VIEWS DESKTOP - JANUARY 15th
VIEWS FROM THE DESKTOP: And I thought I had it all togther for this week's edition of "VV". That is - I thought that to be so until I got to it.
Every week I try to have several pieces from things I've published in the Vermilion Photojournal in past years. I use older pieces - just because. But this week I forgot about it until I started putting things together for e-publication.
Oops!
I hate to rush. But sometimes missed deadlines lead to the making some things just a little better. (At least I hope this is the case this time.)
In other matters:
I've several projects in the works for 2011. One, of course, is the publication of the book I've been mentioning for the last year. I've got everything I need. All I need to do is put it all together. Another concerns my family's Vermilion News office / print-shop on Grand street. Hopefully, in another week or so I will be able to tell you more about that.
One other thing that's been on my mind is looking for a way to have a book I've previously mentioned in "VV" called, "Blockhouses and Military Posts of The Firelands" republished. I'm not suggesting that this should be done to earn anyone a profit beyond the costs of publiscation. But I am suggesting that the book is of great historical value to those who live in the area known as the "Fire-Lands" - and that it should be made available to the schools and / or to all persons who have an interest in the area. From what I can tell thus far the book doesn't appear to have been copyrighted. But if any members of the author's family still reside in the area perhaps they could be contacted, and asked if they would consider allowing its publication.
I hate to harp on it - but I am of the belief that perhaps the most valuable thing a person has in their lives is time. There's never enough of it. So it pays need to invest it......wisely.
Historically,
The Hardy Inn was located on the south side of Liberty Avenue on the site currently occupied by the Weld-Master (window) Manufacturing company.
THE HARDY INN AND STAYING TEACHABLE: There’s a curious thing about the ageing experience. When I was young I knew “everything about everything”. But as I get older I find that I’ve somehow forgotten a great deal of it. I guess that’s what one calls a conundrum. Anyway - that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Because prior to an e-mail I received from the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce several months ago (1/08/10) I’d never heard of the Hardy Inn. Granted - the inn wasn’t a part of the landscape of Vermilion, O. for a long period of time - from about 1932 to perhaps 1940. And, granted, it preceded my existence on earth. But it was there. And thanks to a lady named Judy Price I now have the pictures to prove it. The Hardy Inn was located on the south side of Liberty Avenue on the site currently occupied by the Weld-Master (window) Manufacturing company. Later the place would be sold and renamed the Riverside Inn (PJ 11/20/08). But before that it was owned and operated by a Cleveland couple; Archie and Ethel Hardy. And whilst I am guessing - I believe that Eddie Perrault, then manager of the inn, is the fellow in the accompanying photograph. Though Judy sent me seven photos of the restaurant I opted to use the concomitant snapshot because it is - at least it is what “I “consider to be - a swell sampling of the interior of a small town diner during the era of the “Great Depression” (1929-1941). The detail in what is actually just an impromptu snap is particularly good. And if the calendar on the wall to the right is accurate it was taken in June of 1938. The Coca-Cola sign above the counter reads, “Ye who enter here on refreshment bent - shall welcome be and forth with blessings sent.” The depression era menu prices below the sign are quite amusing. Hamburgers and a plain cheese sandwich could be had for a dime. Or, if you had a bit more money you could opt for a plain ham, roast pork, or a fish sandwich for fifteen cents. But if you were living high on the hog (no pun intended) you could get a ham and egg or a ham and cheese sandwich for twenty cents. To wash it down you could have a 12 ounce bottle of coke, 7up, or a Pepsi Cola (“Nickel drink Worth a Dime”). Or, prohibition having been over for a few years, beer was also available. For dessert there was a selection of Ward’s Fresh Cakes on the counter. Or if you wanted something a little less filling there was also a nice selection of LIfe Savers candy available. To sweeten the breath there were several types of Beech-Nut Gum - Clove being most prominent. And then for folks willing to take a chance there was the “one-armed bandit” sitting near the front of the counter. [Note: At the time it was not unusual for businesses of this type, in Vermilion and elsewhere, to have at least one slot machine available for their customers.] Archie died on July 10, 1936 after an illness of several months. His son, Herb, died two years later. At that time Mrs. Hardy hired a Vermilion gal named Betty Harris to help her run the inn. Early in January of 1940 Betty married a fellow named Worthy Kemmerer, and she and her new husband took over the operation. Not long after the Hardy Inn became the Riverside Inn that I remember. As stated at the beginning of this essay - once upon a time I knew everything about everything. In truth it was simply the arrogance of youth. Today I must admit that I’m still learning things. I now know the basic history of the Hardy Inn, and how the Riverside Inn came to be. This knowledge, of course, doesn’t prohibit ageing - this rummaging through a yesteryear. But it keeps me fresh. I stay teachable.
Ref: Sandusky Star Journal, 7/14/38,1-06-40,; The Register, Sandusky, 8/08/38; The Chronicle 7/14/36; Special Thanks to Judy Price and the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 9/30/10; Written 9/26/10 @ 3:41 PM.
BOB & LUCILLE
THE NUHNS: I am sure that many, many folks knew Bob and Lucille Nuhn better than did I. While I did take some time to research them - because I don't know exactly what happened to them after they left town - I wasn't able to find a great deal.
The best I could find of Bob (and I'm not sure I have the right person) is that he was born on a farm in Vermilion around 1900. He was an active member of Vermilion's Planning Commission; owned Hall's, and later the Riverview Nursing Homes; and eventually retired with his wife Lucille to Florida. I couldn't find an obituary for more information.
And all I could find on Lucille was that she born in Vermilion; the daughter of Albert C. and Sarah Leidheiser. Her father was a fisherman. She died on the 8th of March in 1986 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
That is not, of course, much. And I can't readily attest to the accuracy of that information (yet).
My memories of the couple come from the years when they owned and operated Vermilion's Liberty Theater. I always thought they were kind of mean. But, in fact, it was necessary for them to play that part to keep some semblance of quiet and order in the theater during the movies.
I recall that the day (it was a Sunday afternoon) before I was to start first grade at South Street School that my brother Albert had taken me to see a movie at the Liberty (it cost a dime). While there I had to use the restroom. [One of the things I always liked about the mens room in the place was the echo.] So there I was in the restroom - happy because I was about to see a Roy Rodgers movie "in Technicolor" - and also happy because I was going to start going to school like my older brothers and sisters. So - to express my joy I began singing at the top of my lungs in the restroom using the echo to great affect. And then - in walked "ol man Nuhn" who spared no words in admonishing me for entertaining everyone in the theater with my singing. I was glad the theater was dark when I crept back to my seat.
Ah, but Bob and Lucille Nuhn - and their son Jimmy - were part of the lives of all the kids who came of age during the 1950's in Vermilion, O. And they always will be.
PAINTING THE TOWN: Sometimes things are painted in pictures. And sometimes in stories. But however painted they are nonetheless as powerful...
RALF: Thirty very odd years back I wrote this short poem about him: Ralf chases cockroaches / across the floor. / And when he gets them / by the door / he eats’m. Ralf - if you’ve not already guessed - was not a human person. He was a dog; a brown dog. I met him about the same time I met my spouse, Georgi. She met Ralf when she was attending Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Ralf, it seems, was fully grown when Georgi met him. She surmised that he had been a member of a migrant family come to BG to work in the fields for the summer, and left behind when they departed. I don’t know if he understood Spanish. That is I don’t believe he did - unless it had something to do with food. For Ralf was an eater, a rascal - a free spirit. And he was hard not to like. During his life (with us) Ralf lived in Bowling Green, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Vermilion, Sheffield Lake, and, again, in Vermilion - in that order. I guess he was accustomed to migrant life because I never heard him complain about it. He usually seemed to enjoy himself. At BGSU Geo spent her days in the classroom whilst Ralf spent his stealing food from sleeping dogs and begging for ice cream on the steps of the student union. Occasionally he attended classes. He never got a degree. But he did get a lot of ice cream. When I wrote the cockroach poem about him he was staying with me in a seedy apartment on east 40th street in Cleveland. It was the type of place where having either a gun or a dog was as common and practical as having a pen or pencil. (The ladies next door had a gun.) In Cleveland Heights we lived near Caine Park. And though Ralf never went to a concert he certainly enjoyed the woods. In Vermilion we lived and worked at the Olympic Club. I cut grass, raked leaves, and shovelled snow while Ralf chased squirrels (he never caught) instead of roaches. In Sheffield Lake Geo adopted a stray parakeet who landed on our picnic table one summer day. I spent hours and hours teaching the bird to speak and do the catcall. He was very entertaining. In time we purchased a big bamboo cage - ostensibly - for him. That, of course, turned out to be a mistake. Because one day “Birdseed” chewed his way through the bamboo to freedom and began flying all over the house. Alighting on the arm of a couch where Ralf was sleeping we began hollering “Get the bird! Get the bird!”. Ralf woke, looked up at the bird - and got him. Chomp. About this same year we erred again. It was near Halloween, and we had stockpiled a good deal of chocolate candy for trick-or-treaters. The candies were individually wrapped in the bags they came in, and were stored in those big plastic bags from the store where they were purchased. Because of all the bags we thought nothing of leaving the candy on the floor of an upper room in our home. Now - as most folks know chocolate is definitely not a food that dogs should, at any time, nor of any amount, consume. However; dogs don’t know it. And it is doubtful that if they did they would care. Ralf didn’t. But I did - and still do. Toward the end of his life we came back to Vermilion; Ralf, Georgi, our daughter Shan, and myself. By then we had adopted another dog to keep Ralf company. Ralf never got to roam as he had in the past. But we had a very nice fenced in backyard - and plenty of food. But no candy. As time passed he developed some intestinal problems (Go figure). And then one night he quietly slipped out of this life, and went to chasing squirrels (and maybe a roach or two) in another place and time. You will note that I’ve refrained from saying that Ralf was owned by anyone. That’s because he was not. He was simply a member of our family in a yesteryear. That was certainly a good thing. Moreover; how many mongrel dogs have had a poem written of them?
Ref: Publlished in the Vermilion Photojournal 11/18/10; Written 11/14/10 @ 10:32 AM.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "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." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.
So stay tuned...
January 8, 1903. Volume 6 - Number 32
Council Meeting.
The village council held their regular meeting Monday night, but adjourned until Tuesday evening. Both sessions were short, there being but little business to transact. W.B. Bedortha of Oberlin was present and laid a petition before the council praying for the vacation of that part of Lake street and the alley running therefrom to the lake west of Perry street. The petition was signed by all the owners of abutting property The notice of petition was ordered published. It is the intention of Mr. Bedortha and others to improve their property and in order to do so it will require the action asked for. A bill was brought in for damages by D.M. Poyer, on account of an accident causing damage to property by the overturning of a conveyance. It is claimed that the fact of the lamp at or near the Nickel Plate crossing on the river road not being lighted was the cause. The claim was referred to a committee for investigation, and was reported at the adjourned meeting. The report now awaits decision. The engineer of the fire company asked for certain necessary tools which were ordered purchased.
-------------------- MASONIC.
The Members of Ely Lodge F. and A.M. with their ladies enjoyed a very pleasant banquet Installation and social last evening. The banquet was given at the Lake House and was first class in every particular and tables were set for 104. The banquet was followed by the installation of officers and a progressive pedro party. There were about 120 at the hall. The following officers were installed. W.M.,A.W. McGregor S.W. Andrew E. Beeckel. J. W., W.A. Tischer. Treas. C.F. Decker Sec’y. Chas. A. Trinter S.D.A. H. Leimbach J.D. Philip Englebry Tyler, J.N. Englebry. Stewards F. Haber and N. Wagner. At the social Mrs. Philip Englebry won the first prize, a gold clock. Miss Alma Welles, second prize, a cream and sugar set. Capt. Wm. Blattner won the gentleman’s prize, a necktie. All report a fine time throughout the evening.
-------------------- New Modern Laundry.
Laundry called for and delivered twice a week. Domestic work a specialty. Penning agent.
-------------------- Nuhn - Fischer.
Married - At home of the bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. N. Fischer Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock, Conrad H. Nuhn to Lydia Fischer, Rev. Wm. G. Klein officiating. The bridal couple left on the L.S. E. for a short wedding trip. Both are well known here. Mr. Nuhn being a member of the popular drug firm of Nuhn and Trinter. Their many friends wish them a long and prosperous journey through life.
--------------------
We wish to thank our friends and relatives for their kind sympathy and aid during the death and burial of our little daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Howell.
Mrs. F.E. Myers will spend a week or so with her parents in Canton, O.
For Sale - Two cows, one fullblooded Jersey, the other part Jersey both new-milch next spring. E. Clausius.
Chas Wahl has the champion hens this section. He has marketed 780 dozen eggs during 1902 which averaged him 16c per dozen. They were all sold to S.W. Simons of this place.
January 15, 1903. Volume 6 - Number 33.
Obituary.
Russel T. Rumsey was born in Fayette Township, Seneca Co., N. Y., July 10, 1822. Died Jan 9, 1903, in Vermiloin [sic], O.. in his 81st year. He came to Ohio Oct.6, 1835 was married to Rebecca A. Phelps Dec. 19, 1844. There were born to them eight children, one dying in early infancy, and little Oscar in his third years. The six children who have grown to manhood and womanhood are Albert R. of Cleveland, Lawson T. of Chicago, and Carlton S. of Vermilion. Mrs. L.U. Todd of Vermilion, Mrs. R.T. Wilcox of Topeka, Kan., Mrs. C.L. Hamlin of Chillicothe, O. In Mr. Rumsey’s family, he was the last of three brothers, leaving yet four sister: This is the first break in the family for forty-four years. Their married life had in it all the hardships of early life in Ohio and has extended over fifty-nine years. Their Golden Wedding was celebrated nine years ago in 1894. His death has long been expected having received warning in the partial deprivation of his speech five years ago. He has so often said; “My race is nearly run I shall soon be laid low.” He made a profession of religion in early manhood and reaffirmed it by uniting with the Methodist church under the pastorate of Rev. Lewis about seven years ago. A few more storms shall beat On this wild rocky shore And we shall be where tempests cease And surges swell no more. Then, Oh My Lord prepare My soul for that calm day O wash me in Thy precious blood And take my sins away.
Mrs. Dickel who lives south of town has been quite sick for several days. Her daughter, Mrs. Sherod has been taking care of her. Chas. Sprunk has purchased the Champney store at Axtel and will take possession about February 1st. Mr. Sprunk will sell his farming outfit January 28. See sale bills. George Ries in in Lorain working in the the place of his brother John who is ill at his home. Mrs. Geo. Walper and mrs. Hull are both reported seriously ill. Mrs. Ed Erbscorn spent Saturday in Lorain, the guest of her brother, John Ries and wife. Ray Phelps returned to his duties in Cleveland Thursday evening , after spending two weeks with his parents. His employers evidently appreciate his services as he received a Christmas gift of $50 in gold from them. Owing to a death in his family, Rev. T. Martin, of Baldwin, Kan., was unable to lecture at the Opera House on Monday evening as advertised. He will be here Saturday evening, January 17th. A divorce has been granted mrs. Emma Thompson from her husband Dan Thompson. The case of Fischer vs. the Village of Vermilion (Electric Ry.) has been postponed until the 20th, inst. Miss Mame Beeckel returned from her visit among Michigan friends Monday evening. Mesdames Katherine Krapp and Caroline Haber visited Elyria and Lorain Saturday. Go to C. Schwensen’s for Bread and Cakes. Mrs. Lewis Trinter entertained very pleasantly a number of her friends Thursday evening in honor of her husband’s birthday, it being a complete surprise to him. An elegant lunch was served at 12 o’clock and a good time enjoyed by all.
Hmmmmmm....
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: As you may have gathered from the intro piece to "VV" I'm on the verge of publishing now. I'll be beginning to work with the publisher on Monday. So stay with me and I'll have more information very soon..
What I can tell anyone about this beautiful home on the northwest corner of Liberty and Decatur streets is just about nothing - except that it is, indeed, a beautiful home.
I've not real idea as to the reason Roscoe took the photograph. But I'm glad that he did. And though I've passed this house at least 100,000 times in my lifetime I didn't really notice the windows on the southeast side of the structure until my brother Albert mentioned them to me one day. They're exceptionally unique.
The reason for their uniqueness is because the glass in them is curved to fit the shape of the corner. They're not just flat panes of glass.
Now there may be some other homes in Vermilion with windows like these - but I'm not currently aware of them.
One of the great features of this home in the past was its great porch. It must have been fun to spend a Sunday afternoon in the summer sitting on this porch watching life pass by. But like parlors, living rooms, and (now) family rooms, great porches are history. Though some newer homes do have some great porches - no one ever sits on them.
Standing of the steps is the home owner - Edgar M. Kane. And on the porch is his daughter Alice Elizabeth Kane (Jones). This information was sent to me by Edgar's great-granddaughter Catherine Kane of Cleveland, Ohio.
C'est la vie, mes amis.
January 15, 2011 6:59 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 of Vermilion in the Clarksfield area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
RICHMOND.
In the preparation of the following history, access has been had to John H. Niles's "Memoirs." This became necessary from the fact that none of the pioneer settlers reside in the township, and but few of their descendants. This township is bounded on the north by Norwich township; south, by Auburn and Cranberry townships, in Crawford county; east, by New Haven township; and west, by Venice township, in Seneca county. Richmond is divided into upland and marsh. The upland occupies the north half of the township and a strip across the west side. This was covered with heavy timber. The north shore of the marsh is a bluff, and rises thirty or forty feet above the marsh. The soil is a clay loam, the surface generally undulating, except in the northwest part, where it is broken by streams. Honey creek rises in the marsh on the north side, east of the center of the township, and runs west along the north shore some two miles, where it enters the woodlands. In [It] leaves the township on the west line and empties into the Sandusky river above Tiffin, in Seneca county. The marsh covers over one-third of the township, and contains about twenty square miles. It is six miles long from east to west, and over three miles in width, covering an estimated area of five thousand five hundred acres in Richmond, three thousand five hundred in New Haven, and three thousand eight hundred in Auburn township, Crawford county. It has the appearance of a large grassy prairie, with clusters of timber and bushes, forming islands. The soil is composed of decayed grass, and is wet and spongy, sinking under the feet, and, where the turf is not strong enough to bear, it is sometimes dangerous. The Pigeon Roost, the largest of the timber islands, lies on the county line, and is two miles in length, by mabout one half mile in width, and, from its isolated position, marshy surroundings, and its almost impenetrable thickets of underbrush, has always been the favorite roosting place of myriads of pigeons during mthe summer season. On the north side of the marsh, in the first section of Richmond township, is an immense bed of cranberry bushes, covering some two hundred acres. Whortleberries are also found in and around the timber islands. The original name of Richmond was Cannon, given in honor of Samuel Cannon, a wealthy merchant of Norwalk, Connecticut, who was oe of the “sufferers”. He had five sons and one daughter. The latter married a man named Lockwood....
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
DIAMOND CHEESE: What a great photograph this is. But I don't (at the moment) recall where I acquired it. In any case, it is a wonderful pic of Vermilion's Diamond Cheese factory at Axtel Corners, Ohio.
The cheese made at Axtel was distributed throughout the east and midwest. And at the time these shadows were captured (c.1898) the Axtel area was home to a good number of dairy farms. If you peruse the "Vermilion News" briefs section of "VV" each week you'll note that some mention of these farms appears now and then.
Additionally, the factory has been mentioned in the "Fire-Lands" history section of "VV" in the past. All of that info can be found by using the "VV" search engine.
Today it's often hard to believe that Vermilion could have been home to such a great cheese-making industry. Many folks travel to Amish country today in search of the types of cheeses that were once readily available right here.
The old flat-topped brick cheese house still sits on the west side of State road just north of Axtel Corners.
And time marches on...
SNOW DAY
I just got off the phone with a friend in Minnesota . He said that since early this morning the snow has been nearly waist high and is still falling. The temperature is dropping below zero and the north wind is increasing. His wife has done nothing but look through the kitchen window all day. He says that if it gets much worse, he may have to let her in.
PODCAST #213b:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #213b is something new (for me). It is a repeat of a very brief demonstration of the way I take a scanned photograph and prepare it to be used in "Views". This week (playing around) I changed the format from a Quicktime "mp4" to a "mov". So it's larger; one can see how this process is accomplished much better. I also "kicked-up" the sound. I found myself mumbling too much in it. This cast is the size of those used in YouTube. I'm not sure if it'll load faster or not. You be the judge.
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: This page is generated by a 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
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Vol.8, Issue 44, January 15, 2011
© 2011 Rich Tarrant