_{CAN YOU NAME THEM ALL?}

LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY: I thought this would be easy but I guess I thought wrong.

The photograph taken in the old First Congregational Church on Division Street around 1955 when members of the Congregation wanted to prove that they needed a larger church. It's a girls Sunday School Class. I think the teacher may have been Lucy Idol. The girls pictured (I don't know them all) are:

(Starting at the back L-R: Unknown; Patty Tokar; Lynn Creel; Judy Shaw: Jacque Jeffery; Linda Russell; Elizabeth "Beegee" Boone; (I'm not sure about the girl in front of Judy Shaw - it may have been Laura Boone); then Carol Idol; Melissa Copeland; Cheryl Fisher; and I can't remember the last girl's name.

I didn't use the girl's married names here because 1) I didn't know them or 2) due to my age I can't remember them. But they sure were as I remember them: The prettiest girls in town (As Paul Metrakis might put it).

VHS CLASS OF ’60 SEEKS “LOST” MEMBERS: The 1960 class of Vermilion High School is planning their 55th year reunion and there are several classmates whose addresses are unknown. The reunion is planned for Sunday, September 13, 2015, beginning at 2 P.M at the Vermilion Boat Club. There will also be other meet and greet opportunities in the two days before. We want to make every effort to contact all class members and we need the help of the public to make this possible. Please look at the following list of “lost” class members and, if you know their whereabouts, please contact SANDRA YEAMANS NEIDING AT 967-4190.

Missing are: Penny Clague, Bob Day, Judy Eagan, James Hill, Robert Holtcamp, Billy Kay, Mavis Keener, Judy Lowery, Ray Luna, Wayne Rohrbaugh and Marjorie Sipos. – Correspondent Sandy Neiding

_{"A no-brainer."}

LEST WE FORGET: Several weeks ago a gentleman inquired of me if I might know where the F.W. Wakefield Brass Company factory had once been located in our pretty city. The answer was as some folks are now inclined to say, “A no-brainer”. It had never before occurred to me that any, or at least many, persons living here would be unfamiliar with that site. But then again...

That conversation moved me to take a proverbial walk down “memory lane” – thinking about all the changes that I have seen in the town during my lifetime. I have often driven down Liberty Avenue from the west through town and come to the realization that the Vermilion of my parents and grandparents bears little resemblance to the Vermilion we know today (2015). And I really wonder if they’d know the place at all.

Once upon a time everything a person needed to live a comfortable life could be obtained on Liberty Avenue between Washington and Exchange streets. Today we have to drive a good distance to buy a pair of “bloomers” or a box of thumbtacks. That’s not so much a complaint as it is a fact. C’est la vie – I guess. Time marcheth on and the past is soon buried. But before we altogether forget…

Remember Schwensen’s wonderful bakery on Division Street? (Currently (2015) the Swan Creek Candle Outlet.) Remember the aroma of the bread, cakes, cookies, pies, and sweet rolls? Remember the spools of string hanging from the ceiling; the glass display cases one touch away from mouth-watering sour cream kuchens; or the number dispenser for the Saturday morning crowd (especially in the summer)? And remember the little storefront next door for the Hull Builder’s Supply Company with the weigh station on the side to weigh trucks filled with stone? (I wonder what became of that mechanism?)

Then, just across the street was Fishers (once Englebry’s) Department Store. (Currently (2015) Brummer’s Chocolates confectionery store.) What’d you need; a dress; pair of jeans; a blouse, a shirt; a sweater; shoes, socks; or (yes) a pair of bloomers? You could get it there. And if you were so inclined you could also purchase a carpet for your living room or some tile or for your kitchen. It was all there – and much more.

Then down on the northwest corner of Liberty and Grand streets was Rich Barthel’s “good” Gulf Station. (Currently (2015) Friendship Park.) A friendly attendant would fill your automobile with “No-Nox” gasoline at 27 cents per gallon. Moreover, while you waited for the fill-up someone cleaned your windshield, checked your oil, and the air pressure in your tires. And if you had a mechanical problem with your car there was a mechanic on duty to take care of it poste-haste.

But those are just a few of the changes that have taken place during my tenure on the planet and in Vermilion. I didn’t touch on the hardware stores, doctor and dentist offices, photographer’s studio, the bank, appliance store, electric and telephone company offices, attorney’s offices, post office, realtor and insurance offices, laundry, theatre, plumbers, shoe store, the other filling stations, flower shops, grocery stores, fish and meat-markets, drugstores, auto dealerships, dry goods and gift stores, and (heaven forbid that I should ever forget) beer joints. Yup, everything a person needed was all there in that relatively little area that in the yesteryear was “downtown” Vermilion.

I find it somewhat ironic that at the present time developers are actually building pseudo-towns (e.g. Crocker Park in Westlake) that are obviously intended to simulate what our town was in the yesteryear. But, again, “C’est la vie – I guess.” And, for the benefit of persons who, for one reason or another, may not know where the F.W. Wakefield factory was once located: It was just south of the railroad tracks on West River Road; Lest we forget.

_{Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojornal 04/09/2015.}

Vol. X – No.52 – THURSDAY June 6,1907

COMPLIMENT PAID TO GENERAL MANAGER STOUT
INVITEE TO READ A PAPER ON “DISCIPLINE” AT NATIONAL COVENTION

General Manager F.J. Stout of the Lake Shore Electric railway has been invited by the American Street & Interurban Railway Association, which is the national organization of electric railway operating officials, to present a paper on the subject of “Discipline” at the next meeting of the organization, which is to be held in Atlantic City in October.

This information was contained in a letter to The Reflector from George S. Davis, secretary of the Kenfield-Fairchild Publishing Company, of Cleveland, and associate editor of the Electric Traction Weekly, published by the that company. In this letter, which was received Tuesday, Mr. Davis wrote:

“The Lake Shore Electric railway is famous throughout the country for its perfect operating methods and the discipline of its trainmen, and the traction men are anxious to learn from Mr. Stout in his own words the methods he has used in reaching this high stage of perfection. The invitation is a decided compliment to the Lake shore Electric and to its able manager.”

General Manager Stout stated to a reflector representative Tuesday that he gas accepted the invitation.

CLASS OF ‘07
Graduate from the Vermilion High School
Exercises One of the Best Ever Held here

Last Friday evening marked the first commencement of the Vermilion High School since the adoption of the Four Year Course, and the granting of the First Grade Charter by the State Commissioner of Schools.

The Class of ’07 was very nearly divided, there being four young ladies and three young men to graduate. They have worked hard to attain this point in their lives and have looked forward to this event. Some time ago it was decided to do away with the usual time worn orations, and the plan of holding a city council meeting was adopted. This gave them an opportunity of giving their thoughts to subjects near home. Their plan proved a success and was carried out in a very pleasing manner. Rev. Brown opened the exercises with an invocation. Then after a delightful musical selection by Ortli’s Orchestra the “Council” was called to order. After the usual opening preliminaries the committees reported. These reports were interesting and in them many suggestions were made (Elsewhere will be found program) the business portion of the meeting through with, a communication was read from a lighting company, represented by one of the class. Then several other short addresses were made. One on a public library and another upon assisting the public schools. Miss Risden, who delivered the last address on the program, also gave a neat little poem concerning the school. The Class Address by Dean H. Minnich was also along the line of education and pleased everyone. He is a well-known educator and has charge of one of the state normals.

Supt. Seeman then presented the class to the president of the board, Geo Fischer, who gave the class their diplomas.

The entertainment was closed by benediction by Rev. E.W. Bockstahler.

The hall was beautifully and tastefully decorated. Over the stage hung a number of violet colored bells bearing the class motto, “The Ropes of the Past Sway the Bells of the Future,” in gray, their class colors being violet and gray.

The music furnished by Mr. Ortli’s Orchestra was exceptionally fine. He favored the audience with several selections before and after the exercises as well as the regular program. This is the ninth or tenth time this orchestra has been here on similar occasions.

The Board of Education as well as the superintendent and teachers may feel well satisfied with the outcome of their endeavors to place our schools on so sound a basis.

Those who comprise the Class of ’07 are Misses Grace Risden, Bessie Sherod, Edna Trinter, and Lottie Burrell, Messrs Ralph Gegenheimer, Thomas Bottomley and Hazen Thompson.

_{[VV. Ed. Note: This was an historic event in Vermilion history: The very fist VHS Class to have had the privilege of acquiring a 4-year education in our public schools. This question will certainly be on “the test”.]}

The price of thread has been raised 11c on a dozen spools by the manufacturers of this article.

The Stmr. Le Grand S. DeGraff, the largest freighter ever built at Lorain was launched Saturday It is expected that she will develop the largest carrying capacity (1200 tons) of anhy vessel on fresh water.

COURT NOTES

Adam Stickadt [sic] of Milan was granted a divorce from Jennie Stickradt [sic] this week on the ground of willful absence.

L.H. Smith, of Berlin Heights, has filed a petition in bankruptcy in the United States court at Toledo. Assets are given at $210 and liabilities, $1,151.91

Nineteen claims for 93 sheep killed or injured by dogs, all told held the attention of the county commissioners in session Monday. Damages aggregating $401 were sought. They were divided among the various townships as follows: Perkins, 3; Vermilion, 2; Berlin, 8; Huron 2; Milan, 2; Margaretta, 1; Oxford, 1.

Mrs. Mary Baker has brought suit for divorce against Philip H. Baker. They were married in 1897 and have one child. Mrs. Baker bases he prayer upon the grounds of alleged drunkenness, failure to provide, and extreme cruelty. Baker was enjoined from disposing of certain property in Vermilion as well as from interfering with Mrs. Baker in the rights which the law gives her in this property.

The auditor of eight counties traversed or touched by the L.S.E. at Cleveland increased the taxable value of the main track of the line $500 per mile. The appraisement otherwise was permitted to stand as last year as follows:

Rolling stock, $600; main track, $5,000; side track, $800; second track (Lorain Co.) $2,000.

Real Estate Transfers.

Eli S. Barnum to Alva Bradley, lot 57, Vermilion twp.,$100.

Mary Bogart gdn, to Helen V. Frisby, und 1-2 int. in 25 acres Vermilion twp., $50.

Helen V. Frisby to Martin J. Trinter, 12 ½ acres, Vermilion twp., $240.

Mary Bogart et al to Helen V. Frisby, und 11-12 int. in 25 acres Vermilion twp., $300.

Helen V. Frisby to Florence O. Buckley at al, 6 acres, Vermilion twp., $150.

Marriage Licenses.

Burton L. McQueen, 23, farmer Brownhelm, and Miss Maude H. Poyer, 22, Vermilion. Rev. Blakeslee.

Dr. J.S. McCelland of Sandusky, Erie County Coroner, mysteriously disappeared from his home more than a week ago.

_{[VV. Ed. Note: At least part of Dr. McCelland’s problem was that he was stealing from deceased persons. In one case the Sandusky Star Journal (10/01/1907) reported that he appropriated $95 from the body of a drowned sailor over which he (the coroner) held an inquest. Apparently, this was not an isolated case. I don’t know what became of the good doctor.]}

Correspondence

AMHERST

Mayor Stiwald and family had for their guest Thursday W.H. Wicks and Miss Sherod of Elyria.

R. Hill and Miss Alice Curry were quietly married at the home of the bride’s mother Wednesday evening.

Two laborers (foreigners) were severely injured at the Independent Quarry Wednesday.

A Cleveland brewery is attempting to get control of several saloons here, so it is reported.

The foundation for the new grocery store room for Mr. Thomasek was completed last week and the building begun Monday. The stormy weather is delaying the work greatly.

John Gordon and Anton Hornyak were arrested by U.S. Marshall Fanning last week accused of mutilating a mailbox. The boys wee taken to Cleveland and later allowed…[sic]

E.C. Smith is very il at his home west of town.

The marriage of Miss Mayme Minch of Brownhelm and Henry Frederick will take place June 12th.

Geo Mohr and Wm. Schraeder [sic] fell over twenty feet Friday by the breaking of a scaffold. They were working on Henry Ries new house. Mr. Mohr was severely injured and will be laid up for some time. Mr. Schrader [sic] escaped with a severe shaking up.

PLATO – WALSH

The marriage of Miss Elnora Plato daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Plato of this place and Mr. A.C. Walsh of Elyria, will be solemnized a St. Joseph’s Catholic church, at Lorain on June 12. Immediately after the ceremony the bridal party will go to the home of the bride’s parents where a wedding breakfast will be served.

STONE HILL

Byron Wilber lost one of his horses last Monday. He has only half of his corn ground plowed.

John Davidson is doing thriving business on Mrs. Harrison’s farm; took four hundred dollars better than it did when he came on it this spring.

Mrs. L.W. Harrison is having wonderful good success with her brooder, she says she will have one hundred chickens to sell in a few days and as many now in the brooder and a lot of hens setting.

AXTEL

Harry Miller of Cleveland is home on a visit.

Kinnie Greenhoe has returned home having spent a week at Lorain and Elyria.

Mrs. A.D. Baumhart spent a couple of days with her parents Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Washburn.

Mrs. Carney, sister of Mrs. Garry, has been sick with inflammatory rheumatism, but is much improved at this writing.

The Kuhlman children are much improved in health. The nurse, who has been there for two weeks, has returned home.

ASHMONT

Rosa Wolfley called on Pearle Nuhn Sunday.

Vera Crum of Shinrock is spending a couple of weeks with her little friends and schoolmates of this place.

G.L. Jump of this place is quite ill at this writing.

Miss Bernice Jump spent one day last week at Vermilion with Verdie Smith.

BIRMINGHAM

Decoration day passed with little observance of the day here. Three little girls with the assistance of Mr. O.B. Haise decorated the graves of the dead soldiers with what they could find in the woods These same little girls decorated the graves last hear with the assistance of a few schoolmates.

There was no graduating class from our school this year but every class received promotions. Mr. Waltman received from his scholars a sit case and clothes brush as a testimonial of the good work he has accomplished this year just ended. We sincerely hope he will be retained as superintendent another year.

Mr. Tetherington slipped while driving some chickens to the park and fell breaking two ribs and sustaining other injuries.

One of the little boys at the orphanage had his hand terribly mangled in some machinery last week.

_{[VV. Ed. Note: This is the type of thing that led to the eventual demise of the Hope & Light Orphanage (aka Gore Orphanage). The children were farmed out to work for farmers in the area and were forced to give some or all their earnings to the Sprungers – who ran the place. An accident of this nature did not reflect positively on the orphanage and would not have set well with the orphans either.]}

BROWNHELM

Commencement exercises of the Brownhelm high school will be held in the Cong’l church Thursday evening, June 13, 1907, when the following members of the senior class will graduate:

Nora G. Aston, Elsie E. Wagner, Earl H. Joyce, Harriet E. Nye, Elnora Kuellmer, Sadie C. Sullivan, Robert L. Leimbach, Raymond Bacon.

Wesbecher & Co., of Amherst, are putting lightning rods on J.B. Baumhardt’s barns.

The remains of Mrs. Coates, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Albright were brought here for burial Wednesday from Albin, N.Y. She died Tuesday May 28, 1907 at the age of 28 years. She is survived by her husband, a son two years od, her parents, three brothers and one sister. The funeral services were held from St. Peter’s Church, Rev. Lindemeyer officiating, and interment was in Cleveland St. cemetery.

A BAD WRECK

Probably the worst trolley wreck that ever happened in this section of the state occurred at Elyria on the evening of Decoration Day when an empty car, which was to be used as a second section, crashed into a crowded car on the Cleveland Southwestern. A number of persons were about to alight from the car when the other car crashed into it and nearly all these met with horrible death having their feet cut off and bleeding to death or dying from the shock. The dead are: W. Allen, age 73, L.S. Claim Agent, Elyria; Henry K. Billings, 64, retired harness maker, Elyria; Donald Sala, 5, 2on Rev. Sala, Elyria; E. O’Donnell, 60, crockery dealer, Elyria; Chas Porter, 30, clothing clerk, Elyria; Homer Allen, 17, Elyria; Eunice Wurst, Elyria.

The injured are: Marguerite Butler, 17, one foot off, other smashed at the heel, Elyria; Mabel Dean, S. Amherst; Arthur Hoadley, Elyria, both legs gone; Jack Leslie, Carlisle, one leg gone; Geo Chamberlain, Madison, O., both legs broken; Mrs. J.P. Sale, Elyria, seriously injured.

Since the accident one or two others have been discovered who are more or less injured. It is alleged that the motorman of the rear car was not attending to business when the accident occurred. He was arrested at home near Cleveland. Judge Washburn who was on the wrecked car, called a special grand jury and Tuesday the motorman of the car, which caused the wreck, was indicted for manslaughter. He is C.M. Fonendie or as it often called Forney.

In fatalities this wreck is worse than the wreck at Vermilion last August.

LOCALS

The remains of a floater, supposed to be those of Fred Veit of Erie, Pa, were picked up at Huron last week. However, the father of Fred Viet who arrived Thursday failed to identify the body as that of his son an interment was made in Scotts cemetery.

A 16-year-old Italian boy was fatally injured Monday while employed on government work at Huron. He had been in this country only six weeks and he and his father who has been here the past 14 years were just talking of sending for the wife and mother. The boy fell between the engine and coal car while attempting to jump on the car.

Mrs. Chas Horton spent the latter part of the week with her husband while his boat was in Cleveland.

Mrs. Chas Delker of Cleveland was called here last week to care for her mother Mrs. Emma Thompson who is very ill.

Ed Whitmore of Cleveland spent the first of the weeks with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Whitmore.

Mrs. Elizabeth Krapp and daughter Miss Eva spent Monday at Lorain.

The weather has been particularly kind to the druggist and the coal dealer so far this spring.

DIED – At a Cleveland hospital Tuesday night, June 4, Mrs. Peter B. Hahn. Funeral at 1:30 o’clock Saturday.

Orders have been issued by the L.&S.M.S. Co. that after Sunday, June 2, no passengers will be allowed to ride on local freights.

Capt. Full and Geo Rathbun and Roy Kane are among the sailors who have visited home this week.

Mrs. Alheit and children are spending the week with her mother who is ill at Amherst.

Fishing from this port is reported as being excellent.

Det and Clifford Parsons were home from te lakes last evening.

The Bank of Vermilion Company opened its doors Monday in the Englebry building, having secured temporary quarters with W.E. Baily in his plumbing establishment.

Their new building will be erected as soon as possible on the lot east of L. Englebry’s clothing store.

_{[VV. Ed. Note: Another important footnote in Vermilion history. The building to be build that is mentioned above is the building where the Williams Law Offices were located for many years. It is on the south side of Liberty Ave and is now (2015) the site of a little wine bar (eg. The Wine Vault).}

M.J. Trinter sold the last 6 river lots to L.U. Todd. This closes out all the real estate that the Bradley Estate owned

_{[VV. Ed. Note: This little snippet answers some questions I had about some glass negatives Todd descendant Gene Todd gave me some time back. The negatives are pictures taken along the river near the old Kishman Fishery. The property may now be owned by the city.}

OBITUARY

Mrs. Lydia J. Pelton was born at Lorain, formerly called Black River, Sept. 10 1842. When ten years old Vermilion became her home. May 18, 1861, she was married to Alonzo S. Pelton, whose obituary was published in the NEWS four weeks ago, and which contains more of the common facts of their married life of nearly half a century. Mrs. Pelton survived her husband only 26 days, passing away early in the morning of May 28th.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Geo E. Merrill, Friday, 1:30 o’clock, at the Congregational church.

OBITUARY

John Sweeny was born in Lockport, N.Y., Nov. 17, 1833 and came to Vermilion when a small child. At the age of 14 he went on the Great Lakes and filled every position from cabin boy up. Few men were better acquainted with the lakes than he. Jan. 1, 1859 he was married to Melissa Rose, and with her commenced married life at the old homestead, and there they lived ever since. Will Sweeny of Cleveland, Mrs. Ida Bevington of Cleveland and Mrs. Leona Friday of Vermilion, these with 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild survive him.

On the 14th day of Feb. 1865 he enlisted in Co. 1. Ohio Infantry volunteers, 193 Regiment, and was mustered out of the service August 4, 1865, serving under Capt. Charles Russel.

Twenty-two years ago he was converted and united with the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and remained loyal and consistent member to the day of his death.

Funeral service at the home Friday, 1 p.m., May 31, conducted by Rev. J.W.H. Brown.

_{Making bandages was part of the War effort.}

NEVER SATISFIED: I don’t recognize the site of this photograph even when I can make out the building outside the window. My brother Al used to say that this was in one of the rooms over the Erie County Bank building on Liberty. But I don’t think so. At least not at this time. If it was taken in a building on Division / Street it was further down the block – perhaps on the 2nd floor of the Englebry building or very close to that spot.

These women are, by the way, busy making bandages during WW1 to be used overseas.

Although I acquired this pic on a whim I’ve seen a print of it before. I was playing with one of my cameras and I thought I’d shoot a glass negative that just happened to be on my light table. I “kinda” wanted to see if the camera’s higher resolution photo would make a difference when shooting glass negatives. The Kindle that I normally use only shoots at 72 ppi. One can get a passable pic at the resolution – but a higher “rez” would be much better.

As one can plainly see the higher resolution photo produces a very nice print. I’m hoping that the key to acquiring good photographs from the negatives is actually the camera. I have come to realize, however, that some photographs are just bad photographs. Short of cheating by using parts of similar pix to make a picture legible – some are simply and truly beyond hope of restoration.

It’s hard for me to accept that as a fact. But I’m the type of person who is always wishing for some way to see more in some of these old pix. I want to see around corners, behind buildings and inside / outside windows.

THE BACK COVER:

IT CAME IN THE MAIL: On Wednesday afternoon I received a nice copy of this document in the mail from George Kaercher who lives in Newark, Ohio. It’s in very good condition.

If you can read the note on the booklet you can see that he is son of Pauline Walker and grandson of Clair and Pearl Walker.

I have mentioned the Walker family in “VV” several times in the past. At one time they lived in the little house that sat just across the street (Grand St.) from the NEWS print shop.

The grandfather, Clair, a prominent member of the community, died a few days after he was injured in an auto accident in Berlin Heights, Ohio. Mr. Walker, Mamorou Okagi and several other Vermilion men were returning home following a Free Mason’s function when the accident took place.

In any case, the booklet is very interesting. You may have noted the class pic of Oliver Schlesselman in the “Familiar Faces” portion of the page this week. That portrait was taken from this book. There are many more to come…