Scope and Content
The Ewing Harry Miller collection contains 72 items documenting Miller’s World War I service in the United States and France. Materials include correspondence, clippings, creative works, military papers, periodicals, printed matter, and photographs primarily spanning 1917-1919 with small exceptions.
Clippings contain Miller’s obituary and a clipping of an image of Miller with his squadron from undated and unidentifiable newspapers. Comprising a substantial portion of the collection is the correspondence. Dating primarily from 1917 to 1919, the correspondence consists almost entirely of letters written by Miller to his brother, Warren. Other recipients include his father and, future business partner, McMillan "Mac" Houston Johnson, Jr. Contents of the letter discuss errands for his brother, pay, military training, activities, and Europe. Letters of particular interest include one dated March 2, 1918, written two days before his embarcation to France, and another dated December 12, 1917, which describes the quarantine of Miller’s company at Camp Funston due to diphtheria. One letter dated October 18, 1918, references the peace talks between the Allies and Central Powers, a mere three weeks from the November 11 armistice. A poem about the Army in the style of the Lord’s Prayer comprises Miller’s creative works. Military documents cover appointments, transfer requests, physical examinations, qualifications, and requests for leave. Miller’s discharge certificate and a service record from the State of Indiana are also present. Periodicals include photocopies of the June 24, 1919 and July 9, 1919 Paris editions of The Chicago Tribune. Topics covered in the newspapers surround the official end of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles. Printed matter enclosed are a program from Folies Bergere du Havre, a menu, lists of tools, receipts, and a humorous story about life printed on a small card. Photographs in the collection document an array of settings such as architecture, soldiers, Miller with his future wife, Esther, and Miller’s soldier portrait.
The diary was maintained sporadically by Miller during his service in World War I. The diary begins on August 27, 1917, as Miller awaits the train for Fort Benjamin Harrison and ends on April 7, 1918, a month after his arrival in France. While the diary runs one calendar year, Miller continued to use the diary in 1918 by marking out the 1917 date and inserting the new one from January to April 1918. Topics covered include daily activities, moments such as embarcation and training camp, and Miller's thoughts and feelings during his military service.