December 17: Rain and a plenty of it. We have needed it. Our wells were getting low and many were dry. Some have been forced to haul or carry water. This rain will help the Darrtown wells, as none gets away from this level ground. …
December 19: … Oxford today for groceries. Grandson, William M. Miller did the steering. We had a glass of beer [FL31] and that called for another. But, no bad effects.
December 25: I had occasion to get up at 2 AM and found that the earth in the section of Ohio covered with a blanket of snow; about 4 inches. … Hugh Gadd and family called a few hours, this PM. All in all, a fine Christmas Day here. …
December 26: … My new diary arrived by R.R. [FL32] carrier, this noon. A very good, well-made book. Some improvements in headings on each page, over previous makes of diaries.
December 31: … And, at 9 PM, I bid goodbye to 1933.
[FL1]This 4-H project will culminate at the Butler County (Ohio) Fair in September – when the calf will be shown and sold.
[FL2]Methodist Church
[FL3]Economic conditions prompted the Darrtown Phone Company to adopt a bartering system – as, reported in a local, 1933 newspaper story; see: http://www.darrtown.com/organizations/businesses-5.html
[FL4]Reported by Mr. Miller (see January 14, 1930) as the leader of a bank robbery at Mason, Ohio. See: 1930-lindley.pdf
[FL5]Mr. DeArmond is confirmed as President of Ohio Senate at: s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_Ohio_Senate
[FL6]See background notes regarding the Emergency Banking Act (EBA) at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Banking_Act
[FL7]Mr. Miller does not reveal what particular diary he was seeking; however, we may infer that he maintained an annual diary for at least 30 years.
[FL8]On April 5, 1933 President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order that criminalized the possession of monetary gold by any individual, partnership, association or corporation and Congress passed a similar resolution in June 1933. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Banking_Act
[FL9]The Internet reports that this tragedy occurred two days earlier; April 4, 1933. See: istory-uss-akron/
[FL10]We may infer that Mr. Miller kept an annual diary from the time that he was 21 years of age (he was born in 1862).
[FL11]This refers to President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was enacted April 10 of this year. See more info at: n-history/fdr-creates-civilian-conservation-corps
[FL12]This word is somewhat illegible; spelling is a “guesstimate.” http://www.darrtown.com/people/mee-kirk-i.html
[FL14]The location of Mr. Miller's four lots is clarified in his Sept. 4th entry below.
[FL15]As known today, the Four Mile Creek.
[FL16]Reference to a railroad car – see July 30 entry about poles hauled from Collinsville station.
[FL17]Dale Bufler (born in 1929) confirmed (on February 23, 2018) that, during his youth, he and other Darrtown boys would sometimes “go to the poles” that were stacked on Mr. Miller's lots and play on them – despite warnings of adults that such activity was risky – and not approved by Mr. Miller.
[FL18]From this comment, we infer that Darrtown had more than one filling station in 1933.
[FL19]The search continues for the name of Mr. Miller's barber.
[FL20]At this point, any link, between the barber and beer, is unknown.
[FL21]Refers to the process of filling the cracks between the logs.
[FL22]These four lots are located adjacent to each other from Mulberry Street on the north to South Street (Scott Road) on the south, with Cherry Street bordering all four lots on the west. See map of the original plat at: http://www.darrtown.com/history/maps.html
[FL23]All this heat, without air conditioning! A similar stretch of high temps was also reported for 1931. So far, there has not been any mention of global warming.
[FL24]“Dagon” was the name of Bill's Hereford calf that was sold at the Butler Co. fair.
[FL25]This refers to the 1933 World's Fair; see more info at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_of_Progress
[FL26]More info about this Corn Husking contest, at the Davis farm, is available at: http://www.darrtown.com/people/davis.html
[FL27]“Tommy” is a misspelling of Thome; see the following Nov. 6th entry.
[FL28]This describes the vote counting process of the times; counting and tallying the votes recorded on paper ballots and then transporting the physical records and ballots to the county Board of Elections.
[FL29] As previously noted, Mr. Miller's “Talawanda” is the Four Mile Creek. The following comment suggests where the lake might have been located…if it had been built.
[FL30]Local historians (Kirk Mee III and Fred Lindley) place Chaw Raw Hill north of the site where Lanes Mill was located and south of the point where Schollenbarger Road makes a 90 degree turn toward State Rt. 73. The story of how Chaw Raw Hill got its name is told at: com/a/lanepl.org/butler/home/c/chaw-raw-hill
[FL31]Grandfather and grandson…bonding over beer.
[FL32]R.R. = Rural Route; feature of the U.S. Postal Service.
