BUILDING IN VERMILION
SHOPTALK: The shoptop photograph shows the first three V-25’s; Mibett, Sarane, and the "Pixie Too" on the east side of the river just across from the Sail-Loft in 1938. The boats were built by Captain Bill Daniels and William “Bill” Eisenhauer in the building know as the Sail Loft (currently a French Restaurant) located on the Vermilion River at the foot of Ferry Street. At the time of production the hope was that the V-25 would eventually join the "Comet" and the "Star" class boats as a popular racing vessel. Whether that ever became a reality is unknown [to this writer]. As a footnote it should be noted that Captain Bill’s dreamboat was not entirely made of wood, but was entirely a product of Vermilion. Even the iron keel was cast here - at the old Nuhn foundry just west of the village.
BUILDING VERMILION: On my home desk this week is a pic of the building of the second Erie County bank building in Vermilion. The first building was on the other side of the street next to the corner building once occupied by Hart’s Drug Store.
In the early 1920's amid the ever-changing environment in business trends in the U.S. and, inevitably, Vermilion Village the part of the Masonic building containing the Pelton-McGraw market was purchased by the no longer "fledgling" Erie County Bank. And in 1922 that portion of the building - that which once served as the literal hub of local commerce - was razed to make way for a new bank building.
The site was excavated without the benefit of heavy equipment like power shovels, bulldozers, and dump trucks. Essentially, men accomplished the task with shovels, wheelbarrows, and wagons pulled by horses. The work was, to gently describe it, "backbreaking". By February 23, 1923 a new Erie County Bank building would stand proudly on the corner. And as the days turned into yesteryears the signs over the stores along the street would be replaced; faces would change; and times, of course changed.
Currently, (2015) the old bank building is occupied by offices for Vermilion City – including that of the Mayor; how long it will remain that way is anyone’s guess. For, again, times do change…
NEVER FORGET: August 6th and 9th respectively marks the 70th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. While only the good Lord knows how many lives were actually saved by dropping the first of two bombs that put an immediate end to World War Two – all humanity would do well to remember that within the blink of an eye over 200,000 [150,000 (in Hiroshima) and 75,000 (in Nagasaki)] human beings – men, women, and children – were killed and / or wounded. (And that’s likely a conservative toll.)
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MUSEUM 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.Cell:440.522.8397
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,
ON GRAND ST: I've no idea as to who these kids are. I just simply liked the picture. It was one I found on an old film negative at the museum recently.
A few days ago I was sitting on the balcony overlooking the same street. It was a wonderful day. I couldn't help but notice that there were no children around - none.
I supposed I'm so out of touch that I don't know what young people do for play anymore. But when I was young a day like that day would have been a real prize and I'd have been everywhere exploring the town like the children in the snap.
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, Judy Eagan, James Hill, Robert Holtcamp, Billy Kay, Judy Lowery, Ray Luna, Wayne Rohrbaugh and Marjorie Sipos.
"Sail On" VHS class of 1960. Your 55th reunion is fast approaching! We will meet on Sunday, September 13th, at the Vermilion Boat Club on Liberty Avenue for dinner, remembrances, door prizes, and fun in general. If you have not already signed up, please contact Carol Loucks Kress at 967-9472. The cost is $40 per person and reservations need to be in soon. There will be other pre-reunion activities to be announced shortly and lots of fun to be had by all. – Correspondent Sandy Neiding
BY THE WAY:
Also, the night before a VHS Champion Football team will gather at Rudy's Bar and Grill to sign a large poster of the team and fraternize.
DECORATION DAY C.1909: The photograph accompanying this essay could very well have been the subject of a painting by French artist Edward Monet (1832 – 1883) As mentioned in this forum several times before there are, undoubtedly, thousands of photographs (and that is no exaggeration) like this squirreled away in someone's closet or attic having long been forgotten. This photograph is a fine example of one of those long forgotten photos. It was found among perhaps 1000 photos donated to the Vermilion Area Archival Society by Vermilion ex-patriot – Air Force Maj. – Jack Corsino. The box contained photographs and sundry other documents pertaining to the Thompson – Nichols families of Vermilion Ohio.
Back in the dawn of American life there were three brothers; Justus, Charles, and Henry Thompson. Charles was a clerk in the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation as a Connecticut representative. His brother Henry was a delegate to that body, and the third, Justus, was a Revolutionary war soldier.
The influence on local history began sometime in 1808 when Justus, along with his wife and four sons migrated to the area from Connecticut settling along the Edison highway just 2 miles west of Florence/Jessop (south of town) at a place called "Tater’s Corners."
Horace, one of the four sons, married a gal named Mary Nichols whose family also came to the area during the early 19th century. They first settled along the lake shore on a portion of land that would later become Shattuck’s/Shadduck’s Grove, then Crystal Beach Park, now occupied by the Crystal Shores apartment buildings. They would later buy another piece of land and build a home on the spot where, still later, F.W. Wakefield constructed his "Harborview" mansion early in the 20th century; and later the home of the Great Lakes Historical Society’s Maritime Museum.
Two of Horace’s and Mary's sons, Miles and Henry, were very active in the civic affairs of the fledgling village of Vermilion. Miles became town marshal and curator of the town's lockup, and Henry became Vermilion Township Corporation clerk.
Miles had five children. One of his boys, Alburn, was the father of two boys, Howard and Hazen, and one girl Helen (Tischer).
Now – back to the photo. Of the six persons pictured I know but one. That is the gentleman on the left wearing a straw hat. His name is Hazen Thompson (1889 – 1953)– one of miles sons; These shadows were captured by some unknown photographer at the northern end of Victory Park (Aka. "Rubberneck" Park). And the occasion may very well have been Decoration Day (Sunday, May 30) in the year 1909
In a previous column I mentioned, "once upon a time folks commonly called the we know as Memorial Day – Decoration Day. It is of course, a national day of national remembrance for those with died in the service of our nation. Though the name "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882 it did not – for some rather to socio-political reasons – become more common until after World War II; and the name "Memorial Day" was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967. But, again, I digress.
Photo was taken several years before that U. S. Entered World War I wherein Mr. Thompson would serve our nation as a "Muleskinner/Wagoner" in France. He was, incidentally, wounded in action on the second day of November 1918 during the Muse–Argon defensive. But just for a moment – in that yesteryear – he enjoyed a few genuine moments on a beautiful Decoration Day afternoon in the company of some young friends on the lawn of Exchange Park overlooking the Kishman fishery and Vermilion's lazy harbor. They were moments that a lucky few take with them when they go to war, just in case…
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...
Ms. Enid Brown returned to the Ohio Wesleyan University on Wednesday to commence her second year as a student in that school. She wrote a number of short stories for publication the summer while enjoying her vacation on the banks old Lake Erie.
Paul Thompson left Tuesday for Austinburg where he will attend school and take a course in music.
Albert Hart entered Baldwin University Berea this week.
Mrs. Emma Chase passed away Tuesday morning. The funeral services will be held Friday at 1 o'clock standard, at the residence.
Geo. Blanchet, proprietor of Crystal Beach, who was shot last week while out hunting near Millersburg, is at Lakeview Hospital, Lorain. He has lost the sight of his right eye as a result of the accident and will probably be otherwise disfigured. 19 shot were taken from his neck and it was found that the windpipe had been pierced.
Henry Nuhn has our thanks for Pasadena papers in which there was an account concerning Clarence Dean. He was president of the day, Labor Day and acquitted himself in a masterful manner. A half-tone picture of him appears in at issue of the paper. He has also been elected a member of the advisory board of the Spanish-American war veterans. He is in the employ of the News, a daily paper, as advertisement compositor and getting along nicely. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have been in the West about a year. Mrs. Dean was formerly Miss Jenny Harris of this place.
Ernest Ghurder was brought here Wednesday night from Brownhelm on the night local. He was struck by No. 25 while walking on the track just the other Quigley reduced the fracture. He boarded with the Franks family at Tuft’s Corner. All
We wish to announce the addition to our furniture business of an undertaking department at 116 Franklin St. Here we have fitted up a suite of funeral parlors which with our own ambulance service and two men on duty both day and night upon the premises we believe are not excelled in their appointments for anything in this section. It is our purpose to render the best service possible and we have fitted up these premises with this idea always in view. All the latest approved equipment and paraphernalia as well as methods will be employed in this new department and an effort made to render the best service at all time.
Yours truly,
Pierce Brothers. – Furniture – 318 Broadway – funeral parlors – 116 Franklin St. – Lorain, O.
Eight members of the Uniformed rank of the Woodmen of the World of Linwood went to Toledo Sunday and participated in the unveiling of three monuments, two of granite and one of sandstone. The exercises were under auspices of the 35th Regt. U. R., W. O. W.
There was a large crowd present in 1200 men participated in the parade.
The folly of sticking one's head out of the window of a crowded streetcar was forcibly demonstrated Monday evening on the L. S. E. at Toledo. Otis Ottney, a young man returning to his home, wishing to speak to a friend in the rear of the car he thrust his head out the window and was struck by a car going in the opposite direction. His body was drawn through the window and he was ground to death between two cars.
Port Clinton's mayor has hit on a scheme to rid the town of tramps and keep the village streets clean. Four tramps were taken in Tuesday for drunkenness and were given fines of one dollar costs and being unable to pay were put to work cleaning the streets.
Mrs. Grace T Sala, wife of Rev. Sala Elyria, who was so seriously injured in a Memorial Day wreck has filed suit for $35,000 against Cleveland Southwestern Railroad Railway Company.
The six Cleveland autos in the Sealed Bonnet contest passed through here Thursday at a lively pace Thursday. One of the cars was totally destroyed by a gasoline explosion near Monroeville.
F. J. Stout, general manager of the L. S. E. died at the hospital in Toledo Saturday morning. Funeral was held at the late home in Norwalk. Interment at Detroit.
The Erie County Children’s Home was struck by lightning Tuesday. Fortunately no one was injured in the damage was slight.
The hotel Franklin at the Lorain will be remodeled into store and offices office rooms in the near future.
Accidents will happen, but the best-regulated families keep Dr. Thomas’s electric oil for such emergencies. It subdues the pain and heals the hurts.
John Filker is working in Marietta.
A. G. Nickoll is very ill from bronchial trouble.
Miss Maud Krause is recovering from an attack of typhoid fever.
Word was received here last week of the death of Roy Field, Sept. 7, at Los Angeles, California.
Invitations are out for the wedding of Miss Ada Dute to an Philip Braun which will be solemnized September 25.
Frederick Peasley was injured by broken glass when the car on which he was riding jumped track, Thursday.
Ms. Lucy Holl and Mr. Frederick Roemer were quietly married Tuesday by Rev. Hindenmyer officiating. They left immediately for a trip to Chicago.
Geo. Wolf, a 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday charged with stealing a bicycle of Steve Treese, and brought before Justice Schuler. He pleaded not guilty at first but later changed to guilty and was fined $3 and costs.
Muncie Shirley is still missing.
Mrs. Mary Anderson received first prize for bread baked from flour ground at the Huron Mill at the County Fair last week.
Carl Hauff was home from the lakes over Sunday.
Mrs. W. F. Washburn spent last Thursday evening at Mrs. C. Sperry's.
Mr. George Pelton died at his home on Monday evening at 7 o'clock. Funeral 2 o'clock today, (Thursday).
Mrs. McQuiston has moved into her new home just west of the Orphan's Home.
Capt. Hahn was home last week over Sunday.
Capt. Walper spent Sunday with his family here.
Born – To Mr. and Mrs. Vick Bond, Saturday, September 14, 07, a son.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Abell spent a few days this week at Niagara Falls.
John Parsons of the soldiers home visited his family here one day this week.
Trust neither head nor hands out of a moving streetcar window and avoid accidents.
Mrs. Haven spending a few weeks guest of her granddaughter, Mrs. J. Ries at Lorain.
Miss Slocum of Ashmont as accepted the position of apprentice girl at Ms. Wagner's millinery.
The NEWS has been forced to issue a six instead of an eight-page paper the past two weeks owing to a breakdown in the machinery.
C. C. Baumhart has purchased the drugstore at Oberlin and is moving his family to that place this week.
Jacob Parsh, the hustling Furnace Corners farmer, threshed this week. His grainery was too small and more than a wagon load of wheat and oats was put in bags and piled on the threshing floor. Jacob is second to none when it comes to farming.
The fans were given their money's worth in Sunday's doubleheader in which defeated Birmingham in a fast seven inning battle by the score of 2 to 3, while the Vermilions with Miss Weiss’ great pitching defeated the Sandusky Shamrocks by the decisive score of 9 to 3.
The features of the game were many, especially the playing of the independents infield which work like clockwork. Lehman accepted nine chances without error, Sonnendecker four and led both teams at bat, Hoffman seven and Donaldson 10.
Above all this the pitching of Miss Weiss, the girl phenom, was little short of marvelous. Her work throughout the game was splendid and immense crowd was very generous on all plays by both teams throughout the contest…
Tuscarawas county, home of Cy Young and Ollie Falkenberg, who can throw more curves than a Rocky Mount railroad train, has laid claim to another stellar baseball light.
This one wears skirts. At least she does this year. Next year it is to be a regulation baseball suit, and there's to be no foolishness about the wearing of it.
The new pitcher who comes from Cy Young's County's is Miss Alta Weiss. She is 17 years old, stands 5 feet six in her stocking feet, and can throw ball with any of them.
Sunday, on the home grounds at Vermillion, she led her team of eight men to victory winning over some dusky, 9 to 2…
Miss Weiss asked no favors, nor did she give any. She dodged just as many pitched balls as any of the rest of the players and took her chances sliding the bases just as though she was a major-league player and at the top of the payroll.
Miss Weiss is no masculine girl, no tomboy, although her youth might excuse that, especially in consideration of the at adulation she has received at the hands of the Vermilion fans, who this summer have gone wild over her work. She is no Amazon. She is merely the daughter of Dr. Augustus Weiss, of Ragersville, Tuscarawas County, O., Where she has played baseball with her father and the kids in the neighborhood ever since she was old enough to sit up and take notice.
This summer, while she was spending a few weeks with her family at Vermilion, Mayor Williams, himself elected five Street terms on nothing less than a "baseball" ticket, beheld her one day shooting in curves at her father which would have made M. Joss shrivel with envy. [probably refers to Addie Joss an American pitcher In Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the Cleveland Bronchos, later known as the Naps, between 1902 and 1910.]
"You are the goods," said the mayor judiciously. "Come over and try the first-inning next Sunday afternoon."
The Mayor made no announcement of his find. But before the game began at Sunday the news that a phenomenal girl pitcher was scheduled to play went through the town like wildfire. Before the game was done everyone but the cripples and the station agent was on hand.
Ever since that Sunday and all during the summer Miss Weiss has played with the Vermilion's. The town's been enthusiastic over baseball for years. This year it has gone crazy over it, and Miss Weiss. Sunday was her last Sunday at the lake town. She left for home Monday. But she is to come back next year and will probably be taken on tour over northern Ohio, Indiana in Pennsylvania, for her services as a pitcher alone are worth the salary which will be given her. She is a modest girl will not consider the attraction the oddity of a girl pitcher would give to any baseball team. Miss Weiss did not act like a professional baseball pitcher. Monday afternoon when news, She blushed furiously through her coat of tan and declared that she "just" couldn't," and that was all there was to it. She insisted that her hair was half down and that one her combs had been broken by a pitched ball, which would have taken the whole top of the ordinary man's head, by the way. "This old skirt looks like the dickens. Wait till I get dressed up and cool" she begged.
She was wearing a blue serge skirt, faded to purple in places where, with true professional characteristics, she rubbed her hands while holding the ball preparatory to pitching it. A simple sailor blouse of the same material, a baseball cap, heavy black cotton stockings and rubber shoes make up her "uniform". She wears no corset. She said so. The skirt was ankle-length. Her arms were bare almost to the shoulder, heavily tanned, straight and strong. Her hair was parted in the middle done in a role at each side of her head, held with a big comb at the neck. To emphasize the incongruity there was a big black silk bow at her neck. Were it not for her baseball shoes she might have been a sailor miss, or one of a set of at tennis.
But when she began to warm up for the coming game Sunday afternoon she forgot her skirts, her bowl, her hair – everything, in fact, but the effort to twist them about the batter's neck. She did not throw with any feminine form or movement. She did not shriek when a ball came her way. She threw the ball as straight as an arrow and as fast, and when the catcher threw it back to her it was no girlie – girly toss ball, but a hot liner which she caught the practice catching then sizzling from the bat. Miss Weiss never played baseball with girls. She knows the difference between a backstop and it and the right fielder’s "Charlie horse."
In the game she was a mystery. None of the Sandusky men could hit her. She pitched steadily perhaps a bit faster than was necessary, and gave no passes. Her arm actions, her headwork, and her judgment were those of an experienced pitcher. With the stick, too, she was invincible. In the first of the fourth inning she got a hit, which came on top of one out and would ordinarily have been a sacrifice. With two men on base she hit the ball the greatest calculation, bounding it in the diamond, then over the second base men's head, scoring two men and landing her at first, safe. A grandstand full, and both fields black with visitors from all the surrounding towns went wild. She kept up her good work through the game, completely "locoing" the opposition.
Her remarkable success at baseball has been gained without loss of any of her femininity apparently. The only womanliness, which she may have lost, was her corset. She advises that no one attempt to wear corsets and play baseball.
"She has always been a baseball player ever since she got a corncob in her hand one morning and threw it at the house cat," said her father, the doctor, Sunday. "That was when she was scarcely a year old, 16 years ago. She always used a man's arm motion and throwing. I never saw her throw any other way. There weren't many boys in the neighborhood when she was young, and so she took their places. She never has been hurt playing the game. I am happy that she can play it. It makes her the most healthy girl in the country. She's as hard as steel and can throw ball like a shot."
Two years ago she began to learn the art of curving the ball. She was practicing this when Mayor Williams saw her this summer. She has mastered it now, and next year will probably begin to play ball professionally. She will don the regular uniform for convenience. As she explained Sunday, it was not exactly restful to slide feet foremost in a skirt for any of these bases.
Mayor Williams, as official spokesman for the Vermilion team, begged her Sunday afternoon to remain with the team at least two more weeks. She has refused, however, and left for her home Monday.
Miss Weiss, The Phenomenal Girl Pitcher, To Twirl On The Coming Sunday For Vermillion At Crystal Beach.
Manager Heidloff of the Vermilion Ohio Independents wishes to announce that owing to the insistent demands that have been made on him since last Sunday's game to have the girl wonder twirl again on the coming Sunday - as the team had practically decided to wind up the season last Sunday; the sentiment to have her do slab duty again has gained such a foothold that the team have decided to play more games and to this end a game with a the All-Stars of Lorain will be the attraction on the coming Sunday at Crystal Beach. The game will be called at 3:00 PM standard Time and umpire Miller will handle the indicator.
A more detailed account of the coming game will be published in the columns of the daily papers in either Thursday or Friday.
Clevelanders will be able to see this girl wonder in action as the Lake Shore will run a special train on the coming Sunday which will leave the Union Depot at 1 PM a special rate of 50c per round-trip will be made; stops will be made at Berea, Elyria and North Amherst en route.
Hmmmmmm....
THE BRASSMEN: Many Vermilionites who came of age during the 1940s and 50s or undoubtedly remember a few of the man in the photograph accompanying this article: All were a strategic part of the workforce at Vermilion's F. W. Wakefield Brass/Lighting Company. Once upon a merry old time – which was, namely the better part of the last century – Wakefield built and occupied this office and factory buildings on the west side of W. River Rd. just south of the railroad tracks.
While there was unfortunately, no date on the photo from which this photo – sketch was extracted a reasonable "guesstimate" might be that it was likely taken about 1950.
The gents in the photo are front row, L–R: Sam Linglebach, Milt Lyons, and Adam Grisel; back row L-R: Fred Friday, Art Copeland, Nelson Becker, Jim Friday, Frank Mayer, Karl Schroeder, Harvey "Buck" Rogers and Leonard Osborne (who was known as Vermilion’s singing Mayor).
And although I didn't really know Art Copeland very well I knew that his family was related to the Wakefield family, and that they were instrumental in helping build the lighting business in Vermilion. To my knowledge his son, Rick, still lives in town. The daughter, Melissa, died at a rather early age; She was a delicate child. But conversely, she was gifted with a very robust personality. So much so that few who know her ever forgot her.
Among all these fellows, however, Leonard Osberg was perhaps best known. After graduating from high school in Sandusky he served as Regimental Sgt. Major in the 83rd division headquarters in LeMans, France during World War I. He was responsible for all their personnel files and records. While serving in France he met a lady named Annemarie Decamp. Her father was Chief of Music for the French Army's Fourth Corps. Leonard and Annemarie were married in Detroit in 1921. Their daughter, Nadine Ferguson, who still lives in Vermilion, was born in LeMans during a return visit.
Prior to joining the Wakefield company he worked in industrial relations at the Plum Brook Ordinance works in Sandusky. At the Wakefield company he held the position of personnel director.
Outside the company he was a nationally recognized archer/bowman, was song leader and past president of the Vermilion Rotary club, and had served three terms as mayor of the village (1940 – 1946). It was during his first term of office that Vermllion's landmark water tower was built. Residents referred to him as the "singing mayor" because of his love for music and singing. During his years in office he had also been a member of for Vermilions well-known Rube Quartet.
As previously mentioned, many local persons who came of age during the middle years of the last century will, no doubt, recall the faces of the of those in the photo. Some were leaders; Some more followers; Some were friends; Some were not. But all were, indispensable. All were Vermilionites.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
…The site of this house, originally six or eight rods from the bank of the lake, has disappeared—the red cedar logs, of which the house was built, having been cut up and sold for fence posts nearly thirty years after its erection. It will be observed that in the statement, that "Cyrus Ellithorpe was the first white child born on the Island," the narrative of Mr. Ellithorpe has been followed. In this connection it is as well to state that there was a legend that in the fall of 1814, a Mr. Allen with his wife came to the island, intending to make it their home, that during the winter Mrs. Allen and her child, a day or two old, died, and were buried by the husband and father, who, by this calamity, was left the only living being upon the island; that after performing alone and unassisted the mournful duty of the interment of his wife and child he left, and it is not known that he ever returned. Of course, as at this- late day any verification of this statement is impossible, it must be treated as a legend, and not as history.
In April of 1833, Benjamin A. Napier moved to the island with his family, and bringing with him five or six men, who came with the ostensible purpose of working for him. Napier had, in the summer of 1832, visited the island, and warned the inhabitants that (as he claimed ownership) they were all trespassers upon his property, and that he should treat them as such by ejecting them from the island at no distant day.
In consequence of the location being considered unhealthy; Mr. Ellis had, in the fall of 1832, vacated his own house, moving into the same house with Goodwin, and Napier, upon his arrival in the spring of 1833, had taken possession of the Ellis house, which he occupied until October of the same year, when he was ejected therefrom by legal process by D. and I. Kelley, who had previously acquired, by purchase, whatever of interest Ellis might have held in the property. The land they had purchased of Eldred, and Ellis held only a claim for improvements, or perhaps that of occupation by contract. This purchase and transfer of Ellis' right was for the purpose of acquiring possession, in order to enable them to take legal measures for the ejectment of Napier. But we have anticipated somewhat in this matter of the ejectment of Napier, and it becomes necessary for the preservation of chronological order to retrace our steps.
In June of 1833, Burr Higgins and Captain Judah W. Ransom, of Sandusky, held an interview at Norwalk with the agents of some of the principal owners of Cunningham's island, with a view to its purchase, if satisfactory terms, title, etc., could be obtained. This interview, after some negotiation, was unproductive of results, and no purchase was effected. Among the agents of the owners present at the interview at Norwalk was Mr. Allen, son-in-law of General Perkins, of Warren, the latter of whom was one of the largest owners of lands of the island.
Upon Mr. Allen's return home, he introduced the subject of the sale of the island to. Mr. Irad Kelley, of Cleveland, recommending the purchase as a good investment. The latter, it appears, had for some time been favorably impressed with the future value of the property, and had called the attention of his brother, Mr. Datus Kelley, of Rockport, to the matt3r, and upon this application of Mr. Allen they concluded to, and did, visit the island with reference to its purchase.
The difficulties that followed the advent of Napier upon the island, that beset the inhabitants consequent upon his claim of ownership, the seizure of their stock, etc., without legal process, and, as they claimed, without the shadow of equitable right, rendered it imperative that something should be done to put a stop to this forcible appropriation of their property. They were naturally; therefore, very anxious that some one should purchase the island, in order by this means to have the matter of title definitely settled. They claimed none themselves, not even that of squatters on unoccupied lands, but they did claim ownership in the stock which they had raised and were pasturing at "free commons" upon the island. Upon the arrival, therefore, of the Messrs. Kelley upon their visit for examination, it may be readily assumed that the interested parties were not backward in pointing out the desirability of the purchase. It is probable that they did not require it to be thus impressed upon them. However that may be, the result of the visit of Messrs. Datus and Irad Kelley was that they concluded to purchase, provided satisfactory terms and titles could be obtained.
As a result of their investigations, the first purchase of lands on the islands were effected, as appears by date of contract, on the twentieth day of August, 1833, of John A. and Mary Rockwell, and Alfred E. Perkins, through Simon Perkins, their attorney, and consisted, as detailed in said contracts, of lots numbered "two, three, four, five, six and seven, and the west part of lot eight, and containing fourteen hundred and forty-four and ninety-two-hundredths acres," or almost one half the total area of the island, for which they paid two thousand one hundred and sixty-seven and thirty-five hundredths dollars, or one dollar and fifty cents per acre.
Other purchases then followed, until the fee of the entire remainder of the islands was obtained (through the principals or their attorneys) of the different owners, these subsequent purchases having been effected as fast as the names of the different owners, or their agents, could be ascertained, within a short time following the date of the original purchase. Upon obtaining possession of the island, the Messrs. Kelley proceeded to effect the expulsion therefrom of Benjamin A. Napier, by ejectment, from the lands upon which he had no legal or equitable claim, the possession of which he attempted forcibly to retain.
OHIO PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY: The lower pic in this composition was used in “VV” several weeks ago and I speculated about it’s location. That picture was taken from an old postcard indicating that the photo was taken in Vermilion (at a postal carriers convention) – but its locale was puzzling.
After thinking about it some I searched for, and found, another photo of the area where I believe the old pic was taken (the top shot).
The upper photo was taken of buildings on the north side of Liberty Avenue near the middle of the block. The building on the right was (in the 1930s) the Ohio Public Service Company (later Ohio Edison). And the building on the right is Blattner’s Hardware Store.
I realize that the windows were changed between the old and new photos, but I think that the woodwork just above the windows is unique to that particular building and indicates that it is the same building.
Today the shop would be part (the western part) of the Old Prague Restaurant, and the building next door is long gone. It was replaced by a brick building, which incidentally served as the headquarters for Ohio Edison. Today it’s known as Papa Joe’s Pizza.
Bidding at a local auction was proceeding furiously when the auctioneer suddenly announced: "A gentleman in this room has lost a wallet containing $10,000. If it is returned, he will pay a reward of $2,000."
There was a moment's silence, and then from the back of the room came the cry, "Two thousand five hundred!"
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 LATEST 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.13, Issue 22 - August 8, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant