3 SOLDIERS & CRYSTALIZERS
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week is an aged pic of a plethora of anxious folks waiting for the gates of Crystal Beach Park to open c.1907. When Mr. Blanchat purchased the park it was known as Shadduck’s Grove or Shadduck’s Lake Park. One of the big features of the park back then was its baseball field. Some of the best teams and players in the state played ball at Crystal Beach. I regret that I only knew the park toward the end of its glory days (back in the 1950s.).
On my home desk this week is another aged photograph of my father (Wm. B. Tarrant) all got up in his WW1 uniform (I don’t know the reason). The little fellas with him are two of my older brothers – Billy (Wm. R.) and Bud (Philip F.). They appeared to be very impressed by dad’s uniform. I still have his leather leggings and helmet with the Yankee Division logo on it. (Both can be seen at the museum.)
When this pic was taken my parents lived in a little house that sits behind two other homes on the south side of South Street near the corners of State and Grand Streets. The house is still there, but sits empty and desolate after a fire just a year or so ago. I don’t know the reason it’s not been repaired or razed as of yet.
WHEN THE WEATHER BREAKS: I hope to see some faces at the museum when this cold snap dissipates. We did have a couple with two children (boys) from Ontario Canada stop in last Friday afternoon.
I’ve no idea what hey were doing in Ohio in the dead of winter – and was so surprised I neglected to inquire. I’d resigned myself to spending the day in silence. And just as I was about to give up the ship for the day they came by.
It was like having been adrift on a raft out on the ocean for days and having a lone seabird light upon the deck. I didn’t know what to think. It seemed such an unlikely event.
I’m come to feel (and look) at times like some character in a Charles Dickens novel: a very odd fellow.
It’s been a very long winter.
INDESIGNI’m almost finished with my Adobe InDesign (home) course. I think I have 5 chapters left (and I already did the last one before the first). I thought I was doing well and then one lesson threw me a curve. A 60 minute lesson took me 3 hours.
If nothing else this brutal winter weather is such that I’ve had the time to work on this stuff.
The photo (below) fairly reflects my mood this month. It’s called "Impasse".
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MUSEUM SCHEDULE: Beginning now the museum will be open six days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM. We will be closed on Sundays and Holidays. We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. The museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children accompanied with an adult will be admitted free. For Special Tours call: 440-967-4555.
We are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Private tours during those hours and during the evening can be arranged by calling the museum, or stopping in to see us.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.
Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum727 Grand Street Vermilion, Ohio 44089440.967.4555.Cell:440.522.8397
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
JUST FOUND - UPDATED: I only recognized 2 faces: Jim Hart (1) and Dan Schisler (2) in this pic from last week. I do believe this may have been part of the Vermilion High School Class of 1938.
It isn't a very good photograph, but maybe some persons with better eyesight and memories may recognize some of the other faces.
My sister (Nance) says: "At first glance – Joan Nieding on left end of back row, Dick Walker on right end of same row. Think it may be Faith Moes Kishman sitting on right end of couch or 2nd from right end.
Currently we have scanned developed, tentatively, identified and properly stored 138 glass plate negatives of around 400.
OLD SCOUT: The expression, “The devil is in the details” can certainly be applied to the snapshot accompanying this week’s column. It could’ve been the basis for a Norman Rockwell painting: Town folks on a sunny summer afternoon in front of the local drug store admiring “Old Scout”.
The Details: In 1901 Oldsmobile introduced what they called a “Curved Dash” (VPJ 01/27/13) automobile to the American public. The name was adopted because of the unique bob-sled-like shape of the footboard. Olds built 425 of these cars that year making them the first “mass produced” gasoline engine autos on the planet. Powered by a single cylinder gasoline engine capable of turning a marvelous 500 rpm it was said to emit one chug per telegraph pole as it tooled down the highway (such as highways were at the time) at 20 mph. The auto cost $650 and one could add fenders for $25 and wooden spoke wheels (instead of bicycle type wire wheels) for another $25. It became the most popular car of that era. By 1903 Olds was producing more units (est. 4000) than any other auto manufacturer in the nation.
My first impression, when I saw this photograph, was that it might have been taken in 1937 during Vermilion’s Centennial celebration. But after some investigation I found that I was (as I am more often than I find preferable) wrong. This snap was most likely taken in 1931 when pioneer automobilist Dwight Brainard Huss was passing through Vermilion repeating a New York to Oregon drive he had taken 26 years earlier. He was in a 4 ½ Hp. Olds curved dash runabout affectionately named “Old Scout”.
In 1906 Mr. Huss and his mechanic and relief driver, Milford Wigle, had driven the same “Old Scout” Oldsmobile (pictured) to victory in the very first U.S. transcontinental auto race. Professionally, Huss was the chauffer (or engineer as they used to refer to them) for F. Ed Spooner a photographer-reporter for the New York Globe and Commercial Advertiser. The race was sponsored by the “National Good Roads Convention” and took them over muddy cattle paths, rough mountain trails and dirt roads from New York City to Portland, Oregon in forty-four days. In his account of the journey Huss wrote: “We rode in mud up to the hubs at times, and I have seen the wheels many times with so much ‘Gumbo’ sticking to them that they would weigh 250 to 300 pounds each.” The prize was $1000.
The second trip was a bit easier. Though the auto was equipped exactly as it had been 26 years earlier the “National Good Roads Convention” that had sponsored the first journey had apparently achieved it’s purpose by then. This time all the roads were hard surfaced and there were service stations on nearly every corner. It was estimated that nearly 10 million people got to inspect “Old Scout” the amazing Oldsmobile runabout. And folks in Vermilion were among them.
While the focus of the snapshot was obviously the automobiles I find some of the other details in it to be equally interesting. On the upper right face of the drug store is a sign advertising the schedules for various village church services. Making changes to that sign while hanging off a ladder must have provided quite a spiritual experience in itself. Also of interest are the electric railroad tracks running down the street that are visible in the foreground. Before a decade would pass the rails would be removed. The automobile would become “king” and the days of the electric interurban – arguably the greatest transportation system in the world – would be forever gone.
It may be that the devil is in the details. That expression, I find, was actually derived from another expression; “God is in the detail”, meaning that details are important. And so they are: both today and in the yesteryear.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.
So stay tuned...
Vol. X – NO.44 – April 11,1907
The county commissioners let the stonework to James Risden bridge Vermilion Tp. to Frank Schumer at the meeting on Monday. Contract price $100.
A petition has been filed in the court of common pleas by Lewis A. A. Crossett a corporation of Massachusetts against C.C. Baumhart. The suit is on an account for goods sold and delivered plaintiff claiming that there is due him the sum of $225.35.
Florence E. Herman filed a petition for divorce in the court of common pleas on Wednesday against Edward C. Herman. The parties were married at Toledo in August 1904 and have no children. Mrs. Herman charges that though her husband had an earning capacity of $30 a week he filed to provide here with the necessaries of life. She also alleges that Herman has been guilty of acts of extreme cruelty. Plaintiff asks to be restored to her maiden name of Florence E. Liverman.
Atty. John Ray in his won right is the plaintiff in an injunction suit against he Central Telephone company seeking to restrain the erection of poles and a telephone line in front of his premises along the east side of Milan road in Huron Tp. It is claimed in the petition that on the property of which plaintiff is joint owner there are two residences and valuable fruit and shade trees and that the stringing of wires will damage the trees and impair access to the property.
[VV. Ed. Note: The good attorney Ray was a “windmill chaser” much like myself. I do wonder if he won his suit.]
John Miller who married Clara Slyker of Huron, a few months ago, was sentenced to three years in the O.P. for bigamy on Wednesday by Judge Reed. Miller married his first wife when but 16 years old.
[VV. Ed. Note: In this world there are idiots and then there are imbeciles. John Miller was both. The judge should’ve whacked him on the back of his head and sent him on his way.]
Albert P. Gegenheimer, 25, Cleveland, and Miss Phoebe Elnora Ackerman, 24, Vermilion.
Harry N. Taylor 24, North Ridgeville, and Miss Olive V. Peck, 19, Birmingham.
The meeting of businessmen last Friday evening was very well attended. Two Cleveland gentlemen accompanied by Mr. Geo. Ritter were present and explained the project. One of these gentlemen is the inventor of the machine. The company is short of funds and is anxious to sell $40,000 worth of stock - $10,000 or $15,000 of which is to be pain in. The company is incorporated for $100,000 and has a small shop in Cleveland and believing they are ready to market the machines are seeking a location and additional funds. Two machines are now about complete; one a recording machine and the other a cheaper one which adds and performs other remarkable things and is apparently a perfect machine only it is not a recorder. It was proposed that the Chamber of Commerce be revived and a proposition be made the company. The invention seems to have considerable merit and once place on the market will we believe meet with success.
[VV. Ed. Note: This certainly appeared to be a worthy project. But seen from a distance of 108 years later we know that nothing much came of it. It appears that Mr. Ritter was about looking for something that would make him wealthy when just a young man. And he did succeed. But not with a recording or adding machines.]
Saturday, just before dinner the sound of the fire bell brought everyone out as well as the firemen. The blaze was in the roof of the large shed near the Fischer Lumber Co.’s mill and was soon extinguished with but slight loss although a large amount of water was thrown. It probably originated from a spark from the mill.
I will unload a carload of American wire Fence bout April 9th. Also a carload of cedar Fence posts. – C.W. Kishman, Vermilion, O.
Be sure to be at the Hall next Tuesday evening and hear the report of the committee on the library. The matter of making a permanent organization will probably be brought up.
Some are opposed to any organization of this nature because we have chamber of commerce (which needs reviving) and think this is all we need. Perhaps it is, but his is more for the progressive businessmen of the town and not for the citizen in general, that is the impression.
In some of the neighboring towns such organizations exist and often hold meetings together to discuss various topics, which may or may note be of interest to everyone. For instance encouraging the citizens in beautifying the exterior of their homes bettering the condition of streets, etc.
We cannot understand why anyone should be opposed to anything, which will tend to make a town pleasant to live in not a mere stopping lace, but a home.
However this may, come out and hear what is said.
The Village school board held their regular monthly meeting last Monday evening. Members present were Messrs. Coen, Fischer, and Nuhn and the clerk, C.A. Trinter. There was very little business to transact. Several kinds of maps were on display but the board concluded to secure a few more samples before making a selection. It was proposed to hire the superintendent at this meeting but as two members of the board were absent it was thought best to adjourn until next Monday evening and make a selection then. The teachers will probably be hired at the next regular meeting. One question that will be brought up soon will be for the accommodation of the increase in the attendance, especially in the lower grades. Surely the town must be growing.
After ordering payment of bills, the meeting was adjourned until Monday evening, April 15th.
[VV. Ed. Note: The previous 2 articles are important because it appears that Vermilion was experiencing some growing pains and changes in the thinking of the townsfolk were taking place. Vermilion was becoming “gentrified”. They were being pushed into the 20th century – and there was no turning back.]
Some women look young because they practiced it a long time.
F. Moore a groom of nearly two weeks is at Lakeside Hospital Cleveland for medical treatment.
Aug Brandt has a contract to build an automobile shed for John Appleman to be 14 ft. wide and 16 ft. wide. (?)
E.C. Smith, who was taken to a Cleveland hospital some time ago for an abbess in his throat and who underwent the second operation a short time ago, is in a critical condition, his recovery is doubtful.
Joe Barber is on the sick list.
J.H. Plato’s big draft horse is seriously ill.
News has been received here that a rich relative of the Horn sisters died in German leaving them heirs to over a “million”.
Last Friday evening excitement was caused in the neighborhood of N. Church St. by a horn blown in the residence of Suseana Brown. Neighbors gather to find her bleeding form a bursted [sic] artery in her leg. The flow was soon stopped but she is still very week from loss of blood.
Mrs. Henry Davis is on the sick list.
BORN – To Mr. and Mrs. Frank White of No. 9 quarry, a daughter, last Wednesday.
Talk about swift farmers, it puts me I mind of Chas. Baumhart who plowed and drilled a 12-acre field in three days.
Nicholl and Hall purchased a bay hors of Andress of Birmingham last Friday.
The Sandusky Brewing Co. will build a cooler in the rear of the Jackson Hotel the contract has been let to J.K. Brown.
V.E. MeGhee spent Wednesday at Cleveland looking after the interest of his soda fountain and other articles needed in his restaurant, which will open to the public Monday morning with an up-to-date line of cigars, soft drinks, ice cream candies and a first class lunch counter giving meals at all hours. All who patronize will be given the best of treatment.
Frederick Hoit, a Swiss who has lived in a lone cabin near No. 6 quarry for many years was found dead in bed Thursday. He had lived alone and had no relatives or friends. His only companion was his dog. He was employed at No. 6 quarry but had not been seen for several days an investigation was made by J. Nicholl, G. Scheverstein, C. Huesner and others, with the above result. His dog was with him and his watch was still running. From appearances he had died within 24 hours from consumption and heavy boozing. Infirmary director Chas Good was called and the remains taken to Baker’s auditorium.
Harry Thaw will soon know his fate. The case will probably go to the jury sometime today.
[VV. Ed. Note: Harry Kendall Thaw (February 12, 1871 – February 22, 1947) was the son of Pittsburgh coal and railroad baron William Thaw, Sr. Heir to a multi-million dollar mine and railroad fortune, Harry Thaw had a history of severe mental instability and led a dissolute life. His historical legacy rests on one notorious act: on June 25, 1906, on the rooftop of Madison Square Garden, Thaw murdered renowned architect Stanford White who had been the lover of Thaw's wife, model/chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit. Plagued by mental illness since childhood, Thaw spent money lavishly to fund his obsessive partying, drug addiction, and the gratification of his sexual appetites. It is alleged that it was at this time that the term “playboy” entered the popular vocabulary coined to describe the lifestyle that Thaw so energetically pursued. The Thaw family wealth allowed them to buy the silence of those individuals who threatened to make public the worst of Thaw’s reckless behavior and immoral transgressions. Throughout his life, however, he had several serious confrontations with the criminal justice system, which resulted in his incarceration in mental institutions. Thaw shot and killed Stanford White as a result of his jealousy over the relationship between his wife, Evelyn Nesbit, and White. After one hung jury, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Years later, Stanford's son Lawrence Grant White would write, "On the night of June 25th, 1906, while attending a performance at Madison Square Garden, Stanford White was shot from behind [by] a crazed profligate whose great wealth was used to besmirch his victim's memory during the series of notorious trials that ensued.”]
Plagued by mental illness since childhood, Thaw spent money lavishly to fund his obsessive partying, drug addiction, and the gratification of his sexual appetites. It is alleged that it was at this time that the term “playboy” entered the popular vocabulary coined to describe the lifestyle that Thaw so energetically pursued. The Thaw family wealth allowed them to buy the silence of those individuals who threatened to make public the worst of Thaw’s reckless behavior and immoral transgressions. Throughout his life, however, he had several serious confrontations with the criminal justice system, which resulted in his incarceration in mental institutions.
Thaw shot and killed Stanford White as a result of his jealousy over the relationship between his wife, Evelyn Nesbit, and White. After one hung jury, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Years later, Stanford's son Lawrence Grant White would write, "On the night of June 25th, 1906, while attending a performance at Madison Square Garden, Stanford White was shot from behind [by] a crazed profligate whose great wealth was used to besmirch his victim's memory during the series of notorious trials that ensued.”]
The strike of the shop builders is as yet unsettled. Everything is quite [sic] and orderly. The yard is in operation with strikebreakers but as to work accomplished nothing is known. A number of men not strikers are reported as returning to work, but it is denied that any of the strikers are returning. The lawlessness at first has been laid at the door of strike sympathizers and foreigners. One of the worst features of strikes is the lawlessness of the hangers-on who take advantage of every opportunity to show their contempt for law and order, and personal rights. We are getting an element in this country that will be hard to control, which when once started like a conflagration, sweeps all before it. The sooner labor and capital join hands in destroying this element the sooner will come the time when strikes will be a thing of the past, and all disputes will be settled by arbitration.
[VV. Ed. Note: Well that never happened. But setting that thought aside, this little blip is illustrative of how some folks viewed labor disputes during this era. Note the mention of outside agitators. While there was some truth to it I doubt that many persons would now question the necessity of unions – at least for the better part of the 20-century. Arbitration was certainly needed, but it was difficult to arbitrate with monopolists. The only persons who ever lost in any of these early strikes were the workers. But I’m sure that my grandfather, as well as my father, would disagree.]
The Assessor will soon call on you.
The commissioner was out with the road scraper one day last week but the state of the weather put a stop to the work.
Capt. Hahn left for Duluth Monday and will sail the Geo. H. Russell. Will Parsons accompanied him and will be his second mate.
The American and National Baseball Leagues open the season today.
Sugar season is over for this season, as the maple buds have advanced too far for the taste of the sap.
Mrs. Will Sanders is suffering with a bad attack of LaGrippe.
Mrs. Gibson has moved into rooms over her store.
The Annual Picnic and Outing to be given by the American Can Co. of Cleveland, Ohio to its employers [sic] will be held at Crystal Beach Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday July 6th.
Co. K-36th Regiment, Uniform Rank, Woodmen of the World of Cleveland, Ohio, will hold their Annual Conclave on Saturday July 13th, at Crystal Beach, Vermilion, Ohio (formerly Shadduck’s Lake Park). A project started by this company is on foot to make it a general day for all companies of the 36th Regiment.
Miss Myrtle Jump of Castalia is spending a few weeks at home, on account of the Spotted Fever that I raging at that place.
[VV. Ed. Note: Spotted fever is a tick-born disease causing the spots to appear on the skin.]
L. Mason is the proud owner of a new buggy.
Conrad Nuhn has purchased a new horse.
Byron Harrison, who has been confined to the house by sickness all winter, is getting around again.
Lorenzo Harrison is setting out 300 peach trees this Spring.
Mrs. Elinor Reed passed away at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning of heart failure at Rugby aged 76 years and 7 months. Funeral will be held at Rugby Friday morning at 10 o’clock. Rev. Black officiating. She leaves to mourn their loss, two daughters, Mrs. Chas Swane of S Amherst and Mrs. Sutton of Wakeman.
Chester Durham, a brawny negro of Oberlin, hand many adventures this (Sunday) afternoon in the little village of Birmingham, five miles west of here, and as a result is in a cell tonight.
Durham went to Birmingham early in the day with four companions, and the part carried a goodly supply of gin. After an afternoon of scouting through the woods to see what the raccoons are doing they wandered back t the electric railway station, with their flasks empty. While waiting for a car they fell into a loud conversation.
Rev. Mr. Knapp, pastor of the Methodist church in Birmingham, was among those present, and Durhams language offended him. He didn’t hesitate to say so, and Durham didn’t hesitate to illustrate to the minister how little respect he had for such censorship of speech.
The minister is not particularly athletic, and the unequal conflict was drawing to a certain close when Birmingham’s wrestling champion, Bert Barnes, happened along. He is a friend of the pastor, and when he had sized up the situation he grappled with Durham, catch-as-catch-can, no holds barred. It was all over in minute, for a hammerlock and half-nelson put the minister’s foe to the floor.
There he begged for mercy, and promised to be good if let up. Out of the tail of his eye he had seen two of his companions hurrying up the track toward home, and the one who was left took no active interest in the fight. Barnes let him up.
That was where the Birmingham wrestler made a mistake, for no sooner was Durham fairly on his feet than he gestured toward his right hip pocket, and a instant later waved something flat and shiny in the air. He close with Barnes, but the wrestler got a quick hammerlock this time on the arm that held the razor, and soon had Durham’s shoulders to the mat again, with Durham’s teeth tightly clenched on the victor’s thumb.
The constable had a problem on his hands, for Durham’s other companion had refused to run up the railway tracks. He was peaceable, and needed no watching but he was excess baggage. There is only one cell in the Birmingham lockup, and even that is uninhabitable because of housecleaning operations. The constable felt inhospitable because he had no place to lodge his prisoners.
Consultation with the board of public service brought out the suggestion that the jail in Berlin Hts. be used. The permission of the Mayor was secured and the prisoners taken there. They will be arraigned in the morning. – Oberlin correspondence of the Monday Plain Dealer. They were fined and released on Monday.
Hmmmmmm....
By Mary Wakefield Buxton
That first night the incoming class of ’63 at Randolph Macon Woman’s College, almost 300 students, met for orientation. Each girl was seated under her state sign. Only a few gathered under “Ohio.” Starting with Alabama, each group sang its state song.
When it was Ohio’s turn, I nudged the others to stand up and sing the Ohio State Fight song. Much to my horror they stayed seated as I barreled through the song: “Fight the team across the field, show them OHIO”s here!” I finished off with “We don’t give a damn for the whole state of Michigan because we’re from O_HI_O!”
The room fell silent, perhaps wondering if there really was a state in the Union named Ohio. Exactly no one knew Big Ten football or the crazy reference to Michigan.
“Why didn’t you stand up and join me?” I whispered to the other girls. They cringed. It looked as if the lone student singing for Ohio suggested that Admissions may have admitted a lunatic to the school.
Sorority rush was next. I was a legacy to Kappa Alpha Theta and did not have to worry about getting a bid but others stressed over receiving a bid to their favorite sorority. It was a week of rush parties and “junk talk,” (nothing important or interesting said, delivered with lots of charm.) By the end of the week I was covered in fever blisters and exhausted from the effort.
I soon discovered my sorority was filled with girls from Texas who wore cowboy boots and hats and whenever two or three Texans were together; they were most inclined to burst into a robust rendition of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” This could happen at any time. My general impression of sorority life was that we were very strange bedfellows, at best, but perhaps this was merely because I was not quite in the groove.
Nonetheless, my pledge class and I were soon inducted into our new sorority during a nighttime ritual in the basement of the sorority house which, like all basements, was dank, damp, dark, and scary. We held hands in a large circle and repeated the secret oaths holding a long gold chain, very much like a giant python. Each of us had to cradle the heavy thick links in our arms, a link standing for the name of every member of the sorority since the beginning of time. “We make up the links of one great eternal golden chain” the president told us solemnly as we stared at her with rapt expressions of profound awe.
Sorority life was short- lived because the next year the college directors ended sororities on campus, with the idea that a woman’s college is already one big sorority. They had a point and that was the end of my brief life as a sorority girl.
It seemed clear by now that I lacked a very important quality to becoming a lady, that is, I didn’t seem to care much about joining or conforming to exclusive groups. Case in point: The various secret societies on campus. Prospective members were “stomped out” by existing members dressed in bathrobes with their faces covered in cold cream who came stomping up the steps of the dorm to the room of a new member. I was never “stomped out” and the entire process, surely a thing of very serious merit, seemed embarrassingly silly.
But the worst of it was the “Odd-Even” rivalry. One was either an “Odd” or an “Even” depending on the final number of one’s graduating year. I was an Odd because my class was the class of ‘63. The program was no doubt an honest attempt to drum up some school spirit.
The Odds had a statue at their special meeting place on the spacious front lawn of the campus as did the Evens. Every so often the Odds and Evens would be locked in rivalry over winning a scavenger hunt or, fury would be unleashed across the campus because of some scurrilous event such as an Odd having painted the Even statue a garish red. I could not muster any enthusiasm for such activities. Again, something very important was lacking in me. Probably just another ominous indication of the eventual ink- stained profession I would settle into one day.
[VV. Ed. Note: Mary was kind enough to forward me this series to be used in "Views". The series will be running in the Southside Sentinel (NY) in separate columns starting March 5.]
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
…Episcopal Church, at the age of twenty-six, and from that time until his death was a zealous worker in the vineyard of the church.
His ministry commenced in Ohio, at a time when he could stand in his own door and shoot deer and other game, which he frequently did. In those days, he traveled through the woods on foot to fill his appointments, and preached in churches, schoolhouses and private dwellings. He preached in nearly every township in Erie and Huron counties, and had two or more preaching places in each township.
To the fulfillment of his duties as a minister, he brought a cultured and cheerful mind, rare energy of character, industry, economy and hospitality. His liberality knew no bounds but an empty purse. These traits of character were crowned with love for God and humanity. His piety and courage, as well as his faith and hope, are conspicuous at every stage of his history. During the fifty-eight years of his ministry, he never received a dollar for preaching, and he supported his family by hard labor on his farm. He was unflagging in his energies and untiring in his labor of love. No ambassador of Jesus Christ ever sounded forth his messages with more faithfulness or fervor.
His endurance was wonderful. He preached every Sunday, and his appointments were from five to twenty miles apart. He also attended, on an average, three funerals each week, and uniformly suffered with the sick headache after preaching. He pressed forward, sowing the seed for future harvest, in obedience to what he conceived to be his duty. He planted in the morning, and in the evening withheld not his hand—exerting a wide influence.
It is said of him, that he married more couples and administered spiritual consolation to more of the sick, and preached more funeral sermons than any other man who ever lived in his field of labor. He lived in the affection and confidence of his people and neighbors. He held various offices of trust, and, at one time, lacked but ten votes of being elected representative of his county in the State legislature; and, on one occasion, was nominated for State senator. He improved and beautified his home with his own hands, built his own house and barns, and assisted in building the old Berlin Chapel, in 1835, and various other churches.
He was a Christian gentleman, never trifling, yet always cheerful, and fond of relating pleasant anecdotes. He was a great reader, and had few equals as such in the general literature of his time. His doctrinal habits and modes of thought followed him to the end. The character of this war-worn pioneer was one of the purest and brightest history records. In short, his life presents an instance of self-sacrificing devotion to his conviction of right and duty, of which history has but few parallels. His long and useful life was full of labor and adorned with" love.
On the 2d day of May, 1877, at the age of eighty-four he escaped the thralldom of his earthly body, and entered upon the spiritual inheritance provided for all the redeemed.
was born in March, 1810, in Kingwood, New Jersey, on the Atlantic coast. Her father was Richard Heath, light horseman. In those days of military ambition, the New Jersey militia powdered their wigs and presented a gay appearance. She came to Geneseo, New York, in 1837, and to Florence, Ohio, in 1835. The family landed at Huron in November of that year. There being no mode of conveyance in the country at that time, they walked from Huron to Florence, where they purchased a farm. June 27, 1837, she was united in marriage to Rev. Phineas B. Barber, with whom she lived until his decease, a period of forty years, enduring the hardships of a pioneer life, and doing double duty, while her husband was from home, in the work of the ministry. The wives and mothers who suffered the hardships of pioneer life, who faced danger, want and suffering with such unfaltering trust and christian fortitude, will never, can never, be appreciated, not even by grateful children, until they put on the glorious robe of immortality, and their reward will not come until they enter the glories of the upper sanctuary. Two children were the fruit of this union. Carrie C. married Newton Andress in 18G3; lives at Berlin Heights. Phineas B. deceased in 1869. Mrs. Barber resides with her daughter, Mrs. Andress.
VERMILION TELEPHONE: I was just rummaging though some things Friday and came across this 1925 Vermilion Telephone Company telephone book. The scan (above) is the cover.
Oddly enough there are numbers for the Walker-Stone garage and Bentley Laundry, but none for Vincent Furniture.
Over the next several weeks I believe I’ll use some of the info inside the book in “VV”. Some of it is rather amusing (as you’ll see). But it is the advertising that I find interesting. (i.e. I never heard of Bentely’s Laundry).
The book was printed by The Vermilion News (it’s more like a pamphlet) is in pristine condition. The only thing I wished they’d done back then was to publish addresses along with the numbers. I would’ve made the book more of a resource for us today. You’ll note that few to none of the advertisements have addresses either.
I suppose that was because at the time Vermilion was such a small place there was little need to have to tell anyone where any business was located - or where any of the residents lived.
Nonetheless, it’s a very cool Vermilion artifact.
The young Ensign approached the crusty old Chief and asked him about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.
"Well, Ensign, it's history and tradition. First, we give you a gold bar representing that you're valuable BUT malleable. The silver bar of a Lieutenant Junior Grade represents value, but less malleable. When you make Lieutenant, you're twice as valuable so we give you two silver bars.
"As a Captain, you soar over military masses, hence the eagle. As an Admiral, you're obviously a star. That answer your question?" "Yes, Sir, but what about Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders?"
"Now that goes waaaaaay back in history. Back to the Garden of Eden even. You see, if you look at that stained glass window on the chapel over there, even in the Garden of Eden some things were always covered with leaves. "
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends DENNIS LAMONT and ALBERT DOANE. It'd make a nice gift.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandmas’ Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O’Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON’S LATEST BOOK “The Private War of William Styron” is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.12, Issue 51 - February 28, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant