PUZZLING: Truth be told I've no idea as to the reason I have this photograph. I know where it came from, but I don't know why it was included in the collection. But it is interesting.

As indicated it is a pic of a First Grade class at Memorial School on the East Side of Cleveland, Ohio in an area currently known as Collinwood. Memorial School replaced the Lake Elementary School which burned in 1907 killing many.

One of the most immediate results of that fire was a law that mandates that the doors on public buildings open outward because most all the fatalities in that terrible fire were trapped when the kids piled up against the doors to the outside.

In Vermilion and elsewhere citizens became very sensitive to the safety of their children in the schools - and modifications were quickly made. If was no coincidence that fire escapes were installed on both State Street School and the Town Hall in 1906. It was mandated.

Someday I may learn the reason I have this pic. But for the moment I"ve not a clue.

ANOTHER PELTON HOUSE: I’m amazed at how little things have really changed in some of the places around Vermilion. This Pelton house (currently just across the street from Vermilion Police Headquarters) looks a good deal like it did back in the very early years of the 20th century when the lower pic was taken.

That old tree (it appears to be dead) just beyond the sidewalk to the front left of the house may be that seen in the old pic. And though the street has long since been paved (and well travelled) it is still the main route through town. The older pic was taken before the interurban passed through town. So it may be pre 1900.

You will also note by the addition on its right side that the house has been expanded some over the years. When I was a boy the home was a nursing facility – although I never heard anyone call it by that name back then. It was a “rest home”. The only person I definitely knew of who spent their golden years there was a Vermilion character named Jack Gray.

Today (as far as I know) one of the Roth boys owns the home. There used to be a business in one part of the place; and rooms or small apartments were let in the remainder. But I’m uncertain as to how it’s being used at the moment.

NOT LONG AGO, NOR FAR AWAY: Vermilion photographer Paul Ludlow took the photograph accompanying this week’s column c 1963. Pictured is the lunch counter in Marshall’s Drug Store, which at that time occupied the rooms on the northeast side of a newly constructed complex called the South Shore Shopping Center. As an aside – and in retrospect – it should be noted that the shopping center heralded the beginning of the end for the town’s original downtown shopping district as its primary retail-shopping sector. After its construction the commercial center of the town experienced a dramatic shift eastward along Liberty Avenue. Whether the building of the center was a good or bad thing is, of course, now irrelevant. But some persons may recall that prior to the shopping center the land was frequently used as an unpaved parking lot for patrons of the Crystal Beach Amusement Park just across the street. Times were, indeed, a-changing.

The reason for this particular photograph was very likely commercial / promotional. That’s because this is not a snapshot and Ludlow (the photog) was a professional taker of pictures. The photo could very well have been taken anywhere and used anywhere to promote Marshall’s stores – or at least its lunch counters. After all it was a chain store. As such the interiors of most of those stores were rather generic. And were it not for the two men drinking coffee in the booth just beneath the ladies behind the counter I might have tossed it into the recycle bin.

The men pictured in the booth were Vermilionites Bob Hallet and Dr. John Halley. Both were well known and respected local gentlemen. Mr. Hallet was born in Toledo. He and his wife, (also) Bobby, were co-editors of the Vermilion Photojournal for 25 years. He died in August of 1988. Dr. Halley kept an office in the old Wagner Hotel building. Dr. Suszko current (2016) owner of the building now operates his dentist practice in those same rooms. (The office next door is currently that of the Vermilion Photojournal.) Dr. Halley later relocated and died in the Columbus area in 2000 at the tender age of 89 years. But back to the picture:

Among other things like a 55¢ Marshall’s “Twinburger”, 15¢ lemonades and 70¢ bacon-lettuce-and tomato sandwiches note the pile of 29¢, 39¢ and 49¢ “Zori Slippers” on the lower right of the photo. Before seeing this photo I’d never heard of them. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention. They are a trademarked type of flat and thonged Japanese sandals made of rice straw or other plant fibers, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, rubber, or synthetic materials. Today we call them “flip-flops”. Evidently they first appeared in the U.S. at the end of World War II as imitations of the wooden thong sandals worn by the Japanese people. And unlike Marshall’s drug chain they never disappeared from our culture.

Eventually Marshall’s morphed into Gray Drug. Gray’s became Cunningham’s, Cunningham’s became Rite-Aid and just recently it has been reported that Rite-Aid may merge with the Walgreen’s drug chain. Then – sometime after the drug chains had merged and relocated the Erie County Bank kept an office at this site before it, like the drug companies, metamorphosed into Key Bank and moved across the street. Currently (2016) the Dollar Store occupies the rooms where this photo was taken and Rite-Aid has its own building nearby. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with these changes.

Looking at this particular photograph the inevitability of change in our lives certainly becomes very palpable – and I’m not certain that I care for it too much. But as Austrian holocaust survivor Dr. Vicktor Frankl plainly saw it, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” And that is, of course, what we do.

_{REF: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 06/09/2016.}

Vol. XII, No. 4. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, July 2, 1908

COURT NOTES

William Wahl filed a petition for injunction and equitable relief against Catherine and Henry Axt with the clerk of courts. He alleges that they are cutting timber on the land he owns in Florence Township and seeks to enjoin them from continuing this practice.

Nina Eliza Bellamy has filed a proceeding for divorce against her husband, Edwin Disbro Bellamy, charging him with extreme cruelty and she asks for custody of the two children.

_{TWO BIRTHDAY SURPRISES}

The friends of John A. Englebry gave him a pleasant surprise Tuesday evening, the occasion being his 70th birthday. A most enjoyable evening was spent. A fine supper was served at 10 o'clock. Later the visitors departed leaving several nice presents as mementos of a most happy occasion.

One of his birthday presents arrived a little early for the occasion however, and was equally surprising. In going to the pasture Monday morning, Mr. Englebry found that a favorite cow had a gift for owner in the form of twin calves, which arrived during the night.

_{HOPE OF RECOVERY}

Ludwig Krapp who was severely wounded a week ago Sunday is reported much better with fair hopes for recovery. The bullet has been located in the boy’s back and may be removed later.

DROWNED WHILE BATHING OFF KELLY'S ISLAND

_{Kurt Career Of James D Woodhouse, You. S. Government Inspector Of Stone, Cut Short – That Should Be On Depth}

James G. Woodhouse, about 27 years old, residing at No. 1866 W. 45th St., Cleveland, was drowned while bathing in the North Bay this forenoon. The body has been recovered.

Mr. Woodhouse, for about a year has been in the employ of the U.S. government as an inspector of stone and in this capacity all of the building material that went forth from the quarries here, came under his official eye. He had been on Kelley's Island several months and had come to be known by a great many people.

Mr. Woodhouse's wife and baby were with him until Saturday afternoon, when they went to Cleveland to spend Sunday. Up to a late hour Monday night Mrs. Woodhouse had not been notified of her husband's death.

Shortly after noon Mr. Woodhouse with several friends all acquaintances here, strolled down to the shore of the North Bay to bathe. The inspector ventured beyond his depth and not a good swimmer, he was soon struggling in the water. An effort was made to reach him before he went down for the last time, but to no avail. The form disappeared from view, not to be seen again for about three hours, when a searching party came upon it right where the drowning occurred. The lifesaving crew from the Marblehead station was summoned to assist in the search so diligently prosecuted by the Islanders who got together as soon as the news of the accident got to their ears but they arrived shortly after the body of Woodhouse was taken from the water and turned over to the undertaker William Berger, who was holding it, awaiting orders from the relatives of the deceased.

Mr. Woodhouse was a graduate of Case school of Cleveland, a member of the class of ‘04.

– Monday Reg.

Mrs. Woodhouse was formally Miss Katie Collard of this place.

_{BAND CONCERTS}

Come to Vermilion Wednesday evening of each week and listen to the G.A.R. band. Arrangements have been made at been made for concerts during the summer season.

Correspondence

AMHERST

The three-year-old son of Eugene Foskett is quite ill

Earl Sanders has again taken his old position on the B&O docks in Lorain.

The bridge gang have [sic] returned and will now complete the Church street bridge.

The regular Saturday evening band concert was given Saturday evening. Their leader J.C. Merthe was able to be with them having recovered from his sick spell.

The annual meeting of the school board was held Thursday evening. The matter of more fire escapes was brought up. August Brown was employed as janitor of the building, for the year.

Born – to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Buckley Friday a baby girl.

General Manager Nicholls of the stone quarry states that the business is gradually picking up.

Martin Ruth’s Shepherd dog had his legs cut off Tuesday by getting in front of the mowing machine. The dog was killed at once.

BROWNHELM

Ella Messerole purchased a fine horse of Henry Faber in Berlin Heights.

Mr. Samuel Garrett fell from the scaffold in the barn last Tuesday about 2 o'clock and broke his neck. Mr. Samuel Garrett was married to Miss Armina Baumhart about a year ago. She has the sympathy of the entire community. Funeral services were held at the German Methodist Church. Rev. Knapp of Berlin Heights and Rev. Fussner [sic] of Amherst officiating the remains were taken to the Cleveland St. cemetery.

Locals.

Born – to Mr. Mrs. Geo B. Krapp Sunday, June 28, a daughter.

Born – to Mr. Mrs. Lou Faulhaber, Saturday, June 27, a daughter.

Capt. Louis Stone was home from the lake Saturday.

Capt. Gegenheimer visited his family here Wednesday.

Capt. Moody and family spent a few days this week at Cleveland.

O.I. Schaffer of the Soldiers Home is in Vermilion on a 30 day furlough.

Robert Moore and James Nieding were home Wednesday evening on a flying visit while her [sic] boat was in Cleveland.

The stockholders of the Erie County Banking Co. and the Vermilion Telephone Co., were made happy yesterday by a receipt of the regular semiannual dividend checks.

The Cannon on the water St. side of Exchange Place was placed in a cement mounting this week. The wooden mounting having become so decayed as to render it unsafe.

Ed Whitmore is spending a few days with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Whitmore. Mr. Whitmore is engaged in structural ironwork and has been called to various parts of the country in his work.

A large quantity of fish is being frozen at the Driscoll Fish Co.’s plant.

_OBITUARY

Capt. John Brelsford Grover was born in Philadelphia, December 23, 1829. Died, June 27, 1908. Aged 78 yrs. 9 mo. 4 da. He came to Vermilion when a mere boy and learned sailing which occupation he followed throughout his life. He was married December 23, 1868 to Mary Shadduck whom he survived 18 years.

He is survived by one brother, William Grover of Michigan.

Funeral services Tuesday 2 P.M. conducted by Rev. J.W.H. Brown.

DRY TOWN MUST REFUND DOW TAX

_{Berlin Township Must Pay $21.98 and Berlin Heights $65.94 to Ex-Saloonists – Dow Tax Distribution}

To become "dry" under the local option law Berlin Township will have to pay $87.92. Last year when the Dow tax payments were distributed the Township received its share of the $500 for each saloon that paid the tax. The "dry" vote put the saloons out of business before their licenses expired and now the balance due them has to be paid back to the saloon. On the one saloon reported Berlin Township will have to pay $21.98. Berlin Heights will have to pay more than twice that amount to the two saloons there. As they burned out a few days before the expiration of the license period. They have a balance of $55.94 coming to them for the unexpired portions. County auditor Kubach has been ordered to charge the amounts enumerated above against their respective accounts and to deduct them when the next payments are made to the Township, cities and villages…

RUGBY

Mrs. Wood and her grandfather of Cleveland are visiting at G.H. Bacon’s.

Misses Sarah and Cora Dalzell have returned home to stay the summer with her father R. Dalzell.

The farmers around here are all very busy trying to make hay while the sun's shines.

AXTEL

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Steinbrenner and Mr. and Mrs. George Steinbrenner of Cleveland were the guest of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Trinter Sunday. They made the trip in an automobile.

Remember the ice cream social at the house of Mr. and Mrs. William Miller's July 8 to be given by the ladies aid of the M.E. church.

Mr. Myron Frisby is on the sick list.

Sunday school next Sunday at one standard. Preaching at 2 PM.

150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE “BATTLE OF THE HUNDRED SLAIN”: 3 miles from Fort Phil Kearny near Story, Wyoming will be held this year. For more info 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 and your are interested in this history you can email email John Horton for additional information.

MURDER ON MAIN STREET: These are the bare-bones of the story:

In the early Spring of 1877 a young Vermilion man named Joshua Kalb (19) stabbed a Vermilion jeweler named Elijah DeWitt (25) in a botched robbery attempt. Dewitt, who was described by local newspapers as being "a cripple" died about a week later. Kalb, who was apprehended near Birmingham the day following the attack, confessed to the crime, and told authorities that he had some time earlier planned both the robbery and the attack on DeWitt. The following June he was tried for murder in Sandusky, Ohio. A jury found him guilty of murder in the second degree, and he was sentenced by a Judge named Finefrock to life in prison.

Considering the severity of the crime - Mr. DeWitt had been stabbed repeatedly in the head, body, and hands - and the fact that both the robbery and the murder were admittedly premeditated more than a few citizens of Vermilion and Erie County were (to put it mildly) shocked by the jury’s verdict. This included Judge Finefrock who, in his remarks to Kalb at sentencing said, “The jury through mercy and mercy alone found you guilty of murder in the second degree instead of the first.’

Twelve years later (1889) Ohio Governor Joseph B. Foraker, in an act of Christmas charity (among other things), further astounded the public by reducing Kalb's sentence from life to 18 years. And the underlying anger and frustration of citizens familiar with the case surfaced in a rather cryptic and disturbing comment reportedly made by a Sandusky Court House official who said that Kalb's "going unhung was the direct cause of Taylor's being lynched shortly after". Whether that remark was factual or simply a spontaneous flash of honest exasperation with the justice system is, of course, unknown. But it was clearly incendiary.

The man the court house official referred to was William Taylor who was lynched on September 4, 1878 - the year following the Kalb trial. He was hung by a mob of angry citizens from a lamp post on Market Street in downtown Sandusky as retribution for the murder of a girl named Alice O'Donnell. An account of the lynching was published in the September 8, 1878 edition of The New York Times with the headline "A CITY UNDER MOB RULE".

In any case, that’s the story. And although nothing of a negative nature apparently ever happened after Kalb gained his freedom it is, nonetheless, difficult to determine the reason(s) for, what appears to have been, an exceptional degree of leniency bestowed upon him.

Information about him is scant. Born in Vermilion in 1858 his father worked as a ships carpenter. The family (there were 4 children) lived on "Bridge" Street. [NOTE: I've no idea as to where "Bridge" Street was located.] The newspaper articles make a point of saying that Kalb had been in Cleveland where he apparently "planned the murder". But who he was with, why he was there, or where he was in Cleveland when plans for the crime were made are unknown factors.

The jeweler Elijah DeWitt, on the other hand, was a well known and respected Vermilion merchant. His name appears on a list of prominent businesses and businessmen in Vermilion as early as 1871. He was the son of a well-to-do Elyria (Ohio) banker also named Elijah. His uncle was Edwin Converse Higbee who founded one of Cleveland, Ohio's largest, and most successful, drygoods stores in that city. Consequently, the family was well known throughout the region. They were, in brief, both socially and economically affluent.

There is, of course, little reason to ponder Kalb’s motive for robbery. But one must certainly wonder some about the brutal stabbing of the “cripple” DeWitt. It seems to have really been (as some say) “over the top”. This is especially true when one understands that Kalb stole nothing (that’s right - nothing) in the course of the crime beyond DeWitt’s life.

So what, one must ask, was the jury thinking when they set aside the first degree murder verdict? Could they have seen in Joshua Kalb some mental and / or physical deficiency unseen by reporters and the general public? And what about Governor Foraker? Was he, perchance, aware of something of that same nature? Was his commutation of Kalb’s sentence a genuine demonstration of his Christian beliefs? Was it political?

To be sure, the truth(s) surrounding the murder on Main Street in the Village of Vermilion, O. in 1877 - and the intrigues surrounding the event - will never likely be uncovered. And it may very well be that it’s best that they remain that way.

_{Ref: The Elyria (Ohio) Constitution, April 5, 12, and June 28, 1877; The Sandusky Daily Register, Dec. 27, 1889; A Standard History of Erie County, Ohio, 1916; The New York Times, Sep. 8, 1878; U.S. Census 1870 & 1880; A History of Cleveland and Its Environs, 1918; Special Thanks to Al Tarrant; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 08/20/2009}

A SPOON (?): Well, it’s not just any old spoon. Amazingly enough it’s from the Dari-Delite store, which is (you will note) one of the desktop pictures this week. It, of course, was located at he entrance to the old Crystal Beach Amusement Park.

This is one of the minute artifacts that most of us would have tossed into a trashcan as soon as we were through with it – way back when. But thanks to Frank and Mary Lynn Homitz it became a keepsake.

It’s now an amazing and Deliteful Vermilion artifact.