_{"This [c.1885] beautiful photograph of Nicholas in the cab of a steam engine was taken at one of his logging operations in Carter County, Ky."}

BUILDING AMERICAN ON WOODEN RAILS: The men and women who built our nation were an amazing bunch. Their moral and physical strength, married to their ingenuity, had to be considerable. Those are the things that popped into my thoughts when I first saw the photograph accompanying this essay.

Nicholas Fischer was born in Germany about 1836. According to the United States Census of 1900, he and his wife, Mary, emigrated from Germany to America sometime in 1854. I would footnote here that the migration of peoples from Germany during the 1850's was related to political unrest that was taking place in that country. The reason more than a few of those families settled in Vermilion, Ohio is unknown (to me) at this time.

In the aforementioned census Mr. Fischer lists his occupation as "Timber buyer." What the census doesn't say is that his business, which was namely one of logging and selling lumber wholesale, was based in the woodlands. of Kentucky and West Virginia. In the meantime, Fischer's wife, Mary, took care of their 7 children and their home on Ohio Street in Vermilion.

This [c.1885] beautiful photograph of Nicholas in the cab of a steam engine was taken at one of his logging operations in Carter County, Ky. There would, perhaps, seem nothing unusual about it until one takes a good look at the rails beneath the train. The train ran along log rails, the engine and flat cars supported by concave wheels made of iron.

The gentleman directly behind Fischer, leaning on the tender, is a fellow named John "Jack" Knott. Jack had, very literally, built the log railroad for Mr. Fischer. A close look at the picture will tell you that this was no mean feat. I had a time sifting through records trying to track Jack (no pun intended). However; this particular gentleman returned to town in' the 1890's and reportedly operated a sawmill here until his demise in 1928. The U.S. census of 1910 lists him as living on Ohio Street with his Kentucky born wife, Jennie, and 3 children.

Mr. Fischer's oldest son, George, succeeded him in the Kentucky logging business. But after working eleven years on the wholesale side of the operation he decided to put the Commerce and law degree(s) he had earned at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio to work. He returned to Vermilion about 1893 to start a retail lumber business along the banks of the river in the area between what is now the Fisherman's Bend Condominiums and the Vermilion Boat Club clubhouse (See PJ 8-22-02).

Vestiges of the works of Nicholas Fischer, his son George, and Jack Knott are still evident in Vermilion today. The same initiatives that once built a log railroad in the hills of Kentucky are at the very center of our town. They are alive and well in the visage and expression of the place we know as Vermilion, Ohio.

_{Ref: The Vermilion News 3-31-49; Photo; Axtel & Birmingham Knott family album; Ancestry.com; Al Tarrant; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 11/03/2005.}

Vol. IX – NO.40 – MAR.15, 1906.

ABOUT OUR HARBOR.
Nothing More To Be Done This Year.

Some time ago several of our business men wrote to G.E. Mouser our representative in Congress asking if means could be provided to complete the work on the west pier. Mr. E. L. Coen has received a letter from Mr. Mouser saying he had taken the matter up with Hon. Theodore Burton Chairman of rivers and Harbors Committee and received the following letter from Maj. Kingman to Mr. Burton:

Cleveland O., Feb 2. ‘06
Hon T.E. Burton M.C.
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Mr. Burton,

Replying to your letter of Jan 31st in regard to Vermilion Harbor I am sending herewith a blue print which show the harbors and also the method adopted to repair and strengthen the old timber crib jetties.

The project for this harbor was adopted by the last river and harbor act. The estimated cost of the improvement was $42,350, and the act appropriated $15,000 toward the execution of the work. This sum has been applied to the repair of a portion of the east jetty, (should read west end.) and the portion selected was that which was in the most ruinous condition and which most need to be fixed. The work was done under contract with the Buckeye contracting Company, of Cleveland and they have just finished it the appropriation being exhausted.

I have just shown on the blue print in red the portion of the jetty, which was repaired. The contractors took pride in their work an did an excellent job. They used sandstone from Amherst, which came in regular blocks so that the pavement is quite smooth and regular and really has a fine finish than was expected when the contract was drawn.

There is a little length of about 75 feet marked A.B. on the plan that we could not finish for lack of funds. It makes it look rather bad but I do not think the harbor is in anyway in danger. In fact, I am of the opinion that the condition there is better and safer than it has been at any time for the past twenty years. When more funds are available of course, the work will be finished with the rest but I don not think that such an emergency exists as would require a special appropriation or a special allotment at this time. Some of the people of Vermilion communicated with me by telephone and expressed a great desire that this piece of work should be finished, and asked if funds could not be found for this purpose. I suggest tht the town might perhaps find the funds and that there would be no objection to their finishing tis portion of the work.

I do not think that there is any danger that the lake will break through at this place as the water is exceedingly shallow for a long distance outside, and the bank is quite firm and solid and the crib below the water surface is sound and strong.

Very truly yours,
DAN C. KINGMAN
Lieut. Col. Corps of Engineers
U.S.A.

WATCH FOUND

Last September while several Pittsburg ladies were taking an outing Vermilion, they visited the farm of John Knott Sr. where threshing was being done. Being of a venturesome nature they visited the top of the straw stack. Later one of the party missed her pocket book, which contained her watch. Search was made but in vain. Last Thursday Miss Margaret Knott found the pocket book and contents in straw, which had been taken from the stack.

The watch was in good running order. Miss Knott has written to the owner who will doubtlessly be pleased to recover her property.

O.C. Haugh formerly a Lorain physician, was found guilty of first degree murder at Dayton this week. The crime for which he was arrested was the murder of his father, mother and brother and the burning of the dwelling last November.

Harkness livery barn, Bateham’s studio and E.A. Dunlap’s furniture and undertaking rooms at Norwalk were completely gutted by fire Monday. All were well insured.

COURT NOTES

In the case of Charles Humphreys et al. vs. Anna Burrows et al. was tried by jury Friday. The suit was contest the will of the late Mrs. Jeanette Call, of Vermilion, who died at the age of 93. The will was made two years before the old lady’s death and by its terms the property was divided among the living children of Mrs. Call, some of her grandchildren whose parents are dead being left out. By a subsequent codicil Mrs. Call changed her will so as to give her daughter, Anna Burrow, $500 more than the other children. The will was contested on the ground of alleged undue influence and mental incapacity owing to extreme old age and loss of memory. By the verdict the jury sustained the original will but set aside the codicil.

In the case of Lewis Koehnle, admr. Against the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway company the defendant has filed an answer to the amended petition. In its answer the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway company admits that it is a corporation and that Christopher Bechtold Jr., was injured on May 13th, 1930 [sic – should probably be 1903] near Vermilion. It is also admitted that he leaves no wife or children. Every other allegation set forth in the petition is denied. It is further said that if the injuries which cased Bechtold’s death were caused form any negligences it was not on the part of the defendant, the L.S. & M. S. Ry. Co., but through the negligence of the deceased, Christopher Bechtold.

A marriage licenses was issued to Conrad G. Leidheiser, 25, Berlin Hts. and Miss Anna K. Knott, 19, Vermilion.

BREVITIES

Sir Walter Gilbey bears the reputation of being one of the greatest living authorities on all kins of sports.

[VV Ed. Note: Sir Walter Gilbey (1831 – 1914), 1st Baronet DL was an English wine-merchant and philanthropist. He was born at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.]

Sir Thomas Lipton thinks that gardening is the very best form of recreation. He has a summer house built in a tree in his home garden.

[VV Ed. Note: Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton (1848 – 1931), 1st Baronet, KCVO was a Scotsman of Ulster-Scots parentage who was a self-made man, merchant, and yachtsman. He created the Lipton tea brand and was the most persistent challenger in the history of the America's Cup.]

Senator Aldrich is said to be one of the leading figures in the new $30,000.000 company formed to operate in Mexico. His son-in-law, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. is also in it.

Thomas B. Bryan, a pioneer citizen of Chicago and a prominent merchant, who recently died, was once asked to give advice to a boys’ club. He wrote: “Take care of details. Beware of cocktails.”

Charles F. Gunther, who for many years has been one of the foremost collectors of curios, in Chicago, believes that he is in possession of an original portrait of William Shakespeare, painted during the dramatist’s lifetime. He obtained it from a Chicago minister, who in turn had got it from a family in Bristol, England.

[VV Ed. Note: Charles Frederick Gunther was a German-American confectioner and collector. He purchased many of the items now owned by the Chicago History Museum. But be that as it is I doubt that the Shakespeare portrait was legitimate. He was, however, a man after my own heart.]

RUGBY

Mrs. G. H. Bacon of Mill Hollow is reported very ill.

Lloyd and Lisle Bacon worked for C.A. Baldwin Saturday.

Our old folks are getting very gay. They are having one dance after another.

G.H. Bacon will soon move on the Derby farm.

It is reported that F.O. Baldwin of Broughton had rented his farm to Geo. Myers of Henrietta but we understand that Mr. Myers has backed out.

Peter Skinn will move on the McDoud place near the Orphans Home soon.

HURON

Nearly all cisterns here are empty.

Capt. Henry Peterson who has been spending the winter at Detroit was in town last week.

Born – To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schuh a daughter March 6th.

Capt. A.H. pearl attended the funeral of Judge Goodwin at Sandusky Thursday.

At a meeting of the Board of Public Affairs Tuesday night, John Britton was appointed to take charge of the electric light plant at a salary of $80 per month.

BROWNHELM

Lute McQueen has sold his dwelling house and lot to Ralph Goodfrey for $1150. The latter will take possession about May 1st.

Ben Lindsley has rented the Fairchild residence, Mrs. Fairchild having decided to move from the frame dwelling house into the brick residence.

Bert McQueen has returned from Ada where he has been attending school.

Ed Sanders has purchased a house and lot of Elmer Warner and will move there from the Fairchild house.

Mrs. Sarah Sullivan has moved into Mrs. Leidheiser’s house at the Station.

At this writing C.L. Whittlesey is very low.

ASHMONT.
OBITUARY

A deep sad gloom was cast over this entire community March 2 by the announcement that Robert Ellsworth Lee the youngest son of Mrs. Millie Lee Driver, died on the early morning train which was bearing him to Cleveland for an operation as the last means of saving his young life. Elsworth was taken sick with pneumonia, but with good care seemed to be gaining until he rapidly grew worse. It was at first hoped he could be cured without an operation, but upon examination it was found to be necessary. His brother, and stepfather were with him when the end came.

They accompanied the body to Cleveland where it wqs prepared for burial and brought back to the home he had hopefully left that morning. It is hard to realize that those fair blossoms are forever snatched form their earthly home, and to understand whey the cold hand that forever stills, should touch their lips and close their eyes so soon.

But mingled with this sorrow is the comforting thought that in that home whence none returns there is a paradise where God has a home for earth’s fairest treasures free from its sins and sorrows. The deceased was fourteen years of age.

A mother one sister and one brother are left to mourn their loss, besides other near relatives and friends.

The funeral was held at Joppa church, Monday at 11 a.m. Interment at Maple Grove.

Mrs. Fred Wilcox, who was called here by the death of her nephew Ellsworth Lee, has returned to her home in Chicago.

Chas. Thompson is still on the sick list.

Miss Tessie, who was called to this place by the sickness of her brother Ellsworth, returned to Castalia Tuesday.

Mr. Pierce Lee has returned to Chicago. He was called here by the sickness of his brother.

Miss Susan B. Anthony the famous woman suffragist, died at her home in Rochester Monday aged 86.

Elyria had a dog scare the first of the week. It was a strange dog and bit a number of other dogs and two children before it was shot. The children were bitten below the shoe tops and serious results are anticipated.

It is reported that the engineers who have been at work at Oak Point have been withdrawn for the present and one drill has ceased operations. The other drill is still at work and the right of way of the N.Y.C. and t St. L. and L.S. E. Rys. The question is till being asked, “What’s going to be done?”

There is talk of a whistle on the waterworks powerhouse for a fog signal and other purposes, such as fire, curfew, etc. The fishermen were at one time willing to provide such a whistle if the board would allow it to be attached to the boiler. Very few towns lack such a whistle, which is sounded morning, noon and night, but Vermilion has neither clock, bell nor whistle, which can be heard all over town.

Contract Ratified

The subscribers to the Wakefield Brass Co. fund met at the town hall Tuesday evening and ratified the work of the committee. The deed of the property is to be turned over to the Company after the factory has been in regular operation for 60 days.

Funeral of Clarence Hoffner.

Last weeks News chronicled the death of Clarence H. Hoffner at Sandusky as the result of his falling under a train at Danbury that he was a brakeman upon. Mr. Hoffner was born at Brownhelm March 12th 1870, which was his home till his marriage to Miss Stella M. Johnson of Vermilion, Christmas 1896. Since which time Toledo has been his home. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoffner – Doris now six years old. In six days Mr. Hoffner would have been 36 years of age. For years he has worked for the L.S. & M. S. Ry. He bore an excellent character and had a large circle of friends. Services wee held at Toledo last Thursday, conducted by Rev. J.A. Kaley who accompanied the relatives and friends to Vermilion where at the Johnson home services were held last Friday. Rev. Kaley made an address full of touching references to the deceased, and comfort to the bereaved ones. Rev. Merrill preached a brief sermon, a quartette from the Congregational choir sang, and the I.O.O.F. funeral service was read. Delegations were present from the I.O.O.F. the K. and L. of S. and the B. of R.T. the floral offerings were many and vry beautiful. A throng attended at both Toledo and Vermilion.

At the cemetery officers of the three orders referred to participated, closing as was most appropriate, with words from the B. of R.T. officers in whose close association he had so long been.

ADDITIONAL LOCALS

The tug Wm. B. of Cleveland arrived Sunday to prepare for spring fishing.

Geo Rathbun and Wm. Parsons spent Monday at Sandusky.

A.W. Leadrach has sold his 5 year old blooded driving mare, Lady Silvers, to Berlin Heights parties.

Died – Tuesday, March 13 at her home near Ruggles Beach, Mrs. Geo Knoch, aged 63. The funeral was held this morning at 10 o’clock from the Reformed church at Ruggles Beach.

The young people of Vermilion who are effected by the Curfew law will again be called upon to obey its provisions. Although no bell will at present be run. Later a bell or whistle will be provided for such a purpose.

Mr. Chas Andrews called on his old friend and comrade, C.W. Meade at the hospital of the Soldiers’ Home one day last week and found him not much improved in health.

J.N. Wooden of Wakeman has purchased Geo B. Krapp’s Meat Market and took possession Wednesday. Mr. Wooden is an experienced man in the business and we wish him success. Mr. Krapp will, it is expected, engage in buying and selling livestock, etc.

The dry goods firm of D.B. Goodsell & Co. of Marion has filed a petition in bankruptcy. The liabilities are placed at $28,000, assets estimated at $30,000.

The fishing season opens today but the prospects are that on account of the ME. Gale the ice will block the harbor so it may be several days before fishing will being in earnest.

The Choral union will meet at the home of Miss Maud Fischer next Monday evening. This will be the last rehearsal of the term, and a program will be rendered of the selections on which the union has been working during the term All members are invited to be present.

Legislative

The Winter bill raising the age of consent of girls from 16 to 18 years passed the house practically unanimously.

The Roberts dance hall bill was defeated in the Senate this week. The bill provided for the prohibition of the sale of liquors in dance halls, skating rinks, etc.

A bill to license all motormen and conductors on interurban electric railways has been introduced into the house by Representative Lersch of Lorain county. The bill provides for the appointment by the governor of a board to examine all persons desiring employment as motormen and conductors, and that a certificate of capability shall be essential to such employment. The bill will not affect present employees.

Sheriff Salisbury was called to Beach Park Saturday afternoon to quell a small riot among the foreigners employed on the L.S.E. The trouble started over the discharge of two or three incompetent. The sheriff swore in several deputies and two or three shots dispersed the rioters.

Adam Kolbe and Henry Fulmer, executors of the estate of Conrad W. Faber filed a suit Friday against the Lake Shore Electric Railway Company asking for $10,000 damages.

The company promised to give Faber a crossing on his farm but did not do so. While passing over the track on his farm he was killed by a car.

_{"Bennie. Sutliff and his sister, Ruby, were the youngest of 10 children."}

THE FORSAKEN: If this reads like the beginning of a Charles Dickens tale it is not. It is a very real chronicle. About the only thing worse than this particular scenario would have been if it began on Christmas Eve. As the subject of this article would recall in a 1976 interview, “This isn't a happy story.”

Bennie. Sutliff and his sister, Ruby, were the youngest of 10 children. Their widowed mother was about to marry a man who also had two young children. He was not a wealthy man and, consequently, didn't feel that he could sup­ P01t such a large family. Therefore. Mrs. Sutliff decided t01 send Ben and his little sister to' live in a Berne, Indiana orphanage run by a man named John Sprunger and his wife, Katie. The year was 1898. It was Bennie's 5th birthday.

The Sprungers were, of course, the founders and operators of the light and Hope orphanage that was once located ill Swill's Hollow near Vermilion, Ohio. For nearly 100 years urban myth has designated it as the "Gore Orphanage". And' as much fun as folks apparently have with this 20th. Century fable of ghosts among other things: that go bump in the night, there, is a very serious aspect t01 this story that involves a terrible thing, called reality. The adage that leads one to' understand that truth can be stranger than fiction definitely applies here.

Bennie came from Indiana with the Sprungers in 1903 when they built their children's home. On Thanksgiving Day in 1908 he took leave of the institution (without notice) and came to Vermilion to live with the Peter Hahn family. And therein did the story of the ill treatment of some one hundred girls and boys under the care of the Sprungers' begin to unravel.

A formal investigation of activities at the home took place in the latter part of 1909 after a number of other children took refuge with families outside the orphanage. Testimony given by "inmates" [sic] during mid-September of 1909 alleged the following:

A diet of calf’s lungs, hog heads, sick tattle, com boiled in the same pot used to boil / wash underwear, lack of regular schooling, beatings. Infestations of rats and mice, accusations of what amounted to slave labor, and lack of appropriate health care.

None of the testimony given by, either Mr. or Mrs. Sprunger totally refuted the orphan's claims. However; it is necessary to understand that during that period of time the State of Ohio had very few laws pertaining to the operation of those institutions. And in addition to these things it would be unfair for anyone to assume that the Sprungers' were just blatantly malicious and / or evil persons. All facts be known they probably assumed more responsibility lover 543 acres of land and perhaps 200 children of all ages than they could possible handle.

But for Bennie, his sister Ruby, (pictured with their mother) and many of the other children whose misfortune it was to reside at Sprunger's Hope and Light Orphanage it was an unadulterated nightmare.

While the orphanage did continue operations until 1916, Mr. Sprunger died in 1911, and management of the home was transferred into the control of the Friends Church of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Sprunger returned to Brne where she continued her work with orphans.

Bennie never returned to the home and became a lifelong citizen of Vermilion. He was a carpenter by trade and lived. out his days with his wife, Ida, in a house he built on Haber (Maurer's Lane) Road at the southern edge of town. And if there was anything haunting about the long lost orphanage on Gore Road it was probably confined to the recollections of those, like Bennie Sutliff, who lived it.

_{Ref: Rich Tarrant's Yesteryear: 2005; Special Thanks to Betty McMillen (Ben's niece); Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/13/2005.}

A CURIOUS FIND: While filling a bookcase at the museum a few days ago I happed upon an old book. As is my habit I leafed through it to see if someone might have placed something in it and came across this postcard. It was addressed to my mother: Miss Ella Roscoe – Vermilion, Ohio. I point out the manner in which it was addressed because there was no further information, such as a house number, on it and my mother (as is obvious) received it without any problem.

The card may be c.1915. Unfortunately, I am unable to make out the name of the sender or the precise date. But it was sent from London, England and I thought it a fascinating artifact. I don’t know anything about the real “Curiosity Shop”, but I am familiar with the novel. [Charles Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop novel tells the story of Nell Trent, a beautiful and virtuous young girl of "not quite fourteen." An orphan, she lives with her maternal grandfather (whose name is never revealed) in his shop of odds and ends.]

I know not if this was the real shop or one that took the name and exploited it is unknown by me. Nonetheless this is a curious find.