THE BIKER GIRL As of this moment I’ve no idea who the young lady we see pictured on what appears to be a 1920 Harley in front of the Pelton-McGraw building on Liberty in beautiful downtown Vermilion, O. I’ve also no idea as to who owned the bike. But the photo so enamored me when I saw it I knew I just had to use it in this edition of VIEWS.

In addition to the young lady on the motorcycle – which is, by the way, on a kickstand, we are afforded a pretty good view of Mehnert’s news store across the street and Hart’s Corner Drugstore to the right. This pic predated Paul’s Snack Shop on the left side of Mehnert’s store. I also don’t have much of an idea of what Paul’s place was being used for when this pic was taken. But I’m aware of the fact that Mayor “Squire” Williams used it as an office for a time. Perhaps that’s what was going on in that little shop at that time. It’s not easy to see but there are interurban tracks in the middle of the street. And looking closer at one of the men in the background it appears that he is seated in a wheelchair. For some reason I’ve been seeing handicapped persons in several photos as of late. I hope that’s not an omen.

But, gee what a great pic! Maybe Janet knows the identity of the biker girl.

THE LIBRARY:Some Vermilionites may remember our old library on Grand Street. I recall going in there with my mom when I was very young. It was like going into a cathedral – a holy place. Everything looked so nice and well tended to – it was very comfortable. But so, too, is the new Ritter Public Library. It’s larger, of course. But in many ways it’s still the same – so clean one could, if necessary, eat off the floors.

The biggest contrast, as the new pic, illustrates is the updated checkout desk, the carpeted floor, the card catalogue and the lighting. But those are very subtle changes. On an academic level it’s much the same as it was then.

FOR EDIFICATION: At a meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society the past week I made mention of the fact that the steeple of the old Methodist-Episcopal Church that once sat on the southeast corner of Liberty and Grand Streets in Vermilion was once a landmark. I don’t know how or why some were unaware of this church – but it doesn’t really matter because I’m going to write a little about it here and now.

I don’t know the precise date it was established in Vermilion but the church was a well-established institution in the town before the turn of the 20th century. Many of the town’s best-known citizens attended, were married and buried by its pastors. As time passed the church grew and the building just to the east of it was used for dinners and recreational purposes. I suppose it was akin to what most churches now call a “Fellowship Hall”.

However, by 1926 the number of members had so dwindled that a proposal was made for them to be absorbed by the Vermilion First Congregational Church. So in 1927, with the approval of state officials, the Vermilion Congregational and Methodist Churches voted to unite. The two churches joined under a Congregational policy. Consequently, 118 new members were added to the rolls.

The old Methodist-Episcopal Church building was then abandoned, with the exception of an occasional Boy Scout meeting or basketball practice. And a few years later (1928), the building, then occupied by the Ben Taylor Plumbing company, was destroyed by what later Vermilion historian Betty Trinter described in a “spectacular nighttime fire.”

Shortly after the land was cleared the Standard Oil Company, which had previously occupied an area somewhere near the foot of Exchange and Liberty streets moved their business to the old church site. Some longtime residents remember the corner as being occupied by “Fulper’s” Sohio station and Auto Parts store. Currently (2016) it is simply an empty lot in the middle of town that is ripe for positive redevelopment.

Vol. XII, No.19. - VERMILION, OHIO, THURSDAY, October 15, 1908

DO WE WANT ELECTRIC LIGHTS?

Do the people of Vermilion village want electric lights providing a fair and just contract can be made? The condition is this. Some of our businessmen would like to have their places of business electrically lighted. This can be done without the town taking arc lights. But in order to have the homes lighted arc lights must be furnished to the village. Now what do you think about it? The rates asked by Mr. F.W. Coen are we believe to be, reasonable compared with neighboring towns. Some time ago we had occasion to compare the prices in several towns about the size of Vermilion. One town owning its own plant commenced business by asking 6¢ for incandescent lights, 10¢ is now charged.

The present lighting system although faithfully cared for is inadequate. New lamps are needed and we believe we are paying dearly for the light we now have, however cheaply they may be run.

How would you vote on the question?

_{WARNING TO HUNTERS}

Any person who, without permission, hunts upon the place known as Crane farm will be fine twenty-five dollars ($25.00), whether he goes upon such land in search of game, or goes on in pursuit of game already started. – Horace C Porter

_{HUNTER FINED}

Henry Fiebach was taken before Squire Gegenheimer Wednesday and drew a fine of $5.00 for hunting and trespassing. The complaint was made by Charles Palmer. The farmers are determined to do away with hunting upon their premises without permission.

_{Vermilion Mill Open}

The Vermilion Flour Mill is again open for business. W.B. Housman, for several years with the Barrows Milling Co. of Lorain has accepted the position of Manager. Grain, flour and feed will be dealt in. The feed mill well be run Tuesdays and Fridays until business warrants a change.

[NOTE: This is news to me. Houseman was my great-uncle. His first name was Worely. Some folks about town may remember his daughter, Clara. She was never married – her beau died before they could marry. Toward the end of her life she live in Nokomis Park. When she died she left everything to the Ritter Library.]

THE SEWERAGE QUESTION AGAIN

The mayor and several councilmen accepted the invitation of F.W. Wakefield to visit the Lakewood sewage disposal plant last Friday afternoon and were agreeably surprised and pleased with the trip. More knowledge was gained by it than could be had by hearing all the experts of the state talk on the subject. There it was, an object lesson. [Though] We cannot explain the process, which the sewage passes through it is simple and inexpensive. But the result obtained was the liquid brought back in a bottle, apparently pure water, and offensive to no one. The trip has made what appeared a mountain into a molehill. The only thing now remaining is to find if Vermilion has any place available for such a purpose. The council gave Mr. Wakefield a vote of thanks for the trip, which is proved of much value to them.

_{ELECTRIC LIGHTS?}

The Council met Monday evening to talk over the lighting question. After considerable discussion a committee was appointed to visit Elyria to see what is being done there. The matter will again be brought up next Monday evening at which time it is hoped the question will be settled. The only action taken on a sewer question was the ordering of the clerk to communicate with the engineers in regard to finding a location for a disposal plant.

_{The New Lighting System}

Dr. Derr has installed a Pilot acetylene gas machine and his residence. The plan formerly used of dropping water upon the carbide is reversed and the carbide from which the gases generated is dropped into the water as needed. This is a great saving. The doctor is much pleased with the outfit, which gives a fine mellow light. We notice that Wakefield fixtures are used in the rooms.

_{The Huron Marshal Arrested}

Franklin Lavoo, Marshal of Huron, was on Thursday night arrested on the charge of bastardly [sic], preferred by Ms. Kate Duffy, and arraigned before Squire Jeffrey and bound over to the Court of Common Pleas with bail of $600. Lavoo is a married man. When asked by the justice what he had to say in his defense replied he had nothing to say.

It will be remembered that a few weeks ago a gas engine was stolen from a launch, which lay at anchor in Sandusky. The launch was owned by the Rev. Emanuel Wilson and last week Mr. Wilson got trace of it quite by accident. The engine was found in Tonawanda, N. Y. and two sailors giving their names as Robert Norton and Ernest Smith were arrested and brought to Sandusky. They pleaded guilty to the charge were bound over to the grand jury in the sum of $300 each. Both were remanded to jail in default of bail.

Correspondence

AMHERST

Adolph Heimzerling purchased the Lapp and Kothe milk route and began serving their old customers Monday morning.

The Vermilion High baseball team was given another trimming at Amherst Saturday, a score of 15 to 11. The feature of the game was the playing of first base by Crandal [sic] in the work of Stiwald at third.

At a meeting by the committee of on water project, Thursday evening, Mr. Huppertz of Chicago, representing United Pumping Power Company, was present to show them the merits of the system. The committee was favorably impressed with it, but found it was up against the streetcar company that does not seem inclined to sell power. Mayor Stiwald was appointed to see the company officials and was accompanied to Cleveland by Mr. Huppertz Friday. After an interview with the company, Mayor Stiwald was given the promise of power from the street railway to operate the proposed water system, after having explained the urgent necessity of water, especially with the school building.

While engaged in digging a well on the Whiten farm last week, Curtis Whiten had a narrow escape from death and may lose the sight of both eyes. Large quantities of rock were encountered and dynamite was being used for the blasting. A charge had been set and exploded and after the loose rock had been hoisted Whiten began to drill for another charge. Without warning the whole was filled with smoke and flying rock dust. Curtis was the only one in the hole at the time and the others hastened to his assistance and found him covered with stone several of them a foot square. It is thought that a portion of the charge of dynamite remained unexploded and that the steel drill struck it, it was set off, as it had been some time since the original charge had been fired.

Mrs. Alonso Kendeigh funeral services were held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.

New machinery will be installed in Amherst Municipal plant thus rendering a better lighting plant. Several new arc lights have been located and will be installed at once and more when needed.

BIRMINGHAM

Mr. O.A. Mordoff has a fine Edison Gramophone.

Mrs. Lively Webster of Log Lane was buried last Sunday. Mrs. Webster has been a resident of Henrietta for over 60 years.

The dry weather still hangs on. No rain here for eight weeks of any account. Nearly all cisterns are empty and some wells are dry.

Mr. Dan Garber a respected citizen of Birmingham died Saturday night. Mr. Garber has not been well since his team ran away, throwing him out of the wagon, injuring him seriously. His heart never has been right since. His family have the sympathy of the community.

Strong's Corners

Born – to Mr. Mrs. Elver Heussner, a son.

Mr. Will Bogart his move one on the Wind Fall Road.

The farmers are thankful for the rain, which will help them in their wheat sowing.

AXTEL

BORN – to Mr. Mrs. Myron Frisby a daughter on October 2d ‘08.

Vermilion has a paper as we never heard of it before, we assume that the good people of this city never heard of it, so we will mention that the news is published once a week in that northeast corner of Erie County, and we congratulate the villagers on having an organ. We wish it's editor great success and would be glad to learn that he will labor it in behalf of the Republican Party whenever he can consistently with his sense of duty. Should he need assistance in any way in the mechanical Department of his paper from the register, we can assure him that we will respond promptly.

The above article appeared in the Sandusky register, once famed for its staunch adherence is to the principles of the Republican Party. We are surprised, yes, astounded – completely bumfoozled (we coin this word to express our feelings).

Yes, Bro Mack we’re here, and if you will dust the cobwebs out, you will find way back in your memory or rather the files of your paper sundry articles clipped from the Vermilion News, but no credit given. Where did they come from? We attempted to exchange – the usual courtesy among newspapers – but among the several dozen weekly newspapers that reach us, the Register was and is the only one missing. There’s something singular about this. As to politics we are not in the game. Life is too short to play it and at the same time make an honest living.

[NOTE:Ow! Do I detect some hints of sarcasm and scolding from the NEWS editor directed toward the big city daily? I’d be willing to be that Roscoe was really burnt by the Register’s comment. Perhaps they had a new editor. But it appears more than likely that the Register editor was attempting to goad Roscoe to commit the News to the ideals of a political party – right or wrong. Roscoe may very well have been a Republican, but his newspaper was strictly non-partisan.=]

The register man was one day ahead this morning. The daily newspaper Friday, October 16.

Locals.

School children! Have you noticed the souvenir postcards of the schoolhouse at A.D. Baumhart's.

Who says Vermilion ladies are not brave? That they are was proven by one of them dispatching two of the young animals commonly known as skunks, a few days ago. She did not call for help but went at them with a hoe and killed them without the usual disagreeable results. Now, even the average man would have hesitated.

Born – to Mr. Mrs. Charles Horton Friday, October 9 ‘08 a son.

Mrs. H.S. Cuddeback is suffering from an attack of quinsy. [i.e. A complication of tonsillitis.]

BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. William Kruse, a daughter Wednesday, October 14, 1908 at their home in Mount Clemens Michigan. Ms. Kruse was formerly Miss Molly Rumsey of Vermilion.

Chas. Humm of Florence who is convalescing after the attack of typhoid fever, spent Tuesday and Wednesday in town. Mr. Humm is a brother of Mrs. J. J. Cuddeback.

Rev. LeRoy Royce, age 77 died at his home of his son Rev. Luman H. Royce, of Cleveland Ohio Saturday morning. Funeral was held Tuesday. Rev. Royce has preached in Vermilion on several occasions, his son, at one time having charge of the Congregational church year.

The stoning of the E. River Rd. south of that N.P. railway bridge will be completed this week provided the weather permits. The stone crusher used worked to perfection the only difficulty being to get the stone rapidly enough. Messrs J.J. Cuddeback, Rumsey and Gordon are doing the work.

[NOTE: This may be of some interest to some because E. River Rd. is now known as Vermilion Road and sees a good deal of traffic.]

Albert Hart left this week to attend college in Ada.

Jackson Lewis is having in addition built on his house on Hanover Square.

Vermilion is now quite a shipping point for fruit. Carload after carload of peaches, groups and apples are being shipped every day.

Brief And Breezy
By our associate Editor

Football is becoming so fatal that even the practice games are beginning to fill the graveyards.

Sen. Brice's son was picked up drunk with $100,000 on his person. No le-ers were found. [NOTE: A year later Brice was found to be insane and the owner of property worth about $7000. I’d like to know more about him.]

Lives of great men all remind us we should for the people toil; stick to pathways straight and narrow; monkey not with Standard Oil.

Ethel Barrymore says American society girls don’t make good noblemen’s wives but we’ll have to see the good noblemen before we can agree.

Roosevelt "must make good or apologize," shouted the Atlanta Constitution. An up-to-date the telegraph editor of the Constitution has not had to put in any time on the apology from T.R.

SCRAPBOOKIN’: This, obviously, is a new segment on the page – at least this week. It began as an idea during the last week when Vermilionite Bud Ennis asked me a question I was unable answer with any definite dates.

He asked “About how much time passed between the moving of the Maudelton / Lakehouse Hotel from the southwest corner of Liberty and Division / Main Streets to its current location and the building of the Fischer block?”

I had a general idea in my little mind, but nothing definite. So I began to look around for a better answer. The two items below pretty much answer the question – or at least afford us with some idea of the timing.

The “Modern” article appeared in the Sandusky paper in May of 1904. The “Vermilion Has Hopes” article appeared in the same newspaper on September 16, 1911.

[AN ASIDE: Joseph Unser was indeed a Vermilion grocer. In 1910 he and his wife Elsie lived on Lake Street. He was 60 and she was 35. I don’t know if he ever kept a store in the building after it was built in 1915. By 1920 he was living in Sandusky and by 1925 he was deceased.]

In any case, it’s certain that the Fischer block was not built anytime soon after the big hotel was moved down the block.

Don Englebry wrote that when the hotel was finally moved there was not a crack in the plaster inflicted on the rooms. I wish there were some pix of it being moved. What a feat! What an accomplishment!

THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW: Chances are that I’ve used a facsimile of the accompanying photo collage in a previous Yesteryear column. I would certainly hesitate to repeat it were it not for the fact that the previous photo was actually “the” facsimile. Although I’ve done a little “photoshopping” with it – this definitely is the authentic article; the one from which all other pictures and postcards have been made. For those who may not recognize the building it is the Vermilion News print shop on the east side of Grand Street, two doors south of the railroad and two doors north of Ohio Street.

The original collage consists of three pictures pasted on an olive colored eight by ten-inch piece of heavy matboard. At the bottom of the board someone has written, “Make about 3 by 5 ½” (ergo, postcard size). A large piece of the upper right corner of the board has broken off, the other corners are worn and rounded; the pictures have yellowed some with age, and the two smaller ones show creases where they appear to have been inadvertently folded before or during their being pasted onto the board. But other than that the originals are really in decent condition.

About the images: I only know three of the four persons in the upper left photograph. From left to right they are: E.T. Bottomley, Bessie Roscoe and Pearl Roscoe. As a point of interest Mr. Bottomley was Mrs. Roscoe’s father. I don’t know the identity of the remaining ladies. But the clarity of the images is admirable. One can actually see the stripes in Roscoe’s suit.

The small photo on the lower right is a very good one of the original newspaper press in the building. Somewhere outside the structure (probably at the back) was a gasoline engine that turned a line shaft that ran into the building. Leather straps ran from the shaft to the wheels of the presses to make them operational. As many persons already know such set-ups were commonly used in factories during part of the 18th and throughout the 19th century to operate machinery. Electricity, which would displace the gas engine and therefore the line shaft, had not yet arrived in Vermilion when these photographs were taken. But neither had paved roads, stone sidewalks, natural gas or a public water and sewer system.

Two decades later much of that had changed and so too had this building and the folks who worked and lived therein. Cedar shingles replaced the original clapboard exterior of the building that had added additional space to both the print shop and the upstairs apartment. A bedroom, kitchen and indoor bath (with running water) had been added. A new coal boiler in a small basement heated the building. Electrical powered presses had replaced most of the old printing equipment. The gas engine and line shaft had been scrapped. A Linotype machine – powered by both electricity and natural gas – a machine Thomas Edison called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” making the tedious task of setting type by hand a thing of the distant past was added. An upper porch over the entrance to the building was also added. It was a place where the Roscoe family could sit and enjoy the lake breezes on sultry summer afternoons and evenings. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

All of that was in the future when these photographs were captured and molded into a collage to be used for promotional purposes in 1904. The “Newspaper Age” was just beginning: the arbiter of change is information; and newspapers were the primary source of that information. In the shop it was always the day before tomorrow. And when the changes came to the shop, the town and the nation they were so subtle few noticed until a hundred years had passed and a worn out picture was discovered in a box or worn pictures.

_{Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 07/22/16.}

THE DALL BOYS: In March of 1912 brothers L.A. and J.R. Dall, who had located their businesses in Vermilion with the help of President of the Chamber of Commerce, F.W. Wakefield, built a new 40 x 60 foot garage on Liberty Avenue to showcase, sell and repair the beautiful Model 59T Overland automobile. That building, they called the Vermilion Garage is the blue building along the Liberty just east of the Vermilion Boat Club and is currently owned by the historic Moes Marine Service. The Dall brothers also owned and operated a well-known tour boat they called the Edna D.

There's a good deal more to this story . We'll save it for another time.