Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On my home desk this week is a scan of a tiny souvenir calendar of Vermilion’s Erie County Bank (building). The drawing is an architectural drawing of the building prior to its being built in 1923. Today (of course) Vermilion Municipal offices, including that of our Mayor, occupy the building. It was designed and built by a Cleveland architectural firm known as Walker and Weeks: founded by Frank Ray Walker (1877-1949) and Harry E. Weeks (1871-1935).
Both men studied at MIT where they received training in the Beaux-Arts tradition of classical design. Afterwards they moved to Cleveland to work for the prominent Cleveland architect J. Milton Dyer (1870-1957). After opening their own practice; the firm continued to produce work even after Weeks's death, until the early 1950s. As was often the case with architecture firms, Walker was the designer while Weeks was the businessman.
The firm is most noted for its bank buildings; several dozen were designed in the teens alone. Their best-known bank was the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland built in the same year as Vermilion’s Erie County Bank - 1923. However, they also designed a wide variety of commercial, public, ecclesiastic and residential buildings, as well as a number of bridges, during the course of the firm's life. Cleveland’s Severance Hall (1931) was one of their buildings.
On the shop desk this week is a photograph of my great-grandfather’s store on Milan Square in Milan, Ohio. As may be obvious it’s a pre-automobile era pic – probably taken in the very late years of the 19th century.
My great-grandfather’s name was Ernest Taylor Bottomley (b.1856 in Woodlesford, England – d. 1916 in Vermilion). If you look closely you can see his name over the door of the store.
Downtown Milan is much like downtown Vermilion. A hundred years or more may have passed but everything looks, generally, the same today.
[Note: The John O. Adams Jewelry store next to the grocery and the shoe shop at the back. I don’t know who owned the shoe shop. But I’ve learned some about the jeweler - Mr. Adams. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1848 and died in Milan in 1922. His father like my other great-grandfather Caselton Roscoe and his father before him had been a Milan carpenter. I assume that Mr. Adams was a friend of both my grandfathers’ Ernest and Caselton.]
ON TV: Lately, one of my very favorite television programs is a PBS thing called Doc Martin. It’s a British teleplay comedy/drama series starring British actor Martin Clunes. The show is set in the fictional seaside village of Portwenn and filmed on location in the village of Port Isaac, Cornwall, England. Most of the interior scenes are shot in a converted barn.
I found the following remarks in a Variety.com interview with Clunes:
Q. Let’s talk about those U.S. fans. Do you notice a big difference between your fans in the U.K. and your fans in the U.S.?A. Massive. Massive. Over here, we’re sort of mainstream primetime TV. Our American fans seem to sort of have to seek us out, because when they write, as much as they tell you how much they enjoy the show, they tell you how they came across it and the discovery. It’s like going to a delicatessen and finding something your friends haven’t tried. They seem to cherish it in that way. They’re really intelligent, interesting letters that people write about character development and progression, when English fans just kind of say, “Can I have a signed photo? Thanks.”
I’m glad that Mr. Clunes believes that his American fans are intelligent. I think my I.Q. score has jumped 20 points because of it.
But seriously, if you have an opportunity to watch - do. If the plot doesn’t please you the scenery certainly will.
ON BOOKS: As some might suspect (or perhaps not) I read a good deal. I’m in the habit of reading through authors – meaning that I pick an author and ready everything they’ve written. Presently I’m reading the novels of John Grisham. However, if an author whose books I’ve formerly read writes a new novel I set aside the books of the author (such as Grisham) that I may be reading at the time – and read the latest of whatever author writes a new book. Currently, I’ve set Grisham aside to read the new Jeffery Deaver and James Patterson novels. But I’ll get back to him.
The last Grisham book I read was a factual treatise called The Innocent Man. I didn’t fully realize that it was non-fiction until I was about a seventy-five pages into the book. It’s an interesting piece – but I prefer his fiction. Journalism-type writing is not his forte (At least not from my point-of-view). And while it was apparently a New York Times “Best Seller” it is hardly his best work.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM: Committee persons at the museum have been busy putting together a special activities schedule of events for the coming months.
The first activity will be a Civil War artifacts exhibition on April 23rd. This will include a significant display of weaponry, buttons and various other artifacts from the war. The exhibition will only be on display for one day so mark it on your calendars.
I’ll have more about it in following weeks.
In the latter part of May the next activity will be a (DON’T) STOP THE PRESSES (TIL I’M DONE READING) reenactment of what it was (may have been) like producing THE NEWS during the roaring 20s.
The script, however, is yet to be written and the actors, yet, to be chosen. Anyone interested in playing a part in this living tableau should send me an email. But without a script it’s a bit hard to say who or how many actors will be needed.
So stay tuned.
Then, toward the end of October we will be having a special exhibition featuring artifacts and (hopefully) several members from two of Vermilion’s old time families.
At the moment I know that the Baumhart family will be one of those featured. I’ve been in contact with Brenda Baumhart Mezz (A.D. Sr.’s granddaughter) and she indicated that she would try to be there to discuss her family.
These exhibits will feature a hefty number of photographs and some other memorabilia in addition to the existing collections held by the museum.
Refreshments will be available for all these events. Admission – depending on the type of refreshments being made available – will differ. Parking will be available in the Division / Main Street lot in downtown Vermilion. Persons parking there will be given a token as part of the admission to the museum so it will be free.
I’ll have more specifics at a later time. But please keep these things in mind. If you’re interested in local history all of these events will be both informative and fun.
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.
Promote Your Page Too
Historically,
A FOOTNOTE:On February 3rd 1936 Mr. Klaar was found dead in his little office at the Vermilion Town Hall. He appeared to have been asphyxiated by fumes from a gas heater. He was only 66 years old. Mr. Klaar had operated a harness shop on Liberty Avenue in Vermilion for many years. He had also been the Village Clerk (on and off) for about 40 years.
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.
CHANGES: This is one of Vermilion's most recognizable corners. When I was much younger it was Hart's Corner Drug Store. Today it's Big Ed's Soda Grill. If I had a quarter for all the time I spent standing in front of this store way back when I'd be a very wealthy person.
When the old pic was taken it was Wagner's Saloon (or at least half of it was). I do know that at one time the storefront was divided into two parts. That's likely the reason for the door on the side of the building. The old pic also shows that it once had lions on its cornices. (What a nice architectural touch.)
Over the years the offices upstairs have housed doctors, at least one dentist - and I seem to remember that a fella named Louis Stoffel had an office upstairs. He was, among other things, a Justic of the Peace.
Even though the years have spun by the corner seems the same...
ICE COLD ROOT BEER AND A COMIC BOOK: When I was a little younger than I am today I used to enjoy walking or riding my red bicycle on hot summer afternoons along Liberty Avenue from our home on Perry Street on my way to Litman’s Newsstand for an ice-cold root beer and a comic book. I especially liked to peek into the dark room of Fred Becker’s blacksmith shop next to Walker’s garage as I passed. I could just make out the old smith along with some of his customers / friends passing the time in between jobs. Unbeknownst to me those jobs were becoming all too rare. The blacksmith shop and Walker’s auto dealership next door were located on the north side of Liberty between Washington and Grand Streets. I guess I thought those days would never end. But they did.
Somewhere during the years 1955 or 56 a fellow I’d always heard of (but never knew) – a guy who’d grown up in Vermilion and had gone off into the world and acquired a fortune – decided to give the people of our town the sum of $150,000 for a new library. While that may not seem like a great deal of money – at least to some of us today – it was a “ton” of money back then. [Today that 150 thousand would be about a million and a half bucks.] Anyway, the fella who was donating the money for the new library was a man named George Ritter.
I don’t know exactly who decided – whether it was Mr. Ritter, the school or library boards or all of the above – but someone decided that the library should be built on the northeast corner of Liberty and Washington Streets. And that decision was firm. It was also one with which the owners of the Walker garage took issue. Walker’s had long intended to use the property (including the smith shop) to display used automobiles. Now prior to Mr. Becker’s retirement Mr. Walker had asked for and been given an option to buy the “landmark” shop and the property on which it stood. So there was, of course, a problem. But after some legal choreography and intense negotiating between the business owner and the school board the issue was settled. The board had also purchased Burt Hollosy’s house (pictured left) that was, at the time, located toward the back of the property on the corner of Washington and Ferry Streets.
Construction of the library began on January 2, 1958 by the RMS Construction Company of Port Clinton, Ohio. The plumbing and heating contractor was the Wilkes and Son Company of Huron. It was to be a one-floor brick structure measuring 118 feet by 70 feet and would feature marvelous pink marble columns at the front of the building. The style was adapted from the Joseph Swift home, Rosedale. Swift’s home once stood in a hollow with his name located a few miles southeast of the town. The magnificent residence was well known. It had been featured in at least one 19th century architectural publication. Although the site of Swift’s home is now under the management of the Lorain County Metro-Park system it’s too late. Ravaged by over by a century or more of thieves and scavengers Rosedale’s scant ruins lie moldering on the ground atop a nearly invisible foundation. The new library was and remains, in effect, its rebirth.
Accompanying the column this week are three very nice snapshots of the site of the library take in 1956 and 57 by a member of Vermilion’s Myers family. They lived in the house on the northwest corner of Ferry and Washington Streets (behind the current library). These snaps afford us a veritable “time-lapse” view of the corner as it was being developed. Melba (Knott-Gorbach) Walker purchased the Hollosy house and had it moved to a new site along the lake behind the Gilchrist House and old GLHS museum. And once the property was cleared (middle) the site (right) was prepared for construction.
Since the completion of the Ritter Public Library in the latter months of 1958 several modifications and additions have been made to both the building and the properties surrounding it. It has in the process become, beyond the shadow of any doubt, one of the most attractive and efficient – best - public libraries in the State of Ohio.
But seldom a summer day goes by that I don’t remember a sweltering yesteryear afternoon when I was a little younger than I am now, riding my red bike down Liberty, past the blacksmith’s shop and Walker’s garage, on my way to Litman’s store for an ice-cold root beer and a comic book.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips were vocally transcribed from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Epicerastic [i.e. lenient, assuaging] tendencies on the part of Judge Reed yesterday was responsible for Lewis Noel getting off with a fine of $100 and costs for pointing fire arms in a threatening manner. Perry Disbro testified the prisoner had pointed at him a loaded revolver. Noel was convicted during the February term of court and sentence was pronounced after a motion for a new trial had been overruled. – Register
Word was received here yesterday of the death of Mrs. Clara Wetmore which occurred at 3 PM at her home in Geneva. She was the daughter of Mrs. Leah Meeker of this place.
Mrs. Wetmore had been ill for several months but seemed considerable better and the family were preparing to move. She was found unconscious in a closet and a doctor summoned at once but she did not revive. Her death came as a great shock to her relatives and friends. Mrs. Meeker and daughter, Miss Lucy, left for Geneva this morning and Mrs. Kate Meeker and daughter, Mrs. Full, expect to go Saturday to attend the funeral.
Eggs! A school of breed fowls at the low rate of 50c a dozen. We have fowls and eggs to sell from the following different stocks at lower prices for home trade. Light Brahmans, Black Langshaus, Houdans, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, White Wyandottes, Barr Plymouth Rocks, Black Minocras, and White Leghorns.
Orphan's farm, Birmingham Ohio.
Mr. F.A. Resig of Lorain has been very ill during the past week with pneumonia. At last reports he was somewhat better. His little son Frederick is suffering from the same disease and is very low. Mrs. Franc Parsons and Mrs. Quigley, sisters of Mrs. Resig have visited them several times this week.
Mr. Newberry aged 80 years, father of Mrs. A. Uthe, Mrs. L Blatz, Mrs. A.E. Gamble of Sandusky and Mrs. Kate Meeker and Mrs. Vedder of Vermilion wandered away from his home in Sandusky Tuesday. He was found near Avery Wednesday fore noon.
Sparks from a Nickel Plate train set fire to some dry grass and straw near a shed at the home of J.F. Nieding last Thursday and the high wind blowing at the time rendered prompt action very necessary. Passersby and neighbors extinguished the blaze although an alarm was turned in, in case their efforts failed. Mrs. Nieding was alone in the house at the time. The fire department responded promptly but happily their services were not required.
Driscoll Fish Company is making a large addition to their fishing plant by adding another building for storage purposes. The building is being constructed a short distance to the east of the present buildings.
Leidheiser Bros. are contemplating the erection of another large addition to their present buildings in order to make more room for handling their fish. Another new tug is also contemplated.
Paul Leimbach, son of Mr. Mrs. H Leimbach, is home from the school at Columbus quite ill with typhoid fever. He was taken sick while at school and his father brought him home one day the past week. A trained nurse is in attendance.
C.M. Ross who was taken to Mount Clemens last week suffering with a severe attack of rheumatism. He was reported as better, but weak from the effects of the baths. The doctors of the sanitarium say that they have had more cases of rheumatism this year than ever before.
Mrs. F.E. Englebry wife of Dr. Englebry died Friday afternoon at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Baxtine on Ohio Street after an illness of many months.
Another fish tug has been added to the fleet now owned at Vermilion> The Will and Harry. Messrs. Bachmann, Berry and Lapp are the Owners. The boat was brought down from Cleveland, Monday.
Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Harmon a daughter last Wednesday.
The work of placing the new Main Street railroad bridge began last week.
The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Naley died Saturday age 6 weeks.
Born – to Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Mahoney of Cleveland a daughter, Friday, May 27. Mrs. Mahoney was formally Florence Plato of Amherst.
The 1-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Timberling of the East Quarry fell and bumped her head. Nothing much was thought of it at the time as no mark was left but a short time afterwards she went into convulsions and it is thought the bump caused them.
H. Johnson a carpenter fell from the Lake Shore Bridge to the street, a distance of 14 feet Monday and was quite severely injured. He was walking across the bridge and stepped on a loose stone. Dr. Wiseman dressed his injuries.
Geo. Gorr of S. Amherst was operated on at St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain Friday for appendicitis. He is recovering as fast as can be expected.
Chas. Jacobs is having a gas well drilled on his place.
The funeral of Martin Wilber took place at M.E. Church last Sunday it was largely attended. The services were under the direction of G.A.R. Post. Mr. Knapp preaching the sermon. Mr. Wilber was an old resident of this vicinity and served his country during the Civil War - was wounded while in a battle and received a pension. He was a veteran and his health had always been poor. At the time of his death he was milking, when he received a shock and never regained speech.
Sugar making season has closed with very fine syrup and sugar as the result.
Some people have commenced making garden.[sic]
Farmers are busy doing their spring plowing on the shore.
Superintendent Damon of Brownhelm gave our school a visit Monday.
The other day we heard a man remark that he had been in nearly every town on the south shore of Lake Erie and the that he liked Vermilion the best of all. And taking everything into consideration we think that at present no town in this section has brighter prospects than this. About the only thing that is now preventing an increase in our population is the lack of houses. Every few days inquiries are made at the NEWS office for houses to rent. We have besides our fisheries several factories, and although only one of them in full operation at present, are doing fairly well compared with those in other towns. Our summer resorts are preparing for a big season and doing extensive advertising, especially Crystal Beach. While the volume of business of our merchants has not been great this winter, taken as a whole, we believe we have all fared better than those in many of our neighboring communities. Building seems to be on the boom and several new business blocks are promised for this year.
Dennis Ross, president of the Clarksfield Telephone Company, was assaulted with an ax by D. Houran, a farmer, whose premises company was attempting to cross with their lines. Mr. H Moran has been bound over to the curing County grand jury the sum of $300.
Thursday a gust of wind lifted one side of the roof of a freight car and threw it over on the opposite side. Harry Baumbrick, a brakeman was knocked down and seriously injured. The train was going at a good rate of speed through Avon.
E.J. Glendenning, a Cleveland Club Cloak Salesman and Mrs. Catherine Hughes, a Sandusky dressmaker were found dead with bullet holes through their heads in the latter's apartments Saturday. The tragedy occurred sometime Friday night.
Edward Balmon of Elyria owes his life to his sister and cousin. He was frightfully burned recently in an explosion at the Garford factory. 80 inches of skin taken from the bodies of the girls were successfully grafted onto him. Both girls are ill from the operation.
The will of the late Geo Wickens divides an estate of $60,000, the bulk of which goes to the children and grandson. The widow has life use of the home and a portion of $15,000 life insurance.
Smallpox has again broken out at Lorain. The victim is Mrs. Singer of Apple Street, the wife of a B. and O. engineer. The case is a mild one.
While digging in his yard in Amherst Tuesday, William Jaeger unearthed the skeleton of a man.
Mary Estella Baxtine Englebry was born in Vermilion, September 1882; died March 27, age 26 years. She was confirmed as a member of the Reformed Church in 1895, when 13 years of age, and remained a good and faithful member to the day of her death. She graduated from V.H.S. class of 1899. She was united in marriage to Dr. F.E. Englebry, April 17, 1907.
The funeral service took place from the Reformed Church, Tuesday at 1 o'clock, and the house and gallery and vestibules were crowded, and many standing on the outside.
The pallbearers were W. Paul Trinter and Lewis Body, Jr. Of Cleveland, L. William Wadsworth of Wellington, and Charles A. Horton of Vermillion.
Rev. George E Merrill of the Congregational Church offered prayer, and Rev. J.W.H. Brown of the Methodist Episcopal Church preached the funeral sermon.
Rev. Brown chose for his text Luke 10:42 "For Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." He said that Jesus uttered these words concerning Mary of Bethany; but if He were here he would say the same of "our Mary," of whose body is here in this casket and who so has gone on to that "House Of Many Mansions."
SHE CHOSE THE GOOD PART. She chose a good Christian life – chose more than church membership, but chose a Christian life, and was always helping somewhere. For four years she played the organ in the Reformed Church; for one year she played the organ in the Methodist Church, and for a time she taught a class at the Congregational S.S.
She chosen education – graduated from V.H.S., and then did not stop, but went to Oberlin and studied music. She was also a member of the Sorosis, and sought the culture and intellectual good that comes from the organization. She was also a member of the Eastern Stars, and in her soul were found the same qualities found in Ada, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.
She chose herself the Christian Grace: "Faith, Hope, Charity. She had great faith in God, even in ways dark and mysterious, and although a sufferer night and day for a whole year, yet she never for a moment lost faith in God; and she accepted the words of Jesus to Peter "What I do ye know not now, but ye shall known hereafter.” She was full of hope: Planned as though she would go get well, and yet prepared always for death. She had a charity that's only good in people and she said only good of people.
All who knew her loved her for her beautiful Christian life – for her thoughtfulness of others – for the goodness and patience. The many flowers the large, concourse of people, bore silent testimony to her worth and popularity. She is gone but will never be forgotten.
"We think, of her as living yet,/ And when, in God's time, we pass on/ To the good land where she has gone,/ She'll meet us at the portals bright,/ She’ll lead to Him who is the light,/ Of the King’s city – ever hours –/ She’ll walk with us the wave divine/ Where she was living yet."
Born – to Mr. Mrs. Harlan Cordrey, Thursday, March 19, ‘08 a son.
Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Bottomley and daughter Ethel spend a few days this week with Lorain relatives.
C.O. Bassett of Cleveland was in town Friday and renewed his subscription to the NEWS.
The subscriber's library was moved from the jewelry store of W.A. Gohn to the drygoods store of Guy S. Davis April 1.
Did you get a gallon of that pure maple syrup of W. A. Christian for d$1.15 yet? If not you'll have to hurry.
Capt. Walper is spending the day in Cleveland. It is hoped that Mrs. Walper will be able to return home next week from the hospital.
THE NEWS PRINTERY received this week some 60 designs in commencement stationery from well-known paper and stationary houses of Chicago. They are strictly up-to-date. If you are interested call and see them.
Mr. M Foster is on the sick list.
Mr. E.C. Wasem is improving his house by the addition of a large porch.
Born – to Mr. Mrs. A.B. Todd, Wednesday, April 1, an 8 lb. son.
Mr. Dave Crumbie is sawing wood for A.A. Sweet.
Mr. Charley Bacon received a barrel of maple syrup from his brother and Chagrin Falls.
Farmers are busy these days plowing and sowing oats, not very many have sowed oats.
Hmmmmmm....
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.
GOOD TIMES IN A SHOEBOX: I came across this pic (above) while sorting through some negatives in an old chocolate candy box last week. I immediately recognized all but the boy on the large tricycle.
The snap was taken (by the person who’s shadow you can see) probably around 1950. The kids are just south of the railroad tracks on Grand Street. The water tower, the Englebry-Hull Coal Company building and the Miller Hardware Store building (just north of the tracks) are very apparent in the background.
The little guy on the small tricycle is Billy Thompson. His sisters Alice May and Mary Ann are in the “Greyhound” wagon. And the little fella on Mary Ann’s lap is Mike Trinter.
All the Thompson kids and Mike Trinter are gone now. Alice died in 1968; Billy in 2004; Mary Ann (Corcino) 2007; and Mike in 1967.
Mike and Billy were my friends. Bill lived with his (the Thompson) family in the apartment over the print shop. Mike lived on the house just up the street on the northeast corner of Grand and Ohio streets. His niece still owns the home. Those were good times.
Ironically, the day after I came across this pic one of Mary Ann’s sons, Jack Corcino, and his wife stopped at the museum for a visit. They are from Montana. Jack met his spouse when he was stationed in Montana in the Air Force. He is now retired. I gave him a copy of this pic. It ain’t much. But I vividly remember the entire Thompson family in that yesteryear – and I thought he might appreciate having a copy of the snap. As I said, “Those were good times.”
…being their last great struggle for supremacy in the New World. At first the French were everywhere victorious. Braddock, almost at the, gates of Fort Du Quesne, was slain, and his army cut in pieces by a force utterly contemptible in comparison with his own. Oswego fell. The French lines along the lakes and across the country were stronger than ever. But gradually the tide of war turned in favor of the British, and many of the Indian tribes wavered in their fidelity to the cause of France. Not so, however, with the Ohio Indians, who entertained only feelings of hatred for the English. They knew only the French, and were strongly attached to them—the Ottawas, the Wyandots and the Chippewas, the inhabitants of this region. The first visit these tribes received from the English was after the surrender of Vaudreuil, when Major Robert Rogers was sent to take charge of Detroit. He left Montreal in September 1760. By way of Presque Isle he proceeded slowly up Lake Erie and reached Detroit on the 19th of November. He at once demanded the surrender of the post, but it was not until the 29th that Beleter, the commander, yielded, and this important point passed into possession of the British:
While before Detroit Major Rogers was visited by the great Ottawa chief, Pontiac, and between them a friendship was at once formed. From Detroit, in December 1760, Rogers proceeded to the Maumee, and thence across Ohio to Fort Pitt. His route lay "from Sandusky, where Sandusky city now is, crossed the Huron River, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to 'Mohickon John's Town,' upon what we know as Mohicon Creek, the northern branch of White Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, Delaware town on the west side of the 'Maskongam Creek,' opposite 'a fine river,' which, from Hutchins's map, we presume was Sandy Creek."
The reader will observe that the worthy historian places the fort on or near the site of Sandusky city. Evan's map of the Middle British Colonies locates it on the west of Sandusky River, and a third authority, referred to before in this chapter, gives it as near Venice. As to which may be correct is a question that, perhaps, cannot be satisfactorily settled at this day, but from the best information at hand it is thought that Venice was not the site of the fort, but that it was several miles distant therefrom.
The years 1761 and 1762 proved disastrous to the French arms, and soon the struggle was over. The English Octavius had defeated the Gallic Antony. Forever destroyed was the hope of a French peasanty inhabiting the plains of Erie county; of baronial castles crowning the vine-clad heights of the islands of the lake; of a gay French city overlooking the placid waters of Sandusky Bay. The treaty of peace between England and France was ratified in February 1763, and by that treaty Canada was ceded to the former power. Notwithstanding the disappearance of the French soldiers, the western tribes still remembered them with affection, and were still disposed to wage war upon the English. The celebrated Pontiac united nearly all these tribes in a league…
DISCOGRAPHY - PIETRO DEIRO (1888 – 1950): Pietro was one of the most influential accordionists of the first half of the 20th century. The Victor Company placed his recording of, Italian Melodies, on shellac in 1922. It’s a very charming selection.
Born on August 28, 1888 in Salto Canavese, Italy, , he emigrated to the United States as a steerage passenger in 1907 and went to live with his Uncle Frederico and work in the coal mines of Cle Elum, Washington.
Pietro began playing the diatonic button accordion professionally in a tavern in Seattle in 1908. Within a few short months, his brother Guido (already an accomplished piano-accordionist in Europe) arrived in Seattle and taught his brother how to play the piano accordion. Both brothers became minor celebrities on the vaudeville circuit.
Pietro recorded dozens of records for the Victor Talking Machine Company. After the demise of vaudeville, he opened a successful accordion studio in New York City and established an accordion music publishing company: the Accordion Music Publishing Company (AMPCO), later simply known as Pietro Deiro Publications.
He was the first president of the American Accordionists Association (1938) and promoted himself as "The Daddy of the Accordion," much to his brother Guido's chagrin. He died in 1954.
A fifth grader is heading to school one morning when his mother stops him and says, "The neck tag on your shirt is hanging out."
"I know," the boy says. "It's a fad some of the guys started."
Day in and day out, the tag at the back of his neck sticks out until one morning his mother says, "I can't stand it. Every time I see that, I want to fix it for you," and she gently tucks the tag in place and rumples his hair.
The youngster smiles slyly and says, "Yeah, all the girls do, too."
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)
- Bret Harte
Vol.14, Issue 4 - April 1, 2016
Archive Issue #681
| advanced |
© 2013 Rich Tarrant