Vermilion Views

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR: The desktop pic this week is the last four of Vermilion’s eight Tarrant children with their spouses (pl. spice?). It’s truly an unusual photograph because there has never been a full family portrait.

I am the balding guy with the red tie. My wife, Geo, is next to me. Next to her is our sister Nancy Alice Emery. Nance has her arm around sister, Pearl Elizabeth “Ginny” Wilkes. Ginny’s husband, Dave, is behind her in a blue sweater. The young man seated in front is our big brother William Roscoe “Billy”. And seated next to him is his wife Lois.

BACKED UP: Because I’ve been down for a time I find myself way behind things. People have given and / or sent me items (mostly pix) that I’ve every intention of using – but have not yet been able to really work with.

Anyway, I just want everyone to know that I’m not ignoring you, and that I think I’ll be back on the beam by next week. (I hope.)

IN WASHINGTON: This is (of course) a repeat from last week of a pic from Vermilionite Pat Creel of the Vermilion Class of 1966 when they were visiting Washington D.C. - probably the same year.

First Row: Jack Armstrong (teacher), Gail Sweat, Madelyn Dorton, Sharon Schroeder, Candy Eberle, Carol Wharton, Elina Clark, Pat Creel, Marcia Will, Linda Clark, Pat Smith, Nancy Thoms, Sue Filmore, Mrs Hollosey, Violet Fischer.

Boys Kneeling: Tom Darby, _________, Dale Zaletel, Butch Jaworski, Dan Young, Alan Hollosey, Russ Mayer.

Back Row Boys: Bucky Clark, Bruce Miskow, Jody Catalana, Mr. Terry Smith, ______, Dick Disbrow, Jeff Goodrich, Chester Maclean, Dan Walker, George Goswick, Larry Schaffer, Ron Palmer, Jack Yeamans, Robert Zicafoose.

It is highly unlikely that I transcribed all the names I was given accurately. So - if you see an error in my work I'd appreciate your telling me so I can correct it.

I hope they all had a great time - way back when...

_{"...Edison called Mr. Mergenthaler’s invention “the eighth wonder of the world.”}

MERGANTHALER’S WONDERFUL INVENTION: No doubt some folks may have already forgotten. I wrote of it seven years ago, and I must admit that each and every time I look at it I still find it to be an amazing piece of 19th century mechanical engineering. It is called a Linotype. Most simply defined it is a "line casting" machine once used in printing. There are two of these machines in the Vermilion News Print Shop Museum. Although made obsolete long ago by offset lithography and computerized typesetting, the advent of the Linotype was as significant a development in the printing industry as Johannes Gutenberg’s (1398-1468) invention of movable type nearly 450 years (c.1439) earlier.

German-born inventor, Ottmar Mergenthaler (1854-1889), invented the Linotype sometime around 1884. Apprenticed as a young man to a watchmaker before immigrating to the United States in 1872, Mergenthaler worked in a cousin’s watch repair shop in Washington D.C., and later Baltimore. In 1876 a man named James O. Clephane approached him seeking a quicker way of publishing legal briefs. While his initial designs and models to address Clephane’s request were destroyed in a fire, nonplussed, he continued his research.

Eventually, he conceived the idea of assembling metallic letter molds, called matrices, and casting molten metal composition (i.e. lead, antimony, and tin) into them, all within a single machine. It was said that he got the idea for the brass matrices that would serve as molds for the letters from wooden molds used to make "Springerle," which are German Christmas cookies.

The first machine used commercially, known as "The Blower," was demonstrated in the New York Tribune's composing room in 1886. Mergenthaler's son, Herman, said, "When Tribune publisher Whitelaw Reid (later U.S. ambassador to England) saw Ottmar type on the 90 key keyboard, and shortly after a thin metal slug bearing several words slid down into a tray, he exclaimed, 'Ottmar, you've done it! A line o' type!' And thus the name “Linotype” for the machine (it is said) was born. I cannot, of course, attest to the veracity of that story. However, if true I am certainly pleased that Mr. Reid was not inclined to use profane exclamations of surprise or it might have been called a line of something else.

In any case, the Line-O’-Type was born, and the machine revolutionized the printing – especially the newspaper – business. That’s because prior to its invention no newspaper (in the world) had more than eight pages. A Linotype operator entered text using a 90-character keyboard. The machine assembled “matrices”, which are molds for each letter, in a line that was then cast as a single piece, called a “slug”. The matrices were then returned to the “type magazine” from whence they came. The Vermilion News, for instance, was an eight-page weekly with approximately half of it consisting of local news that was set, letter-by-letter, and word-by-word, by hand using a composing stick and drawers of letters. In short, the printing business was a labor-intensive business. And that was only the printing part. While it remained an eight-page publication after acquiring machines around 1916, only one or two linotype operators were ever needed to prepare copy thereafter.

By 1904, there were 10,000 Linotypes in use worldwide; by 1954, the centennial of Mergenthaler's birth, that number had risen to 100,000. Plants in Brooklyn, London, and Berlin produced the machines. In the 1930s, the Linotype Corporation had begun acquiring the rights to typefaces. In the 1960s it moved into phototypesetting, and by 2000 had shifted from hardware to software. Currently, Linotype, the company that Ottmar Mergenthaler started, has one of the world's largest type font libraries, including well-known fonts like Baskerville, Helvetica, Optima, Palatino, and Univers. Ironically, Mergenthaler reaped virtually none of the profits from his invention. At an early stage of the business he took a $50 buyout royalty rather than an ongoing percentage of machine sales.

Thomas Edison called Mr. Mergenthaler’s invention “the eighth wonder of the world.” I am quite unable to argue with that assessment of the apparatus – even a little. How any one person in that yesteryear had both the vision and expertise to design such a piece of equipment is nothing short of miraculous. However, as we currently live in a world of digital miracles it may, after all is said and done, be very hard to appreciate Mr. Mergenthaler’s wonderful invention at all. But c’est la vie – Il y a toujours demain.

_{_{Ref: http://baltimoreauthors.ubalt.edu/writers/ottomergenthaler.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottmar_Mergenthaler; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 05/31/12; Written 05/27/12 @ 12:54 PM.}}

Vermilion Post Office

SHOPTALK: Hey. I’m just beginning to get my (proverbial) “sea legs” back so I am able to concentrate properly in doing things that need be done. Since last Friday afternoon I’ve been operating on autopilot – just trying to keep up. (And I’ve fallen – behind.)

Back at the shop today (Friday, January 11, 2013) I’m preparing to do some work in the apartment. Sick or not – things are coming along. It’s kinda exciting.

I have new video that will soon premier on the VNPSM FaceBook page. Stay tuned…

VERMILION POST OFFICE The VNPSM desktop pic this week is from an old negative I recently discovered of the interior of the Vermilion Post Office when it was located on the bottom floor of the Fisher building from about the 1930s into the 1950s. This pic (I’m guessing) is maybe c.1940.

Currently part of Vermilion’s Encore Shop occupies the space. In this shot you’re looking north toward Liberty Avenue inside the office.

PRINTING: Aside from all the structural projects ahead of us (and utility costs) we’re focusing on getting one of the printing presses in operational condition. That will likely be the Chandler-Price (c.1900) that is the oldest in the building. The estimated cost of reconditioning it at this time is around $500. It will not (at least the thinking is at this time) be powered by electricity. Originally depressing a treadle, like an old sewing machine, ran the press. It would be nice to put it back into the original condition.

PLAQUE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS SPONSORS: We’ll soon have a nice plaque in the museum honoring persons who have contributed funds for special museum projects. At the moment we only have one name. We expect to have many more.

SEARCHING: We currently interested in finding copies of The Erie County Reporter from 1880 to 1920 or '30. Nobody on earth seems to have them. If you have knowledge of any of them we'd appreciate hearing from you. There's a great deal of Vermilion information in them.

FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: It’s now official. The museum is officially a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations to the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011. (Thank heaven. Now I can fret about something else for months on end.)

VISITING HOURS: The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM. On Saturday the museum it is open from 11 AM to 2 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted for free. Phone For Special Tours: 440-967-4555

POST OFFICE BOX: Please note that the MUSEUM has a post office box now. Now we won’t have to use our home address, nor the one at the shop for mail.

MEMBERSHIPS: Memberships to the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are now available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.

A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.

If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:

Vermilion Print Shop Museum
P.O. Box 792
Vermilion, Ohio 44089

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado out front with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.

Vermilion News Print Shop Museum

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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...

Vol. VIII,NO.34– February 2, 1905.

OBITUARY

Julia Jannette Ball was born in Chatauqua [sic] county N. Y., Jan. 29, 1812. She lived with her parents on Grand Island until her marriage to Henry Humphrey, March 22, 1829, when she moved to Cleveland.

Eight children were born to this union four of whom survive her Mrs. Sylvah Williams, Mrs. Ann burrows and Chas. Humphrey of Vermilion and Capt. Wm. Humphrey of Cleveland. He husband died in 1853. Oct. 4, 1855 she was married to Joseph Call of Vermilion who died in April, 1897.

She united with the Baptist Church of W. Brownhelm now Rugby, in 1841. She died Monday Jan. 23, 1905, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ann Burrows, aged 92 years, 11 months, and 23 days.

Mrs. Call was one of Vermilion’s oldest, if not the oldest citizen. The funeral was held on Thursday Jan. 26, at noon at the M.E. Church at Axtel. Rev. A.G. Rupert officiating.

COURT NOTES

Charles Cole was taken to the Toledo state hospital by Sheriff Hoffman Monday afternoon.

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The case of Louis Koehnle, administrator against the Lake Shore railroad for $10,000 damage, was taken up in common pleas court Monday afternoon. Koehnle is suing as administrator of the estate of Christ Bechtold, Jr., who with a companion was killed May 13, 1903 at the Vermilion bridge. The claim is that they were working for the company and that their death was due to actual or constructive negligence on the part of the company’s employes [sic].

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It developed at the hearing of the motions for temporary alimony in the Moore divorce case in common pleas court Tuesday afternoon that an insanity plea will be part of the defense of Mary E. Moore.

The husband represented by Attorney Stephens contest the motion, claiming that under the circumstances she was entitled to no consideration.

Attorney Blackford, who represented Mrs. Moore, asked permission to place Mr. Moore on the stand, which was granted. It then developed that Mrs. Moore had been subject to epileptic fits for the past three years and that she had suffered from a chronic disease. After hearing both arguments the court allowed he $25 temporary alimony and attorney fees.

TIN SHOWER

The friends, to the number of about thirty-five, of Mr. and Mrs. John Naegele, gave them a pleasant surprise at the home of A. Mattison on Thursday evening. Music, flinch and pedro furnished amusement. A fine lunch was served. The guest departed at a late hour, leaving may useful articles in graniteware to remind the young couple of the occasion.

A SURPRISE

On Tuesday evening by invitation from Mrs. Brumitt, a small party of the fishermen dropped in on Walter to do honor to his thirty-third birthday. What we did to a most elegant dinner that Mrs. Brumitt set before us can best be told by her. After dinner we passed a short time with smoking and story telling, the remainder of the evening was spent in a six handed game of pedro which was very exciting. May Walter enjoy many happy returns of the day. A fine smoking set will remind of the occasion, a gift from “the boys.” – “One of Them”

A New Use for the Phonograph.

The following is going the rounds of the press and concerns a person well known in Vermilion.

Benjamin F. Goodsell, an aged resident of Ashmont, who is quite ill, has determined that he will deliver his own funeral oration. An agnostic and desiring that no minister shall comment upon his life over his dead body, he has prepared and delivered into a phonograph an obituary in which he sets forth his life’s objects. The record has been placed in a safety vault, to be used after his death.

[VV Ed. Note: This an very intriguing piece. I tried looking for a “Benjamin F. Goodsell” at Ancestry.com and he wasn’t there. From that I assume that the name used in the paper was not accurate. There is a “Benjamin N. Goodsell” who would fit the vague description of the gentleman in this article. He died on 16 April in 1908 at the tender age of 70. I will look further to see if I can discover a published obituary for him. In the meantime if anyone has any knowledge of this gentleman and/or the recording that he made before his demise I certainly would like to hear about it. It doesn’t seem like something someone would trash. Anyway I’d call Goodsell a man of true vision. Whether he knew it or not.

Council meets Monday night.

Mrs. Kate Sullivan is reported quite ill.

Earl Welch in on the sick list.

An oyster supper for the Axtel M.E. Church will be given at the home of Charles Gegenheimer Saturday night.

Pres. Beckwith of the defunct Oberlin bank is very ill and may not live to be brought to trial.

Marinda Gregg, for thirty-eight years an inmate of the county infirmary, died Friday age fifty-nine years.

$1.00 round trip to Cleveland Wednesday Feb. 8th via the Lake Shore Electric Ry. on account of the grand production of “Parsifal” at Cleveland Opera House. Leave orders for reserved seats at local ticket office.

NEW R.F.D. ROUTE

Mr. Kipling arrived in Vermilion Wednesday to arrange for and go over the ground of new R.F.D. Route. Route No. 1 Will be changed to conform with No. 2. We will probably be able to announce the route next week.

Eugene Prentice, a Druggist at Kipton, O., where the local option law is in force, was charged by some of the temperance people there with having violated the law by selling liquor. The case was investigated and he was indicted Thursday afternoon. He came before Judge Washburn and was fined $75 and costs for selling liquor on Sunday. He will be asked to plead on several others counts for breaking the option law on week days. His clerk, Z. Miller will also be arraigned on the same charges.

[VV Ed. Note: “Local option law” was a general term for laws that allowed voters to decide if and / or how alcohol was sold in their communities. Evidently Kiptonites were not happy with any alcohol sales. How interesting. ]

Sunday was Carnation Day.

A local option election will held at Lorain Feb. 21st.

[VV Ed. Note: Now knowing what the “local option law” was about how do you think the citizens of Lorain voted? Perhaps the results will appear in another issue of The News.]

A wonderful instrument has recently been invented, and is in constant use in one of our public hospitals. It enables anyone to observe the slightest changes in the action of his own heart. Among other things the instrument indicates the stimulating effect of a glass of alcoholic liquor. The spirit is found to increase a man’s vitality and working power 7 per cent, for 30 minutes. Then follows a falling off to 5 per cent below normal.-[ Health.

It is very seldom that a weekly newspaper of the size of the News published in a town like Vermilion attempts all home print. With this issue we begin to print all the paper in Vermilion. We believe in order to make a newspaper it not only needs continual advancement in methods but the assistance of the people at large who are interested in their home town. Items of interest, visitors from abroad, parties, accidents, etc. telephoned to this office or brought in personally to make a paper interesting. Not only do we need the newsy items but a prompt payment of subscription when due.

We aim to publish a paper for young and old. Some of the features will be: Our World’s Trend page. The hapenings [sic] in Politics Industry, Religion, Education, etc. during the week, County News Home and Neighborhood News, Stories, the best in serials, Miscellaneous Information, School, Farm, Good Roads and much else of interest.

We aim to make the NEWS THE BEST WEEKLY PUBLISHED IN THIS SECTION.

LARGEST IN THE WORLD

The Lorain Ship-yard will be ==$1,500,000
To Be Expanded

The people of Lorain are highly elated over the announcement that work will commence at once on the ship yard improvement.

Four new berths and a 700 ft. dry dock will be added o the plant.

It is also thought that the machine shop now located in Cleveland will be moved to Lorain. Between 100 and 1200 more men will be employed and the people of Lorain are congratulating themselves upon the outlook.

$15,000 CASH

VERMILION TO RECEIVE THAT
AMOUNT FOR HARBOR
IMPROVEMENT

A Letter from Hon. A.H. Jackson

Vermilion has been allowed a cash appropriation of 415,000 for harbor improvements, in the Harbor bill and it is to be hoped that the bill will go through all right. While it is not a large sum it comes at a very opportune time as the piers especially the west one is in very bad condition. The letter is as follows:

House of Representatives U.S.
Washington D.C. Jan, 26, ‘05

Mr. E.L. Coen,
Vermilion, O.

Dear Sir:
In the amounts decided upon for appropriation for Erie County Harbors, Vermilion is allowed $15,000 this is a cash appropriation and I trust sufficient for the needs of your harbor improvements for the coming year.

With regards and best wishes to all your citizens, I remain

Very respectfully,
A.H. Jackson, M.C.

Huron and Sandusky have also been dealt liberally with. Nearly $9000,000 being the amount allotted to this district.

The citizens in general appreciate Mr. Jacksons efforts in our behalf and thank him most heartily for his aid in securing an appropriation.

A party of young men of Sandusky sailed to Vermilion in their ice boat Sunday afternoon.

Tuesday’s Plain Dealer gave an excellent picture of Capt. F.A. Bailey with the announcement that he will bring out the big steamer Wm. E. Corey which is being built at South Chicago.

Chas. Kneisel, the blind musician of Lorain was a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Englebry a few days this week.

Geo. Rathbun and Almond Patchett have received mate’s papers. Congratulations.

Capt. W.H. Moody, master of the Lafayette last season will bring out one of the “big four” steamers, the Geo. W. Perkins. An excellent picture of Capt. Moody appears in the Plain Dealer this week.

May Monkeys Be Imported for Labor?

The question has been seriously submitted at Washington to the commissioner general of immigration whether monkeys may be brought intothis country to be used in picking prunes in California. The correspondent wants to know if it would be a violation of the contract labor law, and if not says he will go ahead. “Monkeys” has been the topic, which it is not safe to mention in the presence of Commissioner Sargent. Meanwhile the monkey plan is proceeding. – Chicago Daily Review.

[VV Ed. NOTE: I can’t tell whether this was a serious article, facetious, or what. But it is certainly very strange.]

From Norfolk, Va. Comes the report that Miss Helen Gould has offered a prize of $50 cash and $50 in clothing to sailors who will remain in Uncle Sam’s navy five years without being tattooed. She considers a “barbaric process.”

Some trouble arose between the teacher, Miss rose Schibley, and the children of Slack in the quarry district near N. Amherst, Slack circulated a petition asking for the removal of the teacher, but the board decided to support the teacher.

Thankful Fannie White, widow of James White a wealthy Huron county farmer, is dead at the age of 99 years. She was the oldest resident of that county and was born in Delhi, N.Y., in April, 1806. Her father came to Milan township in 1810 and was living there at the time of Hull’s surrender.

On Feb. 1st the selected time between Vermillion [sic] and Detroit will be reduced thirty minutes, making the running time between these two cities five hours and thirty minutes, via the Lake shore Electric and the Detroit, Toledo and Monroe interurban lines. Fare from Vermilion $2.00.

BROWNHELM

Grippe has made its appearance here and about a dozen of our residents are under the care of a physician.

A number of townsmen have harvested their ice, the quality of which is good but not very thick.

The little son of A. Kishman is reported seriously ill with an attack of quincy [sic]. [VV Ed Note: “Quincy”- actually spelled quinsy is what we now call tonsillitis.]

Mrs. Fred Strehle was greatly startled Friday morning when she returned to the house from feeding the chickens to find that a stranger had taken possession of her house and was making himself as comfortable as possible.

The Lake Shore Electric R.R. have placed a stop at J.H. Baumhardt’s residence, No. 118.

The furnace in the high school building gave out, and the school has been closed for several days.

BROKE HIS LEG

William Moes of Vermilion an employe [sic] of the shipyards had his right leg broken Saturday morning by a falling piece of heavy angle iron. Moes is employed on the rigging gang and was helping to hang apiece of steel when it fell and struck hi across the leg. His injury was hastily dressed and he was taken to the hospital – Times Herald.

BIRMINGHAM

There is no news to be heard now, everything is serene as a summer morning.

The farmers about here are engaged in burning their summer’s wood.

Miss Heirnsath of Henrietta is taking vocal lessons of Miss Dora Hales.

Attempted To Poison Husband

A sensation was created in Milan Tuesday when Wm. Strickfaden, an employe [sic] of the Hoover Potato Digger Works at Avery, caused the arrest of his wife for an attempt to poison him and of Chas McCauley as an accomplice.

It seems that some weeks ago Mrs. Strickfaden and McCauley left town together, but returned in about a week. The affair was patched up apparently. Tuesday, when Strickfaden opened his dinner pail he noticed a green spot on the pie. After careful examination by several friends in the shp it was determined that paris green had been used. He immediately went to Milan and swore out a warrant for the arrest of his wife and McCauley.

Mrs. Strickfaden is probably 35 while McCauley is 25, and a farm hand.

The mayor sates that there enough poison in the pie to kill several people.

[VV. Ed. Note: Paris Green is highly toxic emerald-green crystalline powder used as a rodenticide and insecticide.]

Hmmmmmm....

"...(He)had seen and heard Abraham Lincoln speak at the famous Republican Wigwam in Chicago in May 1860"

IN THE OLD DAYS: Amazing. As always I was wandering around through a yesteryear (this time it was 1920) and came across the following piece:

“In the old days shipbuilding flourished in Vermilion and with the exception of sails and rigging the complete outfit of a vessel was made in the yards and sometimes all but the sails. Ship carpenters received $3.50 per day, helpers $1.50, and foremen $4.50. Good white oak cost $20 to $24 per thousand feet; fletch for frame $14; spikes $2.50 per hundred; round iron for bolts $3 per one hundred pounds. Among the ship carpenters of the ‘60s and’70s I call to mind John Sweeney, Eb Rose, John Still, Miles Thompson, Sandy Lutz, Henry Thompson, John Parsons, Sidney Sherwood, William Cherry, James Wentworth, Henry Curtis, Dennis Driscoll, James Lawless, Peter Minch, Thomas Sprowl, and Lawrence Walker.”

A fellow named Fredrick A. Ketchum wrote the article for The Vermilion News in March of 1920. Aside from taking some folks on a walk down memory lane it probably didn’t mean a great deal to a whole lot of people back then. However, as ye can plainly see the information contained therein is historically significant. For there are to my knowledge few published lists of 19th century Vermilion ship carpenters, not to mention how much they were paid as well as the costs of the materials they used.

Then, just for the heck of it, I decided to see if I could find out something more about Mr. Ketchum. From the article he wrote it appeared that he had worked – or at least been – around Vermilion’s shipbuilding yards when he was a young man. I discovered, however, that Mr. Ketchum was best known, locally, as a Civil War Veteran who, at the age of 15 had already become a sailor on the Great Lakes, and had seen and heard Abraham Lincoln speak at the famous Republican Wigwam in Chicago in May 1860. In his twilight years he would proudly recall a time when (in1860) he helped erect a Republican flagpole that reached 140 feet in the air and from which floated a banner, 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, which bore the Words "Lincoln and Hamlin," the Republican national ticket for that year. [NOTE: The “Wigwam” was a convention center and meeting hall that served as the site of the 1860 Republican National convention. It was located in Chicago, Illinois at Lake Street and Market (later Wacker Drive) near the Chicago River.] So what about his knowledge of shipbuilding?

Ketchum was born in Huron, Ohio on July 4th 1844 the second son of six children born to F.D. and Mary Ann Ketchum. His father was a shipbuilder, and very likely helped build many of the early vessels constructed in Vermilion and other ports along the lakes. (This, of course, helps explain his knowledge of shipbuilding in Vermilion.) Anyway, at the tender age of 19 he enlisted and served as a Private in the Union Army. Records show that from late December 1863 to the third day of October 1865 he was a member of Ohio’s Volunteer 24th Infantry Regiment. And though he only served in the military for one year, 10 months, and 22 days he was extremely proud of his service, and would remain so for the rest of his days.

While he was not a native of Vermilion he spent much of his early life around the village. And for a short time later in life he lived in the Township. But his express knowledge of the local shipbuilding industry indicates that he knew a number of people about town (including News Editor Roscoe) and they, in turn, probably knew him quite well. It’s also worth noting that the story of his death in late May 1933 at the tender age of 89 years appeared on the front page of the (Sandusky, O.) Star Journal the morning after he shuffled off this mortal coil. That certainly suggests his prominence as an Erie County resident. Oddly enough though, while he was one of the last of the old time lake sailors, and had worked as a carpenter in the area, there was no mention of those things.

As indicated from the start I am amazed at where a rather insignificant inside page article in a weekly newspaper of a yesteryear led me. The Star Journal called him “The Most Active Civil War Veteran” at Sandusky’s Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home. It was also noted that he would not be participating “in Memorial Day services (that) Tuesday as he had planned.” Methinks they were wrong. After all I met him while wandering around in the old days.

_{_{Ref: U.S. Census data; 1850 thru 1930; The Vermilion News 3/18/1920; Sandusky, Ohio Star Register 5/29-30/1933; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/25/12; Written 10/21/12 @ 11:30AM.}}

FRANZ REICHELT – PARACHUTE SUIT

Franz Reichelt (1879 – 1912) was convinced that he could develop a suit that turned into a parachute for aviators. Known as the 'Flying Tailor' for his fateful jump (and other profession), the Austrian-born Frenchman lost his life when, on February 4, 1912, he leaped from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower wearing his design. Though he was supposed to be using a dummy, at the last minute he decided to test the invention himself. Unfortunately for Reichelt and his legacy, the belief that his invention would work turned out to be wishful thinking.

"The township was named after the principle river
emptying into the lake through its territory..."

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.

THE PIONEERS.

BELLEVUE.

…February 11, 1879, having begun his labors with the church on the 1st of January, previous.

The church has been blessed at various times in its history by revivals. In the year 1854, during the pastorate of Rev. A. D. Barber, thirty-seven were received into membership of the church. In 1850, twenty-two were added to the church. Again, in 1861, the church was visited by a revival, which resulted in the addition of twenty to the membership. In the year 1865, during the labors of Mr. Safford, seventeen were received into membership; and in 1870, under Mr. Sherrill's labors, twenty-three connected themselves with the church. In 1873, the year that Mr. Sherrill closed his labors, forty-five names were added to the roll.

One pleasant feature in the records of this church is the frequency with which the word "unanimously"' occurs in describing the passage of important resolutions and the calling of ministers.

In common with Congregational churches in general, the only creed recognized by this church as having any binding authority upon the consciences of its members is the Bible. But as a convenient statement of its understanding of the Bible on the great foundation doctrines of Christianity, it has adopted, and places in the hands of its members and inquirers, what is known as the Ohio Congregational Manual.

The church has a uniform record of sterling orthodoxy from the beginning.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

of Bellevue, was formed in the year 1839. The first class was composed of James Anderson, his wife, Betsey, and daughter, Melissa; Alvin Anderson, his wife, Harriet, and daughter, Adaline; and Mann and daughter. Meetings were held at this time in the stone schoolhouse, standing on the site at present occupied by the school building, near the Episcopal church. In about 1845, this church erected a substantial brick edifice, at a cost of some five thousand dollars. This building is at present owned by the German Lutheran society. After organization, however, the church fitted up a room in the second story of the warehouse standing where the Richards and Egle block now stands, and this was occupied until the building of the church as before stated.

The present elegant church edifice was completed during the summer of 1868, and was dedicated by Bishop Simpson on August 17, of that year, and cost, including real estate and parsonage, some thirty thousand dollars. Among the largest contributors to the erection of the church are: Messrs. Anderson, Higbee, Williams, Dole, Adams and Huffman. The first resident minister was Rev. Oliver Burgess, who remained two years. Father Anderson gives from memory, the following names of ministers who have preached to this church in Bellevue: Wilson, Camp, Pierce, Hill, Cooper, Fast, Start, Fast, Pounds, Breakfield, Thompson, Worden, Spafford, Morrow and Cables.

In 1852, when the ministers' "historical record" begins, the church reported a membership of two hundred and twelve, and three hundred scholars in attendance at Sabbath school. Rev. Samuel Beatty, pastor. September 18, 1852, it was formally organized as a station, with the following board of stewards: H. R. Adams, Alvin Anderson, Jesse Haskell, W. W. Stilson, J. B. Higbee, Orrin Dole and Barney Campbell. Its leaders were Jesse Haskell, B. Campbell, 0. Dole, David Williams and W. Curtiss Superintendent of Sabbath school, W. W. Stilson. 1853—William M. Spafford, pastor. He was succeeded in 1854 by Rev. Wesley J. Wells. The following are 'the pastors from that time until the present, (1879): 1855—John A. Mudge; 1857—Wm. Richards; 1859—Asbury B. Castle; 1861—Daniel Stratton; 1862—Simon P. Jacobs: 1863—Elmore Y. Warner; 1865—Garretson A. Hughes; 1868—Elmore Y. Warner; 1871—Elvero Pearsons. He was succeeded by Rev. Searles. T. C. Warner succeeded him, remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Pepper, who is the present pastor, and was appointed at the Wellington conference, in 1879. The present membership is one hundred and eighty; average attendance at Sunday school, one hundred and ninety; R. Carpenter, superintendent. The stewards of the church are: Thomas Gardner, Horace Place, A. Anderson, John Grimes, R. H. Boyer, William L. Hilbish, John Limbach, Jacob Decker and Conrad Linck. J. B. Higbee, A. Anderson, E. L. Dole, H. R. Adams, Jacob Decker, J. C. Sheffield, Adam Williams and S. Patterson, trustees; Enoch Heal, W. L. Hilbish, John Limbach and S. Patterson, class leaders.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Before there was any parish organization in Bellevue, the Rev. Ephraim Punderson officiated from the year 1842 to that of 1847; but not until April 1851, was the parish duly organized by Rev. Dr. Bronson. Messrs. T. G. Amsden and John Grimes were chosen wardens; Messrs. F. A. Chapman, G. Woodward and G. W. Sheffield, vestrymen; and, on September 10, 1851, this parish was received into connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

In the spring of 1852, Rev. R. K. Nash was chosen rector and the church building was begun and enclosed. Mr. Nash having resigned in 1854, the building remained unfinished. In the spring of 1857, an effort was made to open the church, and a rector was called. Rev. M. Hamilton took charge of the church on the first Sunday in July 1857.

Improvements were made in the church building, an old debt paid off, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Bedell, in January, 1861.

The lot and buildings cost about three thousand five hundred dollars. In July 1869, the parish became self-supporting, and the following year repairs and improvements were made, at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars.

_{Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 -

Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio}

_{VERMILION ARTIFACT #82}

WHOZIIT: Once in a while you find something that begs comment / explanation and there’s just nothing there but – well just look at this pic.

I don’t know (yet) who this person might be, but you just can’t help but wonder: Was this fellow just walking down the street one find day past the photog’s shop and decided to have his portrait made?

Who was this young dandy; and what the heck was he doing? But anyway you cut it – this is a wonderful Vermilion artifact.

Yow!

WHY DO MEN DIE FIRST?

This is a question that has gone unanswered for centuries, but, now we know...

If you put a woman on a pedestal and try to protect her from the rat race... you're a male chauvinist. If you stay home and do the housework... you're a pansy.

If you work too hard... there's never any time for her. If you don't work enough... you're a good-for-nothing bum.

If she has a boring repetitive job with low pay... this is exploitation. If you have a boring repetitive job with low pay... you should get off your lazy behind and find something better.

If you get a promotion ahead of her... that is favoritism. If she gets a job ahead of you... it's equal opportunity.

If you mention how nice she looks... it's sexual harassment. If you keep quiet... it's male indifference.

If you cry ... you're a wimp. If you don't... you're insensitive.

If you appreciate the female form and frilly underwear...you're a pervert. If you don't... you're gay.

If you like a woman to shave her legs and keep in shape...you're sexist. If you don't ... you're unromantic.

If you try to keep yourself in shape... you're vain. If you don't... you're a slob.

If she has a headache... she's tired. If you have a headache... you don't love her anymore.

If you want it too often... you're oversexed. If you don't... there must be someone else.

Bottom Line... Men die first because they want to.

NADA: I may begin doing the podcasts again; but I'm thinking of just doing audio readings. The videos on-line are just becoming too redundant unless they really show something special. The short videos that appear on the VNPSM Facebook page are more purposeful. You might want to check them out.

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.

Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandmas’ Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from Margaret Sanders Buell" by Amy O’Neal, Elizabeth Thompson and Meg Walter (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.

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'".

Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months / years. They are constantly improving the lives of their youngsters and those around them. This is an exciting project accomplished by exciting people. In fact, Larry and Yvette just returned with new pix.

Although this years Vermilion High School Class of 1959 reunion is over classmates may want to stay connected with each other through organizer Roger Boughton. Ye can connect by mailing him @ 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.

Alice W. is back - and guess where she is now (?): Ali's Blog.

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}

Links to additional Vermilion Ohio pages:

For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it): _{Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-670-2822}

or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)

"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation."
-Saki

Vol.10, Issue 44 - January 12, 2013

Archive Issue #513

_{Vermilion Views Search Engine}

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