WICKEN'S HILL
WICKENS HILL, ETC: Wickens is a name that is still recognized in the region. Currently it's best known as the first name of a prestigious law firm. But for years it was familiarly seen with the words "furniture" and "funerals". But setting all that aside, if one is familiar with the area the hill and the bridge in it are recognizable. The scene has, of course, changed some since these shadows were captured, but it is still identifiable.
This is another pic I found amongst those loaned me by Vermilionite Rita Mayer.I need say that the last few weeks have been extremely productive history weeks for me. Slowly - ever slowly - I'm beginning to get a better focus on local history; the people, places, and things of the past.
Further on in this week's edition you'll see some of what I'm talking about. Finally "VV" is beginning to pay off (historically) big-time. Because it's not what "I" know that makes things interesting. It is actually what "you" (the readers) know that fill in the blanks. The information and photographs that you contribute - however trivial you may consider them to be - put color to the whole picture.
So pat yourselves on the back.
Also note - for those who are able - that on the 31st day of July (next Satureday) the Vermilion Area Archival Soceity will be sponsoring an activity called "Remembering Old Vermilion" in Exchange / Rubberneck Park from 10 AM into the PM. For persons interested in the history of the area this activity is bound to be especially rewarding. So bring yourselves, your memories, and any pix or artifacts you may have down to the park and share them with your friends.
Historically,
"It was once one of the greatest electric railroads on our planet."
GHOST CARS OF THE LSE: Like the Pony Express the Lake Shore Electric (LSE) railroad was here one day, and gone the next. It was once one of the greatest electric railroads on our planet. It ran across the southern shore of Lake Erie from Cleveland to Toledo, and then on to Detroit. With an additional web of tracks south of the shore it provided people in towns like Elyria, Berlin Heights, Norwalk, Clyde, and Fremont economical and easy access to towns that had, until its advent, been just out of their reach. After a run of some 38 years the tsunami of the automobile age had come and the LSE railroad disappeared from the landscape of northern Ohio. It was almost as though it never existed. In Vermilion the LSE ran just north what are now the Conrail tracks from Lorain crossing the east side of the river at what is now part of Romp’s Marina and landing on the west bank just below the place where Vermilion’s landmark water-tower now stands. At that point it met Liberty Avenue at Water Street (now W. River Road) and ran down the middle of Liberty through the village. The tidy red brick LSE depot still stands at the foot of Liberty hill on the southeast corner of Exchange Street. On the west side of town the electric left Liberty at Decatur Street, running past a siding just west of Edson Creek and followed a course very near the shore of Lake Erie. It then curved back south toward the steam rail tracks just east of Bluebird Beach where it slowly turned west just before it met those tracks and ran on to Ruggles Beach, Ceylon Junction, and beyond. As previously mentioned; with the exception of some of the old LSE stations in scattered sites across the region few traces of this magnificent electric railroad remain. But among those “few traces” were (and are) some of the cars which ran along those rails. In Vermilion there were at least 5 cars that survived the 20th century transportation holocaust. The first car pictured was last owned by retired Vermilion Police Chief Nick Mayer and his wife Rita. It sat on the corner of West River Road and Rolling Meadows Drive across the street from the entrance to the Olympic Club. The Jewett car #174 built in Newark Ohio in the early 1900’s, was purchased at a Sandusky auction on June 20, 1939 and promptly moved to the W. River location by the Haber family. It was used as a home by members of the Haber, Barthel, and Mayer families until the Spring of 1996 when it was purchased and donated to the Newark, Ohio Historical Society where It has been restored to its original condition. The next car was a retired LSE Freight car that local entrepreneur Warren G. “Smitty” Smith purchased and transformed into a riverside boat livery and bait shop during the late 30’s or early ‘40’s. It was located along the river just west of the old Parsons Fish Co. At the time of this photo it was called Ryser’s Boat House. But it served the same purpose and clientele as “Smitty’s”. Sometime after the Great Flood of July 4, 1969 it disappeared. The last photo is that of LSE car #064. It was built by the J.G. Brill Co. of Philadelphia, PA in 1903. How it got to where it is pictured (on the hill behind the Parsons Fish Co) or what happened to it is something I, honestly, don’t know. But it’s a wonderful raw photograph of an old electric car. The last two LSE cars located in Vermilion were placed at the Ackerman home just east of the present site of Kyle Motors sometime in 1938. My friend, interurban historian Dennis Lamont of Birmingham and his brother, purchased one of them, LSE car #167, and have restored it. It is also a Jewett car, and was built in 1915. With the help of another electric historian, Albert Doane of Lorain, this car may be put back into use around Lorain’s harbor in the near future. A ride in one of the ghost cars of the old LSE would be, for me, a real thrill.
Ref: Special Thanks To: Dennis Lamont; Albert Doane; and Lee Mayer; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 7/28/05; Written 7/24/05 @12:00 PM.
Miriam and Ray Leidheiser
VERMILION'S GERMAN RESTAURANT: The following piece (and the picture above was taken) was written by Cleveland Plain Dealer photographer / reporter Dave Vormelker in about 1960. The piece may have appeared in the Plain Dealer at the time. But I transcribed it is word for word as Vormelker had typed it on a piece of old newsprint:
By David Vormelker
Vermillion, O.,–Leidheiser's restaurant here is a unique business in the vacationland area. It is the only restaurant featuring German cuisine from potatoes to nuts or apple strudel and German Kuchen, made the old-fashioned way.
According to Mrs. Raymond Leidheiser, who runs the restaurant with her husband, it is the only one offering complete German cuisine in Ohio, with the exception of one in Cincinnati.
Leidheiser, assisted by two chefs, does all the cooking. His wife, Miriam, acts as hostess and supervises the 16 waitresses on the staff.
Leidheiser makes sour braten and from his own recipe, as well as wienerschnitzel, tasty knockwurst, bratwurst, stewed chicken and dumplings in which schmier (smear) case. Now 59, Leidheiser learned to cook by experience and reading many recipe books. Other members of his family have been active in commercial fishing for years.
The smear case served in the restaurant is made by the putting curdled skim milk into a cheese cloth bag and allowing the moisture to drip out for four days. After most of the water has dripped out, the cheese is mixed with caraway seed and other ingredients to make a tasty native German cheese.
The restaurant owner said it takes 10 gallons of skim milk to make 5 pounds of smear case. “I make my own sauerbraten to,” he added. “The process requires five days. I make it from chunks of shoe choice beef weighing about 20 pounds. I marinate the beef in a large crock with spices, onions, carrots and seasoning ingredients. The beef must be turned twice a day during the marinating process. When fully season, we bake a roast of beef in a slow oven for six hours. We serve it with sauce containing raisins, sour cream and crumbled ginger snap cookies.”
Of course sauerkraut is on the menu, along with German potato pancakes, fried potatoes and hot German salad. American meals also are on the menu, but the Leidheiser's feature the German cooking. The restaurant has been in operation for 30 years, but the German cuisine has been the main item on the menu for the past year or two.
Mrs. Leidheiser said the restaurant was more than a business.
“It is a way of life,” she added. “We try to make our customers feel they are more than customers. We want them to feel they are our friends.”
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
THE HARDY INN
This is just "a taste" of some pix I received from a "Viewer" this week of Vermilion's "Hardy Inn". Earlier this years I was contacted by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce with this question:
"We were emailed the below question. Do you have any insight on this information?"
They had received the following communique:
"How would I find out about the Hardy Inn that was in business just east of the Lake Shore Electric depot in the mid 30s? Looking for info for family history. It was run by Archie and Ethel Hardy and family."
I had never heard of the place. Then Dennis Lamont sent me a pic of it (that I used in "VV" a few weeks ago) - and I recognized it as what I knew as the "Riverside Inn".
In any case the person who had made the inquirey to the chamber contaced me and asked if I'd be interested in having some pix of the inn. Needless to say, I was. So this week she sent me some beauties.
The one above was not really the best of the set so I played with it as a painting. But very soon "Viewers" will get to see them all. They're c.1937, and they help fill in some of the gaps of how the town looked in that yestereyar. So stay tuned...
July 24, 2010 7:23 AM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
from The Vermillion news Thursday, November 7, 1901. Few persons realize how difficult it is for us to obtain all the important news. Don't wonder why an item isn't published and tell us of it afterwords but bring the news to us before. You may be the only person acquainted with the facts. It has just been brought to our notice that Mr. Freis was seriously burned by a gasoline explosion. We are very sorry to be unable to give a full account of the accident, but it is impossible to get the facts at this late hour.
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Birmingham. There is a stone road being built on Main Street and everyone is glad of it. The electric road men are in town at work again. By the looks of things we will soon have streetcars running. A party of Epworth leaguers attended the Sub-District Convention at Monroeville last Friday. Lack of space forbids publishing of names. There are 18 men working on the electric road and boarding at the Shoff house. Everyone here seems quite satisfied with the results of the election.
Huron. Burton Waugh of Lorain was the guest of Miss Grace McConnell over Sunday. Mr. McConnell and family spent Sunday in Ceylon. The Ladies Aid Society will give a supper social at the home of Mrs. Block this week. Miss Maud Wikel has returned from the Pan American where she was a waiter during the exposition Burton Wikel expects to leave shortly for St. Louis where he expects to give instruction in shorthand. Ms. Lenny White, of Toledo is visiting her sister, Mrs. Webster. Ms. Leva Nabring spent Sunday in Bloomingville. Last evening (Monday) at about 10 o'clock the Holiday and Shepherd tin shop was burned to the ground. Everything was lost. Mrs. Burt Baker of Norwalk is visiting the home of her mother, Mrs. Gockstetter. Mrs. Herbert Smith has been spending several days with relatives in Elyria. Mr. Doll Yetter, who for some time as been engaged in fishing at the the Lake of the Woods, has returned home for the winter. C.T.S. C., gave a hallowe'en party at the home of Mr. Ray Shoff Thursday evening. The Single Dozen gave one at the home of Misses Anna and Rose Opperman. The higher grades of the public schools were dismissed last Wednesday that the pupils might witness the launching of the pier crib. A large crowd was in attendance.
from The Vermilion News Thursday, November 14, 1901. Dropped Dead. Sunday about noon occurred the sudden death of Mrs. Esther Rose. She had been in fairly good health able to be about at her work, and had just returned to the house; her daughter Mrs. Stahl approached her, seeing her lying on the bed, with a shawl over head, and spoke to her, she not receiving an answer spoke the second time, at the same time shaking her, and to her great surprise found that life had flown. Esther Rose was born at Cartwright Delaware Co., N. Y., September. 25th, 1817 and died November. 10th, 1901. Her age was 84 years., one mo., 25 das. She was the last of a family of seven children. In 1833 she with her parents moved to Florence, Erie Co., O., and has been a resident of Erie county for 68 years. She was married to William. Rose in 1867 and was the mother of three children, two of whom survive her. She was converted and joined the Baptist Church at the age of nine. [NOTE: I had to edit the previous and the next sentence to made some sense of that which was actually written] About years about 17 years ago she united with the M. E. church at Axtel, and later she became a member of the Methodist Church at Vermilion, where she remained a member until her death. She was always kindhearted, ever loyal to her country and her God. She bore the trials of the earlier for pioneer with patience and fortitude and the same characteristic remained with her through life. Few there are that have passed through the mist of 84 years of trials, hardships, and sunshine and then so peacefully and quietly been ushered into the eternal morning as this mother was. The funeral was held at the M. E. church Tuesday at one o'clock. Rev. Rupert officiating, assisted by Rev. Kaley. The front of the church was tastefully decorated with chrysanthemums. The music furnished by the ladies quartet was well rendered. Internment took place at Maple Grove cemetery. Those who attended the funeral from abroad were Mr. Edward Ceas of Azalea, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Minard, of Elyria; Mr. and Mrs. Miles Lander, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Lander and Wm. Lander, a Berlin Heights.
Will Improve Vermilion River. It looks now as though the government, after many years of neglect, will do something toward improving Vermilion River. Nothing has been done for years and the piers and break waters are going to pieces. The river is just about deep enough for tugs, but that is all. Major Kingman visited the place last week and took soundings up the river to the bridge at the highway. Undoubtably Major Kingman will recommend that the piers be repaired in the river dredged. Unless this is done the harbor will soon be a thing of the past. The place is the most important fishing point along Lake Erie. –Lorain Times Herald.
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SCHOOL NOTES. Anna Moore, Lulu and Charlotte Harris and Roy Kane, of room No. 5, were absent last week. May Lawrence was in Cleveland the last week. At the last election of the literary society the results of the vote for president was a tie. This was decided by drawing cuts in favor of Cort Simons. Geo. Ritter was appointed reporter for the Vermilion News by the president. Warren Brooks, Robert Kane and Mary Snyder are absent on account of sickness. Lewis Blattner reception from room number six last week.
Obituary. Mary Ann Lingelbach was born in Runtshausen, Germany, June 10, 1843. At the age of nine years she emigrated with her parents to America and settled in Vermillion Township. In 1861 she was united in marriage with John A. Englebry of Oberlin, Ohio, where they resided nine years. She came to Vermilion with her husband where she resided until her death, which occurred Friday, Nov. 15, 1901, at the age of 58 years, six months and five days. There was born to them three sons and four daughters, three daughters and one son having died in infancy. She leaves her husband and three children, Dr. F. E. Englebry, Chas. H. Englebry and Mrs. Flynt Nicholas of Vermillion; two grandchildren, an aged father, Christian Lingelbach one of brother, H. Lingelbach and four sisters, Mrs. G. Brown, Mrs. J. Goetz, Mrs. H. Kobes of Vermillion, and Mrs. J. King of Cleveland. Hers was a beautiful character she was of an affectionate disposition and a forgiving spirit, a beloved wife and mother, a kind neighbor. Always trying to make all around her happy. Her beautiful life shed her radiance here which reaches to the world beyond. She has gone to reap the reward of the pure. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.[sic] She was a member of the L. O. T. M. and was chaplain of that order from the time she joined until her death. She is gone but not forgotten. She joined the Evangelical church when quite young. The funeral was held at the house Tuesday, November, 19, 1901, at one o'clock. Funeral discourses by Rev.'s [sic] Rupert, Klein and Kaley. The floral offering were many and beautiful consisting of one large pillow of roses and chrysanthemums one large wreath of roses and chrysanthemums, shower bouquets, several sprays of chrysanthemums and roses. The casket was beautifully decorated with roses too numerous to mention. The music furnished by the quartet was well rendered, [sic] internment took place at Maple Grove Cemetery. Those present from abroad were; Mrs. J. King and daughter Emma and son, John, Messrs. Louis Body and Robert Paterson of Cleveland; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Beihl, Mr. C. Beihl, Mrs. Strobel, and Mrs. J. Beihl of Sandusky; Mr. Adam Latterman Sr., Mr. and Mrs. C. Latterman, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Latterman Jr., Messrs. Chas. and Fred Latterman of Birmingham; Mrs. Mary Guild North Amherst.
AN ANCIENT RELIC. David Greene found a relic of prehistoric times recently while hosting corner the riverbank. It is a stone battle x nearly perfect and we probably three or four poems: that's quite a sharp edge on one hand and quite blot on the other. It has a deep groove running around by which it was originally fastened to a handle. This film is dark green and very hard.
Death of G. D. Haber. On last Sunday morning the many friends of George David Haber were sadly surprised to learn of his death. Only four weeks ago he was attacked by typhoid fever, and though of a strong robust constitution, death demanded its prey. It is only another renification of the old adage: The old must die, the young may die The funeral services were conducted at the home of the deceased by Wm. G. Klein on Wednesday afternoon. The remains were interred at Maple Grove Cemetery. Rest to his ashes, piece to his soul George David Haber was born April 3, 1875, in Vermilion was at the time of his death 26 years, seven months, 14 days of age. Those from abroad who attended the funeral were
Stricken With Paralysis. Mrs. Dr. Bond was stricken with paralysis Monday morning about 11 o’clock is in a serious condition. Dr. Bond had left the house with the intention of going to Elyria leaving Mrs. Bond doing her house work. He returned a few minutes later for dinner and found his wife sitting in a chair with a camphor bottle in her hand, but helpless. Help wa called and every attention was given her. It is supposed she felt the attack coming on and secured the camphor but was unable to call assistance. Te doctor has secured a trained nurse to care for her.
Francis Haber is confined to the house with typhoid fever. Albert Haber, the six year old son of George Haber, deceased, is also sick. The afflicted family have our sincerest sympathy.
Hmmmmmm....
MONDAY (WASHDAY): During the 19th - and well into the middle of the 20th - century Monday was known throughout most of the western world as “washday”. Without the benefit of automatic appliances and indoor plumbing the task required the time consuming chores of fetching and boiling water for the washing, making starch and bluing for whiter whites and bluer blues; and all of that was “just for starters”. So in brief (or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say “at length”) doing the family laundry was an all day affair. The more affluent families in our society had servants to tend to this onerous task. But for the majority of folks - or at least for those who wanted clean pressed and starched clothing for the ensuing week - the devoir / task of doing laundry fell upon themselves. “Themselves” in most instances refers to female family members. [Please note that this observation is not presented herein to aggrandize nor antagonize either gender. But is rather presented as a matter of fact.] However; lest ye think that this was viewed by all those whose lot it was to accomplish it as just another bleak day of servitude - think again. This wonderful photograph of “Washday Behind the Vermilion News Print Shop” was taken by Pearl Roscoe probably about 1914 or 15. Pictured sitting upon an old tree stump amid freshly washed bloomers, a night-dress, stockings and other items are the editor / publisher’s wife, Bessie, and his eldest daughter Ella. The photo was taken near the back of their Grand Street print shop-home looking south toward Ohio Street. Directly to the left of the photo stood the Congregational Church (now Millet’s Auction House) and the Vermilion Township Hall and Opera House. At the time of this picture a row of stables to accommodate those visiting the aforementioned public buildings ran north to south along the lot lines of the properties separating them. Judging by the shadows in the photo the image was captured around 11 a.m. in the full blush of summer. Young Ella is holding a book on her mother’s lap. Assuming that this was not a staged portrait beyond a moments notice - which would have been highly unlikely - Mrs. Roscoe was probably engaged in reading the book with her daughter as they waited for the clothing to be dried by the sun and pleasant summer morning breezes. So palpable is the imagery of this photograph that one can almost catch the fresh odor of the wet laundry hanging on the lines around mother and daughter; hear a horse moving restlessly in one of the stalls behind the church, the incessant bark of a dog echoing at a distance, and the light-hearted voices of children playing a game of tag just down the block and across the dusty street in front of the print shop. Later in the day the laundry would be taken in and the work of ironing, folding, and putting away of the items would begin. The evening meal would be light because washday duties precluded doing more. Evening would settle in. The electric lights in the parlour would dim every time one of the Lake Shore Interurban cars gasped for more power as it struggled up the hill heading west from the depot on Liberty Avenue downtown. And when their heads touched the pillows of their beds that night the Roscoe’s - as well as most other families in the little Village of Vermilion, Ohio and numerous other villages across America - would breath in the fragrant odors that emanated from their sheets freshly minted from the Monday (Washday).
Ref: Vermilion Area Archival Society: Pearl Roscoe Photo Collection Archive; Special Thanks to Al Tarrant; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 1/04/07; Written 1/08/07@11:22 AM
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: This is going to take take some time.]
THE "ELBERTA"
I really can't say much about the Elberta Inn in any detail. What I know is that it - along with the "Crystal Gardens" at Crystal Beach Amusement Park, and other places such as the Vermilion-On-The-Lake Club House, and the Ruggles Beach Dance Hall - offered local folks an opportunity to listen and dance to the music of many a nationally known band / orchestra.
Sometime during the mid 1950's Routes #6 & 2 (Lake Road) from the Lorain County line into Lorain was transformed from a 2-lane highway into a 4-lane highway. And to accomplish this task several homes and businesses along the route had to be moved to make way for the widening of the road. Consequently the Elberta Inn was "picked-up" and moved back (north) about 50 feet from its original location.
There are more Dick Koontz photographs of this move at Vermilion's Ritter Public Library.
July 24, 2010 7:08 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south and west of Vermilion in the Berlin / Berlin Heights area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
BERLIN - PART 9. by Hudson Tuttle
FIRST EVENTS.
The first postmaster was Jeduthan Cobb, in 1820. The mail was then carried on horseback from Cleveland to Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, by Robert Wolverton. He afterwards ran a sort of coach or hack, carrying the mail and passengers. After Walker built his hotel, or tavern, as it was then called, Mr. Beebe secured the contract for carrying the mail. He ran a line of stages through on the telegraph road, and the coming and going of these ponderous vehicles was quite an event in the monotony of the life of those days. The wide territory to the north of Berlinville, which has now two post offices, then had none, and it was a great convenience when an office was granted at the center. This office gave the present name to the place, for, as there were so many Berlins, some other name had to be given to avoid confusion, and Berlin Heights was suggested by the high lands, overlooking the lake, on which it was situated. Elihu P. Hill was the first postmaster, succeeded by William Pearl, and by Jesse S. Davis, who has retained the position for the last twelve years. The first hotel was built by David Walker, on the old Walker farm. The second was erected at Berlinville, on the site of the present one, by David Coulter. It was built of hewn logs. He sold to Geo. Roberts, father of George Roberts of Milan, who sold it to Harry Walker. Each owner added improvements. The next was built near, or on, the site of Mr. Grumman's house and store, of logs, by Calvin Higgins, who started a tannery, the first in the township and the last. The first hotel at the Heights was the present Davis House, erected by Mr. Jesse I. Davis in 1855, and occupied, except for a short interval, by him since that time. The first school in the township was taught by John Leland, in the winter of 1811-13, in a house on the Fitzgerald farm, now Henry Hine's. It would probably be a great curiosity at the present time. This school was soon suspended on account of the war, the people leaving with their families for places of safety—Cleveland or Pennsylvania. It is said that the panic was so great, that in January, 1814, only four families resided in the township. And yet the Indians were always friendly, and no instance of their degradation is recorded in the township. The second school house was built of logs, covered with " shakes," on the farm of Daniel Butler, in 1815, and the school was first kept by Sophia Case, and afterwards by Mr. Brady and Mr. Dunn. The third school house was built near the Burdue spring, east of the Heights, in 1818. This house would now be a great curiosity. It was sixteen feet by twenty, and the logs of which it was built were of all lengths, some running out many feet beyond others. The roof was shakes held down by heavy poles. The floor was made of logs split through the middle. The seats were made of the same, without backs, and the writing desks were of the split slabs, supported by pins driven into the log wall. There were three. windows, but as there was no glass, strips were placed across the openings and greased newspapers placed over them. The fire place occupied the whole end of the building, and the only limit to the size of the sticks was the strength of the boys to bring them in. There was not a board or a nail in the house. This school was opened by Thomas Stevens, who received ten dollars a month, paid in work on his farm or produce, and by way of gratuity, an occasional "bee'.' of chopping, hoeing, husking, etc. From this small beginning, the township has made great advance in the intervening sixty years. The central district, in 1874, erected a school building at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. This school is graded, and the higher grade has been taught from the beginning by Mr. Job Fish, whose popularity has never waned, but constantly increased. There are now ten school houses in the township, valued at twenty-six thousand four hundred dollars, and the annual expenditure for school purposes is three thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. The central district supports, besides the main school, one at the "East End," at a cost of one hundred and seventy dollars per year, in a building costing five hundred dollars.
CHURCHES. THE FIRST CHURCH.
The Methodists held class meetings even earlier than 1813, in private residences, and had occasional preaching from Nathan Smith, Mr. Westhich, Dennis Goddard, Walker, and later, William Pattee. At one of these meetings the following resolution, which is a most excellent article of faith, was adopted "Whereas, Our lots, by Divine Providence, are cast in this wilderness land where we are destitute of the preached word, destitute of an able shepherd to take us by the hand, and believing it is our duty, as pro...
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Nola Lois Peasley 10 Sep 1927 - 2-Jan-1956
NOLA: This week I received a communique from a Kris L. who apparently lives in Michigan "wondering" if I have any info about a Nola Peasley of Vermilion. She told me further that, "In a MI.school we have an award called the Nola Peasley Award.
I, honestly, didn't (and don't) know much about Nola. But I was curious. So I looked it up and found that:
She was born on State Street in Vermilion, Ohio on September 10, 1927. Her father owned an operated a "Handle Factory' (he made handles for shovels, axes, etc.). Later the family sold the factory and moved to Birmingham, Ohio (just a few miles south of Vermilion). It's is my understanding that subsequently Nola went to live with a sister in Birmingham, Michigan. After visiting their parents in Ohio (it was probably during the Christmas holidays of 1955-56) Nola and her sister were returning to Michigan when her sister apparently lost control of the car they were riding in - and it rolled over (crushing and killing Nola). The accident happened near the very small crossroads community called Berlinville, Ohio - about 8 miles west of their parents home. The accident took place on January 2, 1956. Nola was 29 only years old.
Later I also found an article that says that Ms. Peasley was a popular teacher in the Birmingham, Michigan school system. In time I hope to learn a little more about the "Nola Peasley Award".
This is just one of those "itsy-bitsy" pieces of local trivia that I thought might interest some "Viewers".
WORDS TO LIVE BY
If you wish to live wisely, ignore sayings including this one. Join The Army, Visit exotic places, meet strange people, then kill them. A consultant is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing. If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. It a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.-W. Sommerset Morgan You know the speed of light, so what's the speed of dark? A day without sunshine is like, well, night. College is a refuge from hasty judgment.-Robert Frost When I die, I'm leaving my body to science fiction.-Steven Wright You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'.-Homer Simpson If you can’t live without me, Why aren’t you dead yet? Silence is golden but duck tape is silver. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.-J.B. Morton Romance often begins by a splashing waterfall and ends over a leaky sink. Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself.-Henry David Thoreau You might have seen a housefly, maybe even a superfly, but I bet you ain't never seen a donkey fly! Ha, ha!-Eddie Murphy, Shrek I found a great way to attract money... work!-Curtis D. Tucker Death is a once in a lifetime experience. Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference. I am in my own little world but it's okay they know me here.
PODCAST #190:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #190 visits the "pathetic wallet" of Vermilion's Larry E. Howell. This piece is akin to a National Geographic Special. (A very distant cousin however...)
This may become a series.
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends Dennis Lamont and Albert Doane. It'd make a nice gift.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not 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 me 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. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.8, Issue 19, July 24, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant