Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week is one of the many prize exhibits at the museum. It’s Dr. B.F. Bond’s (1834-1926) account book. The Dave Reutener Family donated the book to the museum. Katie Baker Reutener is Dr. Bond’s great-granddaughter.
The pages visible here are from 1895. The good doctor kept two teams of horses and travelled the countryside tending to the medical needs of all the folks in the area.
Generally, he charged $1.00 per visit. But when money wasn’t available he was paid with things like fruit (in this case a basket of grapes), firewood and / or butter. For the delivery of boy babies he charged $5.00. Little girls were, for some unknown reason, a few dollars less.
I have been told that the doctor did not believe in inoculations for himself. I found this particularly astounding since he was one of the primary care doctors in town when it was hit by a smallpox epidemic in the early years of the 20th century.
Doctor Bond certainly earned a lofty place in the history of our town.
On my home desk this week is an unexceptional pic made a little less unexceptional with a special software plugin. It is, of course, a digital picture taken along Liberty Avenue looking east down the sidewalk from the empty lot where the Fulper service station and auto parts store once sat.
Things change so fast around town it’ll make your heads spin. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad – it just is.
PROHIBITION IN THE UNITED STATES: The 18th Amendment to our Constitution invoked a nationwide ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages that remained in place from 1920 to December of 1933.
Hindsight being (as is said) 20:20 I would submit that it was one of the dumbest laws ever approved by the people of our nation.
I mention this because during this past week I’ve been reviewing files from The Vermilion News from 1933 and some mention of the futility – as well as the negative results – of the amendment are contained in those files.
One thing that really surprised me is that the places around Vermilion that served booze were apparently well known by the public. There was nothing very surreptitious about them ay all.
In short, there were not secret knocks on doors or a need to tell an eye looking out through a peephole, “Joe sent me.”
THE AUDIO THIS WEEK: I thought I should mention to those who listen to the audio portion of this edition that the story used this week was told to my father (i.e. pseudonym Jove) by a man he didn’t identify.
Additionally, some of the landmarks / places mentioned in the soliloquy may be of interest to some persons.
The Kishman coal shed would’ve been located somewhere in the park we now call Exchange Park behind today’s Fishermen’s Bend condominiums. It was (as is obvious) once used as the local jail. The shed / lockup also appears in one of George Wakefield’s books in a story about “Big Ed” Lampe.
Another landmark mentioned is the old wooden bridge that once spanned the railroad at Highbridge Road. While the bridge was torn down several years ago for safety reasons it is my understanding that another will take its place shortly.
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 $5 (for adults) is requested. Children under 14 accompanied with an adult will be admitted free.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.
Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.ADMISSION - ADULTS $5.00 and young people under the age of 14 are FREE. If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum
727 Grand Street
Vermilion, Ohio 44089
440.967.4555.
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.
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Historically,
JAMES QUIGLEY: Dr. James Quigley was one of Vermilion’s early physicians. He was born on September 25, 1806 in York County, Pennsylvania. On May 3, 1841 he married Deborah Johnson in Amherst, Ohio. The couple had a daughter they named Reber in 1846. In 1852 they had a son who they also named Reber. [I’ve no idea as to the reason.]
Mrs. Quigley grew up on a farm that later became the Spanish-American War Veteran’s settlement just west of Vermilion currently (2016) known as Volunteer Bay. She died December 13, 1853 in Vermilion at the age of 38 years.
Doctor Quigley passed on in Vermilion on December 11, 1874 at the tender age of 68 years. The pic above is the only photo of the good doctor I have every seen.
VHS CLASS REUNION: Will be held July 15-16, 2016, for the VHS Class of 66....they need addresses,email, etc. Folks can call Carolyn Hill @:440-967-2821 or email her: carolyn_hill20@hotmail.com.
THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR: This house at 735 Grand Street in Vermilion really looks much the same as it did when the older pic – taken about 1915 – was taken.
Having been familiar with house (because of its proximity to the Vermilion News print shop) all my life I have always admired it. I’ve known most of the folks who’ve lived there during my lifetime at least. It is currently (2016) a rental – and a very nice one.
Gone now (of course) are the horse barns and the outhouse behind the property: patrons visiting the town hall and the church once parked their horse and buggies in the stables. Today both the hall and the church are privately owned businesses and the drive used by patrons of yore has been the subject of some disagreement between business owners.
This is really a nice house in a very quiet Vermilion neighborhood. On nice days last summer when I took lunch on the porch atop the museum next door I couldn’t help but wonder where all the children were hiding. I heard none.
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...
And Adjourns – The New Council
Begins Work.
In pursuance to law the first meeting of the village council, was held last Thursday evening, January 2, ‘08.
The Finance Committee reported the balance of the different funds. The report was accepted. The regular allowance was made to the Vermillion fire company of $75 OC.
The bills were red approved and ordered paid. After which the Council adjourned sige die.[i.e. Without any future date being designated.
Mayor H. R. Williams was then sworn in by the clerk. Councilmen elect George B. Krapp, C.A. Mattison, D.J. Miller, H.L. Minium, George B McConnelly, and George P. Wahl were then qualified.
The meeting being called to order, the bonds of J.A. Klaar, treasurer elect and C.H. Nuhn, clerk elect, were read and approved and they took oath of office administered by the mayor
The Mayor then appointed the following committees:
Street – Messrs Wahl, Mattison, Miller.
Sidewalk – Messrs Minium, Krapp, Wahl.
Public GROUNDS – Messrs Mattison, Minium, McConnelly.
Fire – Miller, Krapp, Minium.
Finance – Messrs. Connelly, Wahl, Miller.
Street Lighting – Krapp, McConnelly, Mattison.
The Mayor then made the following appointments: all being approved by the Council.
Member board of the Cemetery Trustees, M. C. Gegenheimer.
Fire Chief, W. A. Tischer.
Street Commissioner, Henry Schmoll.
Clerk Nuhn resigned to take effect at once. C.A. Mattison was then appointed Clark pro-tem.
An ordinance was then read and duly passed raising the clerk’s salary of $200 per annum. C.H. Nuhn was then appointed clerk for the term and duly qualified. This action was taken as the salary of the clerk was considered too small considering the large amount of work added to the office by the new law. Now every fund and department is kept separately and in addition, from now on all the financial matters of the waterworks passes through the village clerk's hands. The waterworks clerk caring for the records, etc. This makes almost twice the amount of work formerly done by the village clerk.
The Council then fixed the bond for the member the Board Of Public Affairs at $500 per member.
The bid of the Erie County Banking Co. for the village funds was read and accepted. It was 4.126% per annum.
George P. Wahl was elected mayor pro tem.
The salary of the lamplighter was fixed at $45 per month. George Andrews was reappointed. He was also appointed janitor of the Council chamber.
The matter procuring a stone crusher or the services of one was brought up and the clerk ordered to write the county commissioners regarding on.
The Council then adjourned.
While Miss Hattie Ritter and F. Bachmann were walking on the pier about 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon they were startled to see a child floating in the river. Giving the alarm and taking the little one from the river required but a very few minutes but it was too late to bring back the little life. The child proved to be little the little son of Capt. and Mrs. W. Gilbert, who live in the Harris house nearby.
Dr. Englebry was called but life was extinct. Little Georgie Kertz was almost 5 years old. No explanation can be given as to how the accident occurred as he had not been gone from the house very long and went out to play while his mother was getting dinner. He had not been gone but half or three quarters of an hour when his body was brought back. No one saw the accident. The most singular feature is that the body was floating.
Capt. Gilbert and family moved to Vermilion from Lorain in the summer he having taken charge of the Driscoll Fish Co.s Tug.
Funeral director Englebry took charge. Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Brown officiating. Burial in Maplegrove Cemetery.
Capt. and Mrs. Gilbert have the sympathy of the entire community.
Who slipped into the Vermillion River Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock. He was not drowned as he floated. His close must've gathered the air and held them up, consequently he chilled to death before assistance arrived to rescue him.
This lovely bud, so young, so fair,
called hence by earthly doom,
just came to show how sweet of flower,
in paradise would bloom;
Ere sin could harm our sorrow fade,
death came with friendly care,
the opening bud to heaven conveyed
and bade it blossom there.
Mrs. John A Englebry.
[I believe that Mrs. Englebry was the daughter of Vermilion poet Helen Kelsey Fox. Oddly enough, I view this little poem as being much better than most of her mother’s work.-rnt]
Monday evening was a record breaker for a school. Two meetings being held and adjournment taken in about an hour.
The first meeting was held by the old board to wind up the business of the term and new board then took up the work. Only three members were present, Messrs: Coen Leimbach being absent. C. H. Nuhn was elected President of the board. The retiring members Geo. Fisher and John Gegenheimer have seen considerable service on the board the former for about 12 consecutive years and the latter for about eight or nine. Both have done excellent service and were given a vote of thanks by remaining members and the Superintendent of schools.
As the board is to hold their regular meeting next Monday night the appointment of the committees and other matters were deferred.
The meeting then adjourned.
The board is now made up of the following:
C. H. Nuhn Pres., E. L. Coen, A. H. Leimbach, E. W. Kishman and A. E. Beeckel.
Mrs. O. F. Hatch is in possession of a German Bible, which was published over 350 years ago. It is one of Martin Luther's translations and is illustrated in color pictures. Prof. Seemann has examined it and says it is indeed a valuable relic. He says the form of the letters are as in the English language so different from those in ancient times it makes it a little hard to read, though he was able to read it.
Last week we gave this name of the young man who was sent to the county jail as Clarence Kuhl He was known by that name and so-called but Mr. Henry Kuhl informs us that he has no right to the name what ever as he did not adopt him. His name is Clarence Shreve and Mr. Kuhl forbids him hereafter to use the name of Kuhl.
Mrs. Reuben Miller died Saturday morning from tuberculosis. She had been married for about a year.
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sharp is seriously ill with bronchial pneumonia at the home of Mr. C. Schaffer.
The body of Mr. Mack a brother of Mrs. Charles Gawne was brought here Saturday Sunday night. Mr. Mack was killed on the railroad at Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Henry Breichmacher, died last Wednesday at her home west of town from tuberculosis, age 26. Beside the husband she leaves three children. Funeral was held Saturday interment at Brownhelm Cemetery.
Ms. Ruby Schaffer, age 20, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Schaffer, died Thursday after an illness of about a week. She was a member of the Congregational church and a great worker in the choir in Sunday school and will be sadly missed by a large circle of relatives and friends. The parents have the sympathy of the town. Only last August their son was drowned near Oak Point.
Thursday afternoon at the Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, occurred the death of Ms. Lucy Crocker, daughter of Mrs. Nettie Crocker. On account of the serious illness of her sister Mrs. Gawne, the funeral was held at Berea Monday. Burial at Cleveland St. cemetery Amherst.
LATER – Mrs. Joseph Gawne died at her home here Sunday evening. Just three days after the death of her sister. Both had typhoid fever and neither knew of the other's illness. Ms. Crocker had been keeping house for her father at Berea. The remains of Mrs. Miss Crockett [sic] arrived years Monday evening and a double funeral took place from the Congregational church Tuesday afternoon.
J. J. Rice is having a gas well drilled on his farm at Kendeigh's corners.
Owing to the illness of pastor Rev. E Harding, the morning services of the Congregational church were postponed.
Mrs. Henry Koch of S. Amherst and Fred Keidka a border suddenly disappeared from home one day last week. Monday the husband received a letter from her dated Pittsburgh telling what she had done and asking for money. He sent her $200 and told her never to return. She left five children. She is 47 and Leidtke [sic] 27. The parties reside in South Amherst.
[Aside from botching the spelling of the young lad’s last name in this piece I can only add something like, “What the hell were any of these people thinking?” –rnt]
Mrs. Brainard is still very ill.
Only four saloons are in existence here now. J. H. Higgs was the last one to close up shop and wait for improvement in business.
Chas Smith was operated on Tuesday of last week for appendicitis. Dr. Crile of Cleveland assisted by Dr. Woesner performed the operation.
Lawson Taylor is on the sick list.
Mr. Garrison elaborate of Ragersville, Ohio is visiting his brother Mr. A.W. Ladrach.
Mr. Elmer Trinter is attending Oberlin business college.
Mr. W. F. Washburn of Vermilion was in this vicinity last Friday.
The Misse Sperry spent Monday afternoon with the Miss Bristol.
Ms. Maud Day of Florence is spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. William Dean.
The little folks of this vicinity were making and receiving callers last week.
Mrs. Mary Wallace died at the home of her son Mr. Henry Wallace on Saturday morning at 8 o'clock.
Mrs. C. Sperry entertained Mrs. Bartholomew children Suzette, Claude and Ray for tea on last Friday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. C. Sperry called on Rev. Sprunger Monday afternoon. Mr. Sprunger is confined to his bed but has strong hopes for his recovery.
Mr. Frank Champney and son Mr. Bradford Champney called at C. D. Palmer's one day last week.
Some of the people of this vicinity who watched the old year out in the New Year again were Mr. and Mr. Mrs. Charles Sprunk, Mr. and Mrs. C. Sperry and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Ladrach and family.
Arthur Hays was in Ashmont Sunday.
School began Monday after two weeks vacation.
Mrs. Harriet Gibson went to Vermillion Sunday to waitress in the Maud Elton Hotel.
V. Leimbach made a flying trip to Chardon Thursday.
The Hay balers are in our neighborhood today.
The school began Monday after two weeks vacation.
Seymour Leimbach had a fine success with his new horse.
Mrs. Hattie Reinhart, Clarissa Miller spent a week in Joppa with her uncle Mr. Holman.
Owing to the closing down of the crushers at Lakeside, Marblehead, and Zion City, times are rather dull round this next neck of the woods. But the only men retained are those living in company houses and they are only working half time. Nevertheless "Santa Claus" made many glad hearts in the neighborhood.
Max Knoerle, the newly elected Marshall of Marblehead is doing his best to improve the morals of the town by insisting that all saloons are closed promptly at 1:00 PM. He has also made arrangements to get a list of all those who play "hooky" from school. It is, needless to say, that Max will have the hearty cooperation of all good citizens.
The Steamer Lakeside after a good prosperous season has tied up in Sandusky for the winter.
There are miles of ice around the Bay Shore on which the youth and beauty of the Peninsula are enjoying themselves.
Mrs. John Van Houten with her infant son has returned to her home in Monclova, Ohio after a two week's visit to her sister, Mrs. Percy Jackson. Both ladies are daughters of the late Henry Nuhn of Vermillion and sisters to John Nuhn of that place.
The weather here at present is all that could be desired, and farmers having corn in the field to husk are taking advantage.
Wishing the NEWS a prosperous new year.
I am sincerely,
A SUBSCRIBER.
The merchants of this place have concluded that they will enliven that usual dull period following the holidays by making a Cooperative Sale during the period from January 11, next Saturday and extending until the next Saturday the 18th, both Saturdays included. Those represented on the page advertisement have agreed to make special cash prices during the sale and we are sure that those who come to buy will not go away empty-handed if they know a good thing when they see it. This sale will give the purchaser the benefit of a large department store with scarcely more travel than in one of the larger stores and stocks that are larger than those in many. Read the advertising this issue of the NEWS and take advantage. You will not regret it.
The Town Hall was well filled Sunday evening and the speaker was Rev. John S Rutledge of Cleveland. This is Mr. Rutledge's second visit and he maintained his reputation as one of the two or three most effective speakers the League has at work in the state. The audience by a large show of hands expressed its desire that the speaker come the third time. Mr. Rutledge rigorously urged the financial gain to the business and home life of the a "dry" town. If his is true then the "butcher baker and candlestick maker," another war way of referring to all lines of business outside of the saloon traffic, would greatly profit by having no saloon here. But the main argument was the moral one. It was argued that the saloon business was fraught with a constantly imminent danger to the youth of the community, both boys and girls.
County local option was presented as most reasonable because the county is the unit in so many respects. The story of the boy Ikey taking a “licking” rather than lose the nickel under his heel was well told and the audience was given the privilege of making a personal application are not as they pleased.
[I’m not familiar with the story referred to in this passage – nor the spelling of the name “Ike” or “Ikey”. It may be in reference to Isaac “Ikey” Solomon an infamous 18th and 19th century British thief who is said to be the model for the Charles Dicken’s character Fagin in the story Oliver Twist. – rnt]
The stockholders of the Erie County Banking Company met at the bank Monday and reelected the board of directors and officers. This reelection of the directorate and officers speaks well for the management of the bank and we congratulate them on being able to give such good account of themselves.
The G.A.R. Post of Vermilion held a public installation meeting in the K. O. T. M. Hall Thursday evening, January 2, ‘08. Dr. Eldridge of Berlin Heights being installing officer.
The G.A.R. band was present in all their glory and gave the old boys are good sendoff with some choice wartime music, which was highly appreciated by all present. Everybody said "Hurrah For Our Band Boys."
Pork and beans, hot coffee (like our mothers used to make) sandwiches, cakes, etc. were served by the visiting ladies. After which came the cigars, followed by speeches, recitations and friendly exchanges; Chief among then being a poem recited by Mrs. Helen Frisby. Everybody was happy and sociable leaving the hall with pleasant memories afresh, Happy in the thought that they had been there.
J. H. BURNS, Sergt. Maj.
The following officers were elected and installed by the H. G. Delker Post for the ensuing year:
Cmdr. – A. A. Blair
Senior Vice Commander – Daniel Thompson
Junior Vice Commander – William Frisby
Adjutant – T. J. Ball
Quartermaster – E. M. Kane
Surgeon – A. McGregor
Chaplin – Charles Andrews
Officer of the Day – C. B. Parsons
Officer of the guard – Morris Straley
Sergeant. Major – J. H. Burns
Quartermaster Sergeant. – Henry Baxtine
Patriotic Instructor – E. M. Kane
The stockholders of the Bank of Vermillion Co., held their annual meeting last Monday evening. The Board of Directors was reelected with the exception of J. W. Wittmer who wished to retire as he found it impossible to attend meetings. Geo B. Krapp and C. M. Gegenheimer were elected to complete the board. The officers were reelected.
Coroner Southwick of Sandusky was in town Monday to view the remains of Georgie Kertz.
Grippe seems to be epidemic in town.
Do you want to see a good show? Go to the Vermilion Opera House tonight or Friday or Saturday evenings.
H. S. Miller has purchased one of the latest peanut roasters and popcorn poppers and he will try to supply all that call on him to purchase fresh goods.
Secondhand sewing machines from $2 up at George P Wahl’s. Also oil, needles and supplies.
The Chicago Lyceum Lady Quartette, Friday January, 17 – ‘08. 3rd number on the Lecture Course. Don't forget it.
Capt. and Mrs. Fred Bailey are planning to spend the remainder of the winner in Florida. They expect to leave next week.
The Gillnet Fishermen's Union will give a prize masquerade at the fireman's hall next Thursday evening, January 16, music by Roth & Aukens Orchestra. Tickets $1.00 per couple including supper. Extra lady 25c. Come and have a good time.
Miss Sachett of Amherst is in town this week in the interest of the Ohio women's Christian Temperance Union. The meeting will be held at the M. E. Church this evening for the purpose of forming an organization. Everyone interested is invited.
Two cases of smallpox and reported on the east side of Lorain.
Capt. C. Young return this week after a pleasant visit in Buffalo N. Y.
Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Aldinger, December 25, ‘07 a daughter.
Potted Plants For Sale – find lot of Narcissus in bloom. Phone 166R. A. W. Copeland, Vermilion, O.
Mrs. Reuben Miller died at her home January 3, after a long illness. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Killmer. They have the sympathy of the entire community. Funeral services were held at 1 o'clock at the church. Rev. Fuesner officiating.
Christopher Sphrankle [sic] and Samuel Garrett finished husking corn receiving 130 bushels per acre.
Mrs. Samuel Garrett as blood poison in her hand caused by a wound.
Mr. George Cooper is recovering from a stroke of paralysis.
Miss Sophia Wagner has resigned her position in Moulten’s store at the station. She has accepted a position as housekeeper for a minister in Cleveland.
Steven Stevenson has started an up-to-date barbershop in Shadduck and Curtis’ store.
Elta Messerole has purchased the valuable rubber tire buggy of James Baumhart.
Ben Linsley was a happy man when he found a son at his home.
The old and young people attended the social New Year's Eve a John Miller's to watch the old year out in the New Year in.
The lawsuit of H. Sage and the township was settled for the sum of $50.
Will Nieding is helping L. Nieding to butcher.
Hmmmmmm....
PERHAPS…: Six years ago Vermiionites Leslie and Bud Ennis allowed me to scan a significant number of photos taken by and of members and friends of Leslie’s family (i.e. the George Roberts family) over the years. Among them was the snap accompanying this week’s column.
The photograph was taken on the south side of the Vermilion Township Hall / Opera House around the year 1930. Because I recognized most of the faces of those pictured I knew that all of those faces were female. But that being said the question that really begs answering is, “What the heck were they doing?” And to be sure, if someone who knew none of these persons looked at the photograph they would more than likely assume that it is the portrait of a wedding party. It ain’t.
Though I am unable to say (at least at this time) the precise name of the dramatic enterprise this group of Vermilion women were presenting to the public at that time it is, more than likely, what they were about doing. What I can say with some confidence is that they were not dressed for Halloween; they were actors in a play being performed on the stage of the Opera House.
From left to right are pictured: Ruby Bogart, Lois Walker, Estelle Smith, Alice Roscoe, Mary Chadwick, Grace Feiszli and Zella English. All were well known Vermilion ladies.
Ruby Bogart Miller was born in 1913 to William and Caroline Bogart who owned and operated a Vermilion dairy farm and dairy on the west side of State Road / Route #60. Vermilion Judge Zak Dolyk currently has a law office on part of the old farm. Many current residents may remember her little sister Nettie Bogart Welch. Ruby died in 1983.
Lois Walker Eppley was the youngest person in the group. Born in 1916 she lived in a house (now gone) across the street from The Vermilion News on Grand Street with her mother, Pearl, and a younger sister named Audrey. Her father, Claire, was a belated casualty of a freak auto accident near Berlin Heights, Ohio while a passenger in a car driven by local restaurateur M. Okagi. Lois was a secretary for Vermilion’s schools. She died in 1988.
I don’t know a great deal about the gal next to her, Estelle Smith except that she was born in 1913 and passed into the hands of the Lord a little over ten years ago.
Alice Roscoe Lindsay was my only aunt. Born in 1911 she attended Ohio State University and came back home to teach Home Economics at VHS. She married a Michigan fella named Ferl Lindsay in 1940. At the time he was first mate on the Great Lakes. A few years thereafter he was promoted to Captain. Alice died in Florida in 2004.
“Miss Mary” Rosalie Chadwick was born in New York State and came to teach in the Vermilion Schools in the 1920s. She was still teaching school when I was a student in the 1960s. As a consequence she was likely known by more Vermilionites than any of the other women pictured. When she first came to town she boarded with Gladys and Jane Buck on Perry Street. She would later live with her father and sister Annie (also a Vermilion teacher) in a little home on State Street. “Elle a enseigné le français.”
Grace Feiszli Roberts was the youngest child and daughter of Axtel, Ohio farmers John and Grace Blair Feiszli. She married a very popular Vermilion guy named George W. Roberts in the 1930s. George was a successful businessman and was extremely active in the local education system. His sister Emily had married another popular Vermilion fella named Warren G. “Smitty” Smith. Consequently, the family has a long, long history in Vermilion. Her oldest brother, George, was a casualty of the First World War. Grace died in 2003.
The last lady (on the right) is Zella McLaughlin English. A very pretty and kind lady, she was the wife of the long time minister of Vermilion’s First Congregational Church – Earl Thompson English. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1892 and, I believe, was also a teacher by profession. Her father, John Henry McLaughlin, was a blacksmith. [Amazingly enough I also remember him. And I believe I remember him because I knew he was a blacksmith.] One of my older sisters was given the name “Zella” because my father liked it so much, [My sister, however, did not.] Mrs. English died in 1985.
As I research the backgrounds of those in this group it occurs to me that it may be that they were all working / acting together at that time because they all apparently had some connection to the local school system. I am also struck by the fact that over half of these ladies were 90 or more years of age when they took their leave of this life. Perhaps that tells us something. Perhaps a person evades the ravages of time by working with and for young people. Or perhaps acting in some anonymous drama in a yesteryear is conducive to longevity. Perhaps…
Traces of a Pre-Historic Race.— An Unknown People. - The Mound Builders. — Theories Concerning Them. — Character of Their Mounds. — Discoveries in Erie County of Evidences of Their Former Presence There.
It seems to be a fact, and a fact founded upon theory, surmise, inference and probability, that the whole region of country now embraced within the limits of the State of Ohio, was the home of a large race of people possessing traits and' a degree of intelligence far beyond those possessed by the average American Indian of the seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth centuries, of all of whom we have positive knowledge. Of this peculiar people there exists no written history, nor have we any traditionary knowledge of them or other evidence, than the works and relics that they left behind them like "footprints in the sands of time." This people, the historians of the last two centuries, have been pleased to term as Mound Builders. The time of their occupation of the country has never been determined.
The earliest traditionary Indian history carries the reader back to the occupation of this whole lake and river country by two nations of people who were said to have come from the country west of the Mississippi River, those settling in the country bordering upon the lakes being known as the Mengwe, while the others occupied the territory upon the larger rivers of N e w York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the country south an who were known as the Lenni Lenapes or "original people." These two peoples had a tradition extending back to the early part of the thirteenth century, but from them there came no knowledge of an earlier nation than their own. The name Mound Builders seems to have been accepted as the only one to properly designate the peculiar race w h o certainly did, in some by-gone age, occupy the territory of Ohio.
The case presents two features: That which is known and that which is not known concerning them, and the latter is largely in preponderance. "Europeans, Egyptians and Asiatics might have voyaged across the Atlantic by…
SUNFUN: I may have used this in a previous edition. If so, I apologize for the repeat. But I was moving a filing cabinet just this week, and when I removed the drawers this flyer was sitting atop a pile of papers.
For those who don’t know or don’t remember the Sunfun Swim Club was on the east side of Vermilion Road just south of the first set of railroad tracks.
It boasted a fairly nice pool; a snack bar and, I think, a very small gymnasium. This was back in the very early 1960s. I think I only swam there once or twice. (It seemed slightly stupid to be paying to swim somewhere when we had a big lake just a few blocks away.)
But it was a time when people were beginning to be somewhat concerned about pollution in the lake. Some thought polio might be contracted from swimming in polluted waters – and there were several cases of it in Vermilion.
In time the fascination wore thin, the pool was sold. And eventually it was filled in. The last time I looked it was being used to store boats during the winter.
I guess the sun set on the Sunfun.
According to the Knight-Ridder News Service, the inscription on the metal bands used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to tag migratory birds has been changed. The bands used to bear the address of the Washington Biological Survey, abbreviated with:
That is they did until the agency received the following letter from an Arkansas camper:
"Dear Sirs:
While camping last week I shot one of your birds. I think it was a crow. I followed the cooking instructions on the leg tag and I want to tell you it was horrible."
The bands are now marked Fish and Wildlife Service
.
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, "Grandma's 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
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
-Anon
Vol.13, Issue 44 - January 9, 2016
Archive Issue #669
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© 2013 Rich Tarrant