Vermilion Views

Be all that as it is I did make it to Vermilion's Ritter Public Library this week and had an opportunity to spend several hours going through some of the micro-newspaper files of The Vermilion News through the late 1920's and early 1930's. While I did not find what I am searching for I did (as I always do) find some items of interest.

In September of 1931 an article appeared denoting the razing of an "Old Landmark" - the blacksmith shop on Main Street. The property had been purchased by Captain Henry Leidheiser around 1921, and had been vacant since that time.

Many Vermilionites recognize the property that later became the site of "Billie" Leidheiser's little home. This is the small house on the west side of Main Street just south of the larger home that sits on the southwest corner of Main and Ferry Streets. It's a distance back - away from the street.

For a good part of the 19th century oxen and horses were shod in the shop, and a great deal of boat work (for the boat-building industry) took place therein.

According to The News report some of the smithies who labored there were Jim Miller, Dimick and McGrain, Henry Baldwin, Christ Ott, Jeriot "J.I." Howell, and Howell's son George. Pix of J.I. and George have also appeared in "Views".

I also came across the front-page obit for J.I. Howell. He went off to his eternal reward on October 10, 1923 at the tender age of 82 years.

Born in Calhan, Georgia in 1841 he was a soldier of the South in the Great Civil War. After the war he migrated to Columbus, Ohio where he took up the hammer an anvil trade. He later moved to Sandusky; then Birmingham; and then (of course) to Vermilion.

He was a faithful attendant and member of Vermilion's First Congregational Church.

Married twice his first wife passed on in 1898 and the second on November 28, 1917. He and his first wife had three children. One child did not survive either parent. The others were son, George, and a daughter Mrs. Jessie Van Blarcum of Sandusky.

While little of this may interest crowds of people I have an ulterior motive for presenting it in this forum. It is for the record. One of the great assets to be found in "Vermilion Views" is the search engine provided at the bottom of these pages. It allows people (myself included) an opportunity to search for (and sometimes find) information on various Vermilion persons, places, and things with having to search through years and years of micro files. Because that, me friends, can be hard and extremely tedious work.

And just as a matter of information: These Howell men are the grandfather and great-grandfather of Vermilionites Larry E. and Etta Howell. Etta and her spouse live in the Norwalk area. But Larry still abides in Vermilion. He and his wife, Karen, live on Decatur Street.

And now back to the weather. Like I always say, "March comes in like a monkey, and goes out like a banana cream pie." (I wonder if that observation will catch on?)

HARRY AND ALICE: This photograph was sent to me by San Francisco "Viewer" Bryan Chandler. I readily recognize his father, Harry Chandler Jr. While nothing other than the title "Harry and Alice" came with the pic Bryan later told me that the lady is his Aunt Alice Becker.

While I don't believe I ever met Mr. Chandler (and I was unable to quickly find any info on him during an Ancestry.com search this a.m.) his face is familiar. It is not hard to tell that he is "Tootie's" Mary Louise Reisinger's brother - but I would not have guessed that Alice was also a sister.

RABRA-ABRA-CADABRA: This is a curious pic given me by my friend Frank Homitz during the week (between storms). The name on the snapshot is not clear - and unless someone knows, for certain, it is what one sees.

The name looks to be "RABRA". However the scratching on the first letter (the notation is made in ink) may indicate that the name is actually "ABRA" - which makes some sense (to me). But boat names are often very cryptic - so who knows?

What is clear is that it is a "38 foot Mathews". Not being a boat person I assume that "Mathews" refers to the power source.

While no landmarks appear with the photo - given the source - it is more than likely a Vermilion, Ohio pic. It will be interesting to find out a bit more about the boat. She's a beaut.

CURLY: Yet another wonderful color portrait drawing by me friend Frank Homitz. This is his grandfather, "Curly" Allison.

Mr. Allison lived on Adams Street on the west side of Vermilion. Frank said that he was a long-time bartender in "Lefty's" Eland's Cafe [a.k.a. Lemon Tree Lounge; Flashbacks, etc.] on Division / Main Street.

This portrait - whether I know the subject or not - is exceptionally interesting. It has character, and says as much about the artist as it does the subject.

I should mention that Frank has also done some sculpture. Some time ago he gave me a miniature bust of meself that I find highly amusing. (I'm not even dead yet.) I recently purchased a mylar "backdrop cube" that will allow me to accurately photograph small items like the mini bust. As soon as I get it (when March "goes out like a banana cream pie") I will place a pic of it in "Views".

KISHMAN PIX: Yesterday afternoon (3-07-08) I received the following communique:

_{Hi Rich,

I've been enjoying your "Vermilion Views" site for some time now. I grew up in Vermilion (VHS class of '75) and still consider it my hometown even though I now live in New Hampshire.

I have recently been scanning some of my old negatives and slides, and found some of the Kishman fishing boats that I captured, mostly in 1980 with one from 1976. I know that most of your site deals with Vermilion subjects older than that, but perhaps you or your readers would like to see them again as they were at that time. There are also a few boats that I would like to know the names of, if for nothing else then for the sake of the photo's caption. Feel free to use the photos as you see fit.

Sincerely,

Scott Dommin}

Well, I took a look at his pix and I am impressed. They're beautiful. For obvious reasons I can't use all of them at once. But I will try to use all of them during several future editions. They bring back a lot of memories. But more than that they're really fine photographs. I don't know many people who took the time to photograph all the tugs. But Scott did. And when those without names appear I'm absolutely certain that some "Viewer" will know its name.

These are nice, nice photographs. They are the type of thing that, as a Vermilion archivist / historian I am always looking to discover. I don't want to own them. I just want to add them to the collective history of our pretty city.

PODCAST #66: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #66 takes you on a ride during a March 7th snowstorm from Oakwood Drive to Volunteer Bay. Plus some more from the Betty Trinter's book "The Way It Was". And (as always) these podcasts are eternally under construction...

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 changing...

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.

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.

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):

Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live