The Story of "Lover Kisser".

During the Great Depression of 1929, the Caniff family moved-in with Carl and Elsie Steen on 912 Kammer Avenue in Dayton, Ohio. On those warm Summer’s evenings, with the crickets singing their melody to the dancing fireflies of the night, Milton would sit outside on the front porch swing and cuddle and kiss with his girl friend Esther (Bunny). The Steen’s 9 year old daughter, Betty Ann, would take every opportunity to try and catch them at it. When she would, she would exclaim “lover kisser”! This became Milton's nick name for the rest of his life. Milton even dedicated a strip character to Betty Ann (see picture above), who briefly appeared in Steve Canyon until he, as he relayed to Betty, “I killed her off”. (Though, I haven’t been able to verify or find this character published yet).