Brief Interview with Elwood Miller

[genealogynut]

Last fall when I went to visit a long-time family friend, H. Elwood Miller, I decided to take some notes on what he remembered from his earlier years, and found them to be interesting. He was born in 1913, to Holly Miller and Hazel Gotobed (there is additional info regarding the Miller's and Gotobed's on this site).

Elwood was one of three children.  The other two were sisters: Helen, who married Verlan Dean and lived in Eureka, and Miss Agnes Miller, who taught school for many years in Howard.

Elwood told me that he could remember when Hi-way 99 from Howard to Eureka was nothing but a dirt road, and when it rained quite a bit, no one could travel very well, because of getting stuck.

He was married to Bessie Dobbins in 1936. He taught school for two years at Rule school/Indian Creek, making $25.00 a month for the first year and the second year he made $35.00 a month.  He had 16 students.

During World War II, Elwood was employed at Boeing in Wichita, making a wage of .85 per hour and working 3rd shift, with an extra 10 cents per hour.

The price of gas was 8 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread was 5 cents a loaf, and hamburger was 10 cents a pound, or 3 # for .25 cents..

During World War II, his father, Holly Miller, who was a rural mail carrier, changed his oil at every 1,000 miles.  Elwood would take and reuse that oil, as commodities like that were hard to come by.

After the World War II, Elwood then worked for Virgil Munsinger, in the plumbing business for about 11 years, then Elwood went into business for himself. He was a plumber for around 50 years.  For a few years, my father worked for Elwood as a plumbers assistant.

Elwood and Bessie had two sons, who are still living.

Note:  Some of this info comes from personal knowledge.

[genealogynut]

I will always remember Elwood with either a cigar in his mouth, or a chaw of tobacco.  When I was in high school, whenever Elwood happened to be at our house, he enjoyed teasing me about going "snipe hunting."  I will never forget that.

[sunflower]

Elwood & Bessie were wonderful neighbors.  Elwood always had a wave, a smile and a “hiya”.  The cigars must have been an era before we moved to Howard, but I do remember the chewing tobacco.  I remember when Charlie was about 4 or 5 years old, he discovered Big League Chew bubble gum (it came in a “pouch”).  Charlie & Elwood used to “neighbor” during the summer out in Elwood’s backyard and I distinctly remember Elwood showing Charlie how to “spit” properly.  Elwood with his pouch of chewing tobacco and Charlie with his pouch of Big League.

[Janet Harrington]

Elwood is such a wealth of information.  I never see him.  I believe that he pretty much stays home or goes to Agnes'.  I do see her every once in a while going to the library.  She, also, is a wealth of information. 

[patyrn]

Someone told us that Elwood was living at Twilight Manor.  Is that right?

[genealogynut]

Elwood is in a wheel chair and has been at Twilight Manor for the past 16 months.  It has been said that neither Elwood or his father never knew a stranger.

[Janet Harrington]

I had no idea that he was at the nursing home and in a wheel chair.  That explains why I haven't seen him.  I hardly go to the nursing home.  Yes, that's what I said.  I hardly go to the nursing home. 

[Teresa]

I had no idea that he was at the nursing home and in a wheel chair.  That explains why I haven't seen him.  I hardly go to the nursing home.  Yes, that's what I said.  I hardly go to the nursing home. 

Want me to call and get you set you up in a nice room?

[Janet Harrington]

Yes, please.  What does it pay an hour???