VHS CLASS REUNION: Will be held August 26 and 27, 2016, for the VHS Class of 66....they need addresses,email, etc. Folks can email Carolyn Hill or call her @ 440.967.2821.

LIBERTY C.1900: This is only part of the whole picture - but it is interesting. The older photo was captured around the turn of the 20th century of beautiful downtown Vermilion when the Pelton-McGraw General Store occupied the southwest corner of Liberty and Division / Main streets and the Methodist-Epispocal church occupied the southeast corner of Liberty and Grand streets.

It's odd to see empty space between the general store and the other buildings. About the only significant building still standing is the store that was then the Englebry drygoods store - where the Liberty Theatre was later located. Today it's an art gallery called the "Art Seen".

Even with all the changes the old photo is still familiar.

MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING: Every week for the last eight years I’ve been reviewing old issues of the town’s old weekly newspaper (The Vermilion News) and in the process transcribe / copy some of the items I perceive to be noteworthy or, more importantly, amusing. It’s a slow process because 1.) I’m not in any hurry, and 2.) It’s fun. For example: What do you make of this?

03/12/1908 - “A certain young man was recently seen with two heads on his shoulders. Both were fully developed, one with handsome features light hair; the other was manly featured with dark locks. This young man is not a museum freak as might be supposed. The other head belonged to his sweetheart and the deformity probably would never have been noticed except for the fact that the young lady had neglected to pull down the window shades.”

Yikes! Who’d a thought an old newssheet could be so spicy. Obviously, the item is hardly what one would call explicit in comparison to things we are used to reading and seeing today it undoubtedly opened someone’s eyes and closed the shades back then. But perhaps more important, it begs the question: Why is someone looking into a neighbor’s window in the first place? And while the article was most likely poking fun at a couple of local lovebirds of yesteryear, readers looking at it 116 years after the fact are nonetheless left in the dark.

In that same issue a front page article was a good deal more serious: “WILL TAKE NO CHANCES - Precautions Taken By The Village Board Of Education To Provide Fire Protection And Escapes.

At a meeting of the village Board of Education Monday evening every measure possible was taken to place the public school building in first-class condition. The ceiling of the furnace room, which is plastered will be covered with asbestos and steel to prevent any possible chance for a spark from the furnace igniting the woodwork. Two or three doors in the building will be re-hung on double hinges and the storm doorway immediately removed.

It is been found that the fire gong cannot be heard in all the rooms especially while there is singing. A larger gong will be purchased and so arranged as to be sounded from any room or the basement.

One or more fire escapes will be provided so as to have two exits from each room.

While there may be very little danger from fire as the building now stands, the changes will be made as soon as possible. Fire drills are being held, as is the custom, and it has been found that the children can be taken from the building in surprisingly short time…”

This article comes a week after the tragic fire at the Collinwood, Ohio’s Lake View School (on the east side of Cleveland). 172 students, two teachers and one rescuer lost their lives in that fire. The disaster was partially due to the fact that the doors on the primary escape route opened inward. In a panic to leave the building the youngsters piled up against the doors and were trapped.

Although a national campaign following a 1903 fire at the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago was instigated to mandate that all doors on public buildings be installed to open from the inside with “panic bars”, that improvement had yet to be realized nationwide by the time of the Collinwood fire. Given the rather quick reaction of Vermilion’s school board to that tragedy it would appear that all concerned parties were determined to see that the Collinwood calamity would not be repeated in Vermilion or anywhere else.

On a lighter note the Village Council finally decided to open the Exchange Street railroad crossing to “Foot Passengers” (i.e. pedestrians). “At the meeting of the Council Monday evening one of the most important measures passed upon was the ordering of a sidewalk on the east side of Exchange Street from Liberty or Water Street at the L.S.E. Power Station to the walk in front of the Catholic parsonage. The ordinance provides for a stone walk where practicable and a stairway from L.S. & M.S. tracks to the level.”

This crossing had been a matter of contention between council and local businessman George Fischer for a number of years prior to this decision. Actually Mr. Fischer wanted a wagon / auto crossing at this site. Consequently, the decision (for a foot crossing) was somewhat of a compromise. I suspect that this crossing satisfied most of the petitioners who were not at all concerned about acquiring a larger crossing. In essence, the pedestrian crossing would take the pressure off council and remove Fischer’s leverage to create a full crossing. (Politics is politics.)

Incidentally, this crossing would have been in the area of the old NYC train depot. At that time the depot was located just west of Main / Division street. Consequently, it would not have been a big problem if council and the railroad had decided to build a full crossing north of the church parsonage on Exchange Street.

Some may have also noted that Liberty is also referred to as Water Street. That’s because once upon a time Water Street ran from the Nickel Plate rails on the west bank of the Vermilion River to Main Street. Today we know the road from the Nickel Plate rails to Liberty as West River Road. Water Street vanished along with the old wagon bridge and the evolution of Exchange Park and Kishman Fish. But even as late as 1908 long time residents of the village occasionally referred to it as Water Street as is evidenced in the report.

Well, as I’ve indicated the process of studying these old newspaper files is a slow, and often an amusing, endeavor. It is, I suppose, much to do about nothing. But it is fun.

_{Ref: Published 03/17/16.}

Vol. XI, No. 42. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, March 26, 1908 - PHONE 19

LESTER A. PELTON

Editor Vermilion news:

Thinking you might be glad to pay it last tribute of respect to a former resident of your town, I take the liberty of subjoining a brief sketch of Lester A. Pelton, who passed away at his home at 827 Grove St., Saturday March 14, 1908.

He was the only son of the late Allen Pelton, long a well-known and highly respected citizen of Vermilion Township.

In the spring of 1850 when the gold fever of 1849 was at its height, Lester A. Pelton, Harry Roeder, Levi a Pelton, Henry Hewitt and eight other young men of Vermilion caught the fever and made preparations to go together as a party the great distance to California. The journey was overland, long and full of hardships incident to that early period, much of it being made on foot. The writer recalls listening to many recitals of the perils along the way, the scarcity of food when very small rations were dealt out every morning with the hope of eking out their scanty store until more could be obtained; when the finding of a dead buffalo was an important event; the meat that had dried upon the bones was sliced often helped much to sustain the man during the latter part of the journey. The party, though spent and worn was eager to push on to the gold fields around which so many high hopes had been built. Here the party became more or less scattered. Lester Pelton engaged in mining in Yuba and Sierra counties, afterwards following the vocation of millwright, superintending the building of many mills in that section. During his experience he saw that need of greater waterpower, and to this end he turned his attention, and in 1878 he commenced his experiment which resulted in the famous Pelton waterwheel, so outdistancing every other invention of its class, as to make a worldwide name for itself.

In 1895 the Elliott Creason Gold Medal was awarded to Mr. Pelton for his valuable invention by the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia.

Some idea of the extensive use of those wheels may be gained from the fact that in 1892, over 11,000 were in use in various parts of the world, in minds, manufacturer ease and other industries; at the present time there are thousands more in use. Mr. Pelton's health became impaired, and a number of years ago sold his invention to a San Francisco firm, which manufactures the wheels on a large scale.

Being a man of reserved and studious habits he devoted his leisure to such pursuits as pleased him most, reading, or working is perfectly equipped workshop, which he had fitted up in the basement of his home. Here he was often found working happily over some laborsaving device for pure pleasure of being occupied. Friends who knew him best value his steadfast friendship and his perfect integrity. In he was a man of dignified manner and appearance and was always glad to visit with his friends especially any old "49er." He remarked to the writer only a few days before his death that he was the "last one of the 12 who came to California together, 58 years ago"; he did not seem to realize that he was soon to join the band "over there."

Funeral services were held at his late home Monday, March 16, the Rev. Charles Brown of Oakland, officiating. In closing he gave Tennyson's beautiful poem,

Sunset and evening Star/and one clear call for me!/And may there be no moaning of the bar/when I put out to sea./Twilight and evening bell,/and after that the dark/And may there be no sadness of farewell/When I embark.

For though from our home of time and place/The flood may bear me far,/I hope to see my pilot face-to-face/When I have crossed the bar./

A large number of friends followed him to the beautiful Columbarium, where, as he requested, his body was incinerated. Later the urn containing his ashes will be sent to Vermilion for interment with the members of his family who rest in the cemetery there.

Mr. Pelton's only surviving sister, Mrs. Henry Wagner resides in Cleveland Ohio, Mrs. Fanny A. Stowe, his eldest niece, is a resident of Oakland Cal., Mrs. Ruth Simon and Nelson D. Wagner, niece and nephew of Mr. Pelton also live in Cleveland Ohio.

Thank you for getting this notice room in your paper, I am.

Very truly,
Francis M Pelton
Oakland Cal., March 18, 1908.

A.H. KRAPP

_{Of Vermilion Becomes President And Manager Of The Sandusky Plumbing And Boiler Company To Incorporate}

The following is a portion of an article in the Sandusky Star-Journal in regard to the Sandusky Plumbing And Boiler Company, and old company reorganized having had at its head a well-known Vermilion boy who began his career with hardware and plumbing firms in this place. Others have recognized his ability and he has steadily advanced. We join his many friends in wishing him success in this enterprise.

The Sandusky Plumbing Boiler Company, one of the city's leading business firms for a number of years past, has been reorganized and a stock company formed to conduct the business. The details of the reorganization have been worked to during the past week an application for incorporation papers made to the State Department.

At the first meeting of the stockholders, the following directors were elected: A.H. Krapp, Peter Full, Mae A. Lee, Mary A Cook and John Traub. They in turn elected the following officers: A.H. Krapp president and manager; Peter Full, vice president; and John Traub, Secretary and Treasurer. The company has find prospects of success and there is every reason to believe that the business of the old firm will be greatly increased. A specialty will be made of boiler work, sheet iron, tin and copper work, galvanized gutter work, steam fitting engine and other supplies.

Mr. Krapp, the new manager of the company, was formerly connected with the Lorain Hardware Company as manager of the plumbing, heating and sheet metal departments. He has had 14 years of experience in the business. He is a hustling and progressive businessman.

Correspondence

AMHERST

E.C. straw is having a gas well drilled in his place.

Cay Ludwig is not improving as fast as his friends could wish.

H.N. Steele attended the meeting of the Independent Telephone Association in Columbus last week.

Ms. Lottie Bailey and Mr. John Deitz were married quietly to Thursday afternoon at the home of the bride's parents than S. Amherst.

The local post office is experiencing considerable trouble with letters containing insufficient postage being dropped into the RFD boxes.

As Leonard Lang a S. Amherst boy was shooting sparrows with a rifle one evening last week a bullet went through the barn of a neighbor and killed a horse.

The subject of a waterworks plant still occupies the time of our businessman. They are now advertising a private company be formed to build a system and sell the water to the village.

Dogs should be very carefully watched. Another one in this vicinity developed signs of rabies this week and had to be shot. It was the property of Martin Ruth.

Word reached here last week of the death of Mrs. Maria Gross, formerly of Amherst at Owatonna, Minnesota, the age of of 101 years, 6 months and 20 days. She was a sister of James Abel who is past 80 and enjoying good health.

Clayton Ludwig, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ludwig died Sunday at the age of 20. He was taken with typhoid fever while attending school in Columbus and was moved to his home here some two or three weeks ago. He leaves one sister, Mrs. A.A. Plato Lorain.

A new 50-barrel cistern is being put in at the library.

Mrs. Henry Berg is quite ill later home here.

Miss Berdena Foster is on the sick list this week. Mrs. Frederick rumor is substituting for her.

Miss Flora Lawrence is suffering from a badly sprained ankle. In consequence her school is enjoying its vacation this week instead of next.

Little Vesta Jeanette, three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H Warner died Tuesday morning after an illness of two weeks.

Miss Eunice Robinson who has been engaged in teaching at S. Amherst is ill at her home in Huntington.

Harmon Kuss underwent an operation at Lorain Monday in which he had a growth removed from his nose. Drs. Monosmith and Garver performed the operation.

HURON

Fishing has begun in earnest. The harbor is filled with tugs and launches.

On account of a breakdown at the electric lighting plant one night last week the town was in darkness.

The funeral of Jay Meeker was held at Ceylon church on the last Wednesday. Undertaker rock [sic] had charge of the arrangements.

The house of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Smith is under quarantine at present their eldest daughter being ill with scarlet fever.

The town hall was condemned and aside from the meeting of the Council all the gatherings are positively forbidden.

Some $30 worth of furs were stolen from the barn of Mrs. Martha Breckenridge last week. The loss was discovered Friday morning. Bloodhounds from Sandusky were immediately summoned and put on the trail. The furs were not recovered but maybe later.

Elmer Garrett is reported quite ill at the home of J. Fisher.

Ruben Turner is reported quite ill at his home south of town.

Mayor Hermes left last week for a trip through the West. Mr. Hermes has been in poor health for several months and it is hoped that this trip will do him good. Child Koch will perform the duties of this office during his absence.

Locals.

Mrs. Mary E Pelton and granddaughters, Mae McGraw and Flora Pelton returned Saturday from a delightful visit with Mrs. Pelton's brother, Capt. C.H. Cummings at Geneva.

The funeral of George Wickens Sr. was held from the M.E. Church at Lorain Monday afternoon and was the largest one ever held in that city. Mr. Wickens has been closely identified with Lorain business and social life almost ever since the city was built. He was a furniture dealer and undertaker and well known throughout the state. Eight wagons were needed to carry the floral tributes. After the service many of the flowers were distributed among the sick in the city.

Some of the friends of Wm. Kelly, a timekeeper at the steel plant, dared him Saturday to climb to a phone pole. He assented the dare, climbed to the top, and waved his hat his friends. His arm caught on a high-tension wire and 7000 volts of electricity was sent through his body. He dropped to the ground 35 feet below and was taken to the hospital where he died five hours later. He was 25 years old leaves a wife and little child. His sister Miss Eva died from a hemorrhages only a few hours before her brother's death. She was 17 years old. They were children of David Kelly a prominent real estate dealer.

The double funeral was held Tuesday, Mrs. Erbscorn and sister of this place attended the funeral.

Mr. Faulhaber who was at the O.S. and S home in Sandusky is in the hospital at that institution reported very ill.

Dee Barnes has a new horse bought of Henry Kishman.

The little child of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Driscoll is reported very ill.

John Buckley formerly of Brownhelm was operated on at St. Joseph Hospital Wednesday morning.

Mr. Henry and Alfred Reis two former Vermilion boys enrolled in the Musician Union at Elyria last Sunday evening.

M.S. Stevenson has purchased the Bachus place on Huron street and is moving there today.

O.S. Schaefer of the Soldiers Home Sandusky was in town Friday visiting relatives. He left an order for the NEWS to make its weekly visit to him.

President E.L. Coen and manager R.B. Soyez of the Vermilion Telephone Company were in Columbus last Thursday attending the annual convention of the Ohio Independent Telephone Association. They report a large attendance and a very interesting and profitable meeting.

George Fisher has plans prepared for a $20,000 block on his premises formerly occupied by the hotel. He is anxious however to secure several tenants before commencing the work of construction. Lorraine architects prepared the plans. Other buildings or contemplated which will be mentioned later.

_{[NOTE: Readers should pay attention this little snippet. In my view the building of what became (and still is) known as the “Fisher Block” in downtown Vermilion was a rather momentous occasion. It basically brought Vermilion’s retail businesses into the 20th century. This is the first mention of it I’ve come across in the NEWS. I’m sure it won’t be the last.]}

Lafayette Counter Jr. as pitched his tent on a vacant lot near the Fisher Lumber Company's mill.

_{[NOTE: This should be interesting. Counter along with several other men some may were (to be polite) bad actors. At one point in time his was among those responsible for breaking into a local saloon. I would not be surprised to very soon read about Mr. Counter taking his tent down and moving along.}

AXTEL

Mrs. Carney is on the sick list

Mr. and Mrs. John Feiszli were Vermilion visitors on last Saturday.

The Englebry brothers have been papering for Mr. William Gegenheimer this week.

A little son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Aubill, who recently moved here from Flat Rock, O., was quite seriously injured about the head last Tuesday afternoon. The little fellow was inside a building which was being moved for Dan Greeoe. He fell as the building was moving and his head was caught under a beam.

BROWNHELM

Bennie Bacon lost one of his team horses.

Newton Clark attended the dance at Birmingham last Friday evening.

The Dubs church will give up sugar social at Henry Brandon's Thursday evening. Everybody is cordially invited.

The farmers of Brownhelm held a meeting at John Miller Saturday evening to agree where they will sell their milk.

Ms. Crandall of the Station school is on the sick list.

The Gordon Brothers bought big load of corn in Vermilion Wednesday.

Miss Lula Lip went home sick from a Sweets where she was working.

Sugar making is the work just now occupying the time of those farmers who are so fortunate as to own all sugar maples.

You begin to see fishermen along the river but not many fish are being caught.

RUGBY

Blanche Brown is on the sick list.

Lloyd Bacon of this place is keeping himself busy hauling lumber.

Martin Schuster's best girl took advantage of the Leap Year and got a horse and buggy and they took a spin around the country Sunday evening.

BIRMINGHAM

The sugar season will probably be a short one, but sugar has a very has been very fine as far as our observation has extended.

George Blandon Jr. has sold his house and lot in town to Mr. and Mrs. Gerber. Mr. Blandon will live on a farm in Ferryville.

150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE “BATTLE OF THE HUNDRED SLAIN”: 3 miles from Fort Phil Kearny near Story, Wyoming will be held this year. (See Wikipedia.)

Late Vermilion resident, Matilda Louis Grummond was the sister of 2nd Lt. George Washington Grummond. Grummond and 81 of his fellow soldiers were killed by an overwhelming force of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in one of the worst military disasters suffered by the US Army on Great Plains.

If you are a descendant of Matilda please email John Horton or call him at 1.586.549.2471.

WHERE’S RICHARD (?):: I don’t (at this time) recall where I came across this pic. I had forgotten that it existed until I found it. This is a photo of E Company, 1st Platoon at Fort Knox, Kentucky in May or June of 1965. I am somewhere in the pic with a big smile on my face. (I actually remember some of these guys.)

Entering military service when I was 20 years old was both a shocking and rather unpleasant experience for a person (like me) who was used to doing (or not doing) pretty much anything and everything I wanted – when I wanted. I recall praying for the day when I would be able look back at those days and vaguely recall that it even happened. And, obviously (and thank God) that day did come. But at the time I wasn’t certain that it would.

I believe service to our country (military or something else) affords a person a valuable learning experience. And while I don’t regret it, I did not like it. Spit-shined shoes and shiny belt buckles are just not my cup of tea.

But I guess I had to know that for sure.

DISCOGRAPHY - HENRY CABOT LODGE: Republican opponent (and Senate majority leader) of the Democrat President Woodrow Wilson - was Wilson's very vocal political antagonist.

He was not happy with Wilson's decision to involve the U.S. , however successfully, in World War One, and certainly disagreed with having our nation join the League of Nations after the war. He thought it a mistake for America to become involved in international politics – and campaigned against participating in the League.  His view was eventually accepted by the American public.

Reproduced below is the written and recorded speech given by Lodge in Washington D.C. on 12 August 1919 against our participation in the League.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

By Henry Cabot Lodge, United States Senator (R-MA)
Recorded 1919-1920

I am as anxious as any human being can be to have the United States render every possible service to the civilization and the peace of mankind. But I am certain that we can do it best by not putting ourselves in leading strings, or subjecting our policies and our sovereignty to other nations. The independence of the United States is not only more precious to ourselves, but to the world, than any single possession.

Look at the United States today. We have made mistakes in the past; we have had shortcomings. We shall make mistakes in the future and fall short of our own best hopes. But nonetheless, is there any country today on the face of the earth which can compare with this in ordered liberty, in peace, and in the largest freedom? I feel that I can say this without being accused of undue boastfulness, for it is a simple fact. And in taking on these obligations, all that we do is in the spirit of unselfishness, and it is a desire for the good of mankind. But it is well to remember that we are dealing with nations, every one of which has a direct individual interest to serve, and there is grave danger in an unshared idealism. Contrast the United States with any country on the face of the earth today and ask yourself whether the situation of the United States is not the best to be found.

I will go as far as anyone in world service that the first step to world service is the maintenance of the United States. You may call me selfish if you will, conservative or reactionary, or use any other harsh adjective you see fit to apply. But an American I was born, an American I've remained all my life. I can never be anything else but an American, and I must think of the United States first. And when I think of the United States first in an arrangement like this, I am thinking of what is best for the world. For if the United States fails, the best hopes of mankind fail with it. I have never had but one allegiance; I cannot divide it now. I have loved but one flag and I cannot share that devotion and give affection to the mongrel banner invented for a league. Internationalism, illustrated by the Bolshevik and by the men to whom all countries are alike, provided they can make money out of them, is to me repulsive. National I must remain and in that way I, like all other Americans, can render the amplest service to the world.

The United States is the world's best hope, but if you fetter her in the interest through quarrels of other nations, if you tangle her in the intrigues of Europe, you will destroy her powerful good, and endanger her very existence. Leave her to march freely through the centuries to come, as in the years that have gone. Strong, generous, and confident, she has nobly served mankind. Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance -- this great land of ordered liberty. For if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin.