THE OLYMPIC CLUB: I took this pic of the grounds at the Olympic Outing Club just a few days ago. I know there's another similar wide-angle blank & white shot around somewhere - but I don't believe I have a copy.

The days was just beautiful and I couldn't resist the shot. The original is about 3 feet long. I have a copy at the museum. I don't know where I'll place it. But it's a fun pic.

I also took one of the river view from the club. That one is approximately six feet long. I haven't print it yet because I don't know that I really have anyplace to hang it.

But what a beautiful day - and a beautiful place.

THE BEST LAID SCHEMES OF MICE AND MEN: Several years ago (VPJ 02/24/13) I came across a brief account in a 1905 edition of The Vermilion News about one Benjamin F. Goodsell, who lived in Ashmont (a rural settlement a bit south and west of Vermilion), who was quite ill, and determined to deliver his own funeral oration. Being a self-proclaimed agnostic he decided that no minister should “comment upon his life over his dead body”. Consequently, he had prepared and delivered into a phonograph an obituary in which he set forth “his life’s objects”. The article went on to say that he’d placed the recording in a safety vault, to be used after his death. I couldn’t help but wonder at that time how this plan actually turned out when, as Wm. Shakespeare would say, Mr. Goodsell finally and forever “shuffled off this mortal coil”. Well happily (for me – but not so much for Mr. Goodsell) I did.

But first a little more about Mr. Goodsell’s background and his philosophy: First of all his name was Benjamin N. (not F.) Goodsell. He was one of Benjamin and Laura Alger-Goodsell’s four children, and was born on in the newly incorporated Village of Vermillion, Ohio on in May of 1837. In 1856 he married Catherine Elson and by 1871 the couple had a farm in Berlin Township were raising a family that included five young children. In January of 1905 he told a reporter with the Sandusky Star-Journal that “In earlier days he was a violinist of local fame and Goodsell’s Band for years held the stage at Ruggles Beach, and played for dances far and near.” How long that might have lasted was not mentioned – only that he eventually retired to “the more pleasing attractions of the farm.” Yet, he did not totally immerse himself in the work of the farm or confine his thoughts to the mere depth of furrows in his fields. He was a reader and a thinker.

All of that was very clear by the year 1905, the year Mr. Goodsell publically announced his plan to record his own funeral oration, declaring himself to be a “Freethinker”; That is a person who forms opinions about religion on the basis of reason, independent of tradition, authority, or established belief. In fact, he made it perfectly clear in a February 8, 1905 letter to the Sandusky Star-Journal that he was a disciple of American lawyer, Civil War veteran, political leader, and orator Robert Green Ingersoll AKA “The Great Agnostic”. During the Golden Age of Free Thought (1875–1914) Ingersoll was noted for, among other things, his defense of agnosticism. In a 900-word epistle to the aforementioned Sandusky paper Goodsell, for whatever reason, seemed compelled to further explain his beliefs publically: “I am what the church is pleased to call an infidel. That is to say I was born with a certain kind of brain that is inquisitive. I do not believe everything everybody preaches or otherwise tells me.” To my knowledge it was a one-sided argument. If anyone was contesting Mr. Goodsell’s philosophy it was being done privately. Goodsell died in April of 1908 one month short of his 71st birthday.

Two weeks ago I found the following notice. It appeared in the April 4, 1908 edition of The News: “The funeral of Benjamin Goodsell was held from the home Tuesday, Hudson Tuttle of Berlin Heights officiating. About two years ago Mr. Goodsell wrote out the funeral discourse, which he wished delivered at his funeral and had it recorded by the phonograph. The family however, did not care to use the record at the funeral. A wife, two daughters and three sons survive. Mr. Goodsell was an agnostic and a devoted follower of Bob Ingersoll.” What Mr. Goodsell apparently failed to understand is that agnostics like every other soul forfeit control over worldly things upon death. Robert Burns said it best in his poem, “ To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough:” “But little Mouse, you are not alone, / In proving foresight may be in vain: / The best laid schemes of mice and men / Go often askew…”. Amen.

_{Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 05/05/16.}

Vol. XII, No. 2. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, June 18, 1908

AUTO RAMS L.S.E. CAR

_{Cleveland Man, Wife And Friends Have A Close Call Near Huron – Costly Machine Demolished.}

An automobile owned and driven by H.J. Kinsman, superintendent of Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, of Cleveland, in which Mr. Kinsman, his wife, aunt her daughter and a Mr. and Mrs. Brown, neighbors, all of Cleveland, and a guest of Mrs. Brown from Chicago, were coming to Sandusky, crashed into a Sandusky bound L.S.E. interurban car near the Old Woman's Creek Crossing, between Huron and Ceylon, about 4:15 o'clock Saturday afternoon and was completely demolished. Two of the occupants, Mrs. Kinsman and Mr. Kinsman's aunt were rendered unconscious, but were soon revived. The daughter of Mr. Kinsman's aunt sustained a broken shoulder blade. She was the most seriously injured of the sextet, although each member was cut or bruised to a certain extent.

The victims of the accident were placed aboard the car into which the auto was [sic] sped, and taken to Huron where they were attended by Doctors Woessner and Pollock. They left on an evening train for Cleveland.

The car, according to the story told at Huron Sunday night, was running on schedule time at a pretty good clip. Mr. Kinsman was also sending his auto all along at a lively rate. The crossing where the accident occurred has long been known as a dangerous place. The auto driver’s view was obstructed, as was also that of the motorman on the car. The car had reached the middle of the crossing when the auto hid it, the front and ramming the side a little to the rear with all the force that a 20 mile gait would generate. That one or more of the occupants of the auto were not killed outright or at least more seriously injured than was the young lady who suffered a broken shoulder blade, is miraculous.

Mr. Kinsman and the members of his party made every effort to have their names suppressed at Huron and it was with difficulty that the Huron correspondent secured the details of the accident.

It seems that but a short time ago, Mr. Kinsman and a party of friends narrowly escaped ditching while out autoing, very near the scene of Saturday's collision.

PUTTING UP FIRE ESCAPES

The Brunk Machine and Forge Company of Lorain have the contract for putting the fire escapes on the Town Hall. The escapes consist of iron stairs on each side of the building for the last windows of the auditorium. These windows will be cut down so as to render it possible to get to the stairways with some ease thus making two more exits for the hall.

This company has also the contract for placing fire escapes on the school building, the contract being awarded Tuesday evening.

THE GLORIOUS FOURTH

The glorious Fourth of July will be fittingly celebrated at Linwood Park. A unique feature of the day will be the Henrietta reunion. This reunion will be of all the residents of Henrietta Township, both present and former. If you have ever lived in that section of Lorain County be sure to be on hand and join in the festivities. The old Henrietta band will be present and give some old-fashioned music.

DEATH OF HENRY BERGER

Henry J. Berger, one of Berlin's best-known citizens, died at his house in that place at about 11:30 PM Thursday, June 11, from abscess of the brain, after an illness of about two weeks.

Mr. Berger a native of Germany was about 60 years of age, and had resided at Berlin for 30 years. He leaves to mourn his death a wife, three daughters and two sons.

He was engaged in a meat business in that place for over 20 years and enjoyed a large circle of acquaintances who respected him as a man of fine character. He was a man of excellent habits, sturdy constitution, and he continued to be active in his accustomed pursuits up to his last illness. He was a practical matter of fact man and was not disposed to worry about the matters that could be bettered in other ways. He was a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and true friend, and in his death Berlin loses one of its best citizens. Mr. Berger was at one time treasurer of Berlin Township and held the position of Councilman for several terms.

The funeral was held at the Methodist church on Sunday, June 14 at 2:30 PM the services was under the auspices of Lakeview Lodge number 391, K. of P. of which Mr. Berger was a charter member. The pastor Rev. G.M. Knapp officiated and was assisted by Judge Thomas of Norwalk who spoke for the fraternity.

Mr. Berger's oldest son, Fred has been a resident of Vermilion for a number of years and is in the employ of Geo. B Krapp in the Krapp market.

WILL LOCATE IN VERMILION

We learned that Dr. Russell Pelton of Cleveland will locate in Vermilion permanently about July 1st for the practice of medicine.

Dr. Pelton will be remembered by Vermilion people as one of the boys who was brought up in our town, and returns after an experience of 15 years in practice in Cleveland. He attended last week, the 15th annual reunion of his class of 1893, in Western Reserve Medical College.

Correspondence

AMHERST

The Knights of Pythias held their annual Memorial Day services Sunday.

Joe Veims died in his home Friday morning. The result of a fall sustained in the quarry Wednesday.

All of the quarries except the East quarry were closed down Saturday.

Both cemeteries were visited and the graves of their deceased brothers decorated.

Mrs. Lawrence Harman was taken to the hospital in Cleveland Saturday morning. She was taken suddenly it all Wednesday night.

Friday evening the three-year-old son of Mrs. William Haywood was badly burned. Mrs. Haywood had stepped out of the house leaving her children in the house, later the older children left the little boy alone in some way he got hold of a box of matches and set fire to his clothing. His mother hearing screams rush to the house and quickly wrapped him in her closing extinguishing the flames. Although badly burned it is hoped with careful treatment that no scars will be left.

Joe Fitzgerald sprained his ankle Tuesday afternoon while picking cherries, he fell off the ladder.

The electric light plant of this place was put out of business for a little while by lightning Saturday evening.

Robert Daugherty while work at work at No. 6 Quarry Tuesday was badly injured by being hit by a wheel on a derrick.

August Miller met with an accident last Saturday by which he had two of his fingers badly smashed in the art of No. six quarry.

Mrs. William Hutton, Sr., met with a painful accident you lately by catching her hand in a hook on the barn door, tearing it badly between the thumb and forefinger.

Ms. Rosella Downs who had her foot badly sprained during dead dynamite explosion is able now to use his [sic] foot some. Miss Barkley’s condition still remains about the same while Mrs. Haas is slowly recovering from her severe burns.

Word was received Tuesday of the death of Henry Leow, who was instantly killed at Detroit. Mr. Leow formerly lived here and at S. Amherst. William Mays his brother-in-law, and sons Edward and John Mays left for Detroit Tuesday evening.

Locals.

For Choice Cuts Of Home Address Beef call at Krapp’s Market.

Government contractors are completing the iron walk leading to the lighthouse.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Baumhart, Monday, June 15 of bouncing boy.

_{[NOTE: The child born to the Baumhart’s in this article was A.D. “Dave” Baumhart Jr. who eventually became the U.S. Congressional Representative to Congress from Ohio’s 13th District.]}

Note the change of time in the Lake Shore Electric timetable on the last page of this paper.

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. William Showalter, Tuesday, June 16 son.

_{[NOTE: This little guy also took the name of his dad – William.]}

Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Hofrichter returned from their wedding trip Monday morning and are now snugly settled in their new home.

What has been received here the arrival of a baby girl in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fox. The little one has been named Helen Evelyn. Mr. Fox is the son of Mrs. Helen Kelsey Fox and brother of Mrs. Charles Englebry, and well known here.

Starr Gardner well-known in this vicinity has entered the employ of George B Krapp and will be pleased to meet his friends at the market.

Four picnics from Cleveland will be held at Linwood Park next week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

BIRMINGHAM

The recent showers were greatly needed and everything is looking fine. Strawberries are plenty and raspberries will soon be right.

Mrs. Alma Clary and two children arrived at Mr. C.H. Henry's from Cuba where she has been living for the past three years. Her husband could not accompany her as he is engaged in mercantile business and could not possibly leave. They are now living in Bayate, which is a Swedish colony and is rapidly filling up with people of that nationality who are very industrious people.

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.

DALL NOT DULL BROTHERS: Despite the fact that nobody has put me in charge of making a list of the 10 most dynamic persons to have lived and worked in Vermilion, Ohio during the 20th century I have done it anyway. Very close, if not at the very top of this list, is electric lighting pioneer, businessman, politician, and avid sportsman on both land and sea, F.W. Wakefield (VPJ 03/18-/2004). Among the very many reasons I consider him to have been vital to the positive development of our community is because he was a tireless promoter for and of Vermilion, Ohio. He saw the potential of our community for both industrial and recreational development, and actively - very actively - pursued and promoted it throughout his lifetime. Although his successes were, perhaps, only minimal that is irrelevant. As the author Frederick Wilcox once observed, “Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first ...”

One of Mr. Wakefield’s “minimal” success stories took place when the century was but a decade or so old and the automobile industry was still in its infancy. As the head of a newly established Vermilion Chamber of Commerce he persuaded two brothers, Louis A. and James R. Dall, to locate their business for the manufacture of motor pistons in the village. The brothers eventually constructed their Dall Motor Parts building on the southwest corner of South Street and West River Road/Water Street (now housing The Dry Dock boat equipment and supply store).

The gentlemen also operated a garage along the north side of Liberty Avenue just east of the Vermilion Boat Club. It is now owned by Moes Marine Service. Here the brothers began to sell the finished product - the whole automobile.

In the extraordinary Pearl Roscoe photo accompanying this tract brother James parades a new Willys Overland Knight along one of the town’s unpaved residential streets during 4th of July festivities in 1914. As was then the custom the vehicle was decorated with crepe paper that was probably purchased at Roscoe’s print shop. (Please note that I attempted to bring out more of the detail of the photo by applying a crosshatch brushstroke filter effect with special computer software. So if it looks a bit sketchy it isn’t the fault of anyone’s eyesight.)

Later James moved the auto dealership up the street (west) to the northwest corner of Liberty and Grand Streets to the site where the local ambulance garage is now located. Several years later he moved the business to Elyria where it (J.R. Dall Ford) remains to this day.

Brother Louis stayed with the engineering/manufacturing business until his death in 1949 at the age of 64. During the last few years of his life he kept offices atop Vermilion’s Erie County Bank building on the southwest corner of Liberty and Division/Main Streets (now city offices). By that time he had merged his Dall Motor Parts business with a Cleveland-based company, and had co-founded another auto parts manufacturing business, the H.A. Montgomery Company, in Detroit, Michigan.

One item that may better explain the connection between Wakefield and the Dall brothers concerns the fact that Louis, like the Commodore, was an avid recreational boatsman. Both in fact and in deed, he was the very first person to build and operate a power-driven pleasure boat on the Vermilion River.

So, as is apparent by their accomplishments, and this 1914 photo, the brothers Dall were anything but dull citizens of yesteryear in Vermilion, Ohio. Moreover; F.W. Wakefield certainly knew what it took to “steal second”.

_{Ref: The Vermilion News, 4-21-1949; Vermilion Area Archival Society, Pearl Roscoe Photo Collection, courtesy A.C. Tarrant; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 03/22/2007.}

ML’S PILL BOX: I really have to applaud Mary Lynn and Frank Homitz for their preservation of things everyone else probably tossed in the trash. This little pillbox from Hart’s Drug Store is one of the things.

When I placed it into the medicine chest at the museum I noticed that ML had given us another box very similar to the one pictured except…

Here she was kind enough to identify the doctor that prescribed the medication for her mother (Mrs. Herb Myers).

I don’t know for a fact, but I don’t believe any prescribed medication is sold in a box today.

F.Y.I. - Dr. Richard Milikan Wilke kept an office on Broadway in Lorain during his working years. He was born in 1918 and died in 2008. He is buried next to his wife Mary Ellen at the Kelley’s Island Cemetery on Kelley’s Island.