2 Lights
SHOPTALK: The pic on my home computer desktop this week is a brightly colored depiction of one of our family cats. His name is Jebediah Fish. I was playing with my camera early one morning recently and got a close-up of the pesky fella. The “Jebineezer” only has good sight in one of his eyes. When he was a very small kitten he was mauled by another cat and lost most of the sight in one eye. He’s an indoor cat and he’s fun to be around – the “best boy in town”.
On the shoptop this week is a pic of a hall lantern manufactured by Vermilion’s F.W. Wakefield Company in the 1920s. It’s really a beautiful light fixture. I’d like to have it for the museum – but we can’t afford it. A Fostoria, Ohio company specializing in antique fixtures has it on sale for $550. Actually, they have a pair of them. So if anyone (aside from myself) is interested in collecting such things it is available.
BOOKTALK: I have only a very limited number of my original “Sketches” book left and I doubt that I’ll ask for a reprint. It’s been on Vermilion’s “Worst Seller” list for two consecutive weeks.
I also have a few copies of the revised “Now & Then” in Vermilion books, as well as the revised “Yesteryear in Vermilion, O” book.
The first “Yesteryear” book has the true story of the place folks call the “Gore Orphanage” along with a related piece, “Epilogue For An Urban Legend”, and “The Elusive Story of Loyola-on-the-Lake.
The revisions have allowed me to amend, revise, and add to the books. In some cases the details were in need of clarification – adding things I didn’t know until after I’d published the firs time.
I also have “The History of the Vermilion News – 1897 – 1964 (Nancy Alice Tarrant Emery), as well as a Roscoe Family booklet called “The Evolution of an American Family – 1545 – 1936”.
Though the Vermilion News and Roscoe Family booklets pertain to my family they actually have some wider appeal as historical documents and are good reads.
WORK, WORK, WORK: Back to it during a lull we’re getting to the master bedroom in the museum apartment.
I wanted to take this pic of it before we’ve gone too far. Here we’ve scraped off all the loose wallpaper. We’ve plastered all the big holes in the walls and removed the window curtains.
Next step will be sanding smooth the platering. Then putting an underlayment coat of paint on the walls. After that the room will be papered and the trim will be cleaned and repainted.
Moving along…
MUSUEM SCHEDULE: Beginning now the museum will be open six days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM. We will be closed on Sundays and Holidays. We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. The museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children accompanied with an adult will be admitted free. For Special Tours call: 440-967-4555.
We are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Private tours during those hours and during the evening can be arranged by calling the museum, or stopping in to see us.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.
Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always 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 Museum727 Grand Street Vermilion, Ohio 44089440.967.4555.
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 in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
J.R. PARSONS: I’ve written about Parson’s Moving Company several times in the past. My late friend Frank Adkins used to work for Richard “Dick” Parsons – and so did another friend, Bill Ream (Vermilion teacher Doc Ream’s son).
This pic shows Parson’s truck, and some of the sundry articles / wood beams, etc. they used to move big buildings and boats from one site to another.
I don’t recognize any of the workmen in the pic, but I recognize the site. They’re behind the old school on State Street in Vermilion. This is a pretty old photo – maybe 1940 or earlier. It is prior to the time when the Basic Food Company (that purchased the building to manufacture spices) built a metal annex on the south side of the school.
The truck was a real work horse. It lasted well into the 1960s.
I haven’t seen Dick for several years now. The last I knew he was living in North or South Carolina. He was in his 90s. But the last time I saw and spoke with him he was still driving.
I also have a telephone interview with him and his wife that I recorded a number of years back. It’s very enlightening. Dick, and his father before him, moved numerous buildings and boats all over northern Ohio. I believe his dad moved the Maudelton Hotel back in 1903-04. According to some historians they never even cracked a piece of plaster in the move.
USED:[NOTE: This is from last week. I was working so long on the "Free Love" piece that I failed to get another 'Now & Then" thing together. I should have it ready later this morning or early this afternoon.]
I used a rendition of this scene in my "Now & Then" book. Here, however, the “now” pic is new – taken just a few days ago. The area has changed a great deal since it was built in 1935 by E.E. Koontz.
A KODAK MOMENT – 1959: During the early and middle years of the 20th century Vermilion was very fortunate to be the home of several persons who were rather good amateur photographers. One of them was Roy Kneisel. Another was Albert Lingelbach (VPJ 10/18/12). Though I knew for many years that Mr. Lingelbach had taken many photos about town, until just a few years ago, I had not seen many of them. But thanks to a Vermilion expatriate and an old school chum, Dana Buell Wheeler, I have had the privilege of viewing several more. Among them was the “beauty” accompanying this week’s column.
This is really and truly a very remarkable photograph – and it’s not just because I know / knew most of the people in it. It’s because of its quality. One can almost hear the birds chirping, the band playing, and feel the heat of the sun reflecting off the street. Memorial Day on May 25 in 1959 was a sunny pleasant day in Vermilion, Ohio. And Albert Linglebach’s photograph most certainly captures that fact – or at least one moment of it.
Mr. Linglebach caught these shadows at the intersection of Grand and South streets (looking north). The first house on the right side of the picture was not nearly as attractive as it is today (2014). When this photo was taken it was covered with rough textured orange-brown asphalt siding, and there was very little landscaping. The home behind it was the Leidheiser brick home that has always been a handsome place. And after it was Court Simon’s (originally Captain Gilchrist’s) house on the southeast corner of Grand and Ohio streets. Way down Grand Street a car waits for [what else?] a passing train at the crossing. [One can hear that as well.]
The policeman directing traffic in the picture is none other than, now long retired Vermilion lawman, Joe Mayer. The pregnant lady with the little girl crossing the street behind Joe is Vermilionite Jane Smith. Mrs. Smith would just a short time later give birth to a son she named Robert. [Bob’s age is, by the way, how the date of the photo was determined.] Currently Jane lives in a pretty home very near this corner.
The fella driving the lawn tractor is John Brunton. Johns father, Arnold, owned a lawn equipment repair and sales business west of town. Eventually John would become a shop teacher at Vermilion High. And many current Vermilion residents should recognize the little guy riding on the hood of John’s tractor. It is local businessman Larry “Captain Larry” Dickerhoff when he was but a lad.
Navigating the Schwinn “bicycle built for two” are Lee Kress and Roylene (Fitzgerald) Kenyon. A person would be hard pressed to think of anyone in the Kress family who was disagreeable. Amiability must have been a genetic trait in their family. After graduating from school Lee spent some time in the Navy, came home, and eventually went to work for the city water department until retirement. Roylene married an Akron man – a minister’s son - named David Kenyon just a few years after this picture was taken. David’s father, Paul, conducted the marriage ceremony.
The newest car in the photograph is a 1957 Oldsmobile parked on the left side of the street. The others are early 1950s – a Ford and Chevrolet. I was an auto enthusiast just a few months shy of my 15th birthday when Mr. Linglebach arrested these images of a yesteryear on film. That’s the reason I take note of them today. But being a few months shy of 15 back then also meant that I knew everything there was to know about everything. Consequently things like parades, Memorial or otherwise, were to my pseudo-Jack Kerouac way of thinking, “nowhere”. Thus, I was “nowhere” to be found at that time. So thank God for amateur photographer Albert Linglebach and his camera for this Kodak moment.
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. X – NO.14 – September 14, 1906.
The court on Monday heard a proceeding which had been presented some weeks ago when a citation was issued requiring Henry Fisher to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt Fisher was defendant in a case brought by Lelia Seton Wilder to enjoin him from obstructing plaintiff in removing sand from his beach at Ceylon under a contract originally made to one Disette and transferred to plaintiff. This case resulted in an injunction being issued by the circuit court and it was claimed that in violation of the order of injunction. Fisher had erected a barrier, which kept the plaintiff’s agents off the beach. After hearing the evidence the court found Fisher guilty, but as there were extenuating circumstances he was fined the nominal sum of $0 and costs.
The West Huron Sporting club brought suit on Monday against Chas Bogart and Burt Bardshar for alleged trespass upon its property. A temporary injunction was allowed.
Upon the petition of Geo Fischer Judge Reed on Wednesday evening in chambers, issued a temporary injunction restraining the village of Vermilion from entering upon his property and removing improvements which he has erected thereon for the purpose of operating a street.
[VV. Ed. Note: This is feud between the town and Mr. Fischer that went on for some time. In the end the village would win. But Mr. Fischer kept them on their toes.]
Coroner McClelland will hold the inquest in the L.S.E. wreck, which occurred west of town on August 4, here tomorrow (Sept.14). A large number of witnesses has been subpoenaed.
George Wohlever and Frank Frombach were driving to Vermilion the other day with two horses and light wagon when they met an automobile driven by an Amherst man at a high rate of speed. He kept in the middle of the road crowding them into the ditch and scaring the horses. They ran away throwing Messrs Wohlever and Frombach out ad smashing the wagon. Mr. Frombach was injured and required the services of Dr. Quigley. The other gentleman was uninjured being but slightly bruised. The accident occurred opposite the Kishman farm about a mile east of town.
Three valuable horses were dilled Tuesday evening on the Lake Shore Electric west of town. The horses were in a pasture and an insecure gate allowed them to get on to the track. The west bound eight o’clock car struck them. One of the horses was owned by Percy Jackson and valued at $15 and the other two constituted a team owned by John Vanhofen and valued at about $500. Both men feel their loss keenly as the former lost two horses by sickness during the summer and the latter is a new comer here. The car was considerably jarred and the occupants somewhat frightened.
Rural carrier George Naegele commenced a 15 day vacation Monday. Harry Miller has taken his place. Chas A. Trinter is also taking a vacation. C. Parsons being his substitute. It is needles to say that they are making the best of their time, and will in all probability be all to short for them.
Prof. Hawkins and Prof. Reese held a most successful balloon ascension and parachute jump at Shadduck’s park Sunday afternoon. The ascent was scheduled to take place at 4 o’clock but it was fully half an hour later when the word was given and Prf. Reese swung out over the treetops. The balloon went nearly straight up and when an elevation of about 2000feet had been reached the parachute was cut loose and opened out and the professor sailed gracefully to the ground landing near Elmwood cottage safely. That balloon landed 200 ground feet more to the west and also reached the ground without any mishap.
Balloon flights have been tried on several occasions here but this was the most successful one, everything being carried out successfully. The ascent was witnessed by a large crowd at the park and also by many in town.
Next week Thursday the option on Oak Point park expires and soon afterwards we shall know whether it is taken up or not. Land at Amherst is on the boom and it is claimed that $1000 was refused for a lot a brewing company wished to purchase for a hotel site. It is now claimed that Knox has over 6000 acres of land optioned and about half of this has been bought outright. Many of the options expire in a short time and it is expected they will be taken up soon.
The following officers were elected Thursday and will serve the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Evangelical Church.
President – Mrs. Gunzenhauser. V. President – Mrs. Beatty. Secretary – Mrs. Melser. Treasurer – Mrs. Helzhauer.
The village school opened Monday. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Prof. Glenn has not as yet been filled so Mr. Glenn will have charge until another superintendent can be secured.
The Kishman Fish Co. lifted nets for the first time Thursday. The catch was light.
Mrs. A.J. Gustavus who has been very sick for the past two weeks is slowly recovering.
The pastor and choir of Christ’s church spent Thursday at Put-in-Bay.
Lester Matt has the contract for work on the hotel, which is being erected on the site of O.B. Smith residence.
The remains of Dell Rhodes were brought from Toledo on Saturday and interred in McMullin’s cemetery.
Birmingham schools commenced Monday with Mr. Waltman superintendent and Miss Welz primary.
Mrs. Vernon Henry is an invalid at present from the effect of a sting of a bee or something of the kind. Whatever it is it has been a very serious affair.
Mrs. Darby is still on the sick list.
The mumps are around town. Mr. Nau’s children have them.
The dry weather is hindering the farmers from their fall plowing.
Geo. Baird is ill with an attack of typhoid fever.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Will Deushley Sept. 7th, ’06 a son.
Miss Lottie Marsh is on the sick list.
Youngstown is to have five more big steel mills.
The latest in electric news is a railroad from Elyria to Oak Point.
Three men were killed and seven injured when the concrete building for the new Garford factory at Elyria collapsed Thursday morning.
There are 13 members in the Senior Class of the Amherst High School. Members of the class are working hard to find someone to swell the number to 14.
Prosecutor Stevens of Lorain Co. seems to have his hands full with Lorain saloon keepers, disorderly houses, etc., and now it s a Park and beer garden just out of the city limits. Lorain is becoming quite a metropolitan [sic].
Lathing by a professional lather. Anyone having use for services leave orders at Wagner’s Hotel. -FRANK STADGE.
Special sale of galvanized pails this week at Bailey’s.
Mrs. E.T. Bottomley spent last week with her daughter at Lorain.
Allen Hall of Lakewood spent last week at the home of Upton Darby.
Quite a number of Vermilionites are attending the Erie County Fair at Sandusky this week.
C.H. Nuhn of this place was honored by being selected as secretary of the Democratic convention.
Saturday morning two head of cattle were killed at Henry Will’s crossing on the Nickel Plate. They were the property of Henry Kishman.
Mrs. Helen Johnson attended the funeral of a friend’s 16-month old child at Collins Saturday.
John Carr has resigned his position with W.E. Bailey and Guy Davis has taken his place in the store.
Nick Sennhenn is reported quite ill from typhoid fever. Mrs. James Corbin is reported quite ill from the same disease.
Effective Sept.1st the L.S. Electric uptown Baggage Room will be opposite the waiting room at Toledo. This will make it vey convenient for passengers, as here to fore, they have had to walk three blocks in order to get their baggage checked.
Cedar Point closes Sunday Sept. 16th. All attractions will remain the same. The L.S. Electric takes you o the boat landing.
Mrs. Henry Miller went to Toledo yesterday to visit her son Earl who is suffering from an attack of typhoid fever in a hospital in that city
Among the young people who have taken up the responsibility of teachers this term are: Misses Georgia Burrows, in Amherst, Mattie Merrill, at N. Ridgeville, Nellie Klaar at Furnace Corners.
Albert Hart who spent part of last week at Niagara Falls has returned and resumed his work at A.D. Baumhart’s.
Deaths due to automobile accident are summed up fo the month of August as follows:
Aug. 2 – David Ginsberg, 10, New York, run down and killed by auto.
Aug. 7 – John Moran, 6, New York, run down by auto.
Aug. 9 – Harry Woodcock, New York. Walter’s companion, killed in same accident.
Aug. 9 – Mrs. Lena R. Noble, of Baltimore, killed in auto, which crashed into hydrant in New York City.
Aug. 11 – Jos. Locke, chauffeur, killed at Atlantic City, auto crashed into steel bridge stanchions.
Aug. 12 – Geo Meikeljohn, Houston Tex. Killed, auto turning turtle [i.e. overturned].
Aug. 12 – Mrs. Gabriel F. Slaughter, Evanston, Ill., killed in auto which collided with trolley car.
Aug. 18 – Ralph Standish, 5, Hartford, Conn., run down and killed by C. Edward Buckland’s auto. Terribly crushed.
Aug. 18 – Geo Laffrague, wealthy piano man, killed at Freehold, N.J. Railroad express struck auto.
Aug. 18 – Mrs. Geo Laffrague, same accident.
Aug. 18 – Mrs. Chas. Lurch, same accident.
Aug. 18 – Mrs. Catherine Flores, 80, Allentown, Pa. killed by being run down by Francis Weiss’ touring car. Back broken.
Aug. 19 – Rev. Thos. Wood, 65 Baltimore, Md. Killed by horse frightened by auto.
Aug. 20 – Jacob Perzenski, run down by auto on Long Island and killed.
Aug. 24 – Lillian Glessmer, 9, run down by auto on street at Cleveland, Aug. 11. Died Aug. 24.
Aug. 29 – Imogene Reynolds, 28 killed by auto near Perrysburg.
[VV. Ed. Note: While this had nothing (at least directly) to do with local history I thought it interesting. First of all, I doubt that this report covered the entire nation. But nonetheless it illustrates one of the dire consequences of the emergence of the automobile into American society. On the other hand, mass transports also had problems. The wreck of the L.S.E. Niles car just near what is now (2014) Bluebird Beach – also in August of 1906 – is a prime example. Prior to these accidents very few horse or bicycle mishaps were reported. I guess that was the price of progress.]
Hmmmmmm....
MAYBE SOMETHING – MAYBE NOT: The “Free Love” settlements in Berlin Heights, Ohio. It sounds like something out of the 1960s – drugs, sex and rock and roll – but it ain’t.
Just so everyone understands exactly what they were about, the online dictionary currently defines the free love movement as “a social movement that rejects marriage, which is seen as a form of social and financial bondage. The Free Love movement's initial goal was to separate the state from sexual matters such as marriage, birth control, and adultery.” It was (and is) actually a little more complex than that. The movement apparently also incorporated into it some communist, socialist and, sometimes, spiritualist philosophies.
I don’t have any real idea as to the reason the persons, who became knows as “free lovers”, thought that Berlin Heights would be an ideal setting to establish a community of like thinkers, but they did.
According to Berlin Heights historian / writer / lecturer / spiritualist Hudson Tuttle, their fist try at establishing a colony there took place about the year 1800. They called it “The Hope Point Community”. It lasted less than a year.
Sixty years thereafter another group of persons calling themselves the “Industrial Fraternity” gave it a try. They lasted for six months.
In 1867 – a fellow named Francs Berry gave it another try. One should note that all those involved in establishing the new colony (in what I many years after the fact call a “socialist experiment”) were recognized by most everyone as being extremely industrious. Nonetheless, many of the locals thought them morally bankrupt, and made no secret about their feelings. In short, they would have preferred they not be there.
As a consequence stories regarding the behaviors of the interlopers circulated through the town and appeared in newspapers across the country. One story I find particularly interesting appeared.
Historian H.L. Peeke gave the colony substantial mention in his "A Standard History of Erie County:
"It is certainly true that they had a secluded and lovely bathing place on their small domain where members of the opposite sex and compensative temperaments were accustomed to retire in the heat of the day to give practical demonstration that Eden innocence had come to earth again,"
The account of the unisex bath appeared in several stories about the experimental colony, so I suppose it must have some element of truth about it. However, at least one of them was a little more graphic as it pertains to their behaviors. Thus, do I question the accuracy and veracity of the stories. It just doesn’t seem to gibe with the intent of the experiment. Sexual freedom? Yes, in the sense that the laws regarding marriage, birth control and adultery should not be the business of the state. But amoral beliefs do not necessarily result in nor justify immoral behaviors.
And, indeed, Historian Peeke went on to say of these people:
"They are remarkably frugal and industrious, having developed the fruit growing qualities of the ground occupied by them to a marvelous extent. A disposition to deal fairly in matters of business is one of their principal characteristics. Their characters are unimpeachable except in so far as they are given to Free Love and they don't force that on anybody. Those of them who yet remain in Berlin (about 50 men and as many women) seem more devoted to secular pursuits than to a dissemination of their particular doctrine.
Nonetheless, the free lovers in general were frowned upon by many of the native folks. John B. Ellis in his book “Free Love and its Votaries” relates a story written by 19th century humorist Artemus Ward regarding the colony:
“One day, Frank Barry was driving along in his wagon to the Post-Office with a load of his Free-Love documents for the mails. He was totally unapprehensive [sic] of harm, and was driving at a moderate pace. We knew his habit of sending his documents off in this way, and we were determined to put a stop to it. Upon this occasion about twenty of us, men and women—for our women were by far the bitterest enemies the Free Lovers had—waylaid him, and, stopping his horse, made him get out of his wagon and surrender his documents. There must have been about four bushels of them. We had matches and shavings on hand, and we piled the latter in the road and emptied the documents on top of them. Then we set fire to them, and in a few minutes they were in a bright blaze. Barry stood by without moving a muscle or uttering a word, and saw his precious documents reduced to ashes. We gave him to understand that we would serve him in the same way if he did not alter his course, and then let him go home. I could hardly recall all the annoyances we heaped upon these people if I were to try. Let it be sufficient to say, that we persecuted them in every possible way short of inflicting bodily injury upon them.
Berlin Heights historian Hudson Tuttle wrote of the same incident. You will note that while Mr. Tuttle doesn’t deny the incident he certainly tones it down some:
The Berlin people are noted for tolerance, but it may be presumed that the socialists, with their strange ideas, did not always find their paths strewn with roses, and the citizens still retain fresh in their memories, how, when Francis Barry attempted to mail a number of the obnoxious Age of Freedom [newspapers], twenty Berlin women seized the mail-sack in which he had brought it on his shoulder to the office, and made a bonfire in the street.
In addition to these things there are stories of debauchery, suicide and other distasteful events taking place in the colony. But in the end (and there was an end) the locals came to accept the free lovers. The townsfolk came to be known as “the friends of tolerance”. And as the days passed and the tensions between the colonists and their neighbors waned so too did the cohesion of the social experiment gradually dissipate – until nothing was left of it.
In some respects the free love movement was the mother of women’s suffrage, and what we now consider to be women’s rights (at least in America). This is certainly both an interesting and vital chapter in the history of Berlin Heights, Ohio, and our nation of a yesteryear.
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.
…was destroyed in 1867 by fire. A new building was immediately erected upon the site of the old one.
The Roman Catholic Church was built in 1860. More recently there have been formed two other churches in the township, the Lutheran and Reformed Society of Friends. All of the churches except these two are in Milan village.
The first Sunday school in Milan, and one of the earliest in the Fire-lands, was organized at Spear's corners in the spring of 1818, and was afterward under the superintendency of Philo Adams. Sunday schools have been regularly maintained in the village since 1830, and also throughout the township during a portion of each year.
The first school in the township was undoubtedly that in the Abbott settlement, taught, before the war. by a Miss Gilbert, from Newburg, afterward Mrs. Dr. Goodwin.
In the winter of 1817 a schoolhouse was built in the Spear settlement, and a school was held in it by Marshall Miller.
The first school in Milan village was opened in the spring of 1819 in a new barn owned by Ebenezer Merry, and was taught by Miss Susan Williams. In the fall of the same year, a schoolhouse was built upon the spot where many years later the Eagle tavern was located, and where the town hall now stands. In 1824 the old yellow school house was built.
Huron Institute, which owed its existence to the extensive revivals of religion in the churches of Huron Presbytery in the years 1830 and ‘31, was incorporated by act of the legislature in 1832. It was proposed to raise four thousand dollars at the start for the purpose of securing a site and erecting a building for the use of the institution, and the people of Milan, on condition that the school should be located in their village, promised to give one-half of this amount. The pledge was fully realized, and the expectation of the friends of the movement was more than satisfied, for the school became a very thriving concern. The people being anxious that the school should be established at once and it being impossible that the institute building could be finished before the fall or winter of 1832, the first term was opened in April, of that year, in the office of J. Smith, Esq. Six students were present at the opening, and before the quarter was finished, twenty-five were enrolled. The Rev. E. Barber was made principal. The second quarter began with thirty-six pupils, and before the year was ended, over ninety names were upon the roll — forty-six males and forty-four females. During the third year, the building having before that time been furnished and ample accommodations thus afforded, the number of students was as high as one hundred and twenty-seven. It was the desire of the the trustees of the institute to place education within the reach of all who would avail themselves of it, and in this they succeeded as nearly as was possible. The tuition was fixed at four dollars per quarter in the classical department, and at three dollars in the English and female department, and the principal took it upon himself to furnish instruction from the avails of the tuition bills. Board was furnished by many of the best families in Milan at merely nominal rates. No student was ever refused admission or dismissed because too poor to pay his way in the institute. Rev. Mr. Barber's assistant, during the first year, was Henry Ballentine, afterwards a missionary to India. Benjamin Judson succeeded him, and remained in the institute until 1835. Mrs. C. B. Stuart and Mrs. E. A. Hubbard were also connected with the school during this period. In the summer of 1835 Mr. Barber resigned, on account of sickness, his position as principal, and S. C. Hickok was appointed in his place. He remained in charge until 1839. Henry W. Williams was elected principal in 1843, and Rev. Lemuel Bliss in 1848. Two years later, Robert Bliss, a Boston gentleman, was chosen to this place, but he resigned in a few days, and T. S. Bradley, of Auburn theological seminary, became the manager of the school in his stead. He was followed by Nathan Barrows, Dwight Sayles and John McKee. In 1858 the trustees leased the building to Rev. Asa Brainard and S. F. Newman for the purpose of a normal school. The school was successfully conducted by these gentlemen in partnership, and after Mr. Brainard's death, by Mr. Newman alone, until 1871, when it came under the management of the present teacher. Miss Delia Palmer, who now has, in the old building, a flourishing school.
A very valuable work has been accomplished by the old institute, and many have cause to look back to it lovingly and thankfully, as the Alma Mater which well prepared them for the world. At the time it was established it was the only school on the Reserve west of Hudson, where young men could be prepared for college.
were established in 1849 under the law passed in that year, and the following board of education was elected: Daniel Hamilton, .James H. Kennedy, George Barney, Hiram McMillan, S. F. Taylor, Harry Chase. The first superintendent was C. F. Royce. The main school building, still in use, was erected in 1850, and the "old yellow school house," built before that time, was moved to its present location and remodeled.
The first wagon road was cut out and cleared by Ebenezer Hayes and F. W. Fowler in the winter of 1810-11, from the mouth of the Huron river on the east side, up the river to the Abbott farm, and thence southerly, past the farms of Ebenezer and Hosmer Merry and Gundin Perrin, to the north and south section line of Norwalk.
NOW – THE OTHER SIDE: Last week the front side of Mary Avery’s Charm Beauty Shop’s matchbook cover appeared here. This time I thought I’d show the rest of the book. [That’s how the late Paul Harvey would put it anyway.]
Actually I think the notes thereupon are matchless. I don’t know any of the persons who belong to the names. But perhaps that doesn’t matter. This appears to be some sort of informal appointment notebook listing the names and prices for various hair styling. On the whole the prices seem very reasonable.
Interestingly enough, I learned that for over half a century the Superior Match Company was an integral part of the American match industry and is the source for an important part of any collector’s collection. Although the company itself is now defunct, many of its covers are sought after by collectors.
The company was headquartered in Chicago, IL, and founded in 1932 by Harold Meitus. ). Superior shut down all operations in 1990.
I guess people quite smoking. Or maybe they just bought butane lighters. Anyway I have to thank Vermilionites Mary Lynn Myers and Franklin Alexander Homitz for collecting such obscure and fine items and allowing me to photograph them.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U. S. involvement in Iraq, here's a sobering statistic: There were a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater of operations during 22 months, and a total of 2,112 deaths. That gives a violent death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers. The violent death rate in Washington D. C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot or knifed and killed in the U. S. Capital than you are in Iraq.
Conclusion: The U. S. should pull out of Washington.
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'".
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.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON’S NEW BOOK “The Private War of William Styron” is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
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.12, Issue 21 - August 1, 2014
© 2013 Rich Tarrant