A Nice Graphic
SHOPTALK: Too little time – too much to do. That’s the way this weeks has been for me. How more blessed could I be?
I spent a good deal of time this week trying to learn how to operate the Ricoh copier / printer. (Some of it to no avail.) I am a dyed-in-the-wool “Mac” user. It can’t be beat for processing photographs and basic design. They’re not just word processing and accounting computers. I do use Microsoft Word for writing – but that’s it.
In any case, Ricoh machines are not totally Mac compatible, and I’ve wasted (again) “a good deal of time” with and without a rep-tech trying to bring it in line.
However, setting all that aside I have, thus far, been able to publish two booklets: The History of The Vermilion News – 1897 – 1964, and Rich Tarrant’s Yesteryear in Vermilion, Ohio.
The Yesteryear book is a republication. It’s been edited (it really needed a good proofreading); two new stories were added; and additional graphics were added. I’m very pleased with my work thus far.
I am now looking at improving my bindery skills. What I’ve done (and what can be done with the Ricoh) is fine – but I want to do some things just a tad better.
And all this (of course) takes time…
SHOPWORK: My sister, Ginny, and her husband David (Wilkes) have begun to sort through all the “stuff” brought down from the attic of the museum, setting antiques and artifacts in one place; garage sale items in another; and trash in “the trash”. It’s dirty and hard work. And, boy-o-boy is it easy to get lost in the process. There are so many neat items.
First we sort. Then we catalog. That will require a great deal of patience and (what else?) time.
PART OF THE PLAN: Below is a pic of the upper back porch of the print shop that may be from around 1920. Sometime during the 1930s an almost flat roof was added and it was enclosed (top and bottom). Over the years the roof began to leak, and the stability of the floor is not good. The stairway is falling down, and the windows have been ruined.
What we intend to do is tear the porch off the building and replace it with an open porch (screened with a roof) on the upper level and open below. It would be similar to that on the front of the building. As is obvious the original porch was not especially attractive – though it probably served its purpose.
Anyway, aside from exterior painting, new windows, re-wiring, re-plumbing, and restoring the apartment over the print shop that’s part of the plan for Vermilion’s newest museum.
It’s going to be very nice.
CHANDLER-PRICE ROLLERS: The newly covered rubber rollers for the museum’s Chandler-Price letterpress have arrived from North Carolina.
I’ve not taken them from the box yet (I’ve been distracted with the Ricoh). But I will get to it this week.
My brother-in-law, Terry Diener, is going to supply us with a foot treadle to power the press. Once that’s done the work of learning set-up and printing will commence in the shop.
THE DESKTOP PIC This week tis just a very simple, but attractive, graphic that I purchased on the net to use in my Yesteryear book. I used it in the Romeo and Juliet type story telling of the origins of Old Woman Creek.
MONDAYS & MUSEUM ADVERTISING: If you want to talk Vermilion folks who visit the museum on Mondays (1-4 pm) will be greeted by my sister Ginny and brother-in-law Dave Wilkes. They, like a good number of local people, have forgotten more about the town than I will ever know. They’re not in our ad that has appeared in the Vermilion Photojournal several times – but perhaps they should be.
DONATIONS: I almost forgot. Barb and her husband Chuck Ruggles donated some neat artifacts to the museum this week: An antique chair and (as indicated) various articles / artifacts that will be displayed in the apartment over the print shop in the future. These items are appreciated. But I need to begin making a hard-copy list of the various things contributed. The Board will undoubtedly keep after me about such things.
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: We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. 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.
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.
Historically,
At First Congregational Church 1953
1953: Someone emailed me last week as asked that I try to have “history from our era” – meaning from about 1941 to perhaps 1963. But truth be told I really don’t have a great deal from those years (yet). But the other day, while organizing things, I came across this pic of a girls Sunday School Class at the Congregational Church back in about 1953. (I believe it appeared in a previous VV.) Anyway, it is something from that era
I can’t remember all the girls in the pic, but do remember a few. The girls I do recognize are Patty Tokar (she still looks the same), Lynn Creel, Judy Shaw, Jacques Jeffery, Linda Russel, Elizabeth “BeeGee” Boone, Cheryl Fisher, Melissa Copeland, and (I think) Carol Idol. The adult / instructor could be Carol Idol’s mom Lucy – but I’m not certain.
This pic was taken to acquire support for the building of a new church on State Street. The tact did, of course, work. A new church was built. But my heart has always been, and remains, with the old one.
STIRRING UP MEMORIES HIGH OVER VERMILION: You have to love these aerial shots of Vermilion. They afford us the illusion that we’re sitting on the very edge of a cloud with our feet dangling down looking at the town. And though the accompanying photograph is not of terrific quality – you still get the idea. It is the Village of Vermilion, O. c.1949.
The photo was taken from the south (looking north) almost directly behind South Street School probably in winter or very early spring. If the trees were full their foliage would’ve hid many of the homes. Photographs of the village taken at this angle are all the more remarkable because they give us a view of the town aside Lake Erie that we are seldom aware of at ground level. The immense size of the lake in comparison to the town is breathtaking. (i.e. if there were tsunamis on the lakes we’d be goners.)
It appears that a new addition is being added to the southwest portion of the South Street School building. That may, in fact, be the reason these shadows were captured. Another addition – a cafeteria – would soon follow. At that time the bus garage was in the freestanding building just to the east of the school. The football field (with lighting) and track appear to be in good condition. And one can make out several baseball diamonds in the field between the track and Decatur Street.
South Decatur turns into Thompson (now Edson) Street and neither street was yet paved. The homes that line those streets today had yet to be built, and storm drainage ditches run along the sides of those streets. Vermilionite Larry Howell recalls catching a frog or two in those trenches when but a lad. Vermilion, in that yesteryear, was certainly a great place to come of age.
Just a few years thereafter, sometime around the year 1953, when the Decatur Street school building was being constructed (in the space where the baseball diamonds are in this photo) I along with several friends (Tom and Jake Boone) stole into the building to look about. It was during the springtime, and a lawn had yet to be planted on the Decatur Street side of the building. We entered the new building off the trackside of the place and went exploring. I loved the smell of the newly set concrete floors. The windows and doors had yet to be installed. Our footsteps and voices echoed throughout. It was fun.
Then, for some reason, we decided to leave the building on the Decatur Street side. It’d rained and the lawn was a sea of muck. As I started walking my feet sunk into the mud past my ankles, and I lost a shoe. As I was standing there, with one shoeless foot in the air, I looked toward the street, and there was my mother looking at me from her car. My heart fell into my stomach. Not only was I caught doing something she disapproved of - the shoes were brand new.
It’s funny how some photographs stir up memories from long ago. I don’t remember what my mother said or did after she caught me like a deer in her headlights in front of the new school. Perhaps I’ve suppressed it. What I do remember are several days when I had to put cardboard in the bottom of my old shoes because there were holes in the soles. Anyway, someone once said, “Sometimes we know we shouldn’t and that’s exactly why we do.” Needles to say, I didn’t do anything like that again.
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.44– April 13, 1905.
Mona Earl the 15-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Romy Early, of Huron, who disappeared from home about a year ago and was located in Indianapolis, has been sent to the Girls Industrial home. The girl’s father appeared before Probate Judge Curran Saturday and asked to have her placed in the institution.
Later – Mona Earl, the Huron girl, who was ordered placed in the Girls’ Industrial institute by the Probate Judge, will not go to the institute but will live with a married brother who has promised to give her proper care.
Conrad Steinmetz, age 41 years and Rose Gregory, w8 years, were married in probate court by Justice Winters Tuesday morning. Both reside at Ceylon.
At a meeting of the Village Board of Education Monday, it was definitely determined to adopt a four-year course in the High School, making it a school of the first grade. Supt. Seemann has careful planned such a course and placed it before the board at the meeting but it was the desire of the members to look it over before adopting it. This course has been contemplated for some time but it has not been found advisable to take action before.
The course as mapped out will give Latin, German and English courses or a portion of each. It will also give more time to review of the common branches and work necessary to prepare for teaching. Preparation for College can also be made in our school if required studies are adopted in the contemplated course. Two teachers in the high school will be necessary.
The adoption of a four-year course is to be commended, as it will place the Vermilion schools where they should be.
Miss L.M. Livingstone of Bellevue attempted suicide at the Travistock Hotel in Cleveland Tuesday.
Prof. Wm. H. Pickering of Harvard will go to North Africa to observe the eclipse of the sun on Aug. 30th.
Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Root of Lorain celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage Saturday. Both were born in Lorain and have lived there all their lives. Mr. Root began building boats at the age of nineteen and is at present building a tug for Driscoll & Kishman of this place. Mr. Root is 62 years of age and his wife is 67.
Rev. R.A. Rayson handed his resignation to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Huron the first of the week and left for parts unknown. No reason was given but it is understood that he has not been on the best of terms with several of the most prominent members for some time past. Mrs. Rayson is still in Huron. A letter of dismissal was granted Rev. Rayson from the Presbytery held at Sandusky this week and left with the Presbytery until called for.
The farmers of Fayette county have started war against automobiles. They have caused a number of runaways, and as the farmers are afraid to allow their women folks to venture out on the roads with a horse when an auto is liable to come along at any moment, they have determined to do all they can to keep them our of the country. Last year there wee a numbers of them here, but it is understood that all but one or two businessmen who have owned them have sold their machines.
The farmers in many instances felt justified in withdrawing their patronage, and some businessmen were compelled to do one of two things – dispose of their autos or do without the trade of a large number of farmers. Now about the only machines that are seen on our streets are those which come in from other cities – Dispatch from Washington, C.H., O., to the Plain Dealer.
[VV Ed. Note: Fayette County is a rural twenty or so miles southwest of Columbus, Ohio. The county seat is Washington Court House.]
Vermilion was invaded by a crowd Tuesday evening which was no credit to the town – indeed very unfortunate in more than one respect.
The proposition was to rent the hall for a boxing or athletic exhibition. So far, so good. No one would object. But when it was learned that the affair was to be an out and out prizefight between a Pittsburg light weight and a Lorain slugger, it was different. Some heard of the real object of the gathering, remonstrated and endeavored to have the affair stopped but without success.
In the evening a crowd came in on the electric, on the regular and two special cars and went to the town hall and commenced the “exhibition.” Reports vary, but it is stated twelve rounds had been fought before officers stopped the affair. Very few Vermilionites attended; in fact it was not generally known that such an event was to take place.
Yesterday morning when it became generally know abut town, our citizens were very indignant that the authorities should allow such proceedings in our midst. Why should we be disgraced in such a manner? It could have been stopped at once and SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
Why should a party of men come to Vermilion to give an exhibition when a much larger crowd would have gathered at Lorain? Lorain authorities would not allow it. The substance of the matter is, they thought Vermilion officials were “easy,” and we are inclined to think they found them so.
The affair was the topic of conversation Wednesday and some very plain language has been used, even to asking for the resignation of certain officers.
According to statements made by a Lorain paper, the fight was under the auspices of the West Side Social Outside Club of which Prof. Hochstein, who arranged the fight, is manager, and was between Kid Talbert of Pittsburg and Geo Frazier of Lorain. They had trained hard several weeks for the bout. It was fought with 6-oz. gloves under Marquis of Queensbury rules, which was “announced from the state” and was stopped after the 12th round. In closing the Times Herald thus describes the Kid. “When this contest was ended Talbert’s face was a sorry sight.” They will come together again in the course of three weeks.
The citizens of Vermilion ask why this prize fight or exhibition of brutes was allowed – They await an answer.
It is claimed that cure for laziness has been discovered. If this is the case why wouldn’t it be a good solution of the tramp problem – catch a few of them and try the experiment at any rate.
Vermilion only lacks one thing to make her a city of the first class. She has Sunday beer garden [sic] inside the corporation; she has Sunday ball games, and now that slugging matches have been added to the list, all she needs is bull-fights and she will be at the head of the heap.
We had a slugging match in our town hall Tuesday night which I am told, would not be allowed in Lorain so they pulled it off here. Now if Lorain is too high toned to allow such things, we are not. There is money in it and we can educate our small boys also in that line.
I would suggest that we erect an arena for bull fighting near our beer garden, send to Cuba for a couple of professionals, and have it all ready by summer. It can easily be done. If Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Cleveland cannot furnish toughs enough, we will call on Buffalo to help, and we can make things very interesting and if the admission to these entertainments isn’t too high our small boys will attend, and if it is they can climb up in the trees and look through the windows.
The churches are holding union protracted meetings now, but as that is a matte of no importance, we can let them pass and look after the prizefights, which are so much more entertaining. – CITIZEN.
The tug Rocket, owned by Capt. Wm. Tollman of Erie, Pa., in going out of Lorain Wednesday morning to lift nets for the A. Booth Fish company ran onto a sunken crib on the east end of the stone pier recently constructed by the Gaynor Bros. The tug Pankratz, in attempting to pull the Rocket off, rolled her over sinking her in 40 ft. of water. The Rocket is constructed of steel and is valued at $10,000.
Remember that we have a supply of carnations always in stock. Orders taken for floral designs for funerals, etc. Satisfaction guaranteed. – C.H. Nuhn, druggist.
W.J. and Mrs. J.W. Leidheiser attended Ben Hur at Cleveland Thursday evening.
Everett Sperry has recovered from an attack of pleurisy and expects [to] begin his duties as mail clerk again next week.
Several of our fishermen left with their tugs for Pt. Clinton yesterday.
Mrs. Heck, whose husband was killed at the mill a short time ago, has moved to her old home in Dayton.
I.D. Howard and family who have been Erie Pa., during the past year returned to Vermilion Sunday morning and resumed housekeeping in the old Wells Building.
Died – At the home of relatives at Huron, Monday Apr. 10, Mr. Geo Pawsons. It will be remembered that Mrs. Pawsons died some few weeks ago at their home a short distance out of town.
Among those who left this week to seek their fortunes on the lakes are Flynt Nichols, Geo Blattner, Clayton Hoffner, Chas. Nieding, Adam Mentel, Almon Patchett, Chas. Horton, L. Stone. Geo Rathbun, Frank and Clifford Parsons.
Harry Miller, who has been confined to the house since November by rheumatism, received a fine guitar last week from his cousin in Pittsburg, to help pass away the weary hours.
Esther Homes was born in Wales, Erie County, New York state, on the 25th of January 1865. Came to Ohio in 1880 with her parents. Was married to Lewis Faulhaber on October 31, 1885, mother of seven children, of which five are living. She died on April 7th 1905, at the age of 40 years, 2 months and 13 days.
Mrs. Faulhaber was a kind and loving mother and a loyal companion. Her presence and kindly disposition will be greatly missed in the home and among her man friends. She was a great sufferer the last few days of her life. She wished if possible at all that she might be spared to her family and enjoy the comfort of that relation to the home.
She leaves a husband and five children besides other near relatives and many friends to mourn their loss. The funeral was held from the house on Monday, April 10th. Burial at Ceylon, Rev. A. G. Rupert officiating.
Frank Raymond Shadduck passed away April 11, 1905, after a brief illness. He was born July 14, 1888, in the home just east of town and always lived there. His father Frank Shadduck died when Ray was ten months old. His mother Mrs. Edith Draa, and sister, Miss Leana Shadduck of the immediate family survive. Other near relatives living here are a grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousin.
Ray was a member of the incoming graduating class of the High School. The last Sunday of Rev. Kaley’s pastorate, Nov. 8, 1903, he united with the Congregational church where he had long attended Sunday school. Ray was a bright, promising, attractive boy. He stood high in his studies, his teachers speak warmly of his work as a pupil and his conduct as a boy. The funeral service will be held at the Congregational church Saturday at 1:30 Standard. The sympathy of the community goes out to the stricken family in this sad bereavement.
Died – At his home in Shinrock, Tuesday Apr. 11, Mr. Anson Hoffman, aged 40 yrs., 6 mos., and 21 days. He was sick only a week with carbuncles, which resulted in blood poison. Mr. Hoffman was married Apr. 18, 1894 to Miss Anna Knott, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Knott, Sr. of this place. Besides his wife he leaves four children, one son and three daughters and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death. The funeral was held today at 1 o’clock, Rev. Norton of Berlin Hts. officiating.
“Sandy” Silverwood, the high-diver, chicken fancier, etc. has added another experience to his already notorious existence. He is now a “broncho [sic] buster, ”or rather a “cow catcher” tourist. He was taken off the pilot of a passenger engine at Sandusky the other day so drunk he didn’t’ know he was alive. It seems he boarded the train at Port Clinton and made the trip to Sandusky with a keg of wine as a companion. How he succeeded in making the trip in safety is a mystery. He will probably try a flying machine next. That and a trip to the north pole would be about in line with his other adventures.
[VV Ed. Note: In August of 1903 Mr. Silverwood “did the high dive act from the Ranney Fish House” during a very early Regatta-type celebration in Vermilion.”]
Hmmmmmm....
"The roofline of house on the right in the upper photo seemed familiar..."
DETECTING VERMILION’S CHURCH OF CHRIST: Sadly, neither of the photographs accompanying the Yesteryear column this week is of good quality. Although taken several years apart they are almost identical in their dream-like appearance. (One could also call their appearance “out-of-focus”.) But, no matter, there is enough in them to help with identification.
The upper photo is one I’ve been puzzling over for years. It is from my grandfather’s, Roscoe’s, collection. With the assistance of a computer and / or a magnifying glass it is possible to read the sign above the door on the building. It says “Church of Christ”. Consequently, that part of discovery was never a big problem. The larger difficulty was trying to place the church in Vermilion – where was it located?
The roofline of house on the right in the upper photo seemed familiar, and brought to mind several in town. One is located near the old Nickel Plate rails on State Street. The other is across from Vermilion’s Municipal Court on Decatur Street. However, neither of those structures has anything similar to the church next door. Moreover, I thought it very possible that neither of the buildings still existed. [e.g. who will be able to remember where Fulper’s Auto Parts / Service Station was located in 2112?] Considering that possibility I set my puzzling aside confident that someday someone or something would lead me to discovering the site of the church.
Last Saturday morning (04/21/12) my patience paid off when I received several digital communiqués from John Copeland who currently resides in the South. John’s father is Vermilionite Rick Copeland. (Several weeks back Rick told me that while visiting his son he might have him forward some old Vermilion pictures to me.) Ergo; the photographs.
In all, there are sixteen scanned documents. Eleven are photographs, and five are scans of the notations on the backs of some of the photos identifying them. On the back of the one with the church (the bottom photo in the accompanying illustration) was this note: “Church of Christ on South Main St., Vermilion, O., about 1910.” And so did I respond with in my best detective voice, “Aha!” – finally a clue. But, all kidding aside, I was both elated and surprised, for I’d never have guessed the site of the church in a million years.
Initially, I wondered (momentarily) about the church being located on “South” Main Street. This is because there was no “South Main Street” when these pictures were taken c. 1910. The street from Liberty to South Street was known as Division Street until 1963. This meant that the notes must have been added sometime after 1963. But either way it is now possible to identify the site.
This building, or a reasonable facsimile of it, still exists. It is now the site of a duplex on the west side of Main Street between Ohio and South Streets. It appears to be the same structure with some modifications: A front porch, dormer, and basement having been added. Both neighboring homes have also been altered over the years but, by and large, they look much the same today as they did a hundred years ago. Now, the only thing left to do is to find out what happened to the congregation of folks who worshipped there. Who knows (?) maybe in another ten years…
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.
…In 1872 the village council submitted the question of a reservoir, to be fed by a large ditch on the eastern border of the corporation, to the people for a vote, which resulted almost unanimously in its favor, only two votes being recorded against the question. An ordinance was then parsed authorizing the construction of water works, and providing for the issue of bonds of the village, not to exceed the amount of forty thousand dollars, the same to expire in 1880. A special election was held July 5, 1873, for the election of three trustees, for one, two, and three years. J. W. Goodson, A. B. Smith, and B. Moore were elected, and immediately preceded to work out the plan. A lot of five acres was purchased from McKim and Bates, with the right of way to the ditch before mentioned. Two more acres were subsequently added to the first purchase, making the present area seven acres. In digging out the reservoir, the dirt was piled up around the sides, making a substantial embankment. The gravel in the side of the ridge was struck in some places, and when the reservoir is full, the water filters through the gravel into the ridge for a great distance, forming an almost inexhaustible supply, for one season at least.
In 1875, water conductors were laid through Main street, but it was found that there was not sufficient pressure to furnish all the water that was needed. In 1877, a tank house of brick was built, thirty-two feet high, and surmounted by a boiler iron tank, twenty-five feet high and eighteen feet in diameter, capable of holding fifty thousand gallons of water. A Knowles engine and pump were purchased, for the purpose of forcing the water into the tank.
About thirteen thousand feet of main pipe have been laid. For some time after the construction of the reservoirs the people of the town got along with their former facilities for obtaining water, but many are now using from the pipes, and the number is increasing weekly. There are fifteen hydrants for use in case of fire, and water is used by two mills and two factories. The present receipts amount to about six hundred and fifty dollars per annum.
Though an ordinance was passed authorizing the issue of bonds of the village for forty thousand dollars, but about twenty-four thousand dollars have been issued. The total cost of the works thus far has been twenty-three thousand seven hundred dollars. The report of the water works trustees, made January 1, 1879, shows the sum of one thousand two hundred and sixty dollars and forty-five cents in the treasury, to the credit of this fund. It is expected that the receipts will pay all future expenses in the way of laying mains and making necessary repairs.
In 1871, some of the capitalists of Bellevue conceived the idea of erecting a large building, putting in an engine and suitable machinery, and renting to any persons or companies, who required power for manufacturing purposes, such part of the building as they might need for carrying forward the business in which they were engaged. A subscription paper was started and the names of eighty-seven persons were obtained. It was the intention to start with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, though it was found that this amount would not be required, and but thirty thousand dollars were called in. Some few of the signers of the subscription did not finally take shares, though eight hundred and thirty-six were taken.
A contract was made August 8, 1871, for a building forty by one hundred and fifty feet, two stories in height, and thirty feet to the roof. This was completed in the fall of the same year. An engine house was also built, twenty by thirty feet in size, the total cost being about thirty thousand dollars, including the land on which the building was erected.
About two-thirds of the building was leased to Wood, Sawyer & Company as a furniture manufactory; a part to Ferguson Greene for a feed mill, and the balance to McKim Brothers in connection with their barrel factories. In 1874, an addition, forty-four and one-half feet by one hundred and fifty feet, and three stories in height, was erected with the expectation of an increased number of renters. Wood, Sawyer & Company rented the third story in addition to what they already had, and McKim Brothers took one-third of the lower story. Murray & Beck rented a part of the second story for use as a door, sash and blind factory. A short time after this, in 1876, Wood, Sawyer & Company organized the Bellevue Furniture company, and moved their factory into a building on Kilbourne street. Murray & Beck followed them and rented a part of their building. F. Greene gave up his business on account of failing health, and at the present time McKim Brothers are the only occupants of the power building.
At the time the addition was built the income from the rental of the building and power was four thousand five hundred dollars. At the present time there is no income to stockholders, but the receipts pay all expenses. Possibly, with the advent of better times in the future, manufacturers maybe induced to come here and engage in business that will fill the building with the busy hum of machinery.
LAWYERS.—P. N. Schuyler, J. B. Miller. PHYSICIAN'S.—G. S. Lauterman, H. L. Harris. W. S. Robinson, G. V. Parmelee, R. C. Hunter. R. A. Severance, Dr. Sandemeister. PRINTING OFFICES.—H. F. Baker & Son. Publishers Bellevue Local News; Stoner & Thompson, publishers Bellevue Gazette. PHOTOGRAPHS.—S. P. Gaugler, A. H. A. Smith. POST OFFICE. —F. L, Goodson, postmaster. JEWELERS.—R. A. Boyer, Breitmaier & Son. INSURANCE.—C. C. Cook. G. Dangleisen, E.O. Merry, Wm. Lieber, A.J. Stahl.
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
WAGNER CAFÉ: I suppose this isn’t really an artifact – but tis neat. It’s another part of a larger photograph of the “Heart of Vermilion” from about 1910. I used a facsimile of it on my 2000 calendar because I think it so charming.
Persons who know the town will recognize the old café as the current home of the Main Street Grill – that used to be (among other things) Hart’s Corner Drug Store.
I am amused by the fact that it has apparently forever been a place for loiterers to loiter. I can’t think of a better site to lollygag in Vermilion than the corner of Main and Liberty streets.
1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted. 4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm, and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home." "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" Well, "It's Not Unusual."
8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true; no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"
13. I went to a seafood disco last week ...and pulled a mussel.
14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A f s h.
15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says," Dam!"
16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office, and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
18. A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt, and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain ; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath.. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good). A super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.
NADA AGAIN: 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.
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.11, Issue 2 - March 23, 2013
© 2012 Rich Tarrant