A CONTINUING GIFT: This week I continue airing some great (and very brief) folk music from Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock courtesty of the Smithsonian Institute. I really wish it were possible to air all of his "stuff". But the net does have its limits.
To reiterate a little about Harry:
Harry McClintock (October 8, 1882 - April 24, 1957), also known as "Haywire Mac," was an American country music composer and labor organizer, best known for his song Big Rock Candy Mountain (which was in the movie (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), as well as his ballad, "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum". He was also credited as being the first person to sing in public "The Preacher and the Slave", a song by Joe Hill. He was a lifelong member of the Industrial Workers of the World. In the early 1920's he worked and organized union men in the oil fields of west Texas, where he met and recruited writer Jim Thompson who later incorporated him into several short stories using the name "Strawlegs Martin." McClintock was from Knoxville, Tennessee. Having worked as a cowboy himself, McClintock was one of the few "country" singers who had an authentic background to draw from. And they, as you will see (or hear) in weeks to come are just wonderful.
But for now I'll let "Haywire Mac" do the 'splainin'. I hope you'll enjoy his gift as much as I do.
...And their names live on in the history of Vermilion, O...
A WINDOW INTO THE PAST: It is, very literally, startling to realise the impact the persons in this beautiful photograph had - and to some degree still have - on the community of Vermilion, Ohio.
Pictured are:
Standing L-R: Miss Lyda Wakefield, daughter of Mr. Ernest Wakefield, Miss Lulee Marsh, Mrs. Mary D. Childs, Miss Addie Rust, Miss Charity Sherod, and Mrs. Lottie Lawless.
Seated L-R: Earl Childs, Rev. W.K. Williams, and Presdee Morgan.
Whether you're a long time resident of Vermilion or have only been in the community for a short time you have very likely heard at least one of these names; Wakefield, Childs, Rust, Sherod, or Morgan.
These shadows were captured at the bottom of the front stairs of Vermilion's First Congregational Church (now Millet's Auction House) sometime between 1912 and 1914. (Rev. Williams served the church during those years.) These folks comprised the "Teacher's Training Class" at the church. I assume (a dangerous thing to do) that these folks were, in essence, the Christian Education Committee of the church during that era.
About just a few of those pictured:
Among Reverend Williams accomplishments during his tenure as pastor of the church was the organizing of Vermilion's first Boy Scout Troop. I make mention of it here because it is highly likely that Vermilion's troop was among the very first organized in the U.S.A. There are many photographs of the pastor and the troop in circulation.
I can never say enough about the accomplishments of Presdee "P.B." Morgan. Were there ever a personage I will ever remember and never forget tis probably this man. I believe he was a school teacher by trade. But his life around the Congregational Church and the Masonic Temple is that which he is mostly remembered for. The local Masonic Chapter bears his name. If anyone (I ever knew) was a true-blue church deacon it was he. Ministers came and went. But "P.B", like a rock, was always there. Mr. Morgan was the step-father of local residents Dorothy Hart (Hart's Corner Drug Store) and the late Mary Bogart.
Earl Childs was the head of the Erie County Bank. Mary (Childs) was, like Mr. Morgan, so active in the church community that the women of the church later named on of their circle groups after her.
There is, of course, a great deal that can be told about all of the folks in this photo. And in time those stories will out. But for now it's just nice to take a good look through this window in the past.
Note the stables behind the church (and Township Hall) with the spire of the E&R Church in the background.
Tis enough to take yer breath away...
[Note: It may be that some of the names are spelled incorrectly. Whilst the writing on the pic is good it was not entirely legible. Thus, I apologize if mistakes have been made in the spelling.]
REFLECTIONS ON JARIOT I. HOWELL: Here is a pic I've been looking to acquire for a long, long time. It appears some years back in "The Bugle" (a history newspaper published by Vermilion's Harbor Town 1837 organization) but I've never been able to get a reasonably good copy of the photo until this week. Finally the "Smithy's" great-great grandson, Larry E. Howell, was able to acquire an electronic copy of the pic, and he passed it on. [I, of course, could not refrain from applying a new Photoshop technique to it (i.e. a reflection) for "Views"]. But, in any case, here it is.
The J.I. Howell Blacksmith Shop was located on Main Street in Vermilion that was once located across the street from what is now the Chez Francois (French) Restaurant / Sail Loft just a little bit to the south of the corner of Ferry Street. It was in the approximate place where the late "Billy" Leidheiser kept a small home. The house is still there (back from the street).
While I'm not completely certain that Mr. Howell's first name was Jariot; Larry refers to him as Jerius; U.S. Census records record his name as Jared (1900) and Jariot (1910). Looking at the original records it appears that the name recorded is (or appears to be) Jariot. Jared is a derivative of Jariot. (This only goes to show that even with an official historical record names and events may be open to some interpretation.)
But back to "J.I." Howell - the blacksmith. The record shows that he was born in Georgia about 1842. Records also show that he was a Private in the 2nd Regiment of the North Carolina Junior Reserves of the Confederate Army during the War between the states.
If memory serves me correctly I believe his great-great grandson mentioned this to me. I, unfortunately, don't recall the specific details at this time, but it seems like it was his service with the Confederate Army that impelled him to come north. I believe he, like many other men in the North or the South, just got caught up in the circumstance surrounding the war. From their point-of-view is wasn't a matter of politics but rather more a matter of duty and honor.
After he retired from blacksmithing he and his wife Rebecca returned to the south where both, in time, passed into the hands of the good Lord. He was always a highly respected Vermilionite.
J.I. Howell happy and retired in N. Carolina
LSE Bridge over the Vermilion River
ELECTRIC BRIDGE: This was a bonus pic I received from Interurban historian Dennis Lamont when he so kindly helped me recover several volumes of me grandfather's pix recently.
This is a great look east across the Lake Shore Electric Bridge that once spanned the Vermilion River. The cottages seen below and to the left of the bridge once sat in the area currently occupied by much of Bill and Molly "Romp's
Waterport" marina.
Part of that which makes the photo interesting is the fact that the bridge pictured (I believe it had been replaced by the original) shows that interurban officials had plans to expand their services to all points west (of Cleveland) by adding an additional track. The bridge was obviously built to accommodate the additional track.
I'm guessing (of course), but the pic may have been taken in the late 1920's or very early 1930's.
Interesting stuff.
Don Englebry - 1921
THE '08 VAAS CALENDER: The new Vermilion Area Archival Society calendars for 2008 have been printed and are now on sale for $5 each.
This year the subject of the calendar is the late Don Englebry's remembrances of "Growing-up in Vermilion". Very nice.
Those who want to purchase a calendar can find them at Brummer's Candy Store on Main Street in Vermilion. And those who need to order them by mail can send their check,or money order to the VAAS, P.O. Box 14 in Vermilion, Ohio 44089. Please include enough money to cover shipping and handling (maybe $1.50 extra ?)
I will not, personally, be selling these items via mail or email orders.
G. Tarrant and her 3 sisters
NAPP: Okay, Okay - I am unable to resist experimenting with new camera and Adobe Photoshop techniques. Somebody let me loose in the candy-store of photography and I'll not be easily caught and stopped. But ye must admit that this is fascinating stuff.
I actually saw the technique in an on-line photograph done by a Cleveland, Ohio photographer and wanted to see if I could discover the method / process. Ergo; this pic.
It is rather amusing.
I am a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), and find this association to be highly useful in learning and developing my skills as a photographer and designer. I can't work miracles - but I can repair photographs that have been minimally damaged (i.e. bent, torn, or faded); and I can make some rather bad original photographs look a great deal better. It's an art. But more than that it is (as one can see) fun.
Rev.Louis E. Bertoni
December 2, 2007
PODCAST #54: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #54Vermilion Views Podcast #49 features well known Vermilion minister Reverend Louis E. Bertoni reflecting on his years of service at Vermilion's UCC Congregational church. Recorded during the 50th anniversary of the church building on 12-02-07 it is an amusing - a friendly - piece.
Reverend Bertoni is one of the most interesting persons /speakers I (personally) have ever known. While he has been retired for more than a few years now - I can still recall (almost verbatim) several of his Sunday sermons at the church.
I believe you will find his remarks of some interest.
For the benefit of all - kindly take note of the fact that I have produced an archive (that can be found in the "Links" section of the page) that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access all past podcasts.
Note: (1)that the podcasts are in the archives; (2)that one can easily listen to them on-line and / or copy them (for free) to their PC or Mac for later listening; and (3) that all have also been preserved, by myself, on a separate hard-drive and on CD's. Anyone unable to listen to, or acquire the audios on-line and wishes to acquire a copy of any of these audio casts and / or recordings of persons who have spoken at a Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting during the last 12 months can do so by contacting me, and paying a small cover fee for recording materials.
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.
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
"
...sure, IN theeoory, in theory communism works..." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 39, December 15, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant