"PIE IN THE SKY" AND OTHER THINGS: My proverbial table is full this week. I'm in the midst of writing a bit about Vermilionite Larry Shafts[pictured on the right]. His bio will appear in my Vermilion Biographies section of "Views" sometime tomorrow afternoon.
I have seldom written about a person who lived so very close to me in time. So this, in many respects, is more difficult than anything I've ever done before. I suppose this is related to the fact that there are still plenty of folks about who can recall the gentleman. Ergo; if I make any mistakes in my presentation I am bound to both hear about, and be reprimanded for, them by someone. That all things are relative is something that doesn't escape me. Ergo; I don't harbor any delusions of being a subjective writer. I just don't appreciate the potential fall-out that can go with it. But c'est la vie [or] non!
Another item on my "proverbial" table this week is the life of the late Joseph Hillstrom, A.K.A "Joe Hill" [pictured on the left c. 1915]. Whilst I've known of Hill for quite some time I'd forgotten about him until just recently when I ran across the songs and audio recordings of Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock.
To make a long story short, both Hill and McClintock were IWW [Industrial Workers of the World) union organizers in the early years of the 20th century. Both men were instrumental (pun not intended) in using music to help organize workers. Hill wrote the words usually using the tunes of well known songs and /or hymns of the times, and McClintock sang them.
This week Hill's song, "The Preacher and the Slave" sung by "Haywire Mac" accompanies "Views". Most "Viewers" will recognize the tune as "In The Sweet Bye and Bye".
The use of the hymn as the tune for the piece was very purposeful. It was one that most of the men (i.e.the workers) knew from spending time in various missions as they travelled across the country looking for work. That knowledge helped them remember the words. And as they travelled they took the tunes with them. In this way the message of the IWW was spread across the nation.
Without getting into the politics underlying this particular movement (at least at this time) a basic sketch of Hill's life on Earth can be heard in this week's
Vermilion Views Podcast. The music, the history of the labor movement in America, and the persons involved in it is fascinating. Incidentally, a term that many of us still use today - "Pie in the sky." - was first coined by Hill when he wrote "The Preacher and the Slave".
So, as I am always inclined to tell ye; "Stay close".
81 YEARS AGO: What a great photograph. It is taken from the 1927 "Hi-Times" that was published annually by the Junior Class of the Vermilion High School. And I will unabashedly tell one and all that the quality of this particular publication is excellent. The photographs and the graphics (which were done by Eleanor Blanchat) are, as they say, "Drop-dead gorgeous".
Part of the reason the photos don't translate to the digital medium too well is that they are not (square) pixel-type photographs. All the photos are comprised of a series of small dots etched on metal plates. When copied, digitally, those points tend to cause blurring in the pix.
But to the photograph.
One of the drawbacks to these yearbook pix is (as has been said time and time again) that not all the folks in the photographs were identified with them. And this photo of the VHS Student Council of 1927 is no exception.
The only persons I can identify in this particular pic are Tom Williams Sr. (third from right), and George Snyder behind him (wearing glasses).
I am amused by this photo for several reasons. One is that George Snyder was the School Superintendant - and he looks (in this pic) like one of the students. Also - there is not mistaking that Tom Williams Sr. (who would later become a successful Vermilion Attorney and Postmaster) has a son, and namesake, who looks exactly like him. The likeness is astounding.
While I don't recognize any of the other students in the picture I'm sure that if I take the time I can go through the remainder of the books and identify a few more. But it sure is hard to believe that this pic was taken so long ago.
VBC Southshore Regatta - c.1930
HIGH OVER VERMILION: This pic (if you've not already concluded) was taken from the Goodyear Blimp as it hovered in the skies over Vermilion during the Regatta of 1930.
Those unfamiliar with 20th century Regatta activities in Vermilion, Ohio may be surprised to see how popular they were.
These aerial views of Vermilion are always interesting. And this one is no exception. Aside from some very obvious things - such as the size of the water-works in 1930 - I also note that at that time there still some buildings on the property just to the south of the water plant. I'm wondering (here) if it was the building owned by Mr. Goetz that was later moved to the corner of West River Road and the road that goes down into the Olympic Outing Club.
I also note that the house to the north of the plant (along Main Street) does not appear to be the same that sits there today. I was under the impression that the current home had been on that site for a long time.
How interesting.
These pix came from my friends Tom and Jean Beach who own, and live in, the birthplace home of The Father of Hydroelectric Power: Lester Pelton. The story behind the acquisition of these photographs is nearly as interesting as the pix themselves. But we'll save it for another time.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR (?): Vermilion, Ohio was a different place in 1910. But it weren't so different that it is unrecognizable almost 100 years later.
This photograph was taken by Pearl Roscoe on Grand Street just to the south of the Vermilion News printshop (looking southeast). The house in the backdrop still looks much the same. But the dirt and curbless Grand Street has change some.
This is a wonderful photo of the early days of the automobile life in the little lakeside village. By the looks of things it was probably take around Easter time. The trees are in bloom - but the children are still wearing coats and gloves over their frilly dresses. They were probably members of a girls Sunday School Class from the First Congregtional Church (behind the printshop).
My mother, Ella, is one of the girls on the "machine" (3rd girl from the right standing in the car). The girls were likely thrilled to get a chance to, at least, have their picture taken in the vehicle.
Down on Liberty Avenue the days of the interurban electrics were becoming numbered. The big auto manufacturers would see to it...
SOUTH STREET - BERLIN HEIGHTS, OHIO: I've had this rather pleasant pic looking South down South Street in Berlin Heights, Ohio for some time. Tis an old postcard pic, and isnt' really unusual nor rare. But what it is - and the reason I am using it now and here - is that it is simply a very pretty view of BH back then.
Note that the old interuban electric rails are running down the middle of the street heading south to places like Berlinville, Milan, Norwalk and beyond. Yet, for the moment things are peaceful on that which looks to be a quiet summer morning.
BH t'were, no doubt, a very pleasant place to live.
PODCAST #58: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #58 takes a break from readings from the late Betty Trinter's wonderful history of Vermilion, "The Way It Was", to take a brief look at the life (and death) of the 20th century IWW Organizer Joseph Hillstrom, A.K.A. Joe Hill.
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. Always
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
"My baloney has a first name, its h-o-m-e-r, My baloney has a second name, its h-o-m-e-r..." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 43, January 12, 2008
© 2007 Rich Tarrant