From "The History of Old 'Farmington' by Ruth Hewitt and Aileen Groves": In the early 1880's Dr. J.A. Miller was the first family doctor. He bought 2 ¼ acres of land north of Oregon Creek and being a carpenter as well as a doctor, he designed and erected a two-story building doing all the work himself. The building is very useful as well as ornamental. He was not afraid to pull off his coat and go to work during intervals when ailing people were scarce. As well as being a successful doctor he had gained the respect and confidence of the community. From an article in the STOCKTON INDEPENDENT, August 13, 1883: "The people of Farmington were given an intellectual treat in the shape of a temperance lecture by talented and estimable lady, Mrs. Mattie A. Bridges, in the church last evening. During her remarks, she hit the medical profession solid on prescribing liquor. At the close it was suggested that, as we had a physician in our midst, perhaps he would be pleased to offer something on the other side of the question. So Dr. Miller rose and said he wished the lady lecturess in her future lectures throughout the United States to say that in the little village of Farmington she met a physician 55 years of age who had never tasted one drop of liquor, or smoked one cigar, and who had never used a cup of tea or coffee except as a medicine. He further added he had graduated from three medical colleges and had taken a course in theology and had his diploma as D.D., and during his practice had never prescribed liquor in any form to his patients. He also stated delirium tremens was a pathological condition of the mind and not a hallucination". Dr. Miller was very active in all community affairs, went to different towns, and spoke on "Beecher's Evolution and the Bible." In an article in the STOCKTON INDEPENDENT in 1883 it stated, "Dr. Miller would stay here in Farmington as it was the healthiest place in the continent." Dr. Miller was followed by Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Wilkes who stepped in to take over the duty of keeping people well. Their offices and pharmacy were located on the bottom floor of the Lodge Hall building with the openings on the west side. Doctors were a necessity as there were no telephones and roads unusable in winter due to the adobe soil.

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"Farmington Holiday Bazaar" will be held Saturday, October 8th at 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The annual event is hosted by the United Methodist Women of the Farmington United Methodist Church at 25626 E. Elm Street. There will be handcrafted and homemade items, baked goods, candy and much more. There is also a drawing for a Handmade Quilt. Tickets are one for $1 or six for $5; you do not need to be present to win. Come early so you do not miss out.

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Ethan Turner will be celebrating a birthday, Saturday, October 8th. Happy Birthday Ethan. Also, congratulations on catching a 24-inch catfish at New Melones.

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I would still like to hear from you. Have you taken a trip? Have you had out of town visitors? Let me know of family birthdays, anniversaries and new arrivals to your family. Whatever you want to add to the Farmington News is welcome.

Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.