WHAT IT IS: Dr. David Frew is the executive director of the Erie County (PA) Historical Society and emeritus professor of organizational behavior at Gannon University in Erie. He has written 25 books and more than 100 aricles and technical papers - scholarly - and other stuff.
I mention him here because he brings up some interesting questions (re:recording history) at the very end of his book Midnight Herring [from The Lake Erie Quandrangle Shipwreck Series: Book 4 - 2006]. Those questions are:
What do you do when stories about a single event conflict despite the fact that the conflicting sources appear to be very credible? And is the telling of a story more important than the story itself?
They're toughies.
After mulling it over some - he concludes that "the stories had to be told and that in the telling the details were [are] not as important as the spirit of the events" which took place.
Now that, for some, may seem to be - as some say, "a cop-out" - an excuse for sometimes exercising what - again, as some might say, "poetic license" in the recording of history data. But on the other hand these conflicts are not really resolvable lest someone has a time machine that will allow everyone to return to the past to witness events for themselves.
Like the "4 O'clock" photo-sketch still-life (above) how we personally interpret historic events and / or this picture is a purely subjective matter. Yet, be that as it is - it is fun.
Myopically,
"...this is the Kyles I once knew and fondly remember."
KYLE & SON: This great pic is one of several Brian Kyle of Whitehall, Michigan emailed to me during the last several weeks. It is the Kyle's I knew when I was a lad.
For those unfamiliar with the locale of this pic this is now the site of the Vermilion Municipal Court building on Decatur Street (just south of Liberty and north of the railroad tracks. Prior to the city taking over the building it was the local Amvets post. And prior to that (at least ot the best of my knowledge) it was owned by (I think his first name was Frank) Mis. Mis operated a screw manufacturing company from the site. I believe that later on Mr. Mis had a auto dealership on East Lake Road just north and east of the site currently occupied by the Vermilion Farm Market.
But back to Kyle Motors.
I knew Kyles (both the family and the garage) because this dealership was just across the railroad tracks from our house on nearby Perry Street. Aside from selling used cars they also sold new Buicks and Pontiacs.
My mother was a Pontiac lover and I, therefore, inherited her affinity toward them. About the same time this pic was captured by Lloyd Kyle (c.1955) I was terribly infatuated with cars. When the new models appeared in September of each year I always made a bee-line to their showroom to see and sit in the brandnew beauties. I can still close my eyes and remember exactly the way they smelled.
Mr. Kyle and all his sons were exceptionally friendly people, and they tolerated my presence in the showroom, the garage, and in the lot next to the railroad tracks where they kept cars that had been involved in wrecks.
These were great memories.
This pic was taken shortly before they moved the dealership to a new building on north side of West Lake Road where remnents of the dealership are this day (2009). I note, with no small amount of chagrin, that when the auto manufacturers began running into financial troubles Kyle's dealership became one of the first casualties of the economic downturn.,P>
This photo was also taken shortly before the new 4-lane road leading out of town from Decatur past Bluebird Beach was built. Note the roadsign with the big arrow to the right and front of the garage.
Actually this photograph may have been taken as the new road was under construction. Brian has also forwarded me some pix of that event. They will appear in future edtions of "VV".
But - for now - this is the Kyles I once knew and fondly remember.
An afternoon with the "Helpseekers"
SOROSIS, MERRYMAKERS, AND HELPSEEKERS REVISITED: As I wrote last week "the late Fred Wetzler loaned me this pic - along with several others to scan several years back. I've used at least one of the scans in a previous edition of "Views". But I don't believe that all the snaps were taken at the same outing.
Thanks to several "Viewers" I was able to discover that this was probably a gathering of a group of women who collectively called themselves the "Helpseekers". I do believe they were affiliated with one of the churches in town - either the Evangelical and Reform or the First Congregational Church - or maybe both. The "Merrymakers" were of the E&R Church. Most of the ladies pictured were "Helpseekers". The "Sorosi" were - something else.
UPDATE: Some of the ladies in the group are Laura Goetz, Mrs. Wetzler, Bessie Sherod, May Lindsay, Ruth Risdon, Mrs. Grant, and Mrs. Lawless.
The site of the photo may have been the yard of Captain Ferl and Alice Lindsay on what would have then been Essex Street (now Martin Avenue). And I would date it as being c.1955.
Again, "tis an interesting piece of Vermilion-cana".
"Cutting the ice"
ICE CUTTING ON THE RIVER IN 1939: "Viewer" Bobbi Riley who lives in sunny California emailed this great pic of ice being harvested from the Vermilion River behind the Fischer manse in 1939. She wrote:
"It was taken from the "widow's walk" on the third floor of the Fischer home. The sidewalk that you see under the pergola led from the back door of the basement down to the river's edge. Several stairs were at the end of the sidewalk, most times under water, for the ease of getting in and out of boats. In the summer there were large beds of beautiful Lily of the Valley plants on both sides of the walkway."
She also shared this tidbit of information:"The message on the back of the photo, written to my mother by my grandmother, Ruth Goodsell Fischer, reads, 'Daddy said this would be a relic some day'."
To be sure. The days of harvesting ice from the river are long gone.
THE TOP 14 WAYS HELL IS BETTER THAN YOUR JOB
14. Your coffee stays hot all day!
13. Never have to look very far to find the legal department.
12. In hell, you *know* who drank your Coke in the fridge-
Satan!
11. 30 percent fewer "Dilbert" cartoons in the break room.
10. In hell, that devil-may-care attitude of yours comes in
handy.
9. You get to spend more time with your spouse now.
8. No more wondering if the boss hates you.
7. Riding to work in a handbasket beats the hell out of
public transportation.
6. Hourly dunks in searing pools of molten lava actually
quite invigorating.
5. Surfing porno sites all day scores *major* points with
the boss!
4. Your office: One free stale donut every Friday.
Hell: One brutal mutilation of a "Full House" cast member
every Friday.
3. Your job? Suit and tie. Hell? Pitchforks and attitude,
Baby!
2. Ferocious reptilian demons can appreciate a good dirty
joke now and then without threatening a sexual harassment
complaint.
1. Microwave popcorn -- without leaving your cubicle!
"And thus, it was that for nearly 30 years John S. Walper drove a span of grays down unpaved roads..."
JOHN WALPER: John S. Walper was 70 years old when he stopped his span of grays and proudly posed for Pearl Roscoe’s camera during the spring of 1929. It was his 28th year of service driving a gas wagon for the Standard Oil Company in the Vermilion area. On his chest he proudly displayed the badge the company had belatedly given him for 25 years of faithful service. And then he was on his way.
Walper was born in Ohio in 1859 of German parents who had, like many German people, left their Vaterland during the German Revolution (1848-49) and ventured to America, Ohio, and finally Vermilion. As a younger man he had worked at the Decker Livery on Liberty Avenue resigning at the very turn of the 20th century to work for Standard Oil.
By 1900 the Standard Oil Company had been in the oil refinery and distribution business in Cleveland for 30 years. However; practical applications for the by-products of crude oil were not as significant as they are today. During the first 20 years Mr. Walper worked for them the products he distributed were primarily used for home and business heating systems, stoves, and lamps. It was not until the automobile became both a practical and affordable mode of transportation that the demand for Standard’s products drastically increased.
And thus, it was that for nearly 30 years John S. Walper drove a span of grays down unpaved roads in and around Florence, Berlin Heights, Birmingham, and Vermilion distributing oil, gasoline, and kerosene to citizens throughout the countryside. During these years he wore out 3 wagons, which the company was quick to replace, and he was always furnished with beautiful, well-kept, horses.
When motor powered vehicles had finally been perfected Standard OIl, logically, began to replace their horse drawn wagons with motorized trucks. But for reasons unknown the company continued to keep Mr. Walper and his horses in service.
About 1920 they gave him an assistant with a motorized vehicle who took care of deliveries (primarily of gasoline for automobiles) to outlying Vermilion precincts. Prior to this time Walper and his trusty team had been accustomed to covering a distance of nearly 40 miles daily. And workdays of 12 to 14 hours, despite weather conditions, were the rule - not the exception.
In addition to this Standard Oil always required daily reports to be filed and sent to their Cleveland headquarters. For this work Mr. Walper depended upon the skills of his daughter, Margaret (Mrs. Andrew) Kneisel. Until her marriage she had lived with her father and mother, Martha, in their home on State Street. Margaret had also worked for the Englebry Coal Company as a bookkeeper.
Although his regular route had been substantially reduced to about five or six miles, once given an assistant, practically every farmer in the area still had one or more fuel tanks in need of filling on a very regular basis. They still needed gasoline for their new machines (i.e. automobiles) and kerosene for their stoves and tractors. Mr. Walper, in short, kept busy.
A gentleman by the name of Sam Ewing once opined that, “It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours.” That being said I am convinced that John S. Walper always earned his keep.
(Ref: The Vermilion News; 5-9-29; Ancestry.com; U.S. Census 1910)
4/3/05
3:36 PM
"...a time when Vermilion was still asleep."
WHEN IT WAS NEW: I received numerous comments about the photo (taken probably about 1954) of this same area which appeared in the last editon of "VV". Some of the names of families that once lived in the homes along Langfitt and Sanford Streets were the Martineks', Brickers', Cutchers', Langfitts', Hallets', Diehls', Maidens', Davis', Lanes', and the Moellers'.
This pic - also given to me by Pat Creel for scanning - hails from about 1948. This was (as is obvious) before the fuse was lit for the building boom that would come in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Here we're looking at five Gunnison Homes [Note: thanks to current Langfitt Street resident Greg Trocchia for the information about the home styles.] on a virtually unpaved Langfitt Street, and a tractor path to the fields that would eventually become Sanford Street. Devon Drive is but a treeline, and even some of the homes on South Street aren't built yet.
What a great photograph to wonder at. It was a time when Vermilion was still asleep.
Victory Park c.1900
WHY VICTORY PARK (?): I've no idea as to the reason this park was named "Victory" nor when it was named. Over the years it has been confused with Exchange Park because the veterans memorial and the cannons are in Exchange (a.k.a. "Rubberneck).
Perhaps the name was given to the place because it was, for a long time, the place where most celebrations of past events (which included the end of both World Wars) were celebrated. But I don't know that there is any concrete answer. And as earlier indicated: "Like the "4 O'clock" photo-sketch still-life (above) how we personally interpret historic events and / or this picture is a purely subjective matter.
I have, however, a suggestion that some may consider to be a sacrilege. I suggest that the park someday come to be known as"Pelton Park" in honor of Vermilion's most famous (but currently virtually unknown citizen) Lester A. Pelton. And I would further suggest that a replica (perhaps a working one) of the Pelton Wheel be placed in the park to honor his memory, and to educate those who are unaware of the significane of Mr. Pelton and his invention in our world.
Victory Park is undoubtedly the older park in Vermilion, O. It is also one of the most attractive (then and today). It actually existed when Lester Pelton lived here as a boy. Vermilionites should celebrate his life and his invention. It's something to really be proud about.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE WITH A MOUSE IN YOUR HAND! HELP THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY!: Take a cyber visit through my on-line store.
I will be working on designing some new things in the weeks ahead. However: If you've not purchased something yet you're missing both the proverbial and literal boat. But, if nothing else, take a stroll through my shop. I keep the floor swept, the windows clean, and my dog don't bite.
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 #116: This week Vermilion Views Podcast #116 is Part #4 of a presentation I extracted from a wonderful DVD presentation produced by Carol and Dick Kammer last summer re:life and history at the Olympic Outing Club. This is truly a nice piece of work. This week it is particularly interesting because it features all of the cottages at the club, and names of the owners past and present. If you're unfamiliar with the club (It's not, by the way, a nudist colony.) you will find this production very informative. So enjoy...
Also note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (where used) are done in the "Quicktime" format.
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.
Vermilion High School Classes of 1963 and 1965 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of June 27, 2009. Those interested can contact Ruth Bauman Tanner.
The Vermilion High School Class of 1959 may be interested in knowing that a reunion is planned for the weekend of September 18-20, 2009. Registration can be made through Roger Boughton 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.
Where's Alice? I found this link interesting. You just never know what Vermilion expatriots are up to - or where their up to doing it. Alice Wakefield is one of those people. So check out his link. Methinks you'll be surprised: Talking Turkey.
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
or you can use PayPal:
"The absence of any moral values in our society perfectly represents the ethos of 21st century America."
-Professor Roselyn Picher
Vol.6, Issue 49, February 21, 2009
Archive Issue #310
© 2009 Rich Tarrant