REFLECTIONS HISTORICAL AND OTHERWISE: American poet Walt Whitman has always been a favorite of mine. One poem in particular has always fascinated me. It is called "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry". Toward the end of his reflecting he says to readers:
"Closer yet I approach you;
What thought you have of me, I had as much of you—I laid in my stores in advance;
I consider’d long and seriously of you before you were born.
Who was to know what should come home to me?
Who knows but I am enjoying this?
Who knows but I am as good as looking at you now, for all you cannot see me?..."
Without going into great detail - Whitman was a Transcendentalist. His entire works - which mainly consists of a single volume of poetry (i.e. "Leaves of Grass") consistently - but not specifically - revolves around that concept.
What I find intriguing about the concept is (I believe) what I've always found intriguing about old photographs - especially those which record parts of American and local history. Not only do they provide us with a glimpse of the past; but they also allow us some connection with the individual who made these records.
Speaking only for myself I feel privileged to be able to see through the eyes of a grandfather I never knew via his many photographs. Were it not for them I would know very little of him. But through them I believe I have acquired some idea of his purpose. I have come to understand some of the ways he approached things with his camera - and why.
Some of it, of course, was work related. A small town newspaper man during the 19th and early 20th centuries needed to have and use a good camera - and now how to produce photographs on glass and film. It was part of the business.
And then there was art and experiment. Some of the photographs were staged portraits and aesthetically driven. To learn a person must experiment with devices.
And then there were those intended to become lasting historical records of certain things. Most of the photographs found on my Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix webpage seem to have been accomplished in that spirit. Very few of the photographs found on that page were ever published in his newspaper. These are the photographs I most admire.
In that same spirit I captured the razing of the old McGarvey Restaurant through the various stages of the raising of the Red Clay On the River both inside and out. I have photographs of Bill and Roben Malin in the partially finished building; workers installing tiles in the entry; the air filtering system over the bar; the new appliances in the kitchen; the outside elevator; and the first - and very tentative - menu.
There is, of course, nothing earth shattering here - nothing great. But there is something substantial. And as the grandfather I never knew reached out and touched me with his photographs it may be that someday some of my pix will do the same for others. As Whitman put it:
"What is it, then, between us?
What is the count of the scores or hundreds of years between us?
Whatever it is, it avails not—distance avails not, and place avails not"...
I find this amazing.
Hattie (Abel) Rathbun - twice
MORE ABOUT GEORGE THAN HATTIE:
As the title says this story is more about George Rathbun than it is about his wife, Hattie. The real reason this article doesn't include more info on Hattie is because I've just not researched her well enough to write anything at this point in time. Stay close.
During the 1950’s Vermilion’s downtown - the area along Liberty Avenue bounded by the railroad tracks to the south, Ferry Street to the north, West River Road to the east, and Decatur Street to the west - was very much alive and thriving. There was a bank, a bakery, a shoe-store, a lawyer’s office, a laundry, a haberdashery, a blacksmith shop, a flower shop, a dime-store, a dentist’s office, a bowling alley, a gift shop, a Western-Union office, an Ohio Edison office, a telephone company office, a movie theater, a library, a post-office, two hardware stores (one sold liquor), four auto dealerships, four gas stations, three saloons, three commercial fish houses, a lumber company, ten restaurants, and five grocery stores. (Sorry. No partridge in a pear tree.)
In time many of these enterprises began to disappear. Some, like the auto dealers, simply required newer facilities with more space and relocated. Others, like several of the restaurants, just vanished. The entire transformation should not, however, be overstated. It was actually so subtle - gradual - that it was nearly indiscernible. But by the mid 1960’s very few emporiums founded during the first decade or two of the 20th century remained. Of them Hart’s Corner Drug Store (est.1912) and George Rathbun’s Grocery Store (est.1916) were, perhaps, the only businesses still being operated by the original owner or owner’s family.
As one might rather easily suspect, due to its very nature, business at George Rathbun’s Grocery during later years had steadily decreased as business at local “Supermarkets” increased. Had George been a younger man he might have been concerned. But by the time this was taking place he was already well past the age where most persons hang up their work duds. Running his store was, therefore, more habit than necessity. And this, combined with a sincere desire to trade tales with an occasional visitor whilst the face of Vermilion outside his windows evolved, was the way he apparently opted to spend his golden years. For George certainly had some tales to tell.
As a young man it is doubtful that his first vocational choice would have been that of operating a retail grocery business. And as seen in retrospect - it was not. George (Stuart / Stewart) Rathbun, born January 9, 1882 in Solon, Ohio, was like most young men then and now an adventurous spirit.
He was probably still a teenager when he left home and signed on to work as a sailor on the Great Lakes. In a relatively short time he worked his way up the ranks to first mate on a freighter. In the bottom right inset photo George is pictured (to the right) on the deck of an ice covered vessel dressed in a heavy coat and hat, and puffing on a pipe that many persons who knew him may readily identify. Exactly how long Mr. Rathbun worked on the big boats is unknown (to this writer). However; by 1910 he had left the Lakes and was married to a Vermilion girl named Hattie (Abel). They had a son (Robert L.) and he had begun working as Captain of a steam tug (a gill-netter named the “J.H. Driscoll”) out of the Port of Vermilion. He is pictured on the deck of the “Driscoll” in both the large photo and, again, with his crew in the inset [top left] dressed in a white shirt with the pipe - his unofficial signature - in his mouth.
By 1915 or 1916 - after adding another son to their family (Harold J.) and having worked nearly 20 years on the freshwater fields of the Great Lakes in one capacity or another Mr. Rathbun - purportedly at the behest of his wife who had grown weary of his long absences from home and his safety in general - quit sailing and opened a grocery store on solid ground. And there he prospered.
The family lived in a little house on the south side of Ferry Street near the corner of Washington Street. The Ritter Library Community Room now occupies the approximate site of that home. Hattie died in 1945. Son Harold moved to Illinois. Robert remained in Vermilion. Both men and their families prospered. And everyday George went off to his store where in “later years business had steadily decreased as business at local Supermarkets increased”. But that didn’t really matter - so long as there was a story to tell, and there was a person with which to share it.
On Sunday July 28 1968 the pipe-toting, taletelling, adventurous spirit who became Vermilion’s last “independent grocer” passed away at the age of 86 years. Those who knew him in a yesteryear will forever recall the white-haired gentleman; pipe in mouth; sitting aside the stove at the back of his store; lost in quiet reflection; whilst the face of Vermilion outside his windows so gently unfolded.
Ref: U.S. Federal Census’ of 1910-20-30; U.S. WWII Draft Registration, 1942; The Elyria Chronicle Telegram, 7-29-68; Special Thanks to: the Vermilion Area Archival Society; Dave Rathbun, Linda (Rathbun) Rucins, and Claire (Rathbun) Ribble. Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10-16-08.
10/12/08
1:52 PM
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP
Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year
that you never keep? Why not promise to do something you
can actually accomplish? Here are some resolutions that
you can use as a starting point:
Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
Stop exercising. Waste of time.
Read less. Makes you think.
Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.
Spend more time at work.
Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.
Get in a whole NEW rut!
Personal goal: Bring back disco.
Buy an '83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo
system.
Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabic words.
Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain
or rope for a belt.
Get further in debt.
Break at least one traffic law.
Associate with even worse business clients.
Spread out priorities beyond my ability to keep track of
them.
Wait around for opportunity.
Focus on the faults of others.
Mope about my faults.
Never make New Year's resolutions again.
"Parades were something special in Vermilion..."
THE VERMILION DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS:
Once upon a merry old time parades were something special in Vermilion, Ohio. There is, of course, no way to really compare the Woolly Bear nor Fish Festival parades to those of yesteryear size-wise. However; what the parades of yore lacked in numbers they more than made up for in quality of entertainment. That is not, by any means, to suggest that parade participants were polished performers. Because nothing could be further from the truth. But one must admit that there is something particularly special about observing your children, friends, and neighbors in the process of sharpening their skills as amateur musicians and performers in a parade. And whilst that is still possible much of it is lost in the hustle and bustle of the crowds which frequent the aforementioned (and rather large) parades and accompanying festivities.
The snapshot attending this essay caught the shadows of Vermilionite George W. Harris and his Drum and Bugle Corps marching (east) down Liberty Avenue as they neared the corner of Grand Street. Some of the automobiles pictured are 1936 and 1939 model cars. So assuming that most folks didn’t drive brand new cars a reasonable guestimate for the date of the photo would be c.1941. Add to this the apparel and hair styles of the young ladies watching the parade by the side of the street - and that time period becomes very reasonable.
The corps smartly dressed in clean white uniforms adorned with gold sashes performed in area parades in places like Berlin Heights, and for various functions at Vermilion’s Olympic Outing Club. A person had to be 10 years old to join the group. The only exception to that rule was Mr. Harris’ son, “Little Georgie” who was apparently a "right talented mini Drum Major" (pictured). The official Drum Major, however, was a girl named Virginia Dumas Koepke.
Drills for the group were held on the football field behind what was then Vermilion High School - South Street School - in the evening. Corps members were always amused when their agile leader Harris (who was, by the bye, a Vermilion Postmaster) took it upon himself to do acrobatic "flip-flops" across the field during those practice sessions. As has been said, "there is something particularly special about observing your children, friends, and neighbors in the process of sharpening their skills as amateur musicians and performers".
Other items also worth noting in this photo include the Fred Becker (Vermilion’s Last Blacksmith - Vermilion Photojournal J 12-29-05) home to the right beside Walker’s Garage and "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star" Texaco filling station. [Note:The garage eventually became Vermilion Ritter Public Library’s annex. It was torn down to make way for a new addition to the library in the latter months of 2008.]
The banner over the street advertising “Church Suppers” on Thursday evenings between 6 and 7:30 p.m. is a bit cryptic. The name of the church sponsoring the activity does not appear on the sign - or at least it isn’t real visible. However; given the fact that there were basically only 3 churches in town at the time - and they were only 2 or 3 village blocks apart - it wouldn’t have been too hard to find the one serving dinner.
Lastly, the old American Legion band-truck is just visible in the background behind the Mr. Harris’ drummers and buglers. For years the old truck and it’s legion [pun intended] of musicians supplied music for many a street-dance on Division Street and at the Olympic Club. It was still very much a part of the parade scene right into the 1960’s - though ownership had been transferred to the local VFW. And while the vehicle now belongs to the ages, parts of it - such as the bell that once adorned the truck’s hood - still exist in private quarters.
One of my sisters, Nancy Emery, has some great memories of being a part of the Vermilion Drum and Bugle Corps with our brothers Bill and Philip: "I remember at the Olympic Club at one of the special days, I played taps and Phil did the drum roll. Man! Were we good! At least we thought so at that young age." If not it doesn’t matter. Because it really wasn’t about being good. It was about having an experience in that parade of yesteryear(s) to always, always remember.
Ref: Vermilion Area Archival Society; Kniesel Family Photo Collection, Courtesy Barbara Feiszli. Most of this story was published on 1-10-08 in the Vermilion Photojournal
1/6/08
2:17 PM
All Aboard! (Again & Again)
TIL WE GET THEM ALL: And again my friend and "Viewer" Dale Wendell along with my sister Nancy Emery and Bob Kyle emailed to name some more of the students in the above photo:
Rich: FFA(Future Farmers of America)
Line One: Paul Tuttle, Bob Yelensky, Don Poyer, Russel Schmalz, Anna Laura Demuth.
Line 2: Loren Bachman, Dutch Forider, Ed.Greiner, John Brackley, Ann (?) Trinter, Margie Tomusko.
Line 3: All (???) unable to see the faces good enough to figure them out.That girl by Margie I know but am unable to come up with the name.
At my age - going on 83 - I am having trouble with names back in the High School days of 1940 to 1944. Hope this helps. Info by Tulip.
Like Mike DiMada (a Cleveland area Car Dealer) says in his radio commercials, "Are you kidding me?!!! This information is both helpful and appreciated.
Thanks.
Cleaning the beach at Main Street - c.1941
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM: This is a close-up view of some unidentified women cleaning the beach at the foot of Main Street in Vermilion, O. c. 1941. At a later time I might use the wider view - which captures more of the beach and the Giddings home overlooking it. But for now I thunk the closer view was interesting. One can see the faces of the women much better in this view. You can also see just how much a mess there was for them to clean up.
It could very well be that the photo of the Vermilion workmen cleaning the beach that appeared in "Views" several weeks back was taken at about the same time.
I've never (in my lifetime) seen this particular beach in such shape. I'm guessing, of course, but it appears to be springtime. This flotsam and jetsam mess may have been the result of a heavy northeast storm in the early spring. The reason I doubt that it would have been the result of a northwestern gale is the debris. Most of this rubbish might have been washed down the river just to the east and swept westward by a severe windstorm.
This photo is another scanned from a small number of old Vermilion News negatives given me by my sister Ginny Wilkes. It has never before been published.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY!: Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
Christmas is over but I still have some things left. If you've not purchased something yet you're missing the proverbial boat. So stay close; and take a virtual tour of the shop. I keep the floor swept and the windows clean.
And for those who might wonder - this is my shop - and I do make a few bucks selling the items therein...
VERMILION VIEWS GIFT SHOP
Podcasts - "forever under construction..."
PODCAST #109: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #109 is Part 2 of a video / virtual tour through Bailey's Vermilion Hardware Store. The tour is conducted (filmed) by Vermilionite Larry Howell - and took place on November 8th of 2008. This piece takes some time to load (it's 10:37 minutes long) but it's well worth waiting for (and saving).
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime" format.
Stay with me on this project. Things will get better. (I pro-mize.)
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.
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.
Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months. They've recently received a significant grant from the Dolan Foundation and are constructing a Manual Training Center for their children and for other young people in that community. This is an exciting project.
If, however, something important come along - it will appear here.
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 2009. And it's about time."
-Professor Roselyn Picher
Vol.6, Issue 42, January 3, 2009
Archive Issue #303
© 2008 Rich Tarrant