On Land & Sea
SHOPTALK: On the shop top this week is the wreck of the Vermilion fish tug Rainbow. Not really. But it is a pretty cool model of a gillnetter. It was begun by late Vermilionite Ray Full back in the 80s – but was (as is obvious) not finished. I wish I had all the parts to the model because I’d finish it. But I don’t. And I don’t know where to find the parts. Thus far, I’ve not been able to find another model like it.
On my home desktop this week is a pic that brings back many memories to me. It is a snapshot of Alva Boone and his son, Wayne (aka "Wiener"), digging the footer for the house Alva built on Perry Street back in the early 1950s. It was across from the Tarrant family home at 510 Perry by the NYC tracks.
The dog in the pic is the Tarrant family dog called Mister Chips. He was both a rogue and a camera hog. Anytime anyone was taking pic he showed up. All three souls are gone now. But every now and then I catch myself thinking of them (all three).
I tiled this pic because I was unable to get it to fit properly on my computer screen any other way. It isn’t too distracting.
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,
LOUIS “BUNNY” RODGERS: I found this clipping pic of Louis Rodgers with a group of photographs of persons who evidently served in the military during WW2. This one was marked on the back – “Bunny Rodgers” and he certainly looked familiar.
I don’t have any idea where the nickname came from (maybe he could run fast), but I think he was Vermilionite Harvey “Buck” Rodgers’s younger brother. [The nickname “Buck” I understand.]
Many persons who attended Vermilion schools back in the 50s and 60s will remember Buck’s sons Wade and Tom. Wade graduated around 1960, and Tom graduated with my class in 1963. He may have been Class President. And I’m thinking their father and their uncle probably graduated from VHS as well.
I don’t know anything about their uncle, but the resemblance is remarkable. He died in Phoenix, Arizona in 1984. He was 59.
It may interest some to know that his father, the patriarch of the family, also named Harvey, died in 1938 from a gunshot wound he received on October 4, 1918 in France during WW1. He was only 49.
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CASSIE L. CHADWICK: I [Note: This story is a repeat.] I don’t know that the subject of this monograph ever spent any time in Vermilion. Though I expect she probably passed through here numerous times on trains – both electric and steam – as she traveled between cities like New York, Toledo, and Cleveland. I do know that she spent a good deal of time in Oberlin. That’s because her name started appearing in news reports from that town concerning the failure of the Oberlin Bank in the early months of 1905. By then she was widely known in social circles as Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick (the illegitimate daughter of millionaire businessman Andrew Carnegie). Some also knew her as clairvoyant widow Madame Lydia DeVere; or Lydia Springsteen the wife of Dr. Wallace Springsteen (no relation to Bruce); Cleveland clairvoyant Madame Marie LaRosa; the wife (with a steel-clad prenuptial agreement) of Trumbull County farmer John R. Scott; Cleveland brothel Madam Cassie Hoover; and finally, Cassie Chadwick, the good wife of Cleveland physician Leroy S. Chadwick. Her birth name was a bit less pretentious. It was Elizabeth. Born to Dan and Annie Bigley in Eastwood, Ontario, Canada on 10 October 1857, her family just called her “Betsy”. Today she is considered by many to be among the Top 10 greatest impostors in history.
Cassie’s career as a scam artist started quite early. When she was 14 she went to Woodstock, Ontario opened a bank account using a small amount of money and a forged letter of inheritance she had supposedly received from a fictional uncle in England. After passing several worthless checks she was arrested and jailed for forgery, but released due to her age and because the authorities thought her insane.
By 1875 she had followed a sister who had married to Cleveland, and she began to hone her career as a first-class grifter beginning it as the mystic Madame DeVere (after taking out a loan using her sister’s and brother-in-law’s furniture as collateral). After a newspaper article appeared in the Cleveland newspaper announcing her marriage to Dr. Wallace Springsteen in 1882 her irate creditors – which included her sister and his husband – promptly appeared on the doctor’s doorstep demanding payment for her debts. Dr. Springsteen threw her out and promptly divorced her. But not without first settling her debts.
After marrying and divorcing her second husband (Trumbull County farmer Scott) she again tried her hand at forgery. In 1889 she was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 9 ½ years in a Toledo, Ohio penitentiary. Paroled after only four years she returned to Cleveland and as Cassie Hoover running what she called “a respectable boarding house for women”. In 1897, feigning ignorance of the true nature of her bordello, she conned, met and married a highly respected Cleveland physician named Leroy Chadwick. It should be mentioned that sometime during these years that she had a son she named Emil whose official existence, last name (Hoover / Chadwick), and exact birth date often proved to be as desultory as his mother’s. Whether Dr. Chadwick knew of the boy or not is unknown.
In any case, following her marriage to Chadwick her career as one of America’s most talented grifters began in earnest. The couple kept a home on Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue “Millionaire’s Row”, where she tried, but with little success, to curry favor with her neighbors – the Rockefeller, Hanna, and Mather families. Undeterred she scammed a New York attorney into believing that she was the illegitimate daughter of Andrew Carnegie, and that Carnegie had given her a promissory note for $2 million to keep their relationship secret. It should surprise no one to learn that the aforementioned “secret” was kept for about 2 seconds. For the next eight years Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick was able to acquire loans from financial markets that totaled between $10 to $20 million. She very wisely went about her banking business confident that nobody was going to ask Mr. Carnegie about the situation and cause him embarrassment. And they didn’t. At least they didn’t until 1904 when a Massachusetts banker learned about her activities, called in her loan, and discovered that she was unable to pay.
Meanwhile in Oberlin, Ohio President Charles Beckwith of the Citizen’s National Bank had fallen ill and was inconsolable. It seems that he had loaned Mrs. Chadwick $800,000 forcing a massive run on the bank. Both the bank and his career were ruined. The trauma of the loss killed him. (Later Andrew Carnegie, himself, interceded and helped the Oberlin bank recover.)
On 10 March 1905 a court in Cleveland sentenced “Betsy” to 14 years in prison for “conspiracy to bankrupt the Citizen’s National Bank” – a federally chartered bank. In January of 1906 she took up housekeeping at the Ohio State Penitentiary. She died there on her 50th birthday the following year and is buried in the Episcopal Cemetery in Woodstock, Ontario. Upon her arrest her husband filed for divorce and went to Europe. The Chadwick mansion on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland was razed to make way for the Euclid Avenue Temple (currently the home of the Liberty Hill Baptist Church).
Following the trial Carnegie had a chance to examine the “infamous promissory note” that Betsy had used to acquire funds. He said of it, “If anybody had seen this paper and then really believed that I had drawn it up and signed it, I could hardly have been flattered.” This was because the spelling and punctuation errors in the note were glaring. Thus, it was not especially Betsy’s avarice that perpetuated this flimflam as much as it was of that the bankers of that yesteryear.
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...
Vermilion, O., Oct. 18, 1907 Messrs. E. L. Coen, J. C. Seeman, Geo. Nuhn, Committee, City
Gentlemen:
Referring to our conversation of recent date in which you requested me to accept the nomination for mayor of our village, I beg to say that I have given this matter a very careful consideration.
While timid because of my youthfulness, I considered that the lax government of the present administration should, of great necessity for the progress and development of the social condition, be changed. It has been urged by many prominent citizens of Vermilion and also various parts of very County, who know the situation existing in the present government, that a change should, of necessity, be made and they have also urged upon me to accept the nomination aforesaid.
I have therefore decided to accept the nomination for mayor of the village as requested and as I strongly advocate law enforcement, "without prejudice or favor" all persons who stand for good government and the upliftment of social conditions of our village should be ready and willing to work with me to reach the higher standard of government.
Thanking you in advance for any favors and trusting that our efforts will be successful, I am.
Very truly years,Geo. W. Ritter
[VV. Ed. Note: Wow! This is the first time I ever heard of George Ritter’s being involved in the government of Vermilion. At the moment I don’t know who would’ve been running against him, but I do know that he never became Mayor.]
The village of Vermilion's plaintiff's suit in the Court of Common Pleas against the Lake Shore Electric, for damages in the sum of $500. It is charged that in view of the fact, so claimed, that the railway company has failed to supply a needed metallic circuit for the return of electricity used in propelling cars, the water system consisting, of iron in leaden pipes laid 1902 in 1904 have been softened, split and perforated, thus permitting the water to leak out. The process by which the waterworks system has been partially, at least put off out commission, is known as "electrolysis". Vermilion, according to the petition, as already spent $114.87 or per our only repairs rendered necessary as a result of injuries sustained as alleged, the realtor says, and there are other repairs which will cost all of it not more than $500, the sum for which the judgment is sought.
Suit was commenced Common Pleas court on Wednesday by Eliza Hoyt, a daughter of Harvey Wheeler and George Miller, against Jennie Armitage individually and as executrix of the estate; Sophia Wheeler; Amanda Hancock, Charles Hancock and three unknown heirs, to set aside the will of the late Harvey Wheeler, of Birmingham.
A few days after Harvey Wheeler's death a paper purporting to be his last Will was found and under the terms most of his property was left to Jennie Armitage. Plaintiffs claim Wheeler was one of the unsound mind when he alleged will was made.
Monday afternoon in the case of Dr. B.F. Bond vs. Dan Thompson, admr. To the estate of Mrs. Emma Thompson, deceased, was up for trial before Justice Saunders, at the Town Hall. Attorney Ritter represented the plaintiff employer the defense. The suit was for a doctor bill dating from 1899 and the question of the account being outlawed played a prominent part. The payment of two dollars on the account in 1901 however gave grounds for the decision in favor of the doctor and judgment for the amount of $34. The defendant gave notice of appeal.
E. L. Coen, cashier the Erie County banking company 10 o'clock was in Mansfield Wednesday and participated in organization of group No. 6 of the Ohio State Bankers Association. Under the present plan the state is divided into nine groups. Erie County being one of the 11 in the northern portion of the state forming group 6. There are 120 banks represented. Jacob Babst of Crestline was elected chairman and E.L. Coen of this place secretary and treasurer.
Saturday, Oct. 19, ‘07 the schoolmates and friends of Miss Alice Rumsey gathered at her home and helped her celebrate her 16th birthday anniversary. Those present were Mrs. Hattie Rathbun, Mrs. Anna Horton and Mrs. Floy Tischer, Ethel Bottomley, Katherine and Ruth Decker, Eva Malcomson, Lena Knott, Agnes Morse, and Frankie Blattner.
At 4:30 a nice lunch was served in at 5:30 the many friends departed leaving many beautiful presents and wishing Ms. Alice many more such happy birthdays.
At about 1 o'clock this morning while Marshall Decker was passing C. H. Nuhn's Drugstore he heard a noise and upon investigation found two men at the rear of the store. They started to run, Marshall fired at them. It is not known whether either one of them was hit or not but it tended to hurry their departure. The miscreants made an opening in the glass in the rear door and were attempting to open the door when discovered; consequently no damage was done only to the glass.
On Tuesday one of the boldest robberies ever perpetrated in this section occurred in the jewelry store of H. P. Nielsen in Lorain. Mr. Nielsen was at dinner and his son Ira, was in the store. Three strangers entered and asked to see some China, which was in the rear. Two of the men followed Young Nielsen and examined the China, while the third crawled under the counter and made way with a tray of diamond rings, valued at $4000; all the diamonds in the store. After examining the dishes, [one man] he said he would bring his wife in the evening and decide on what they wanted. As Young Nielsen turned he noticed the third man just rising from the floor, but supposed he picked up something which he dropped. He went out telling his companions he would get a shave and see them in an hour or so. Ira followed the other two to the door and watched them walk up the street. As soon as he turned back to the counter he missed the rings and called his father and the police. All three men carried overcoats on their arms.
A man giving his name is George Mason, home, Cleveland was arrested Wednesday in a S. Lorain resort on the charge of carrying concealed weapons and is believed he may be implicated in the robbery, however Young Nielsen cannot identify the man.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Miller a son Friday the 18th.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Charley Grugel, Sunday a daughter.
The recovery of Jordan Zimmerman who is very ill at the Lorain hospital is very slow.
Adam Jaeger who is been very ill was out for a few minutes Friday for the first time.
Walter Kreuck of the United States Navy is home on his yearly furlough.
A fine gas well has just been completed on the property of George Streicher.
The case of O. E. Foster vs. Mrs. Carnorth was tried Friday before Squire Shuler. The suit was for the value of a horse, which was so badly injured by a wire fence that it had to be killed. It was claimed that the injury was caused by one of Mrs. Carnother’s horses getting into Mr. Foster's lot and chasing his horse into the fence. The defendant offered no testimony consequently judgment was rendered for $200 in favor of the plaintiff.
Work in the new school building is being pushed at as rapid as possible. The heating system was installed the first of the week.
Conrad Herpat had two fingers smashed while working on the school building Monday and will be obliged to lay off for several days.
The dry goods store is being erected in the Fries lumberyard.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Brooks a son Thursday, October 17.
The harvest home service will be held at Christ Church next Sunday morning.
Arthur Emmons was kicked in the face Thursday while shooing a mule. Dr. Poluck was called found it necessary to take several stitches.
Edward Smith of this place and Miss Ida Garlaching of Madison Ohio were married at the home of the bride's parents last Wednesday. After a trip to Chicago in other western points it will begin housekeeping in the Gunnhauser house on Williams St.
Mrs. Lavina Oachs died at her home here Monday afternoon, age 69 years. Huron has always been her home. She leaves to mourn their loss two sons, Charles and Jay of this place and three daughters, Mrs. Tom Hammond, Mrs. James Scott of this place and Mrs. Belle Hitchcock who reside in the West.
L.A. Braun's bar barn is near completed and is a fine building.
L.C. Kishman commences digging his potatoes this week.
Mr. Geo Risdon took some potatoes to Lorain Thursday and Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Kishman and Mr. and Mrs. Rocky spent Friday at rugby to guest of Mr. George Nye and family.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. William want a 9 pound boy Saturday morning.
E. J. Darby is drilling for gas, has already found a little.
Mr. J. Portman as drilled but found but little gas is going to try again.
Quite a number of farmers are using the corn-cutting machine this fall.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison a baby last Saturday morning.
Mr. Hillberg has drilled with a good success and was but a short time finding gas. The drilling started Tuesday and reach gas the following Friday.
Otto Todd attended the ballgame at Oberlin Saturday afternoon.
Wheeler Washburn is busy moving his household goods to Vermilion.
Christ Bauman spent last Wednesday evening with Mr. Leadrach and family.
John Feiszle who has been busy building a silo has it completed and is now busy filling it.
Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Baumhart of Vermilion spent Sunday afternoon with the latter's parents.
After being on the railroad one week, Mr. Farrell of Vienna, South Dakota, arrived in Vermilion with his car of goods Friday morning.
The Erie County Mutual Telephone company is making fine progress. A room has been rented in the Stein block for a central office. The company already has an exchange at Shinrock, with about 50 telephones installed, in the line extends towards Huron as far as the old Griffin place.
A woman swindler has been at work among the farmers wives about 3 miles this side of Lorain. Her scheme according to a Lorain paper is to drive around to the houses selling furniture polish. The price is 50c but she drops to 35c. The polish is sticky and worthless.
Capt. Josh Bailey is spending a few days in town.
For a mild, easy action of the bowels, a single dose of Doan's Regulets is enough. Treatment cure habitual constipation. 25c a box. Ask your druggist for them.
A report from Elyria says that Grover Ormsby, an Amherst farmer caught two men with a wagon helping themselves to vegetables which he had ready for market one night this week. He fired both barrels of a shotgun at them from a window and one man dropped. The other loaded him into the wagon and drove off. All trace was lost near Oberlin.
Mrs. C. Bachmann it's very ill at her home on South Street. The children were all called and arrived home the first of the week except Ed who is on the lakes as the worst was feared. At this writing however hopes of her recovery are entertained. Her sister, a nurse, who recently returned from Indianapolis is caring for her.
Miss Matilda Wagner in her apprentice, Ms. Slocum, were in Cleveland on business, Monday.
Presdee Morgan spent Saturday and Sunday at N. Ridgeville, the guest of Rev. Kaley and family.
Call at Miller's restaurant for your oysters by the court pint or dished in any form.
C. Roscoe and Mrs. Pearl Roscoe and daughter where guest of Lorain relatives a few days last week.
Miss Clara Wakefield was attending school at Hiram was home the first of the week.
Marion Myers of Sandusky has accepted the position of engineer on the Charles P Stricker and began his duties here last week.
Hmmmmmm....
SOME PEOPLE JUST COLLECT STAMPS: While most persons readily understand that The Vermilion News was one of our town’s early newspapers some may not know or have forgotten that the printing of the news was but a part of its business. Besides the weekly newspaper, they also did a good deal of specialty printing; handbills, business cards, envelopes, letterheads, business forms, booklets and pamphlets, advertising posters, high school annuals and later the school's newspapers, and labels for the “pickle packing plant” (try to say that fast); but whatever was needed, the NEWS printed.
The graphic accompanying this essay shows a collection of envelope return addresses and letterheads printed by the NEWS during the early years of the 20th century. Those familiar with the town will quickly recognize some of the names and places in the photo. While most of these entities have faded or have disappeared entirely from the local landscape several, like Linwood Park and the Vermilion Boat Club, not only remain but also continue to prosper. And though Ruggles Beach, Crystal Beach and the Maud-Elton Hotel still exist they are mere shadows of what they were in days gone bye.
Although some of the photographs on the letterheads are hardly rare (e.g. the Crystal Beach and Vermilion Mill photographs) the Linwood Park and Maud-Elton prints are somewhat unusual.
There are numerous pictures of the Linwood Gate in circulation, but this particular shot of a crowd of people entering the park on an unpaved street is what some might term to be “epic”. It is similar to the one taken of the entrance to Crystal Beach and was probably taken about the same time (c.1907).
The Maud-Elton print is very similar to several photographs taken of the hotel around 1914. This particular picture of the old hotel affords a better / larger view of the west side of the building than most. In it one can see that prior to the construction of the Fischer block building (to its right / west) the main entrance to the facility was on the west side with a cover over the driveway. Before the building was moved from the corner of Liberty and Division / Main streets to this site (pictured) the west side of the building was, in fact, the front of the building.
The Lewis Englebry letterhead has Vermilion spelled with two els. It is doubtful that that was a mistake. Englebry, born in Vermilion in 1872 must have intentionally ordered the original spelling to be used. His store later became the Liberty Theatre and is currently (2015) the site of an art gallery. During the summer of 1914 Mr. Englebry got to ride to Cedar Point and back with aero pioneer Tony Jannus from the beach at Linwood Park. Some have claimed that Englebry – who apparently weighed over 300 pounds – was, at the time, the heaviest person ever to be transported by a plane.
The photographs on the H.H. Berk & Son letterhead are undoubtedly the most clear of all the letterhead photos. The text on the pictures was not on the originals – there were no signs on the buildings. The property the mill once occupied was located at the southern end of Exchange Street and is currently (2015) the site of an attractive nursing home called (what else?) Mill Manor.
Regarding the other items in this collection: They are reflections of Vermilion’s past that have long since disappeared. Actually, the W.R.C. (Woman’s Relief Corps) still exists. But Vermilion’s Delker chapter is no longer active. William C. Miller (b.1873 – d.1957) lived for a time on Ohio Street but owned a farm at Axtel where he farmed, and cut and sold lumber and firewood. Anthony Becker (b.1874 - d.1934) lived on South Street and was a masonry contractor. As his address label shows he made concrete blocks. Late Vermilionite Hank Fischer once mentioned that Becker had a factory (of sorts) along the river near the place where the Vermilion Boat Club is now situated.
Persons who collect postage stamps are called philatelists (\fə-ˈla-tə-lists\. There probably isn’t any fancy name for one who collects old letterheads and envelope return addresses. These particular items were cut and pasted into a scrapbook and were used as printer’s samples. It’s doubtful that the person / persons responsible for placing them in the book ever dreamed that they might become part of a historical record for the community of Vermilion, Ohio. But that is precisely what they are. They are individual pixels in a photograph that together form a portrait of a very colorful 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.
…ing portions of the land purchased at that early day. That the possibilities of the future of the islands, high as was the estimate put upon them at that time, were not fully appreciated, was, in after years, fully developed. The sales of wood, cedar and stone, repaid many times the amount of the entire purchase, and the tillable land, a strong limestone soil, proved to be of superior quality. And though the wood and cedar, as articles of commerce, have long since disappeared, the stone trade, from the small beginning of D. and I. Kelley, with one wharf, has developed into proportions of which some idea may be formed when it is stated, that the par value of the capital stock of the stone companies was, at their organization, about two hundred thousand dollars, the business furnishing employment to over one hundred men.
But another element, not at that time. appreciated, because unknown, was destined to enter into the question of future values, and effect an entire revolution in the agricultural prospects, business and pursuits of the people. It had been observed that at many places on the island, wild grape vines were abundant, of unusual size and thrifty growth. Acting upon this observation, Mr. Datus Kelley, about the year 1842, procured a number of vines of the Isabella and Catawba variety, from Rockport, his former residence, and setting them in his garden, developed in due time the adaptability of the islands, both as to soil and climate, to the culture of the grape.
Mr. - Charles Carpenter, who had purchased the farm of Horace Kelley, and who was a practical fruit culturist, becoming impressed with the importance of the grape culture, and sanguine of its success on the island, set out the first acre of grapes planted as a field crop, and enthusiastically urged his neighbors to do likewise. The first wine from the product of his vineyard was made in 1850, in the old log house, his former residence, with such primitive appliances in the shape of press, etc., as were at his command.
The effect of the demonstration that the grape culture would be successful were soon apparent. Small vineyards, the nucleus of larger ones, dotted the island. Large profits for a time resulted from the sale of the fruit, packed in boxes for table use. Farms divided in five and ten acre lots, were parceled out to different owners, the price of land, under the impetus thus given it, advanced three to four hundred per cent, and within a few years there were nearly one thousand acres set to vines. The excess of supply over demands, for table use, as also in the quality of the crop for that purpose, directed attention to the manufacture of wine, and there were, in course of time, erected on the island, cellars, which, including those of the Kelley's Island Wine Company, are capable of storing half a million gallons of wine.
The present average crop of grapes is about seven hundred tons, nearly all of which is manufactured into wine. In 1800, was organized, the Kelley's Island Wine Company, having a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and possessing, by the terms of its charter, the privilege of increasing its capital stock to two hundred thousand dollars. The cellar built and owned by Mr. Charles Carpenter was rented by the company, and the manufacture of wine commenced therein in the fall of the above named year. The officers of the company were: Addison Kelley, president; George C. Huntington, secretary; A. S. Kelley, treasurer; and C. W. Farciot, superintendent. The business proving very successful, it was deemed advisable by a majority of the stockholders to increase the capital stock to the full amount allowed by the charter. Accordingly, in 1871, books were opened for subscriptions to the new stock. Very nearly the full amount was soon taken, and a new and larger cellar, in addition, was built, with all the improvements and appurtenances necessary to the prosecution of the business on a large scale, —the cellars, when finished, having a storage capacity of some four hundred thousand gallons, and being, in point of capacity and completeness of machinery and outfit, the finest establishment devoted to the manufacture of wine in the State. The officers of the company at the time of the increase of capital stock, were: Addison Kelley, president: Norman Kelley, vice president; A. S. Kelley, secretary; Erastus Huntington, treasurer, and C. W. Farciot. Superintendent.
On the 30th of August, 1876, the upper stories of the two cellars, which were adjoining, were destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss (with no insurance) on the company. New roofs were immediately placed upon the two buildings, the machinery placed in the first one, where the business of pressing was resumed and where it has since remained. The lower rooms of each cellar being arched, were not injured by the fire, and are now used, as before, for the storage of wine.
That the island was a favorite place of residence and resort of the aboriginal inhabitants of the country Is well established, not only by the legends that have descended to us from successive generations of the past, but in very marked degree by the remains of mounds, burial-places, fortifications, implements, which are found at different points upon the island. The residence grounds and garden of Mr. Addison Kelley were evidently once the site of a populous village, as the remains of broken pottery, pipes, stones indented upon the edges—probably for use as sinkers, for fishing lines or nets, of some kind, and other articles of rude manufacture for household and other purposes, found there, sufficiently attest.
On the premises of Mr. Andrew Cameron at the west bay, are found similar evidences of occupancy by this prehistoric race.
On the Huntington farm are still plainly visible the remains of a circular earth work, which, before suffering from the encroachments of the waters of the…
A MATCHBOX: I don’t know whom, or what agency, in Vermilion gave these beauties out way back when – but they sure are nice. Who wouldn’t want a silver plated matchbox?
The little box belongs to local historian / naturalist / Amherst Historical Society curator Matt Nahorn who was kind enough to allow the museum staff to photograph the artifact.
It’s a beautiful artifact.
An elderly couple had just learned how to send text messages on their cell phones. The wife was a romantic type and the husband was more of a no-nonsense guy.
One afternoon the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee. She decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote:
"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you."
The husband texted back to her: "I'm on the toilet. Please advise."
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 27 - September 12, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant