Milliron Monday: The Journals January - March 1974

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

1974

JANUARY

·        Henry here for dinner, watched move “Trinity”

·        Pete and I walked around through hay meadow, woods, saw fox (?); took Kanga, Shane, Song, carried Song most of the way

·        Rode Cricket over to deliver message to Henry

·        Thanked Mom for “stained glass angels”

·        Helped J work Song, took Kanga, Shane

·        Freezing rain, very icy, no school

·        Pete fixed top of roll top desk

·        Fed early, carried bales of hay to pond pasture shed for burro, finished Doris Lessing’s “Particularly Cats”

·        Rome Warmke here for lunch

·        Wrote letters

·        Kept horses tied up overnight, burros pond shed

·        No school – ice

·        Hill – sheet of ice, took Pete’s truck to town

·        Ordered pasteurizer from Central Mill Sales

·        Lunch, BBF, Pat

·        “Lollypop” brought groceries up hill in pack saddle

·        Ordered matching Christmas ornaments for Pete

·        Worked at desk, correspondence

·        Fixed Dutch door latch, cleaned out desk drawers

·        Pete, lunch w/Rome, Oak Room

·        Rome moved into Peck hose

·        Sunday Church, Good Shepherd

·        Lunch, Dolen’s, finished Margaret Cabell Self “In Ireland”

·        Sheep, LaFollette’s meadow, drove up, but already out

·        Worked on “excess” from desk

·        Cut Pete’s hair

·        No school, icy roads

·        Listened to wolf record

·        Furnace off in the night, 50 deg inside, 12 deg outside

·        Put geese down comforters on children’s beds, Dottie Wright brought doe rabbit to buck “Beethoven”

·        No school, rain/ice

·         Fed extra hay, made lemon meringue pie, backed oatmeal cookies, took cookies to Rome, Henry, Jessie, made cheese grits

·        Made up recipe box for Gayetta

·        Pete graded ice on lane with bulldozer, drove car up the hill

·        Took J, P, Bill Wright, Mike Cuckler, Terry Collins to basketball game, Pat played at half time

·        Stopped to see Gayetta, gave her recipe box , Gary worked on J’s teeth, visited Jessie, took her mints, sweater, cookies > Pat won basketball game

·        Pete vaccinated sheep at Alice Browns all day/evening > McDougal church Jessie and I > Betty, Abbott called > pasteurized milk with new pasteurizer > ewe #1 ill with pregnancy disease, Pete treated her

·        Put down blue carpet from Jessie in upstairs bathroom

·        Dyed Pat’s bedspread dark brown

·        Pete, treated ewe #1 > rode thru Browns, Hixon’s, looking for sheep, rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor

·        Church, Episcopal > picked up Pat’s new motorcycle

·        Ewe #1, dead twins

·        Took corn to be mixed > Janet’s birthday > worked Apple, drove her around field behind clinic barn, rode Cricket, J rode Shah, took Shane, Kanga, looked for sheep on Philip’s place

·        Pete – Columbus horse clinic

·        Church, Episcopal, word leather suede outfit, lunch Dolen’s > rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, Pat rode Blaze, J rode Shah, Wrights, Heather rode along, Shane had diabetes attack, carried him back to Jan’s on Cricket, Jan drove him home, I rode Cricket, Heather rode Shah, led pony > Apple, ulcer on eye

·        Got insulin for Shane at Medical Center

·        3 new lambs, half sheep in hay meadow, drove Apple, Pat pulled cart

·        Ground drove Apple with snaffle > J.P. stayed for basketball game, rode home with friends > trimmed Angel’s feet > Rome here, fed lamb on bottle, treated Apple’s eye

·        Bottle fed lamb, bedded down sheep shed, 3 bales straw > J.P. Church class > put lamb #17 in lamb pen > ground drove Apple, let him graze in halter

·        Hitched Apple to cart, exploded – ran off, tore up harness, bent wheel, cart shaft, cut leg

·        Rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, found dying sheep over at Alice Brown’s > 4H drill team practice

·        McDougal Church oyster supper > Pat overnight at Harley’s

·        Pete – Chillicothe calls, pasteurized milk, put 2^nd lamb crate in barn, curried Apple, sheep in alfalfa meadow by way of under water gap in small creek, told Henry sheep were in our hay meadow

·        Episcopal Church, Dolen’s, curried/vacuumed Apple > Sherry, Mike Jones, etc., picked up ewe, Apple > Pete rode Sailor after sheep in blackberry meadow (300), rode Cricket, J rode Shah, gathered 32 sheep from cliff pasture, 20 2^nd woods meadow, put them in Phillips valley, led “Joe” Sherry’s horse down to old homesite above Dutch Creek Road

·        Jerry Hartley here, worked on pump > 2 new lambs/twins > rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, Forester (Armond) rode Shah, looked over woods, here for lunch > saw sheep by back trail > Jim Farley, Rome Warmke here for dinner, Jim overnight

·        Drove around to tell Henry about 100 sheep at the sheep gate at end of alfalfa meadow > Pete finished, put up 3^rd lambing pen

·        Moved dog jumps to clinic barn from brick garage, began Song on broad jump; put hardware cloth on broad jump, J worked Song

·        Beautiful warm weather, Lester Brown/wife here, picked up tie-down > J.P. Communion Class

·        Phone man buried line > beautiful day, sunny, 60s > PTO Open House

·        Betsy here for lunch, rode Shah, I rode Cricket, took her collie and Shane > deer in blackberry meadow > I rode Cricket, Betsy rode Shah after school > Jim Farley here overnight fishing/basketball

FEBRUARY

·        New lambs, 1 dead, tube fed > ran errands, picked up Pete’s boots at Hoon’s office > Heather Wright here, watched TV

·        Did chores early, Pet pulled camper out with bulldozer, lunch at Root’s/Lancaster, to Columbus Power Show > Pete, 2 cavities filled, Gary [brother/dentist] worked on J’s braces, visited Jessie, dinner at Gary and Aggie’s, watched snowmobile slides

·        New lamb > J Farley here for dinner

·        Fed early > Pete, Rome looked at more sheep land all day > bought “Jim” Border Collie, left him with herders > Pete bought “Cindy” Border Collie, called Sherry

·        Tattooed “Cindy” > Sailor, sheep out of pasture > icy rain > Henry K. here briefly > worked J., P. with dogs

·        Rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, helped move Sheep across road to Frank N.’s farm > began working with Cindy on down, come > wrote letters > Bill Wright here overnight

·        Rode Cricket, took Kanga thru blackberry meadow, Phillips’ Place, logging road

·        Plumber here, couldn’t fix pump > Rome Warmke here for lunch > PTO Square Dance

·        Thompsons here to see lambs > J. P. bowling > Movie “The Way We Were” > beautiful snowfall

·        Rome Warmke here for lunch, wrote letters

·        Lunch at Oak Room > Typed letter for Pete > John (Sheppard) here for dinner

·        Pete to PCA meeting with Rome > Pete counted sheep, 7 missing

·        Pete examined Cindy’s eyes, blind left, Collie eye anomaly

·        Called Henry about Cindy, read late

·        Stray female Beagle here > J. Hartley here for breakfast, got water to the barn !!!!!! > crocus, hyacinths up > took Maverick [horse] to Laird’s, J went along > finished reading “15 Sessions with Kathleen Bremer”

·        Dottie, Heather Wright here > cattleguard being repaired > Pete drove over on boards > 4H Drill Team pictures, 6 kids, 6 dogs in car!

·        Henry took Cindy [Collie], brought “Milliron Bess”

·        J – rabbit farm, Lancaster with Dottie Wright > John Hanson here > made butter > Pat play Athens, basketball > got collar for Bess > detailed lambs > Pat to motorcycle races

·        McDougal Church > Rome Warmke, K Light here for lunch > rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, took Kanga, hauled 3 dead sheep off trail into brush

·        Pete fixed hoe > rode Apple at Sherry’s > stopped at C&E Hardware

·        Rome here for lunch > Pete went after sheep > Kwiawan’s pancake supper > Wind Ensemble, Classical Saxophone

·        Jerry Hartley, picked up Apple, put hay (from sheep shed – dumped in horse shed) in sheep angers > curried Apple > wrote letters

·        Frank Johnson reset Cricket, Sailer new shoes behind > 4H dog drill team picture

·        Willie LaFollette birthday, got eggs at LaFollette’s > J. P. went to McNeil’s for weekend

·        Mom’s birthday > Columbus OVMA, checked in, went to paramedical lectures > Lunch, Pete at Neil House > organ music, Trinity Episcopal Church > cocktails Akins room, OSU class reunion dinner, Neil House, Pete, Phil Karnes, dance

·        Puff the Magic Dragon birthday > shopped at Lazarus downtown > dinner at Jax Roast Beef > Pete, seminar

·        Toured Ohio Capital building, shopped, lunch “Wendy’s”, Irish Art Exhibit at Met Museum, woolgrowers

·        Rode Apple around thru woods > Marvin Lawrence here overnight

·        Susie’s birthday > Rode Apple in pasture, walked, trotted > J rode Maverick in long line at Laird’s > 4H Drill Team, stopped briefly at Seaman’s > took Bill Wright > worked Bess

MARCH

·        Rode Apple in bottom around thru woods, J rode Cricket > cleaned > rode Apple around pasture

·        Vacuumed dogs, house > rode Apple around thru woods, J rode Cricket > schooled Apple in field by hospital sign, J rode Cricket

·        Church, Dolen’s, schooled Apple > Pete, Rome, Jim Warmke, ?, rode our horses to look over sheep pasture

·        Rode Apple, J Cricket, P Blaze, took Shane, Kanga; walked over jumps, around thru woods > schooled Apple

·        Pete tranquilized, x-rayed Apple, pulled cart around him > worked dogs, Bess briefly

·        Guest here for dinner – John Hopkins

·        Picked up Citroën at Russell’s > Pete to Charleston > 4H Drill Team practice at barn > calf out, Don Norman helped but him in

·        Movie “Jeremiah Johnson” took P., Jim Farley, J., Betsy > rode Apple, Betsy rode Cricket

·        Doug Hensley here > to Mansfield, visited Jessie, Gary worked on J’s braces > party at Rome Warmke’s

·        Episcopal Church, Dolen’s lunch > rode Apple, J rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, Pat rode Blaze > Dewormed horses, RV, VEE, pulled sprung shoe on Apple

·        Called for ATC class, worked Bess on heeling > 4H Drill team, took Pete’s truck, stopped at Woolworth’s

·        Took J to Laird’s, flat tire on truck

·        Episcopal Church, ate at Baker Center > herded sheep from Lucas’ rode Apple, Pete rode Sailor, marked fence line with spray cans

·        Checked fence repairs, walked pasture fence line

·        J. Hartley here > Pete to Oak Hill > picked up J at Booth’s showed dog’s tattoos, wrote letters

·        Pete to Charleston > 4H Drill, Armory > lunch BBF

·        Took Pat and motorcycle down to Marvin’s with Pete’s truck

·        Pat, Parkersburg, 191+ , 3^rd place, 3 trophies > Pete, Warmke’s, tagged, painted lambs > movie “Son of Flubber”

·        McDougal Church, Pat went home with Farley’s, dyed leads green for Drill Team > rode Cricket barefoot to check on sheep

·        Deworm sheep > Dottie gave demonstration with “Dog” > called about “Haflingers”

·        Vacuumed house and dogs > R. Guthrie swabbed well > bee inspector here

·        Rode Haflinger mare, Edwina, at Robert Monsarrat’s > Jessie died

·        Saw 3 deer in alfalfa meadow

·        Jackie took Apple, Shaha up to herd sheep > 4H on Parade, Dog Drill Team > Town House dinner > Pete moving sheep

·        Episcopal Church, Dolen’s lunch > rode Cricket, Pat rode motorcycle over to motorcycle club and back > dinner at BBF > movie “The Sting”

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

 

Melody Makers: An exclusive interview with Nashville songwriters Mike Morgan and Jeff Elliott

 

Melody Makers: An exclusive interview with Nashville songwriters Jeff Elliott and Mike Morgan

Archived from the December 2024 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete www.floridaequineathlete.com

No Duplication Without Permission

 

This month, we shift our focus from horses to spotlight a captivating interview with two remarkable Nashville songwriters, Jeff Elliott and Mike Morgan. Our conversation delves into their musical journey, creative processes, and latest projects.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Morgan about a year ago when he visited my office with some intriguing ideas for a novel and a project for a local museum. His passion for storytelling and music was evident from the start, making our collaboration an enriching experience.

 

Mike and Jeff reside in Jackson, Ohio, but maintain strong connections to the vibrant Nashville music scene. Together, they write and produce songs that resonate with both depth and authenticity. Their recent collaboration, Have You Heard, is an album that pays homage to the enduring legacy of country music icon, Ed Bruce. This project highlights their dedication to preserving the rich history and emotional resonance of country music.

 

Welcome, Jeff and Mike!

 

GM: What genres of music do you primarily write, and how did you choose those genres?

JE: Initially we were strictly country, but as time passed we have written songs in Pop, Blues, Jazz, great American songbook, Indie, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Gospel, and New Country genres.

MM: Country, Christian Country, Gospel, Americana, and Blues.

 

GM: Do you find that different genres require different approaches to songwriting? If so, how do you adapt your style?

JE: There are so many overlapping structures in Americana music, so the different approaches involve beat, melody, chord changes etc.

MM: Yes, different genres require different approaches. We study the structure of songs in the genre to make sure we have it align with that genre. Sometimes the music is presented in different ways to the listener depending on the genre.

 

GM: Can you describe your daily writing routine?

JE: I am always on the lookout for ideas which may come up in a conversation, from books I’m reading, YouTube videos, podcasts, current events. For example, two song ideas came from an investment show on YouTube.

MM: We do a lot of reading to get ideas and possible hook lines. We also listen to a lot of different music. We share things by e-mail and then we try to get together once a week in person to work on songs.

 

GM: Do you have any specific rituals that help you get into the creative zone?

JE: What keeps us writing is the sheer bliss of creativity. When a song is finished, it always seems like a miracle and the process is so mentally consuming.

MM: We listen to a lot of different styles of music and that help us get engaged in the process.

 

GM: How do you maintain discipline in your writing, especially during times when inspiration seems elusive?

MM: We eat, drink, and think music all the time as writers and producers. It is a business and you have to continually work at it.

 

GM: What are some of your main sources of inspiration when writing new songs? 

MM: Books – other music, people saying things that are unique.

 

GM: Can you share a story about a particularly unconventional source of inspiration that led to a song?

JE: An example of a hook line idea is one time I was talking with my daughter about how great her daughter was and she said, “Yep, she sure is easy to love.” I grabbed that hook in a heartbeat!

 

GM: What motivates you to keep writing music, even after achieving significant success?

MM: We enjoy the process. It is fun but also hard work. Music is a gift from God for us. We have met a lot of great/nice people through music. Rising tides lifts all boats so people help each other if you act like a pro.

 

GM: Are there recurring themes or messages in your songs?

JE: The recurring theme in our songs is truth. If it’s not authentic then it’s not relatable to the listener. We share the common values of most Appalachian, southern, and midwestern folks so the themes ring true to our audience.

 

GM: How do you balance personal storytelling with creating universally relatable music? 

MM: You can’t get too personal, and it does come into play. But the goal is to write a song where people say that they can relate or they are telling my story or that is me they are talking about in that song. It has to be universal for the most part where lots of people have gone through the experience.

 

GM: You've written for many singers. How do you tailor your songwriting to fit the unique strengths and styles of different artists?

JE: We don’t ordinarily tailor our songs to a particular singer, but we demo songs in the style of certain singers so we can focus. On pitching the song with a certain groove or vibe for that particular group.

MM: We don’t really write to an artist. We just try to write a good song. Many artist will tell you when they are looking for songs that they don’t know what they are looking for until they hear it. It does help to know some inside things happening with an artist life, too. If you know they have just married or starting a family or lost a parent, divorce, like to play shows in the south-New Orleans, or anything, that doesn’t hurt to know.

 

GM: Can you talk about a particularly memorable collaboration with a singer and how it influenced the final song?

JE: One collaboration we had with a singer in England took three or four years to come to completion with a great deal of going back and forth.

MM: We were working with Ed Bruce in preparation for his This Old Hat album. He said we need to write a Texas shuffle-type song for the album. We had a song that we wrote, The Tracks You Left On Me, as a country song years back that we thought would work for Gary Stewart but we didn’t do anything with it. It really wasn’t finished so we brought the title up and Ed liked it. We all worked on it and it became the first song on that album and it is a Texas Shuffle.

 

GM: How has your songwriting evolved over the years, and what have been some pivotal moments in your development as songwriters?

MM: Like anything in this life it has evolved in many ways. Music styles have changed, the business has changed and you have to roll with those changes to stay relevant. A pivotal moment was signing our first publishing deal with Newkeys Music in Nashville, another was meeting Ed Bruce and eventually working with him on three of his albums as writers and producers. Also co-writing with Gospel writer Mike Owens.

 

GM: What advice would you give to aspiring songwriters looking to hone their craft and find their unique voice?

JE: My advice to aspiring songwriters is keep writing and learning. When you get an idea write it down. When you hear a song you love absorb it and find out why you love it.

MM: Breakdown songs that you like and learn how they are put together-rhyme schemes, syllables per line, chord structures, where is the hook in the song and what is the hook. Read a lot and listen for ideas.

 

GM: It's Christmastime. What tradition do you look forward to at Christmas?

JE: Hey, it’s Christmastime. What would Christmas be without music?

MM: Being with family, going to Christmas Eve Church service and being with friends.

 

Connect with Jeff and Mike…

www.edbrucemusic.om

Facebook: Ed Bruce Music

Facebook: Mike Morgan

Facebook: Jeff Elliott

 

Note: Ed Bruce, a prolific singer-songwriter renowned for his work as an actor and performer, has been posthumously honored with the album AFTER HOURS. Known for penning classics like “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” “Restless,” and “Texas (When I Die),” Bruce's legacy endures through this 16-track collection of previously unreleased songs. Produced by Music Row Talent Records in collaboration with Old Hat Productions, a partnership Bruce co-founded with Mike Morgan and Jeff Elliott, the album captures Bruce’s prime, showcasing his extraordinary talent and dedication to songwriting. The tracks, enhanced with additional instrumentation, range from country to smooth jazz, reflecting Bruce's versatility and depth.

 

AFTER HOURS features Bruce’s original recordings, including raw, heartfelt performances like “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and deeply reflective songs such as “Old Timer.” This album, a labor of love for both Morgan and Elliott, stands as a tribute to Bruce's enduring influence and the cherished memories shared with friends and collaborators. The album is available on digital platforms, with physical copies obtainable through Old Hat Productions, 80 Highland Drive, Jackson, OH 45640-2074.

 

Milliron Monday: Looking ahead...

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of 

Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

Looking ahead...

    I hope that people never stop writing letters. The impact on a letter, card, or small note can have significant historical meaning to future generations. For certain, this is the case with the Smith archives. 

    In June of 2023, I began posting Jody's Letters Home, an insightful look into Jody's life as a new wife and mother. Organizing the remainder of the Smith archives (which seems to be multiplying on my desk), there are more letters, more memorabilia, more items that will be of interest to you, the reader. 

    Here's what you can look forward to in 2025...

1) Excerpts from The New York Reports, The Maine Reports, etc., a weekly newsletter by Pete's mother, Betty. I will not post the entire report, but selected quotes from Betty and items about Dr. Smith, Jody, Jessica, and Pat. I will post these on facebook in coordinating facebook albums. You can find the first post here from 1963.

2) Most importantly, in 2025, 2nd Editions of Milliron: The Biography and Tails of a Country Vet will be launched. This has been in the works for several years, with two new prolific/local editors leading the way. 

3) Two new Milliron publications - 1) Volume II of Jody's essays and poetry, and 2) Volume II of Tails of a Country Vet. If you have an anecdote you would like to share, the deadline is February 28, 2025. Email your memory to gmcknight11@gmail.com. 

4) I've enlisted a literary agent to propel Dr. Smith's biography/legacy. Placing the biography into the right hands for further reach has always been a goal - to find the right niche market and produce a screenplay.

5) More letters surfaced from Jody's youth, Girl Scout days (1955), letters from her European vacation (love letters from Pete/Jody while she was away), and more. I have sorted these letters in chronological order and will post them in Milliron Monday, beginning January 6th. 

6) Look for more photos in the Milliron facebook page photo galleries. I had the good fortune to see Karen Miller (former Milliron receptionist) last week. She has photos of clients/clinic to share, too. If you have photos you would like to share, send an email to gmcknight11@gmail.com.

Finally, I would like to thank you, the reader, for your continued interest in the Smith legacy. Milliron Monday is read around the world, with readership in the thousands. 

Also, a direct result of Dr. Smith's publications, I am thrilled that the Hocking Hills Book Fair(s) have become a huge success. We sponsored four Book Fairs in 2024, including events at the Appalachian Arts & Storytelling Festival, Nelsonville; Logan Theater, Logan; Hocking Hills Conference Center & Resort, Logan; The Dairy Barn, Athens. Over 30 authors from the tri-state area, from many publishing houses, showcased their books. Follow on Facebook @ Hocking Hills Book Fair to see 2025 Book Fair author directories/locations/dates. 

    Enjoy the journey to 2025!  Happy New Year!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

Mylee's Corner: Christmas Tradition

 

Christmas Tradition

    It’s finally December, which means it’s time to start planning all of the Christmas events I’ll attend this year. Over the past two years, my family has grown a lot. My boyfriend and his extended family are now part of the picture, making for a busy but exciting time around the holidays.

    The Alley Park Christmas lights are the first thing my boyfriend and I go to at the beginning of the month. We went on December 12th. They have beautiful lights, as well as cookies and hot chocolate. It’s not super crowded and easy to navigate. We have a great time walking through and admiring the bright, glowing lights.

    Next, we have his family's Christmas event at a cabin. It’s an all-day activity with a pool table, hot tub, gift exchange, and much more. There’s a huge menu, as is typical for our holidays, with enough food for everyone to have multiple servings and accommodate everyone’s tastes. Having good food is always close to the top of the priority list.

    Christmas Eve is when my family holds our events. We’ve always gone to my dad’s and had pizza together before opening gifts. Sometimes we order from a pizza place or make French bread pizza at home. Either way, it’s a fun time. We all stay for a few hours and enjoy each other's company before heading home to our own houses.

    On Christmas Day, we venture to my boyfriend's house first. This is a much smaller gathering with only the immediate family. The menu is smaller this time, but there’s still plenty to go around. A Christmas Story plays in the background as we all open gifts and chat. I enjoy getting gifts for people, so I watch everyone as they open mine. After a few hours, we leave and have Christmas at my house. I typically make coffee or hot chocolate, and we pass out the gifts to everyone.

    The Christmas season is busy and involves a lot of running around and preparation. I couldn’t ask for it to be any other way. I love being part of a new extended family yet still having our small get-togethers. Christmas will always be my favorite time of the year.

Merry Christmas!

Photos by Mylee

Mylee is a journalism student at Tri-County Career Center. She resides in Logan, Ohio. Mylee enjoys reading, writing, and crafting. 

Milliron Monday: Silver Bridge 1967

 

Photo Courtesy Associated Press

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

57 Years Ago: The Collapse of Silver Bridge

    On the evening of December 15, 1967, around 5 PM, the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River catastrophically failed. Jody, then 29 years old, was gripped by anxiety for Pete's safety, as he had ventured into West Virginia from Ohio for farm calls.

    In the week preceding Christmas, during the evening rush hour, traffic sluggishly traversed the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to Gallipolis, Ohio. Abruptly, the bridge gave way, sending 31 vehicles and 64 individuals plunging into the frigid river below. The tragedy claimed 46 lives, left 9 injured, and resulted in two bodies never being recovered.

    “Dr. Bratton called me around 5:30 that evening,” Jody recounted. “He was anxious to find Pete - the Silver Bridge had collapsed and Pete hadn't returned to the vet clinic, asking if Pete was home. When I informed him that Pete was still out on calls, a heavy silence fell. My mind raced, fearing the worst. I chose to stay at the farm, unable to leave the children, waiting by the phone for any news. Eventually, around 6 PM, Pete called to assure me of his safety. He had several more appointments to make that evening. Forced to take a longer route home, he arrived at the farmhouse early the following morning.”

    Nancy Bonnett, a friend and client in West Virginia, who traveled on farm calls with Pete, vividly recalls, “Pete came to my house shortly after learning about the collapse. He was deeply shaken, feeling as though a divine hand had shielded him that day.”

    For years, Pete recounted his near-miss, having crossed the ill-fated bridge just minutes before its collapse. The catastrophe's cause was later attributed to structural deficiencies and the neglect of necessary repairs. The bridge had been overwhelmed by the weight of heavy traffic.

    The Silver Bridge collapse elicited significant concern from government authorities, including then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1968, Johnson initiated a federal-state program for the bridge's reconstruction. By the following year, the Silver Memorial Bridge, located about a mile south of the original site, was completed as a replacement.

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.