DESKTOP - 09/24/11 - A PLEASANT DAY AT CLOUDY'S
FROM MY DESTOP TO YOURS: Whoa! This week has sure been a wild ride. Last week I mentioned that a contractor was going to remove the old, old steam boiler from the also old Vermilion News building (built 1905) that my wife and I are trying to put back together and...
A gas leak was discovered. So the gas company was called to turn the gas off in the building. The gas guy couldn’t find the shut-off valve. He dug a series of little holes in the front yard finding only a few nails and a little spring-like thing. Then my brother Al came home (he lives upstairs over the shop) and showed the gas guy the shut-off was in the backyard about two feet from the old church building in the back. Luckily it wasn’t an emergency. The contractor did, by the way, finally get the boiler out. (Piece by 300 pound piece.)
The following day the gas guys came back with a backhoe and fixed the leaking gas line. The fellow running the backhoe could pick-up a dime with that thing. He was amazing.
The next day the contractors came back and prepared the interior gas lines for the new boiler. They though they might have to rip out all the old ones. But miraculously they proved to be ok. Then I had to call the gas company back to have the meter hooked-up and the gas turned back on.
After failing to decipher the chicken scratching one of the gas guys left on a note on the door that morning so I could talk to someone at the gas company directly about turning the gas back on – I called the company headquarters. After listening to numerous menus and some bad music, and pressing number and star buttons, I finally got a gas company representative who put me on hold after I told her what I wanted along with my name, and phone number.
While humming along to the tune they were playing I happened to look out the window and saw the gas guy next door. I told the contractor who was still there so he ran downstairs to ask him if he could turn the gas back on in our building.
In the meantime the gas company representative came back to me and told me that they’d have someone come over and turn the gas back on that day. I told her that the gas guy was next door. All she said was, “Really?” And then she asked if anyone would be home when the gas guy showed up, and took my phone number again. She said they’d call when they were on their way.
I then went downstairs where the contractor was talking with the gas guy next door. The gas guy told him that he couldn’t hook-up the meter and turn the gas back on unless he had an order from HQ.
We just shook our heads in disbelief. The gas guy was the same guy who had stopped there that morning to do the same and left the “chicken scratch” note on the door.
We were standing around in the rain expressing our disbelief when the gas guy came back around the corner and told us that when he got into his truck he found the order from HQ to do our job. (Our luck had turned. Next week they’ll try to install the boiler. Hopefully the ride will be smoother…
And people pay good money for wild rides at Cedar Point…
Historically,
The Washburn Children
VERMILION KIDS: While waiting for the "gas guy" (see previous rant)I was looking through some drawers in the front office of the Vermilion News and came across this pic of Loren and Juanita Washburn when they was just kids. Aren't they cuties?
Both Loren and his sister Juanita are still about Vermilion. Loren's been in the construction business (Harmony Ridge) for many years. And Juanita married one of the Schafer boys. Both live near their childhood home that was just across Mason Road from Maple Grove cemetery.
Back in the late '40s and early '50s the someone used to take pix of the youngsters (like this) and many of them appeared in The Vermilion News. I'm glad it was done. Even if the pic wasn't notated I'd have recognized these faces. As I said they were real cuties.
"Edith was born on a farm near Fredericksburg, Ohio..."
VERMILION’S EDITH GRAHAM - PIONEER GROCER:: Edith Graham’s rapid promotion from lowly grocery store clerk in a Wooster, Ohio Kroger store to manager of Vermilion’s Kroger Store was, to say the least, extraordinary. But so too were the times. It was December of 1941 and the world was at war. All able-bodied men - such as her predecessor James Wells - were needed for the war effort. And whilst the boys were away life at home most certainly had to continue. Ergo; it was into the very capable hands of women such as Edith B. Graham that those tasks fell.
In 1941 the Kroger store was located on the south side of Liberty street next to (west of) Mamouru Okagi’s restaurant. Currently Vermilionite Jon Clark’s Vermilion Insurance Agency occupies the site. Under Mrs. Graham’s management business prospered and in 1952 the store moved into a new and much larger store just to the east, and down the street.
The new store (as mentioned in a previous article VPJ 6-10-10) was in a building now recognized as the long time home of the Buyer’s Fair Department Store. Built by Vermilion entrepreneurs George Roberts and “Doc” Dickason, it was intended to be a bowling alley / rec. room. But because of restrictions on materials and permits due to the war it was reinvented as the ideal place to relocate the burgeoning Kroger supermarket.
In the accompanying photograph Edith (second from left) is pictured with three of her co-workers c.1953. The identity of the lady on the far left is not known (by this writer). But the pretty girl just to the right of Mrs. Graham is Evelyn Allison. And the brightly smiling face next to hers is that of Lila Gerber (Stewart). The precise reason for the photograph is (also) unknown.
Edith was born on a farm near Fredericksburg, Ohio in 1911. She was the second of two daughters and a son born to C. Wesley and Martha Gordon. Fredericksburg is a village in Salt Creek Township in Wayne County about 10 miles south of Wooster. It was, and remains, a very small town. According to the 2000 U.S. census it has a population of around 487 souls. Given her background it would appear that she was a person quite accustomed to the hard work and long hours requisite to being a successful manager in the business world.
She married an amiable fellow named Jim Graham, and they kept a tidy home at 715 Jefferson Street where - in their spare time - they tended to the care of numerous foster children. Jim had been born in Kent, but had lived in Vermilion since he was 15 years old. He worked for Vermilion’s Wakefield Lighting Company as a machinist for 38 years. Additionally, he was also a trustee of the Wakefield Foundation. [Many long-time residents may also remember his kid sister Pauline. She was married to a fellow named Bill Eisenhauer (PJ 10-25-07), and for many years they, in essence, ran Vermilion’s Water Department.] In short, the family was very well known about town.
In 1959, after nearly 18 years of hard work and long hours, Edith decided that, because the volume of business had dramatically increased in direct proportion to the population explosion caused by the coming of the Ford plant to the area, it was time to hand management of the store back over to a male manager. After all, the war had been over for 14 years.
Edith died at the rather young age of 63 in 1974. And while I’ve no idea if Edith Graham was the very first female manager of a major supermarket in Ohio or elsewhere I do know this: To the people in the Village of Vermilion O. who knew her in that yesteryear she will always be Number 1.
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...
September 10, 1903 – Volume 7 – Number 15
The yachts of the Lakewood Yacht Club had a fine race from Rocky River to Vermilion light Sunday. The boats were divided into two classes the cabin yachts and the open boats. The first boat to sail was the Nadjy, which left at 6:45 a.m. and arrived at 12:40. The Truant came in at 12:55 and the Chloris at 12:50:05. The Chloris, Marietta, and Unique III were awarded prizes and the Nadjy, Truant and Mist were given flags. The race was very satisfactory.
The Labor Day race was an eventful one for the yacht club. Although the start was scheduled [sic] at 1 p.m. it was nearly 3 o’clock before the yachts started. Two others returned to port one of which was the Shamrock with a damaged rudder post. The wind was strong and the sea so heavy that after a short time all but three of the yachts returned to the harbor some of the losing canvas. The Vinco, Marietta, and Commodore Gardner were the three. The first two made the run over the course but the Gardner disappeared up the lake. Later the boat was discovered laying apparently helpless. The tug Favorite went out and brought her in about 8 o’clock. The Vinco came in first but was leaking so badly that the crew had to bail constantly. The boat was hauled up for repairs.
The wisdom of coming to Vermilion for the race I shown by the readiness with which the boats found shelter.
On account of bad weather and the stake boats having been torn from their moorings and drifting from their course the race was declared off and will in all probability be run Sunday.
Threshing seems to be the principal occupation in our little burg this week.
Miss Bertha Hull spent last week Huron friends.
Mrs. Geo. Risden and Miss Bessie Sturtevant spent Friday on the shore the guests of Mrs. J.L. Sherod.
School began Monday in the Hull district with Miss Bertha Morlan of Southern Indiana as teacher.
I.B. Poyer and wife were guests of friends at Mason Corners last Sunday.
A party of young people of this vicinity attended the dance held at Shadduck’s Park last Saturday evening. They report a pleasant time. They would like to say: If you wish a good time go to Vermilion; but if you prefer being sent home, try Axtel.
The Council held a regular meeting Wednesday evening. Besides the regular routine business, considerable conversation was held with representatives of Lake Shore Electric concerning various things along the line especially the speed. The representatives asked for a trial of half-speed for a few days. This was granted. After today the cars will be fun on what is called half speed.
Several new sidewalks were ordered and others ordered repaired.
The culvert across water street was discussed but it was decided to leave the matters until the county commissioners got through with their part of the work.
George Fischer was present and the question of opening up Exchange street across the L.S.& M.S. was discussed. It was thought best to look up the old record first.
The resignation of Geo. Andrews as lamp lighter was read and accepted and the street lighting committee is looking for another man. There being other business which could not be transacted until later the council adjourned until Monday evening.
Mrs. Frank Pelton and Mrs. Stafford of Cleveland are visiting relatives and friends in town.
Myron Englebry is the guest of Cleveland friends this week.
Mrs. Wm. Blattner and children were in Sandusky Sunday.
Last Thursday night Motorman P.U. Weaver, Conductor Edward Crueger of Lorain, Wm. Aiker of Cleveland, Albert Gegenheimer of Vermilion, and Wm. Minkler of Fremont were injured in a wreck at Sheffield switch on the L.S.E. Ry. The car was running at a high rate of speed and went through an open switch, colliding with another car. The injured were taken to the hospital at Lorain. Albert Gegenheimer is son of M.C. Gegenheimer and is a pharmacist in Cleveland. His face was badly injured, his nose being crushed and he was otherwise cut and bruised. He will recover.
Wm. Minkler is a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Simons of Vermilion. He was a civil engineer in the employ of the road and had offices in Cleveland. He is still in a very precarious condition. The injuries of two other are severe.
Whereas my wife Emma Schuster has left my bed and board without just cause or provocation, I hereby warn all parties against trusting her on my account, as I will pay no bills of her contracting. – August Schuster.
School will open next Monday morning.
Chas. Shepard and Chas. Sabin two prominent Lorain citizens were instantly killed and Archie Parker seriously injured by the toppling of an overloaded bucket at the Steel plant Monday.
O.K. and A.B. Todd attended the second annual race meet of the Cleveland Automobile Club at Glennville last Saturday.
The next international yacht race should be held off Vermilion. There would be no whistling for a breeze. As all events the L.Y.C. has not found it necessary.
Lewis Englebry, the clothier, has received a photograph of the pennant won at the race here Aug 1st. It is evidently a beauty.
A foreigner from Cleveland became frightened because the trolley pole, jumped off while he was riding on an electric car near Lorain Monday evening. He jumped from the car and never regained consciousness and died in about a half hour.
The foundry department of the Stove works made their first cast last week and soon work will be in full blast in every department.
Geo. Andrews, the veteran lamplighter has resigned the resignation to take effect Oct. 1. The street lighting committee, of which Geo. Krapp, Sr. is chairman, is looking for someone to take this position. The salary is $30 per month. Applications are in order.
Mr. Andrews has filled this position in a very satisfactory manner for seventeen years and the council and citizens regret his resignation. His time will be fully occupied as janitor at the school house.
Hmmmmmm....
“His full name was Henry Robert Williams."
THE SQUIRE: The title, of course, was “legit”. He was genuinely (pun intended) entitled to it. In the U.S. the title of Squire was that given to a Justice of the Peace. And that he was for 50 years - among many other things. But be that as it was, most folks about the Village just called him “Harry”.
His full name (which few persons outside his immediate family really ever knew) was Henry Robert Williams. He was born on August 17, 1869 in Brookefield Township in Trumbell County, Ohio. He was one of seven children born to hardworking Welsh emigrants. After completing his studies at Ohio Northern University in 1893 he was admitted to the Ohio Bar and straight away came to Vermilion to set-up his law practice.
On April 12, 1895 then Ohio Governor, and soon to be U.S. President, William McKinley (1843-1901) signed a certificate which officially allowed “H.R. Williams” of Vermilion, O. the title of Squire. And on July 16th of the same year the newly appointed Squire participated in a ceremony which officially allowed Miss Hattie Belle Rathbun of Vermilion O. the title of Mrs. (Williams). Coincidentally, Hattie’s brother George (PJ 10/16/08), a popular Vermilion fisherman and grocer, also married a local gal named Hattie (PJ 8/27/09).
Over the next decade or so Harry and Hattie, had five children; three girls, and two boys: Inez, Anna, Rhoda, William “Billiy”, and Thomas “Tom”. This undoubtedly made their home on Washington Street a very lively place. And while Hattie busied herself tending to the needs of their youngsters the good Squire busied himself with court business - among other things.
In 1900 he was first elected Village Mayor. He served in that capacity for what may likely be an all-time record for Ohio mayors - nearly 30 years. He was, in fact, once recognized by many as the “Dean of Ohio Mayors”. Only the current Mayor of Akron, Ohio, Don Plusquellic, now in his 24th year of service, is in a position to surpass the Squire’s record. Over the years the Squire also served as Village Solicitor, Clerk of the Board of Education, and Coroner - among other things. Some were positive experiences. Some were not.
On a sultry Saturday afternoon in August of 1906, while working alone in his office on Liberty Avenue in downtown Vermilion, the Squire heard a loud noise echo through the village. Rushing toward its source he discovered that two Lake Shore Electric Cars had crashed head-on just west of town (near the current site of Bluebird Beach). The motorman and one passenger had been killed on impact and forty-one additional passengers were injured. The Squire administered first-aid to some of the survivors and directed that the injured be moved to the lawn and veranda of the Maud-Elton Hotel to be treated; and where the more seriously injured persons could be transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in nearby Lorain.
In 1907 the “Squire” and his family were among those who kept a summer home in Linwood Park. Among his sundry interests was the game of baseball. And as fate would have it he saw a 17 year-old girl “setting fire” to the gloves of a group of boys in the game of catch.
Immediately recognizing her talent the Squire suggested to Charles Heidloff, then the manager of Vermilion’s semipro “Vermilion Independents” baseball team, that he sign her to play for the team. He initially scoffed at the idea. But after watching her play in a game that the Squire had arranged to be played between two local teams, with Alta pitching, he scoffed no more. Alta Weiss (PJ 1/11/07), with her father’s permission, took the mound at Vermilion’s Crystal Beach ball park on September 2, 1907 and pitched her way into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In June of 1945 “Squire” Williams was laid to rest in the shade of the great trees at Maple Grove Cemetery. His girls had married well, and both boys had followed his footsteps into the practice of law. To the very end he had maintained his law practice as well as an his extreme interest in the maintenance and development of the town he had so lovingly served for more than half his life - among other things.
The CHAD creates simpler, more cost effective computer control assistance for individuals with limited or no arm control. This new assistive device is worn on the head to make a "hands free" mouse interaction, while not being too restrictive of the body's other functions. For example, iris recognition requires constant focus and makes it impossible to look at anything else at the same time. The alternative inputs for this invention are the neck and jaw. The clicking is controlled by a "Bite-Switch", which has been repurposed from a skydiving camera accessory and is a very efficient input. It may be plugged into any computer USB port and works with no software installation or supplemental power. The CHAD also does all of the analyzing and processing data within the device for ease of use. The software is USB Human-Interface-Device Protocol compliant and is recognized as an ordinary mouse when plugged in. The components include an analog dual-axis accelerometer attached to a 16-bit PIC microcompressor, which is programmed to handle the necessary analog to digital conversions as well as a 20 MHz Crystal Oscillator that is the clock of the chip. The accelerometer measures a component vector of the acceleration from gravity (when at rest), which changes based on the angle of title. This dual-axis tilt can be used to guide the cursor's position.
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 townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
…of 1833, he removed, with his father's family, to Ripley, Huron countv, Ohio, which county has ever since been the place of his residence. Ripley was then an almost unbroken forest. All of the educational advantages afforded in the township, were small schools held in two rude log huts. The following winter after his arrival, with Cobb's spelling book, the English reader, Kirkham's grammar and Dabol's arithmetic under his arm, he sought to avail himself of the advantages offered by these small schools. The teacher informed him that he was not hired to give instruction in grammar, but would do all he could for his new pupil, in arithmetic. Before night the teacher found a limit to his ability in this branch of education, the bridge which it was impossible to pass being one of the hardest sums in simple division. At night young Paine graduated, and, after that, studied at home under the direction of his father, taking as his school hours, the evening time, when he lay in front of the fire-place and conned his books over by the ruddy blaze of a huge log fire. This was because his days were occupied in chopping.
In the fall of 1836, he commenced teaching, his first school being at Conatnt's corners, near where the village of Greenwich station is now located. He taught seventy-two days, and received, therefore, thirty dollars. In the spring of 1857, he made a profession of religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. Two years later, he was licensed to preach. In the fall of 1842, he was received into (what was then known as) the Michigan conference, and was stationed at Toledo. After several months, his health failed him, and with the advice of several physicians, he abandoned, very reluctantly, the idea of making the ministry of the Gospel, his calling through life.
October 12, 1843, he married Miss Mary A. Jennings, of Fairfield township, formerly of Fairfield, Connecticut. They had no children, but what was their misfortune may have been much to the benefit of many with whom they have met in life. Whether their love and kindness have been the more freely bestowed upon others, because children of their own have not claimed it, cannot be known, but certain it is that they have been kind and careful in providing for the poor and those in distress.
Mr. Paine, though a farmer, is a lover of the beautiful, and one who is ever finding the beautiful in the simple and wonderful things that lie around him in his every day life. He has preached occasionally but most of his efforts have been in the interests of the Sunday school cause. Through his efforts, to a great extent, was formed the Huron County Sunday School Union. Several churches have grown out of Sunday schools organized by him. He has acted in the capacity of Sunday school superintendent for forty years.
The term "radical" is properly applied to Mr. Paine. Policy has never made him act contrary to his conviction of duty. Early in life he embraced anti- slavery sentiments and fearlessly defended them. He was waylaid by some of his neighbors, one dark night, near Edward's corners, and treated to a shower of eggs, for having publicly expressed his opinion on that subject. " The nigger man," was the term frequently applied to him. His first vote was cast for James G. Birney, an ex-slaveholder. After the formation of the republican party he affiliated publicly with that organization, and all through the dark days of the Rebellion he stood firm for the Union, and with influence and means advocated the cause of the north. Since the organization of the prohibition party his sympathies and efforts have been naturally with that body. Though now in his fifty-fourth year he has never purchased a glass of anything that would intoxicate. His firm conviction is, that to a great extent the church is responsible for the prevalence of intemperance throughout the nation. His motto is "prohibition," and, as he says, for this he faithfully works and prays, fully believing in the good time coming, and in the fulfillment of the master's promise: " That every plant not planted by his Heavenly Fathers' hand shall be rooted up."
A.D. STOTTS.
Illustrative of the success that attends honest, manly, well-directed endeavor, industry and the conscientious adherence to duty, is the life of the subject of this sketch, A. D. Stotts, of Ripley township. His grandfather, Abram, and father, John Stotts, natives of Maryland, but for some time resident in Belmont county, Ohio, came to New Haven in 1821, and in the year 1826, moved into Ripley where there were not more than half a dozen families of pioneers. John Stotts had married Eve Winter, of Virginia, and A. D. Stotts was the first born of this family of nine children. He was one year old when his parents removed to Huron county. He grew up in Ripley, following the hard routine of farm life from the time he was old enough to drive a horse, and under his father's care and direction, early became accustomed to the active habit of life which he has ever since followed. When twenty-one years of age, he "was his own man," and as a start in life, his father offered him his choice between two hundred and fifty dollars in cash and a piece of land uncleared, which consisted of fifty acres, with the condition, however, that if he chose the latter, he should give in return two years' labor. He took the land, and after his agreement with his father was fulfilled, began the labor of preparing it for farm purposes, which in time he accomplished to his satisfaction. He turned all of the avails that he could spare from this small farm into the purchase of various small parcels of land adjoining his first possession, and finally through thrift, and by…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
WARTIME JUNK: I Suppose you could call this more "artifactual" than artifact. But I think this is an important photograph.
I was born at the very end of WW2 so I certainly don't recall those days. I only know what folks have told me. And thinking about it those days must have been scary at times. Many things were rationed. I still have some of the ration books (even for myself as a baby) that were issued during the war years. And then, of course, everything was really recycled. Ergo; the pile of junk in Victory Park (next to St. Mary's Catholic church). I have one other photo of junk being collected for the war effort. But the location of that pic is not as obvious as this.
Methinks it's important for us to see pix such as this and know how fortunate we are today - and just how much everyone had to sacrifice for our good fortunes. Times might be tough for some. But there not nearly as bad as they once were - or could be.
Stop being so stupid.. it’s my turn.
If you have noticed this notice you will have noticed that this notice is not worth noticing
When your dad is mad and asks you, “Do I look stupid?” Don’t answer him
You can’t just let nature run wild.
A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am — I am filled with humidity.
The private enterprise system indicates that some people have higher incomes than others.
Eight more days and I can start telling the truth again.
Many wise words are spoken in jest, but they don’t compare with the number of stupid words spoken in earnest.
PODCAST #0:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #0 is none existant - again. I'm waiting until I've got something nice that's easy to load.
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 and MOV) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4 / MOV" formats. If you don't have a "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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.9, Issue 28, September 24, 2011
© 2011 Rich Tarrant