TODD GIRL: I don't, in fact, know the identity of this little girl. The pic was among a number of a glass negatives loaned to me by Vermilionite Bill Mills several weeks ago. It was one of the more interesting pieces, and I intended to show it to Gene Todd a few days ago - but was unable to find it when he stopped at the museum.

The photo was in a little box of glass negatives Mr. Mills acquired from a yard sale (I think) Gene, or someone from the Todd family had several years ago. Because of this I assume that the girl was a member of Gene's family. But only he would know. Consequently, I place it here to save Gene another trip to the museum to tell me if he recognizes her.

In spite of all that I like the photograph - the surroundings are rather plush. But her face is blurry. I think she moved before the lens close.

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.

THE LIBERTY THEATRE: A long time back it was the home of Delker’s and then Lewis Englebry’s haberdashery. When I came along in the mid 1940s it was already known far & wee as the Liberty Theatre. And what a wonderful place it was when I was young.

Popcorn was a dime and candy was a nickel. Admission (for the younger crowd) was also a dime. I remember the old ticket booth at the front of the show. And I remember when the modernized the place and moved everything inside.

If you got there early (before they played the shorts they played music while you waited. I still recall some of the songs: “Feud’n, Fuss’n and a’Fight’n” was one of the songs. [“Granma poor ol’ granma – why’d they have to shoot poor ol’ granma. / She lies ‘neath the clover, someone caught’r bend’n over (pick’n up a daisey)” How could anyone forget that song?

It was here that I spent many a Sunday afternoon or a Friday night bedazzled by the stars.

Today (2016) it’s an art gallery called the “Art Seen”. I’ve never been in the place since the former owner wrecked the main floor of the theatre.

One time someone entertained the idea of giving the old movie projectors to local history society. The problem with that is that there was no place to put them.

The old Vermillion Banking Company building next door was the Williams Law offices for many years. Now (2016) it’s a wine bar called the “Wine Vault”. I’ve heard some good things about the place. But I don’t imbibe anymore so I’ve got no business there.

The bank building was built in 1908. The theatre has been there for a long time. It is likely among the very few 19th century business buildings still standing in Vermilion.

I'm sure many folks have fond memories of this place...

WHEN THEY CALLED IT DIVISION STREET: This photograph has been published in numerous places over the years. Unfortunately, few of the published pictures really allow persons much of an opportunity to examine it in much detail. And there is a great deal to look at.

These circa 1899 shadows were likely captured from a second floor window of Vermilion’s Masonic Building looking southeast over a parade on Main Street when they called it "Division" Street.

On the dusty course below the window Vermilion’s Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Band appears to have halted and is, perhaps, performing for spectators. The occasion (if the sign above the street behind the band is an indicator) is a “Firemen’s Convention”. During the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries Vermilion Village was host to several conferences of this nature. Volunteer fire-fighters from surrounding towns regularly gathered to share their experience and knowledge in an effort to refine methods of controlling fire hazards in their respective communities. The sign over the wooden walk on the opposite side of the street blazing abroad the availability of “Milwaukee Beer” and a “Hot Lunch” indicates that fires of a more corporeal and immediate nature could be extinguished at Jim Nolan’s Saloon.

Nolan’s buvette, was sandwiched (pun intended) between the Schwensen Bakery to the south (right) and the outdoor dance floor and refreshment bar of the Lake House Hotel to the north (left). Currently (2009) it is an empty building housing the ghosts of the Strong Waters, Flashback, Brass Horn, Lemon Tree, and Eland’s / Lefty’s saloons. It has a comprehensive (again, pun intended) oral history.

When this image was frozen a Vermilion man by the name of James F. Nolan and his wife Adel owned the place. James, born in Vermilion in February of 1860, was the oldest of six children born to Irish native William, and Canadian born Mary, Nolan. The elder Nolan was a sailor. And prior to purchasing the taproom, which took his name, the younger Nolan also spent some time on the lake.

The sign in the foreground (lower right in the photo) marks the location of George H. Englebry’s shoe store. George was born in Vermilion in May 1869. He was the son of German immigrants Jacob and Margaret Englebry. About the time this picture was taken he married Bertha Naegele in Vermilion. Born in August of 1879 she was the daughter of Vermilion residents Charles Frederick Naegele and Emma Hull. George died in 1904 and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Bertha later (1913) married another Vermilion man named Hubert White.

A sign on the back of the buggy just beneath Englebry’s sign is an advertisement for the J.B. Lewis Co. of Boston Massachusetts. The Lewis Company was once recognized throughout the United States as a quality manufacturer of leather boots and shoes. Englebry must have been a distributor.

Yet, setting all those things aside the people gathered along the parade route are as curious as the parade itself. Male spectators decked out in straw hats, fedoras, and navy-style and military-style chapeaux; some in coats and vests; others in their shirtsleeves; mustached; arms on hips, or in their pockets; loiter on the walkways to pay witness to the proceedings. The few ladies in the gathering dressed in ankle-length dresses, long-sleeve blouses, some with their hair tucked under close fitting hats - some without - seem to search for a familiar face among the marchers. And, finally, there is one little fellow, who looks as though he hadn’t taken a bath for a month, standing barefoot on a sandstone curb spellbound by all the hubbub - on Division Street - in a yesteryear.

_{Ref: United States Federal Census’ 1860 - 1910; Special Thanks to: Eric Eyman and Dave Rathbun, Linda (Rathbun) Rucins, and Claire (Rathbun) Ribble; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal.}

Vol. XI, No. 48. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, May 7, 1908

COURT NOTES

Execution of the sentence against Lewis Noel who was recently found guilty by a jury and assessed $10 and costs on the charge of threatening Percy Disbro, of Vermilion, in a menacing manner, has been postponed until July 1, 1908, in order that he might get be given time to appear before the circuit court. He was furnished the required bond of $300.

_{TWO FIRES MONDAY}

About noon while C.F. Decker was going to dinner, and passing Marshall Delker’s residence he noticed a small blaze on the roof near the kitchen chimney. He and several others who happen to be near by extinguished the flames. The loss was slight.

J.A. Klaar who was one who assisted in the extinguishing this fire had just about got home when A.E. Decker discovered a similar fire at Mr. Klaar's residence. This was also extinguished with but slight damage.

Both fires were caused in all probability from sparks from chimneys.

_{CHURCH REOPENED}

The German Reformed Church on the Lake Shore at Mitiwanga extends a hearty invitation to all its members and friends to attend the dedication Sunday, May 10th. Sermon at 10:30 AM. A silver collection to be taken for the benefit of the church.

_{COUNCIL MEETING}

The regular Monday meeting of the village council was held Monday evening. There was considerable discussion on various subjects relating to work contemplated and being done. The weather has prevented accomplising much.

The sidewalk committee reported a number of new walks also a number of repairs.

They also recommended that hereafter, the village buy the stone used by the corporation direct from the quarries.

The report and recommendation were accepted and adopted.

Interested parties requested that something be done concerning a harbormaster, as some of the fish boats ran at full speed in the river thus endangering small craft. John M. Delker was appointed.

The fire committee reported that the fire hall needed painting and other repairs. The work was ordered done. The Council also ordered the removal of the old bandstand in the park as it is in bad condition.

The finance committee made a report on tax levy, the total of which is 17 mils, a reduction of 1.2 mill from last year. The report was accepted.

After payment of bills meeting adjourned.

_{MRS. THOMPSON DEAD}

The following from the Independent Press (Wakeman) will be of interest here as the family lived here for some time.

Died – at Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, Wednesday, April 29, 1908, Mrs. Elizabeth Rice Thompson, age 67 years, five months, 11 days.

Mrs. Thompson's first husband was Alfred French and she was the mother of Mrs. Celia Farber of Fremont, and A.B. French of this place.

Mr. French died and afterwards she married Charles Thompson, of Berlin O., who died a number of years ago. By her second husband she had six children, three daughters and three sons. One daughter is dead. Two daughters and three sons live in Cleveland.

The remains were brought to Wakeman, Thursday evening and a funeral will be held from the Cong’l church this Saturday morning, at 9:30.

Correspondence

_AMHERST

Work is reported very slack at the quarries.

William Fuss reported very ill in his home here.

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harper of South Amherst a daughter, last Thursday.

Mrs. John Dost of Claugh’s quarry was adjudged insane last week and sent to the hospital at Massillon.

The tax levy for 1909 has been fixed it to nine-tenths mils portioned as follows general two-tenths poor two-tenths; and two and three-tenths for road fund.

Mrs. Mark Roberts died Thursday at the home of her daughter Mrs. Schultz at the East Quarry at the age of 60. She was married to William Northeim in early life and resided for many years it Brownhelm. Later she was married to Mr. Roberts who preceeded her to the grave a few years ago.

Henry Schrader, age 30 was instantly killed Thursday morning at Number Six Quarry. His forehead was struck. He fell a distance of 50 feet and struck on his forehead, his skull was crushed and death was instantaneous. The funeral was held Sunday. He leaves a wife and three children.

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frederick, Monday May, May 4, a daughter.

_HURON

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Simpson, a daughter, April 29.

The work of straightening the walk on William Street began last week.

The commencement exercises of the High School will be held June 5th at the Congregational church.

Notices have been posted along the docks that the coal business will be operated along the open shop policy the coming season.

Ms. Gladys Hill who is been ill for several weeks past entertained a few of her school friends at last Wednesday evening. It was a surprise to her.

George A. Budd died at his home here Saturday night after a lingering illness, at the age of 69. A wife two sons and three daughters survive. The remains were taken to Elyria for interment.

Ed Bostettler, Tom Banfield hence Capt. James Harris had a trying experience Friday and Saturday of last week. They started out on a fishing tour in a 20-foot gasoline boat and when about 20 miles from Port the engine broke down and left them at the mercy of the waves. They drifted around all Friday afternoon and night and Saturday began to drift toward Vermilion where finally they finally landed and got something to eat. They had a ton of fish aboard.

_{STRONG'S CORNERS}

Mr. Sanders of this place has been on the sick list for several weeks.

V. Leimbach has a very sore hand which he sprained a few days ago.

Mr. Kelly has been seriously ill but is slowly improving at this writing.

A cattle by buyer from Wellington visited this neighborhood last Thursday.

Farmers are somewhat worried for fear of a poor corn crop this year as the weather is so unfavorable.

Mr. Hasennphring [sic] purchased a nice lot of crates.

_BROWNHELM

Mr. Will Neiding has been on the sick list.

Miss Lulu Lipp [I love the name.} has returned home after a visit with friends and Lorain.

Mr. Frank Northeim has been having a new roof put on his tenant house.

We had quite a snowstorm Saturday it seems as though our winter is not over yet.

The fire occurred at the old Blake House Tuesday night, originated from a flaw [sic] in the chimney. Considerable damage might have been the result had it not been for the prompt and efficient service of the local fire pump.

Mrs. Hayes Whittlesey lost a valuable gold watch last Wednesday in Amherst. Mr. Frank Grugle in stepping off the car on his return from a fishing excursion picked up the watch and is waiting for Mrs. Whittlesey to identify.

Locals.

The fishing from this port is reported fair but no lifts have been very heavy.

S.J. Nieding's new meat market on Grand Street just south of the M.E. church is nearing completion.

_{[NOTE: Historians and other interested parties should take note of where this store was once located. I do believe it was the little storefront that during the 1950s was used by several plumbers for storage. Eventually Glenn Fulper bought and razed the building to make room for the expansion of his business. Currently (2016) it’s just an empty space.]}

Mr. Henry Reifert had the misfortune to lose his incubator and brooder together with 160 chicks by fire last week.

The Township trustees held a regular meeting last Saturday afternoon but made no tax levy. A special meeting for this purpose will be held Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Hays who has been closely identified with the gristmill for the past few years left Tuesday for Colorado Springs in the vicinity of which he expects to locate. Mrs. Hayes and son will spend some time with relatives near Rochester N. Y.

The ashes of Lester a Pelton were brought to Vermilion and buried in Maple Grove Cemetery a week ago Sunday. Henry Wagner and son Nelson of Cleveland coming to Vermilion for that purpose. The remains of Mr. Pelton were cremated in California where he died recently.

_{[NOTE: This is another significant event – albeit a small one – in local history. Pelton’s death date has been duly noted. But when he finally made it back home to Vermilion and placed in Maple Grove Cemetery is not widely known. So local historians, file this away.]}

The Vermilion Telephone Company is preparing to issue a new directory. It will probably reach the subscribers soon after May 15.

A fine steel ceiling is being placed in the store of Lewis Englebry, our popular clothing merchant, which adds greatly to the appearance of the room.

Frank Tischer opened his ice cream parlor in George Fischer's new building on Division St., Wednesday evening. He is now prepared to serve up the frozen delicacy in any style the purchaser may choose. Also cigars, confectionery, etc. Here’s success to you.

Died – Last evening (Wednesday) at 6 o'clock Sidney Sherod. The funeral will take place Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock Standard at his house. H.G. Delker Post G.A.R. will have charge. Rev. George E Merrill assisted by Rev. Brown will conduct the services. Burial in Maple Grove.

_BIRMINGHAM

Mr. Scheffley has moved back to Birmingham having lived away for a number of years.

Mr. Ed Moulder has had to change his residence as he occupied Mrs. Scheffley 's house.

The audience of the M.E. church was entertained with singing on Sunday after the usual service by a lady from Canada.

_AXTEL

Mrs. C Sperry who is been at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lorain the past week expects to return home in a few days.

Burt Caine 20 years old, of Lorain, lost a leg as the result of being thrown from the work car under L. S. E. near the Soldiers Home Sandusky, Monday. He was an extra conductor on temporary duty with the repair crew. His father is section foreman at Lorain.

Miss Enid Brown of this city, who is now a student at Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio, has been elected Monnett [sic] editor of the Transcript, a weekly publication issued by the students. Miss Brown won out is the result of an interest in a competition, and has secured one of the most influential places on the college papers staff.

Obituary

Ziriacus Alheit, better known as Ceill Alheit was born June 29, 1849 Ober Voraschutz Circuit Fritzlar electorate, Essen, Germany, where he was baptized in in the Reformed Church.

In his sixteenth year he entered the harbor of New York, spending a few weeks at Troy, New York. He then located at Brownhelm, Ohio devoting his time to the fishery. In the course of years he moved to Sandusky Ohio.

Washington's birthday, February 22, 1876 he married Miss Anna Catherine Grisel. This union was blessed with three children. One son died in infancy. At different times his congregation honored him with positions of trust, as a deacon as well as a private citizen he served faithfully and unselfishly. That he had to contend with adverse circumstances many know, but his main resources lay in his ambition, trying again faithful once more prosperity and prestige.

He died April 24, 1908, aged 58 years, nine months and 25 days. He will be missed by his grief stricken wife, two children, Charles and Lizzie, eleven nieces, six nephews and a host of friends.

Nevertheless their comforts "Not lost only gone before."

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.

ALTA: 1907 did not descend gracefully upon Linwood Park in the Village of Vermilion, Ohio. Oh, the weather was pleasant enough - but it was perhaps too pleasant. A sere, and rather brisk April wind caused an errant spark from a chimney of one cottage in the park to silently light upon the roof of another with rather disastrous results. Thirty percent of the park’s 70 cottages were reduced to ash. Were that the sum toll of misfortune for park residents that year it would have been quite enough. But it was not.

Linwood Park took its name from a great tree (8 foot in diameter, and 85 feet high) which overlooked, and shaded, the Linwood Hotel. The hollowed-trunk of the tree had provided generations of youngsters with a place to play unfettered by the busy world around them. The shadow of the great tree was cast across the earth long before white men knew this land existed. However; it was deemed to be, by the powers of that “busy world”, an ageing risk and was, thusly and forever, laid low.

As spring turned to summer the sounds of hammers, saws, and jovial voices could be heard throughout the park as folks worked to recoup some of which they had lost. And quite suddenly and subtly Linwood came to life again. Summer residents removed the shutters from their homes and waved to their neighbors, and smiling visitors filled the rooms of the hotel along the beach. Among them was a pretty 17 year old girl from Ragersville, Ohio. Her name was Alta Weiss.

Ms. Weiss was the second of three daughters born to Dr. George and Lucinda Weiss. Alta was a young lady of remarkable talent. She was an excellent student. She played the piano, the violin, and had a wonderful singing voice. But those things were not uncommon among girls of her age in 1907. What was truly extraordinary about her was her love for outdoor sports. This included hunting. But more importantly it included playing the game of baseball and, specifically, having an ability to play it better than more than a few of her male counterparts.

Her talent at the game was so remarkable that her father had established a two-year high school in Ragersville to allow her the opportunity to play on a school team. Moreover; he built a ball park for the town team. Alta was playing first base for the town’s second (string) team (consisting of men) when she was but 14.

Thus, it should suffice to say that by 1907 baseball was more than just a game to Alta - it was a passion. And, thus, it should further be of no surprise to anyone that upon settling in at Linwood for a vacation she would, and did, seek out a means to exercise her skills at the game.

Happening upon a group of boys playing catch she asked to join them. Whether this amused them, or they were just being courteous, or both, the boys agreed. And the rest is history.

The Mayor of Vermilion in 1907 was a fellow named H.R. Williams. The “Squire” (as he was called) and his family were among those who kept a summer home in the park. Among his sundry interests was the game of baseball. And as fate would have it he saw the 17 year-old Alta setting fire to the gloves of the aforementioned group of boys in the game of catch.

Immediately recognizing her talent the Squire suggested to Charles Heidloff, the manager of Vermilion’s semipro Vermilion Independents, that he sign her to play for the team. He initially scoffed at the idea. But after watching her play in a game the Squire arranged to be played between two local teams, with Alta pitching, he scoffed no more. Alta Weiss, with her father’s permission, took the mound at Vermilion’s Crystal Beach ball park on September 2, 1907 and pitched her way into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The following year Dr. Weiss purchased the team and renamed it the Weiss All-Stars. Alta is pictured (in the middle) surrounded by her team-mates (an amalgamation of players from both Vermilion and Ragersville).

In 1910 she, in effect, left the field forever when she entered the Starling-Ohio Medical College in Columbus. She graduated from med-school in 1914 - the only woman in her class. Eventually she returned to her home in Ragersville, retired from doctoring, and spent the rest of her life tending to her ten cats, reading three newspapers every day, driving her 1940 Buick to and from the store, and watching children play ball on the street in front of her home. And there she died in 1964.

Back in Vermilion, Ohio Crystal Beach has disappeared, replaced by a bank, a gas station, and a number of apartment buildings. And just a hop, skip, and a jump to west - in Linwood Park - an empty ball field waits in anticipation of days to come, and quietly recalls a yesteryear that began very badly but ended quite marvelously.

_{Ref: Timeline; Ohio Historical Society; You Can’t Play In Skirts, Alta Weiss, Baseball Player, Barbara Gregorich; 1994; Special Thanks to Janet Ford; Ritter Librarian and Bette Lou Higgins; Eden Valley Enterprises; The Way It Was, Betty Trinter; 1966; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 01/05/2009.}

ANTIQUE PLATE: I think this an antique printing plate of a 1926 Ford Model T Roadster. I wanted to show Viewers how the image appears before (top) and after (below) it is printed. I also wanted to illustrate just how small it is. The pic is actually larger than the real plate.

I believe I mentioned previously that we have like over a thousand of these printing plates at the museum. Some, of course, were used for advertising. But there are many others that are photographs of people, places and things around Vermilion.

Someday we’ll get to cataloging all of them.