L. A. Miller Diary of 1937
(Excerpted by Fred Lindley)
Monday, January 4: … Europe seems headed for a general war. Hitler the usurper of the German throne is a first-class dictator and has the people hog-tied to his chariot of war. …
Wednesday, January 6: January has, so far, been mild. … I have been here in this valley of the Talawanda, since 1881 and have passed through a few dry seasons and a few wet ones.
Thursday, January 7: … Jay Phillips Wilson was out on the new year: a turkey dinner.
Saturday, January 9: … I hope to go to Cincinnati soon and see if I can sell out this plant to the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company.
Sunday, January 10: … They have found the boy, Charles Matson, that was kidnapped some time ago. He was dead, shot by the kidnapper. The US G-man are now after the kidnapper; I predict he will be captured.
Tuesday, January 12: Sleet and plenty of it. Some telephone lines were out, due to sleet at Jericho section, being up higher than our valley. They generally have sleet or snow, when we have rain in this valley, in which Darrtown is located.
Thursday, January 14: … Gad and the family were here for dinner. Also, Jay Phillips. Gad and family live at Madison, Indiana. I think they are up to possession of house and lot that Margaret willed to them in Darrtown, Ohio. …
Monday, January 18: General rains over Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Rivers are rising and a flood situation is getting serious…
Tuesday, January 19: … Cincinnati, Ohio is flooded and many roads and streets are flooded. Trucks and cars cannot go into city, due to the backwater of the Ohio River. Houses are going down the Ohio River, some have people on their roofs. Boats are rescuing all, if possible. …
Wednesday, January 20: … Rain and rivers are on rampage. Ohio River close to 80 feet at Cincinnati. Thousands are forced to abandon homes in the Ohio River Valley and take to the high lands. Louisville, Kentucky is flooded and people are on the second and third floors.
Saturday, January 23: Rain in Ohio and Mississippi Valley: Rivers are getting very high. Sunday, January 24: Flood on Ohio [River] is the main topic by all. A serious matter. Lives are lost; homes going down rivers; sometimes, the owners on top. A sad sight.
Monday, January 25: Weather remains mild for January 25. This season is more like March of years gone by. We, at one time, had a big flood in Ohio Valley in March. The big Miami River was very destructive to lives and properly. A large number of dams on its head waters has tamed the big Miami River.
Friday, January 29: … Bill went to Hamilton, Ohio this a.m. and missed a paying job driving a truck for Harry Teckman: eight dollars and expenses for the trip, two days needed to make the trip.
Monday, February 1: … the Ohio River and its tributaries are on the rampage and people are being moved to high [ground?]. All towns have been hard hit. Rise has been unexpectedly high. John [sic] boats from the lakes are being shipped to Ohio River towns.
Tuesday, February 2: Floods rising in the cities and towns on the Ohio River and its tributaries are being flooded. The lower Ohio at Louisville, Kentucky calling for boats. The entire city is now being surrounded by water… Cincinnati, himself, is being flooded to the hills. The first time in its
history.
Wednesday, February 3: … Ohio River still rising at Cincinnati, Ohio. 78 feet.
Thursday, February 4: It has been freezing some, at night. The flood situation on Ohio and Mississippi rivers is getting worse, instead of better. John [sic] boats are being shipped to Cincinnati to aid in the rescue of people caught in the flooded areas.
Saturday, February 6: Rains are still on the increase and rivers are rising to dangerous proportions on Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Monday, February 8: … Ohio River is now falling slowly; the Mississippi River is now in a dangerous flood stage.
Wednesday, February 10: … Floods on Ohio and Mississippi receding. Cincinnati and up-river towns are cleaning up… This valley of the Talawanda had no serious flood. The damage would have been serious, as not anything has been did [sic], as to the proposed dam at Chaw Raw.
Thursday, February 11: … Much pneumonia due to weather conditions is prevalent. Glen Long was taken to Hamilton Hospital today, a case of pneumonia.
Thursday, February 25: Weather remains very warm for February. … floodwaters are now receding slowly. The flood damage is now estimated at a billion.
Friday, February 26: Rains still continue in the middle west. Thousands of men working on levees. A son, with an ordinary boat, rescued his mother from upstairs window. She told him she knew he would come. A case of telepathy.
Thursday, March 4: … The flood has interfered with much big business. Stock yards were flooded at Cincinnati and no hogs or cattle, of any kind, could be admitted.
Sunday, March 6: … I have been in bed a great deal. Not getting along from my accident of February, 19, 1936, very rapidly.
Tuesday, March 16: … Payment of the telephone rent is slow. I am going out after the subs, as soon as weather will permit. Bill is on his bookkeeping course at Hamilton.Thursday, March 18: … Arnold is over at the Joseph Nichol house, wiring for the electric current.
Friday, April 2: … Bill at school, in Hamilton. Arnold finishing up some work at George Nichols house.
Sunday, April 11: … Getting books of the telephone company in shape. The Ohio Independent Telephone Association meets April 21 and 22. I do not think I will go; unless, I get a chance to go with someone by auto.
Monday, April 12: At home sleeping and resting. I worked on books part of the day and went to bed late, as all were away, except Eva and I. I was kept up by some late calls. Due to heavy travel over this old Hamilton and Richmond Pike and a saloon in town that is open late, we are kept up late. …
Sunday, April 18: … Europe is getting in shape for a big war. Adolf Hitler, who has the German nation by the throat, will get an awful licking by Russia. …
Tuesday, April 20: … At home all day. I see no chance to go to Columbus to attend the Ohio Independent convention that I had the honor of organizing.
Sunday, May 1: … We have about finished another report I will get out the coming week to the P. U. Comm. on our boundary line north west between Darrtown Telephone Company and the Oxford Telephone Company. I hope that will be the last report I will have to make out and I will be able to sell out the telephone company and retire.
Sunday, May 16: … Autos on Sunday are a fright. Drivers are largely responsible. They should be licensed and put under a sufficient bond to cover all damages.
Saturday, May 29: War in Spain continues. It looks like France, Italy, and Germany will have a hand in the war, before peace comes. The US will be wise enough this time to let other nations fight their own battles. No more going to Europe to help France or any other European state.
Tuesday, June 1: … Emery Curtis was killed at a railroad crossing in Preble county, Ohio, today.
Saturday, June 5: … Emery Curtis, an old friend of the Miller family, who was killed by a traction card in Preble county, was buried at Collinsville, Ohio [this] p.m.
Sunday, June 6: A fair day. Mrs. Jay Phillips Wilson was with us today. Her husband was one of the many victims of the flu of 1918. … I took the flu in 1918; but, saved my life by going to Florida. Due to the ultraviolet rays in Florida, I recovered. I was born October 16, 1862. I will be 75 years old, if I live to October 16, 1937.
Tuesday, June 8: Big work on the Talawanda River. Called Four Mile Creek, for many years, by the white settlers. No one knows why. Talawanda, I found to be, [is] the Indian name which meant in Indian language “Winding Water,” by writing to Washington DC – to the Geographic board and has been fixed on all US government maps. A dam will be built at Chaw Raw, a fine lake [of] 6 miles.
Sunday, June 13: … Rumors of a dam to be constructed at Chaw Raw. This dam has been talked of for many years. It is needed to help the rainfall in the section and restore fish; bass, especially.
Wednesday, June 16: Arnold is busy installing the new refrigerators in town and country.Thursday, June 24: … Big work on Talawanda will soon be in progress. A 66-foot dam at Chaw Raw will make a lake 9 miles north on [the] Talawanda - and Bull Run will be widened and made deeper and boats will run up and down [the] Talawanda from Oxford.
Saturday, July 3: … Arnold Miller and Jay Phillips Wilson are on a trip to Madison, Indiana to visit the Gads. Hugh Gad married Leona Phillips. William Miller, grandson, is with them. He took his motorcycle along on the truck, intending to stay at Gads, a few days.
Sunday, July 4: … Dams are now being erected on all streams to conserve the rainfall and hold water for evaporation. The Talawanda River will be locked and dammed; a big dam, 60 feet high – to back and hold 9 miles of water. It will be a beautiful boating lake.
Tuesday, July 13: … The great talk is Amelia Earhart and her engineer “Noonin.” They called for help a few days since and ships are speeding on their way to rescue them.
Sunday, July 18: … I see a large number of trucks passing bound for Cincinnati loaded with produce of various kinds. Many Indiana trucks come over this old turnpike headed for Cincinnati. Darrtown is improving in many ways: new buildings and painting. The school building is being renovated and painted.
Sunday, July 25: … I call at Andy Neanover’s this PM to get some sour milk for two hogs.
Friday, July 30: … Japan is having a war with China. Japan needs more room; her little Island is getting too small for [the] population.
Sunday, August 8: … Thomas Fuller an old friend called for a short visit of a few hours this a.m. He lives in Anderson, Indiana.
Saturday, September 4: … Jay Wilson came out today and helped Eva do some canning, etc. Bill is on a trip with Harry Teckman; be gone two days, I suppose.
Sunday, September 26: Many people went to the fairgrounds today, this being a free day.Tuesday, September 28: Warm days are here again. Butler County fair is now on this week. Starting today, all displays are to be in and ready to begin charging at the gate Wednesday.
Wednesday, September 29: … Arnold and his wife are attending the Butler County fair today. …I hear that Barton Smith, an old resident, died suddenly. Having worked all day, helping dig a cellar for a Mr. Risch of Darrtown. Not having worked of late, he overdid himself.
Friday, October 8: … William M. Miller is now driving a truck for Harry Teckman who pays good wages and expenses.
Saturday, October 30: … Arnold is getting ready for the election on November 2, 1937. He heads the Democrat party in this precinct of Milford Township.
Tuesday, November 30: … Arnold and his helper are very busy wiring houses and barns. The U.S. is being electrified at a rapid rate.
Sunday, December 4: … Arnold and a helper are wiring Theodore Decker’s new house from having lost the old one, by a fire some time ago.
Thursday, December 9: … A general war is likely to cut loose in Europe. Asia is fighting the Japs and the US and England are likely to take a hand, as to the control of the North Pacific. U.S. will have to keep Japan out of Alaska.
Friday, December 17: … Bill is laid up yet, due to too much exposure on his trucking job, with Harry Teckman. Long drives to Cleveland, Ohio and other cities in Ohio, hauling stock to Cincinnati and also milk.
Sunday, December 26: … Now that the holidays are about over, I expect the Bell company will be up soon and make us a cash offer that is right and if they do, they get the company. I will still have my house and the buildings and I can send them at a good price.
Friday, December 31: … Cities are still celebrating holidays. But, it’s about over for this year.
Goodbye, old year.
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[SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THIS FINAL (1937) DIARY:
• DURING THIS YEAR, MR. MILLER, WHO TURNED 75 ON OCTOBER 16, 1937, SEEMED TO SPEND MORE TIME AT HOME AND LESS TIME VISITING PEOPLE AND PLACES.
• MR. MILLER AND HIS WIFE SEEM TO HAVE FEWER VISITORS, THAN THEY DID IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
• DURING THIS YEAR, MR. MILLER WRITES LESS FREQUENTLY ABOUT SPECIFIC DARRTOWN PEOPLE AND EVENTS AND MORE FREQUENTLY ABOUT:
• THE WEATHER;
• HIS DESIRE TO SELL THE TELEPHONE BUSINESS;
• HIS GARDEN AND ORCHARD TREES;
• FARMERS AND CROPS;
• EVENTS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE; AND
• HIS OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LIFE AND HIS BELIEF IN AN AFTER-LIFE.
ACCORDING TO RECORDS AT ANCESTRY.COM MR. MILLER DIED JANUARY 14, 1943.
IN CLOSING THE MILLER DIARIES, WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THESE TWO HAPPENINGS:
1. THAT MR. L.A. MILLER WAS A RECORDER OF LIFE – THAT HE WROTE DAILY IN HIS DIARY.
2. THAT LOYD MOWERY AND ROY YEOMANS DONATED THE MILLER DIARIES TO THIS WEBSITE, SO THAT THEY COULD BE PRESERVED FOR AND SHARED WITH OTHERS WHO CARE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF DARRTOWN, OHIO.
