SHELDON'S CLOCK & STUFF: Vermilionite Jim Smith stopped to visit at the church kitchen (my day job) the other day and brought with him a snap-shoot of J.A. Sheldon's clock. I (of course) could not just present the snap here as I scanned it. What ye see above is a cartoonish reproduction of the snap of the jeweler's time-piece.[I purchased some "Coral Painting" software for a song on eBay and I'm fascinated with the effects it produces. I must apologize for such eccentricities. But it sure is "cool" stuff.]
I've not a clue as to where Mr. Sheldon kept shop in Vermilion - or when. Jim found the clock under a pile of hay in a barn / shed some years ago at his Uncle Warren's ("Smitty" - Warren G. Smith) house in the country. The lettering on the piece was (if it isn't altogether obvious) done free-hand. Jim did have to replace the "innerds" - so it works.
It may be that if I go back through the micro-file archives of The Vermilion News I'll find some mention of Sheldon and his jewelry store. Or, perhaps, a "Viewer" might know something of the gentleman. I couldn't find anything on him at the Ancestry.com website. It would, of course, help if I had his first name. I've tried using the names John, Jacob, and Joseph with no positive results. (His real name is probably Julie...)
A SERENDIPITOUS EVENT: I know that some folks don't bother downloading the podcasts (found below) so I thought I would mention something that I ran across whilst doing it this week.
The reading selection from Betty Trinter's book "The Way It Was" this week covered, in part, the year 1906. Some "Viewers" will recall that some months ago Mr. Williams (of Cincinnati I think) asked about the origin of the Vermilion Schools colors - purple and gold.
According to Mrs. Trinter in 1906 "A committee of five students is appointed to choose the first school colors. The selection is purple and gold."
Hey - it only took about a year for me to find an answer to the question. That is what one calls a very serendipitious event.
And so it goes...
THE SOAPBOXERS: This really is a nice photograph. The locale is not definite and only two of the children in the pic are known (to me) - but it, again, is truly "a nice photograph".
The photo was taken by Vermilion News Editor-Publisher Pearl Roscoe c.1912-13. Just guessing (of course) I'd venture to say that the shadows were froze in front of Roscoe's newspaper / home on Grand Street in Vermilion.
Ella G. Roscoe (my mother) is the older of the two girls in the wicker chair on the right. Her sister, Alice, is the babe in the Lenox Soapbox in the middle of the grouping.
I've not taken a great deal of time working with this pic so it's not a great reproduction. But with or without touch-uppence tis nonetheless an enchanting piece.
GAR CONCERT IN EXCHANGE PARK: I don't really know the reason I ever puzzled over this photo. (Also a Roscoe glass plate pic.) This is clearly a photo of a summer concert in Vermilion's Exchange Park taken in the early years of the 20th century. The Comfort Station is visible in the background.
The pic was probably a throw-away that was, fortunately, never thrown away. Although today most persons would not consider it to be an unacceptable photo - methinks that it was not - at least initially - intended for public consumption.
My opinion is based on the fact that we are looking at the back of the (old GAR) Band and the people in the foreground are blurred. Under the circumstances it would have been a difficult scene for any camera of the era to capture adequately.
Fortunately the pic was not discarded - and we get to see that concerts in the park are nothing new in Vermilion, Ohio. It's too bad that we don't have any audio recordings from the era that would afford us some idea of music the band might have been performing.
Whatever it might have been it appears that many folks were enjoying a Sunday Afternoon in the park.
JUST CLASSMATES: The day after Jim Smith brought me the pic of Mr. Sheldon's clock he returned with a copy of the 1926 edition of the Vermilion High School Annual "Hi Times". It may be the oldest VHS annual that I've ever been able to peruse.
The pix that jumped out at me during a quick review of it were those seen above. The fellow on the left is Charlie Barber. And the gal on the right is Jean Lawless. Most well seasoned Vermilionites knew both.
Charlie followed in his father's footsteps and became an extremely popular school custodian. Chuck was married to Goldie (Bogart). Goldie was a sister to Howard and Nettie Welch. They had a pretty daughter named Cheryl. They lived on Perry Street - near South Street School during the 1950's and 60's.
Jean Lawless (to me) looks much the same as I remember her later in her life. She was a librarian (in Vermilion and elsewhere) and a wonderful musician. She lived in a little house on the northwest corner of Huron and Washington Streets - and one walked in the door her piano was the first thing a visitor saw. Even in her golden years - when her eyesight had left her - she could still play.
Wonderful pix of wonderful people. I'll have more from the book in weeks to come.
F.Y.I: This map of the Vermilion of 1920 was made by late Vermilion and Great Lakes historian, George P. Wakefield. It is a valuable historical reference tool.
This is valuable because things have this habit of changing with some regularity. Take any section of town and study it - whether it's your neighborhood or some business area. Note how many changes have occurred in that one area over a period of just 10 years.
People come and people go. Situations change. Businesses come and businesses go. Buildings go up. And buildings go down - etc - etc - etc.
That's the reason this map is of historic import. Over time we forget what was where as well as who was who. A map is helpful. Ye might want to keep a copy.
Thinking this over I have concluded that it might be a novel idea to draw a map of the downtown section of Vermilion leaving all the buildings blank - and have folks come and write in the businesses that they recall occupied each space over time.
A record such as that might prove to be a valuable tool for future historians.
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
"A snippet from the clippet..."
PODCAST #74: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #74 returns to readings from Betty Trinter's book "The Way It Was" accompanied by video of "our cat in the bath" and a nice rain on Oakwood Drive.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are no longer available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting moi - and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
HAVE YE QUESTIONS (?): Below is a form that will allow thee to ask a question and / or make a comment (and to preview your comment/question before it is sent) about whatever and send it to me. When ye are done just come back to this page and clear the form.
Keep all the questions and comments coming. I really appreciate them. They provide some direction.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya. Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment. Always
Incidentally, "Viewer" Larry Hohler who is a big part of the Hope Home in Kenya wants folks to know that the children they are assisting are safe - midst the turmoil raging around them in that country. Methinks all "Viewers" should take a good look (go to the links section of "Views" for a virtual tour) at how the project really, really helps underprivileged children in this 3rd world nation. It is sincerely a worthwhile effort. And if ye can spare a few bucks it can certainly go a long way.
Courtesy of Jim Fischer
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the 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
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"It's impossible to be gloomy when you're sitting behind a marshmallow."-Snoopy
Vol.6, Issue 7, May 3, 2008
© 2008 Rich Tarrant