As fall approaced in September, 1911, William and Mary Miller with
      their 4 children, came from Linn County, Kansas by train to Lake City,
      which was then a lively little town with numerous businesses and homes.
      Dad carpentered on the Skinner ranch that winter; the older children
      attended school and another daughter was born.
        In the spring they moved to the Eccler ranch north of Aetna, then in
      1915 to the Johnson ranch east of Aetna, where the youngest daughter
      arrived.
        Most of their supplies were obtained at the little settlement of 
      Deerhead, north of Aetna several miles. Deerhead consisted of Gibbs
      big general store, Cline's blacksmith shop, a school and a church.
        In 1917 we moved to the Union Chapel community which was "home"
      after that. Everyone visited each other and attended the various school
      and church programs and srvices, which were the center of community
      life. We never missed school or church unless we were really ill.
        We all helped raise the garden vegetables, plenty to eat fresh and
      to can for winter use. Mother set incubators and kept a large flock
      of chickens, turkeys, and geese. We sometimes had to stay with the
      turkeys as they fed in the pastures to keep away coyotes. Eggs and
      cream were sold to provide extra cash. In the fall several hogs were
      butchered for our winter meat.
        Many home remedies were used, often bought from Rawleigh and Watkins
      peddlers. A doctor was called only in extremely necessary cases; if
      anyone went to a hospital you knew they were very ill indeed. Neighbors
      helped each other, Mother was called many times to help a neighbor in
      illness.
        We had plenty of good, clean fun, too; enough fun and work and
      responsibility to keep us out of mischief.
        All afternoon on May 7, 1927 we watched the huge thunderheads build
      in the Southwest. We hurried to get all our chores done before the
      storm broke. As we were eating supper we suddenly saw a huge, black
      funnel a few miles directly south. Not waiting for anything, we ran
      into the cellar and clung together as it destroyed Union Chapel and
      our home then ground its way north with and unearthly roar.
        What devastation we behled upon coming out!!!! All buildings destroyed;
      trees, machinery twisted. Not one usable household article or garment.
        Wonderful neighbors came quickly and provided shelter, food, clothing,
      furniture, money and encouragement.
        The tornado also destroyed the John Angell and Alexander houses and
      Dry Creek schoolhouse, then skipped over the hills and demolished
      several homes southeast and east of town, killing three people.
        Dad farmed and carpentered until he was past 75, then moved to town.
      He died in 1964 and mother in 1966. They are buried in Highland Cemetery.
        Five brothers and sisters live here: Elsie, Allen, Emory, Zelma, and
      Lydia. Nina lives at Corpus Christi, texas. There are over 125 living
      descendant, scattered over the United States.  
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 328  
     Submitted by: Lydia Jones